The Unofficial P64 Resource Forum

Hello all:

I've been lurking and jujmping in with infrequent posts without introducing myself and saying thanks for the great info on this site. I picked up a 1973 P 64 a couple of months back and I'm just starting to shoot and get acquainted with it. It's a great pistol! I've shot the Makarov quite a bit - someone here referenced my 9x18 ammo sticky on gunboards where I'm North Bender, but I couldn't choose that handle here.

Here's some chrony data for the new cartridges that have come available the past couple of weeks. I used a Bulgarian Makarov.

OAL - Overall length


MFS 93-gr "+P" FMJ (20 rounds tested)

Manufacturer: MFS: Hungarian Ammunition Manufacturing, Inc., Sirok, Hungary
Headstamp: MFS 9x18 MAK+P
Cartridge Case: Brass case, boxer primed, non-corrosive
Bullet: 2 weighed: 92.9 & 92.3-gr; brass-coated with concave exposed-lead base
Magnetic: Case and bullet are non-magnetic

OAL (ins):
Range: 0.973 – 0.978
Avg: 0.975

Velocity (fps):
Range: 924 - 1006
Avg: 981
ES: 82
SD: 23

Mesko is coming available too. Here are results of tests I did some years ago on their last offering. I understand this stuff may be different and I'll test it this weekend.

Mesko 93-gr FMJ (10 rounds tested)

OAL (ins):
Range: 0.970 – 0.980
Avg: 0.974

Velocity (fps):
Range: 934 - 1026
Avg: 975
ES: 92
SD: 31

The MFS that was available in 9x18 about 4 - 5 years ago was actually faster.

Was this Mesko, that you tested 10 rounds of, the Mesko from AIM Surplus? Did it have the copper-washed steel case? If it was, was the bullet magnetic?

Actually bzinggg, that's the old Mesko - sorry for not mentioning that. If the new Mesko is different I'll post the results this weekend.

I modified my post to reflect that it's the old Mesko.

Welcome North Bender--I have read your posts over on gunboards, where I am "jeff Barnes". Thanks for your chrony work.
I guess, based on your results, we can conclude that MFS ammo is not really "+P".