Spare/removed part hidden inside grip?

bunni · Post by **bunni** » August 5th, 2007, 2:26 am

New here, I bought a P-64 today! ;D

Anyway, I broke it down to clean it (it appears to have been Cosmoline'd, ick). And inside one of the grip panels, packed into one of the circular depressions near the mag release, was a great glob of thick blue greasy paste. And inside this glob of paste was a mysterious metal washer.

I see no mention of this on any of the exploded parts diagrams. The closest I can tell is that this is the Strut Washer - which DOES appear to be missing from the hammer strut.

This raises some questions:
1) Is this really the Strut Washer, or some other spare part?
2) Why has this part been removed? Perhaps someone's attempt to lighten the hammer, or maybe to unload the spring for storage?
3) If this is indeed the Strut Washer, should I replace it?

Anyone have any guidance as to what's going on here? ???

bzinggg · Post by **bzinggg** » August 5th, 2007, 2:45 am

It may have had a hammer spring change-out by a previous owner trying to tame a stiff double-action trigger pull. If the washer is the one that goes on first, ahead of the origional hammer spring, they were probably saving it there in case they wanted to return to the stock set-up.

If not that, then it may be an extra nut for the grip screw, which would look like a washer in a dark glob of gun grease used to keep it in place. An experienced soldier or policeman might keep the extra part there, with the grease serving a double purpose, being available to grease the rails if needed.

bunni · Post by **bunni** » August 5th, 2007, 3:10 am

If not that, then it may be an extra nut for the grip screw

That was my first thought, but I checked and it slid right over the screw. Whatever it fits is larger in diameter than the grip screw.

Thanks for the reply!

Post by **normsutton** » August 5th, 2007, 5:02 am

bunni

WELCOME

If it is a Strut Washer for the hammer spring you need to put it back on
and make sure you get gun clean of Cosmolin before shooting it

NORM

Post by **papabear** » August 5th, 2007, 6:54 am

bunni,

Welcome aboard, glad to have ya here with us. No sense me piping in, both these guys know their stuff and I can't add anything to what they said, my first thought was it was the nut for the grip screw too,
Let us know what you find out.

papabear

protector · Post by **protector** » August 5th, 2007, 9:15 am

Use Brake cleaner to get the cosmoline out of there,Ive used it for years,works great,just dont get it on plastic!

bunni · Post by **bunni** » August 6th, 2007, 1:01 am

Greetings!

Gun has been de-cosmolined, cleaned, and reassembled.

Turns out the mysterious part was indeed the strut washer. I put it back were it belongs. Now the DA trigger pull is just like the OTHER P-64's I tried in the store (that is, almost impossible). I had picked this particular gun because it had a softer (but by no means soft) trigger, now I know why.

I'm guessing this was some Polish officer's quick-and-dirty trigger job.

Which makes me wonder if its safe to shoot the gun without that washer? The trigger was much nicer (but still you-gotta-really-mean-it stiff) without it...

Post by **normsutton** » August 6th, 2007, 5:33 am

bunni

The guys on this board that haven't change the springs say it will loosen up with uses , if you have children its a good safety factor .

I have 4 P-64's and change all the springs in mine, I would not go bellow the 18# hammer spring

you can them at http://www.gunsprings.com/SemiAuto/PolishNF.html

P-64, 9x18 Makarov
RECOIL SPRINGS are available with load-rated specifications. Each load-rated recoil spring package includes an extra power firing pin spring.

Reduced Power...: None Available
Factory Standard.: 18 Lb.
Extra Power.........: 20 and 22 Lb.
Above Recoil Spring - Stock No. 534xx.....$ 7.89 ea
Please Note: Replace the "XX" in the stock number with the pound rating of spring.

HAMMER SPRINGS are available in a variety of weights to allow adjustment of the trigger/let-off to individual needs. The hammer spring pak is recommended when exact poundage desired in unknown and offer a savings over individually purchased springs.

HAMMER SPRING PAK - reduced power, contains 1 each of 18, 19 and 20 pound reduced power hammer springs, allowing adjustment of the firearm to individual requirements.
Stock No. 32358.....$ 9.00

INDIVIDUAL HAMMER SPRING
Reduced Power...: 17, 18, 19 and 20 Lb.

NORM

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