Poor man's PPK-Polish P64 9x18 Makarov

victorylarry · Jun 14, 2009

Since ammo prices moved higher after the election, I've only been inclined to shoot the cheap centerfire ammo. I picked up some 9x18 makarov rounds recently for about half the price of 9mm Luger rounds. I've shot the Makarov Russian pistols when they were first imported into the country in the early 90's, and they were reliable. Anyone have any luck with the P64? Mine seams to be fairly well made. It's all steel, DA and has a 27lb(?) trigger pull (eeh!). I'll hit the range next weekend and test her out. J&G has these for $159, so unless it explodes on me they seem like a good bargain.

Erich · Jun 14, 2009

It won't explode. You'll want to know about this: http://www.p64resource.com/

You can work on that trigger with the info they have up there . . .

Steave · Jun 14, 2009

A friend of mine bought two of them, he had them with him last time we went shooting. They seem to be well made and are priced right, but after that I don't have much dood to say about them. The trigger pull, especially DA, was horrible, you almost needed two fingers to pull it. The worst part, though, was the way the gun recoiled, it really bit me in the web of my hand. Bit probably isn't the correct term as it wasn't the hammer or the slide getting me, just how the gun recoiled. I really don't think I've ever had another pistol hit me the way this one did and be so uncomfortable, especially with a relatively mild cartridge like the 9X18. I've never thought PPK's were particulary pleasant to shoot, but the aren't painful; this gun hurt. Of course, that may be an individual issue for me and may not be a problem for others.

lev83 · Jun 15, 2009

Nice inexpensive and very reliable CCW gun. Downside to its use as carry is the 6 round limit. Recoil is definately snappy but not all that bad as long as you ensure you have a firm grip. This can be minimized with a nice set of custom grips from Marschalgrips.com

GatorFarmer · Jun 15, 2009

It looks like it has a decocker. Stick a pen down the barrel periodically, decock, and check for movement or worse yet seeing the pen go flying. I had a PA63 (yes, I know, different gun, but same Combloc surplus type quality) that put a bullet hole in my futon when I decocked it years ago. That was interesting.

Anyway, if your gun will feed JHPs, you can get such from Georgia Arms and a number of other sources.

For not much more money, you can buy a Cz82 which will increase capacity to 12 rounds.

Raider · Jun 15, 2009

I carry a P64 every day as my CCW carry gun. Nice and flat with vicious recoil, at least for me. I cut the trigger pull down to a reasonable weight by installing a Walther PPK trigger spring. Just the same I'll cock the hammer if I have time. P64resource is a great site with all kinds of fine info.

Charlie

Babalooie · Jun 16, 2009

I had one and couldn't stand the trigger pull. Got rid of it. If you're looking for a "poor man's PPK/s" take a look at the Bersa Thunder in .380. It has an alloy frame and is worth the price. I had two and liked them. Sold 'em to finance another gun purchase.

RonJ · Jun 16, 2009

Larry,
Here's a cousin to your gun. It's a current manufacture CZ-83. This one is a .380 but the Mak version can still be found, though discontinued by CZUSA.
From your description the CZ has a much improved DA pull. The recoil is pretty abrupt but I hear that a Wolfe 18 1/2 lb recoil spring tames it quite a lot.
Other than the fact that it pinches my trigger finger I really like this gun.

Muley Gil · Jun 16, 2009

I bought a Russian made one while I was in Afghanistan. Yes, the trigger pull was BAD. I couldn't bring it back to the States, so I sold it in-country.

Poor man's PPK-Polish P64 9x18 Makarov

victorylarry

Member

Erich

Member

Steave

Absent Comrade

lev83

Member

GatorFarmer

Member

Raider

SWCA Member, Absent Comrade

Babalooie

US Veteran

RonJ

US Veteran

Muley Gil

US Veteran

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