P64 "Bites" my Thumb!

martilyo · Post by **martilyo** » July 8th, 2009, 10:20 pm

When I fire the P64, it bites or pinches the skin between the thumb and forefinger. anyone else have this problem? Any ideas to fix the problem? I have added marschal grips and it still bites the skin.

Post by **normsutton** » July 9th, 2009, 7:10 am

Martilyo
I think you might be holding you hand to hight on the grip

NORM

primarchbentley · Post by **primarchbentley** » July 9th, 2009, 4:02 pm

It's a matter of how you grip it (like a swallow with a coconut, if you will).

I noticed that when I fired my P64 with the 'plastic thumb rest' version of the left side grip, my hand would tend to drift upwards if I wasn't paying attention, and I was more likely to get 'slide bite'. Once I replaced the left grip with the 'flat' version, my grip wouldn't drift like that any more. I've since switched to Dennis' grips, and things have only gotten better all around.

YMMV, but there's my story on fixing 'slide bite.' Paying more attention made the first, immediate difference, switching grip design provided a more long term solution.

martilyo · Post by **martilyo** » July 10th, 2009, 12:53 am

Thanks for the input. I recently purchased a set of Dennis' grips with the thumbrest. I hate to get rid of them, so I will try to alter my grip.
Do you think the recoil spring may be too weak as well?

primarchbentley · Post by **primarchbentley** » July 10th, 2009, 3:49 pm

Recoil spring strength is usually a personal preference, but it seems many people here like to upgrade to at least the 20lb. If that would be enough to make a difference to YOU is the question.

Still, taming the recoil a bit might help with keeping a constant grip. And a recoil spring replacement is one of the less expensive mods out there...

martilyo · Post by **martilyo** » July 11th, 2009, 2:48 pm

I just received a set of recoil (20lb.) and firing pin springs from Wolff, installed them but haven't been to the range yet. I'll post the results soon.

ogdengunner · Post by **ogdengunner** » July 11th, 2009, 8:00 pm

It is definitely how you are gripping the pistol. I had the same issue. Once I adjusted my hands down a little, the problem stopped and I haven't had an issue since.

conscript47 · Post by **conscript47** » July 11th, 2009, 10:43 pm

Could the issue also be with the different hammer designs? It looks to me like the triangle hammer would put you at more risk for the "bite" than the rounded version... so to those who are getting bite, which version do you have? I just got 76 (triangle hammer) and am wondering if I'll get bitten too (I have large hands).

ogdengunner · Post by **ogdengunner** » July 12th, 2009, 10:36 am

My hands are not that large but here is what I did. I started off gripping the pistol right at the top of the grip. This put my entire hand on the grip. I then looked at the slide and where it would come back. I noticed that in this position, the slide was going to rub against the web between my thumb and fore finger every time. So, I adjusted my grip by lowering it to where my pinky was resting on the bottom of the magazine plate. This was just enough to keep the slide from rubbing against the web. I hope this explanation was clear.

martilyo · Post by **martilyo** » July 12th, 2009, 2:31 pm

I'll give it a try next time at the range. I have a 1969 model with a rounded trigger.

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