Finally took the P64 to the range

[xcc_rider]

As the title says, took it shooting today. I wanted to try out the heavier recoil spring and Hogue grip wrap.

I don't know what all the negative hype is about. Recoil was manageable (much less than I anticipated from all the web comments), grip size good, DA trigger is a bear (but did several DA draw/double tap drills and all DA still hit the critical areas in the silhouette target at 10 yards), and liked the SA trigger as is so no other spring changes for me.

Groupings we're good (shooting with bifocals suck) and the recoil bite is much less than my 1911. In fact it left a small bruise 3/8" closer to the web than the missing chunk of skin from my 1911 today.

Very satisfied with this little firearm. Only concern I have is the unsupported chamber and the badly bulged brass (visualize a really bad Glock case bulge). I was going to reload for it but I think I'll just stock up on more steel cased ammo instead.
I have a case sizer for the 9x18 that I use to "fix" 9x19 range brass but these cases are not reusable in my opinion.

Edit: upon further reading it appears it may have been the PPU ammo I was shooting. It appears others have had excessive bulging when shooting it so I guess I'll be trimming 9x19 brass now instead and reloading after all.

Anyways, overall impression is very positive. Starting to save up for another one for parts and such as I'll be hanging on to this one for a long time.

[Ketchman]

XCC_Rider,
Glad your range session went well and that you figured out that the PPU ammo can sometimes be a bit on the hot side. May I recommend Polish Irons V.05 grips. They add just a little bit of width to the grip but helps soooo much with recoil. You can find my review here.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6074

[Curly1]

Nice report, thanx for the update.

[xcc_rider]

I was looking at the PI grips but the recoil doesn't bother me. It's a small gun so it's gonna kick a little. Honestly, my Manurhin PP in 32 cal kicks almost as bad as the P64 (my hand loads)
The bite in the web isn't a big deal either. My 1911 leaves me with a scab when I shoot a couple hundred rounds thru it. The P64 a small bruise next to the scab isn't that bad.
Granted I only put 50 rounds thru the P64 and this will only happen at the range. Just like with the 1911, a little tape cures that. In a SD situation I won't feel the bite at all.
I think for now I'm looking to replace the mag release with one of the extended ones and consider the grips later down the road but thx for the recommendation.

[Ketchman]

No problem at all. I have larger hands but a bit bony so it tends to wear quickly on me when firing the P64 for more than a couple of mags. The thing I like best about the V.05 grips is they fill my hand better and I think I shoot better with them because my grip is more consistant. Russ's mag release works really well I hear. Good.luck.

[xcc_rider]

Second trip to range today with about 80 rnds thru it. Worked hard on DA/SA double and triple taps to try and get used to the different trigger pulls. Gotta say I don't like the DA pull but the SA seems light to me so I'm not going to be changing the spring.

I've still got some work to do but at least the double/triple taps are all staying in the black at 8 yards.

[Ketchman]

Nice work. And frankly, this pistol is not designed for any kind of serious work much beyond 8 yards.

[xcc_rider]

If you aim carefully it doesn't do too bad at 21 yrds using single action only. Tho as you said, with it's sights I can't imagine it would be practical at that distance.
The double/triple taps drills are in case the DA round is a flyer and the second and third rounds are the ones that count.
Gotta say the SA trigger allows for some quick follow up shots.

Nice little gun tho. After 40+ years as a 1911 guy it's just gonna take me some time to learn the DA/SA trigger. I'm also taking my Sig SP2022 to the range to learn it's DA/SA trigger also so I've got some work to do with it also.

[Ketchman]

Oh Darn! I have to practice with my sidearms! Such a hardship! Lol. I wish all practice at learning was as much fun.
Really nice thing is the P64 dissapears on your person like no 1911 ever could come close to doing.

[xcc_rider]

Over coming 40+ years of muscle memory is tricky. It'll take time to learn the new triggers. I figure a couple thousand rounds for drills should do it.
I know it's tough but someone needs to keep the ammo companies in business.

Yah the 1911 (mines the commander model) is kinda hard to conceal tho many years ago I did use a shoulder holster in the winter time and IWB for summer. Of course I didn't know what "printing" was in those days.

I like the size and power of the P64 (very close to my Walther PP). It should do nicely when I'm staying in a free state.

[Ketchman]

Well please do all you can to keep the ammo companies open. Seriously, I too have a Commander and I can conceal it with the right clothing but that clothing is.not always practical. And the power to size ratio on the P64 is quite good. And Frankly I like it better than the Walther.

[GuitarmanNick]

I am getting ready to start reloading some of my Red Army Elite and Privi Partizan brass. Just got my dies and bullets. I will probably go over to my dad's next weekend to use his equipment. All of it has been fired in my P-64 and I have not noticed any cases that are bulged. I am sure that if there is an issue, it will show up when I start reloading.

I will report my results.

[xcc_rider]

I've been stock piling 9x19 cases for months now (I'm glad to keep the range clean). When the time comes I'll trim them for reloading the 9x18 cartridges.

[BikerNut]

First time I shot mine was with PPU ammo, and the brass was badly Glocked. Too much to try to fix with a resizing die.

People on this site told me PPU was too hot and to try Silver Bear 9x18 ammo.

1) My P64 loves Silver Bear steelcased ammo. Shoots very accurate with no feed or eject failures.

2) Silver Bear is so extremely cheap that my newly purchased 9x18 dies and fresh bag of Starline brass have just sat in my reloading room, and will likely sit there for quite a while.

[Ketchman]

Funny how the ammo made by the people who designed the gun works pretty good, eh? Glad to hear you found ammo that works good and your up and running.