The Unofficial P64 Resource Forum

My P-64 doesn't like steel case ammo. The slide will not come all the way back sometimes. It comes to with 1/4" and stops. This means the trigger doesn't reset. It doesn't do that with brass ammo. My PA-63 doesn't care. I was wondering anyone else had experience this problem with steel ammo. I thought my P-64 was broke till I finally figured it out.

All the way back? Meaning all the way to the rear or all the way back to the closed position?

First thing I would do is take off the slide and drop one of the offending rounds into the chamber. See if the weight of the round will bottom it out or if it drags going in or out. The back of the round sticks out about 1/8 inch so don't worry about it not going flush with the back of the chamber. If it drags, get a brass brush and scrub on the chamber. These are surplus guns so there is no telling what kind of gunk may be stuck in tight corners.

I would next consider polishing the feed ramp to cut down on friction during feed. When I first got my P64, I had issues with my slide occasionally sticking with unlacquered steel or aluminum (Blazer) cases. Even with a stronger slide spring the slide would sometimes stop about 1/8 inch from closed. I could press lightly on the back of the slide and there would be a slight click and it would close. I polished the feed ramp to reduce some of the friction - no more sticking.

I would also consider trying another magazine.

Thanks. Mine is doing exactly what yours was doing.

darrell wrote:My P-64 doesn't like steel case ammo. The slide will not come all the way back sometimes. It comes to with 1/4" and stops. This means the trigger doesn't reset. It doesn't do that with brass ammo. My PA-63 doesn't care. I was wondering anyone else had experience this problem with steel ammo. I thought my P-64 was broke till I finally figured it out.

My P-64s are fine with steel cases. Is it possible there's some old cosmoline gumming up the works?

I experienced the same thing (see thread "Failure to go into battery") and solved my problem by de-burring the breech face cartridge-pushing-ears, for lack of a better term.

I noticed the problem with brass ammo, though. I have the stock recoil spring and a polished feed ramp.

I am starting to suspect that my malfunction was unrelated to the type of ammo, and mostly exacerbated by dirtiness of the gun and stiff lube due to cold temps. Regardless, I think the pistol will be much more reliable without the sharp edge trying to ride over the case rim.

Mine will do it occassionally with brass too. It has gotten better the more rounds I put through it. How did you deburr that. With fine sand paper or emory cloth? Let me know and I will try that with mine.

darrell wrote:Mine will do it occassionally with brass too. It has gotten better the more rounds I put through it. How did you deburr that. With fine sand paper or emory cloth? Let me know and I will try that with mine.

I used a dremel with a small sanding wheel. I put a pretty good bevel on it. I probably took off more than was necessary. Shoots good though.