Possible faulty P-64?

pshootr · Post by **pshootr** » July 14th, 2007, 5:00 am

+1 to both of the above posts. I have only one P-64 but to get the pencil (OK, I used a dowel rod) to move the safety must be off and the trigger must be held back, and yes, it's very hard not to go to the full cock position.

himmel · Post by **himmel** » July 14th, 2007, 1:16 pm

Well, I tried it myself-- safety off, thumbed hammer back, let it slip--pencil moved. Checked the decock while I was at it, worked fine--hammer dropped, pencil did not move. I think it's just the way the gun is made, the hammer rebounds off the pin, but a forceful enough drop, whether by trigger or by "fanning" the hammer (like in the old cowboy movies) will make it strike the pin if the safety is not engaged. But recall, I'm a lawyer, not a gunsmith...

frym · Post by **frym** » July 15th, 2007, 3:41 pm

himmel: Yep, that it what mine does exactly. Fanning (I knew there was a more correct term, but could not remember it till now) the hammer, will strike the firing pin.

Yes, the hammer will go into engagement rather quickly after you start pulling it back, BUT it could be a concern of one is in a hurry, and/or one's fingers are sweaty/slippery, etc. Or are a small lady, or some child messing around.

stibnite: nice 2nd pic. and is looks pretty much like what I have.

Will I have not taken the gun totally apart, I been all over it with the slide and grips off and a good flashlight. Nothing seems to have been ground, dremeled, etc. Notches on sear and hammer and nice and sharp, well defined. Bluing is intact on all the parts.

I am beginning to get the impression that it is an issue of angles/tolerances and that perhaps some of these guns are different in that regard. thesaint had an accidental discharge as did the previous owner of mine.

Again: mine is stamped 1976, has the triangular hammer, thumb rest grip. Wonder of this is unique to a certain batch?

Himmel what version do you have, if you don't mind me asking?

Anyone know which version thesaint has?

Post by **normsutton** » July 15th, 2007, 4:53 pm

frym
I have four P-64 and one of them is a 76 and it doesn't do what you described but
there is a new member that needs a trigger guard maybe you should part your P-64 out and sell him your trigger guard

NORM

beasleydano · Post by **beasleydano** » July 15th, 2007, 5:45 pm

Who needs parts? See my post in the Buy, Sell, Trade section.

himmel · Post by **himmel** » July 17th, 2007, 7:15 pm

Hi Frym,
Mine is a '76 triangle hammer too, I really don't think anything is messed up on it, seems in great shape--

frym · Post by **frym** » July 18th, 2007, 1:47 pm

himmel: most interesting! I know two by no means makes a pattern, but nonetheless interesting. Did a PM to thesaint asking the same question but have not received a response.

anyone else?

I too feel mine is in great shape with no obvious tooling or damage.

Marcus

slackone · Post by **slackone** » August 1st, 2007, 5:16 pm

Mine's a '74, and it will, on fanning with safety off, launch a pencil a very short distance (6 inches or so). It doesn't launch it like it would with a full stike (6-7 feet). Still enough to worry about. I'm about to get a recoil + firing pin spring combo from Wolff, so I'm hoping that a stiffer FP spring will aid the issue, or I'll find something else wrong while the pistol is apart.

Question, though...with my pistol, and the hammer "at rest", pushing the hammer forwards results in a minor amount of movement, but maybe enough for the hammer to hit the very tippy-tip of the firing pin? I'm kind of wondering if my issue isn't related to a too-long FP, as it sits *nowhere* near flush when the safety's off.

Oh...and first post, long time lurker. I love this pistol, and I'm going to figure this out one way or another

Q

bzinggg · Post by **bzinggg** » August 1st, 2007, 6:28 pm

If, as quite a few of us have found, it is possible to cause the hammer of a P-64 to contact the firing pin with the safety off, then wouldn't a person be wise to put the safety on when carrying the pistol with a round in the chamber? If a wise man always chooses to err on the side of safety where deadly firearms are concerned, how can his decision be otherwise?

trent · Post by **trent** » August 1st, 2007, 11:23 pm

I tested mine and "fanning" the hammer with the safety off does nothing to the pencil, so I think I'm good!

Post by **normsutton** » August 2nd, 2007, 4:26 am

slackone

welcome

NORM

Post by **papabear** » August 2nd, 2007, 6:52 am

slackone,

Welcome aboard, glad to have ya here, lurking or joining in with your thoughts and ideas are welcome too.

papabear

slackone · Post by **slackone** » August 2nd, 2007, 9:34 am

If, as quite a few of us have found, it is possible to cause the hammer of a P-64 to contact the firing pin with the safety off, then wouldn't a person be wise to put the safety on when carrying the pistol with a round in the chamber? If a wise man always chooses to err on the side of safety where deadly firearms are concerned, how can his decision be otherwise?

It is less a question of carrying with the safety on, which I do, but more of a question of absolute functionality as intended. I wish to eliminate as many factors as possible as concerned to accidental discharge. Attempting to keep this fixed may save me from a lacerated/broken thumb if, for some reason, my thumb drops that hammer while I'm doing a manual cock.

My Beretta Jetfire is more than able to eat the web of my hand as it is, no other firearms are getting a free lunch!

And thanks for the welcomes...hope I can contribute something to the masses

Post by **papabear** » August 2nd, 2007, 1:50 pm

slackone,

You have already contributed something to the me, I like the part where you said, "no other firearms are getting a free lunch"!..... ;D

For what its worth, for those that choose to carry with one in the tube and the safety on, once you take the safety off there is no need to cock the hammer to fire, the P-64 is a DA/SA pistol. I choose to carry with one in the tube and safety off because of the somewhat heavy DA pull, I personally have no concerns about a errant discharge carrying in this manor, I simply draw and fire.

Some have said here that speed is of no concern, well, I have been in a confrontation and I can tell you only of my experience, time "was" of the essence for me, but to each their own. I also use a S&W M36 from time to time with a full 5 rds in the cylinder and it has no safety and the firing pin is on the hammer and sets right next to the primer, and I don't have a concern for a errant discharge with it either. However, for those that don't feel the need for speed, which is fine with me, go ahead and leave the safety on the P-64 and then in a stress situation go ahead and flip the safety off and then cock the hammer before you aim and shoot. No flame toward anyone intended , just my $0.02 worth and the way I do business.

papabear

slackone · Post by **slackone** » August 2nd, 2007, 2:31 pm

As I saw someone else on the board mention, I think my P-64's DA pull was so hard I think I stressed a tendon in my hand. Wish I was kidding, but after my first range session with it, the web of my hand where my thumb connects is sore, and I can't squeeze things as hard as I usually can...a combo of 50 rounds and firing DA. Now, when I try to pull DA right handed, I can only get the hammer "over the hump" if I pull as fast as I possibly can. A slower pull or any hesitation leads to the feeling of a brick wall getting in the way at the point the hammer would come off of the DA sear.

Left handed, I can pull the trigger just fine, though it is still like arm wrestling an angry bear...just in the left hand, the bear eventually capitulates.

Wolff 19 pound spring on its way as well...

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