The Unofficial P64 Resource Forum

I have purchased my first P-64. It is a 1973 model, and I can't wait to get it out and shoot it. I do have a question about the safety, though. It is operating properly - rolling over and disengaging the pin - but its almost like there is a catch in it about halfway through the motion. Kind of catches and clicks as it moves through. Is this normal? I have already ordered Wolf springs for it, and want to make sure everything else is correct before I fire it. Thanks for any help.

I also have a safety question on a 1973 model. When I first got the pistol the safety was almost impossible to move. I cleaned and lube the assembly and that did little to help. I then took the safety out and put it on a buffing wheel and also the detent pin that snaps into the cut outs. That still was not enough so I cut about 3 coils of the spring of the detent plunger and that eased it up considerably. Has any one had to do this and have I done something wrong here. I have also ordered Wolfe Springs a 20 pound hammer spring and a 20 pound recoil spring.

I test fired the gun and all seems fine with the work I did on the safety and I would like to know if I made a prudent choice in replacement springs.

I have spent a little more time with mine. I stripped it down and soaked it for several hours in a parts cleaner solution. Safety seems to be a little easier now. After really paying attention, it seems that the click is when at both ends of the movement. Like it is locking in to each position. I have not been to the range, yet. I can work the safety, and don't want to do any "machining" unless absolutely necessary.

there are 4 pages on the safety

viewtopic.php?t=1045&start=0

NORM

Thanks. I have looked at several posts dealing with the safety, but never saw this one with the disassembly instructions. I will go ahead and take mine apart just to make sure everything looks ok.

Took the safety apart, and everything looks ok. I did polish up the plunger with some emery cloth, and it seems to be a little smoother now. I am satisfied with it at this point. Thanks for the help.

First I want to say thanks to Norm for all his valued help. If you loose the spring and detent pin I found that a 1911 thumb safety plunger can be cut down and the spring also can be cut down to work.

The hands is a plastic bag was a great idea also Norm. Why didn't I find this out before I spent 2 hours on my knees looking for the spring.....LOL......Thanks Again, Norm.

Oh I almost forgot to ask.

Norm, will a 20 lb hammer spring be enough to ignite that Silver Bear Ammo and will bringing the recoil spring up to 20 lbs as well eliminate some of the key holing

boomer
sound's like a good fix (If you loose the spring and detent pin I found that a 1911 thumb safety plunger can be cut down and the spring also can be cut down to work )

can't take credit for this (The hands is a plastic bag was a great idea also Norm ) it came from and old member here

a 20 lb hammer spring should be enough to ignite that Silver Bear Ammo ' don't know what you ask me on the last sentence,
must be a type O

NORM

Norm it sure was a typo indeed. I am going to bring the recoil spring up to 20 lbs as well to change the timing to keep it shut longer to prevent key marking the spent casings. I guess what I am really asking is an increase in the recoil spring up 2 lbs going to have a negative trade off on the pistols operation in your opinion. I am not that familiar with these little gems and so I am picking your brain if you don't mind.

I am also in contact with Rays Holsters down there in Florida and he seems pretty sure one of his holsters for a Makarov will fit this little gem as well. I don't have a Mak to do a side by side comparison. Maybe you could answer this question as well.

I am an amateur hobby gunsmith and have been playing around with 1911 for a couple of years now but they are getting way to expensive, Then I found the P 64 and got bit by the bug real bad.

Thanks again for your valued assistance.

Mike

Mike

the 20 # recoil spring is fine I have them in all of mine , the MS nylon holster that RAY makes fit's great , I see him at the shows here all the time,

NORM

I guess it is better to ask this in hear then post a new thread. My safety is hard to start turning so I leave it just out of the first notch when I carry. The hammer is still held back and the trigger disconnected anyone see where this would be an issue? I could take it apart and polish the safety and plunger but I don't really want to take it apart again for awhile took forever to get back together the first time.

brock123


most guy's I know don't ever touch the safety , the gun won't fire unless the trigger is pulled , and the hammer don't rest on the firing pin when its at rest ,
NORM

Yeah i am to paranoid to not have it on at all. Guess having safety on unless you are about to shoot drilled into my head since I was born is little hard to over come. But with it just a little bit forward I can disengage it while I draw.

Here is my reasoning for learning to use the safety at all times. Many posters state that they carry without having the safety ON. They use the very heavy DA pull of the P-64 as their rationale / excuse for doing so. I won't argue that point. Remember though, when dry firing or practicing your draw with the pistol unloaded, the P-64 will always operate in the DA mode (unless the hammer is manually cocked).

Now let's say that you are involved in a self-defense incident or are doing some intense training drawing from your holster using live ammunition. Your adrenalin is pouring into your system and your brain and motor skills aren't operating at their optimal level of performance. You fire a few rounds and put the pistol back into your holster. Because of the design of the P-64, the pistol is now in SINGLE ACTION MODE! And since you NEVER, EVER, use your safety, while putting your pistol back into your holster in this stressful situation, your finger is just slightly touching the trigger. Due to the extremely light SA trigger pull on the P-64, the act of inserting the pistol into the holster with your finger just barley touching the trigger fires the chambered round. Result; a "cowboy limp" if you're lucky, much worse if you're not. LEARN TO USE THE SAFETY! After a little practice you'll find that it’s not all that difficult to flip it OFF while drawing. If it doesn't operate easily......correct it. Just my opinion.