P-64 pistol

"For the American fighter aircraft, see North American P-64"Infobox Weapon
name=P-64


caption=The P-64 with holster
origin=flag|Poland
type=Semi-automatic pistol
is_ranged=yes
service=1965–present
used_by=Poland
wars=
designer=
design_date=1950s
manufacturer=Łucznik Arms Factory
production_date=
number=
variants=P-70, P-75, P-78
weight=g to oz|620|sp=us|abbr=on|precision=2|wiki=yes
length=mm to in|160|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes
part_length=convert|84.6|mm|abbr=on|1
height=convert|117|mm|abbr=on|1
crew=
cartridge=9x18mm Makarov
caliber=
action=Blowback
rate=
velocity=convert|305|m/s|0|lk=on|sp=us|abbr=on
range=Sights fixed for 50 m
max_range=
feed=6-round detachable box magazine
sights=Rear notch and front post

The P-64 is a Polish 9 mm semi-automatic pistol designed to use the 9x18mm Makarov cartridge. Developed in the late 1950s at the Institute for Artillery Research (Polish: "Zakład Broni Strzeleckiej Centralnego Badawczego Poligonu Artyleryjskiego", which would later become the Military Institute of Armament Technology, Polish: "Wojskowy Instytut Techniczny Uzbrojenia w Zielonce" – WITU) by a team consisting of: W. Czepukajtis, R. Zimny, H. Adamczyk, M. Adamczyk, S. Kaczmarski and J. Pyzel. The pistol is also known as the CZAKWozniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 3 M-P. Bellona. 2002. pp205-206.] (an acronym of the designer’s last names with the exception of J. Pyzel, who joined the team after the name had been established).

Development

The P-64 was drawn from a competition for a new service pistol issued in 1958. At the prototype stage two versions of the CZAK pistol were created: the Model M ("Milicyjny", with a magazine capacity of 6 rounds and chambered to use the 9x17mm Short (.380 ACP) cartridge and the Model W ("Wojskowy", with a longer barrel than the Model M, a 7-round magazine capacity and using the 9x18mm Makarov round). During the evaluation phase that took place in 1961, both pistols were compared and the Model M was selected over the Model W.Wozniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 3 M-P. Bellona. 2002. pp205-206.] It was then redesigned to use the Makarov round and improved with a modified slide catch (the external catch button was removed) and better ergonomics. In 1965, the P-64, produced at the Łucznik Arms Factory in Radom, entered service with the army, police and security forces under the official designation "9 mm pistolet wz. 1964" replacing the 7.62 mm TT pistol.Wozniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 3 M-P. Bellona. 2002. pp205-206.] Currently the firearm is no longer produced, but remains in the inventories of the Polish Armed Forces and police.

Design details

The P-64 is a double-action blowback-operated pistol. It has a spring extractor contained in the slide. The rotating slide catch, installed inside the pistol’s frame has a protrusion that acts as a fixed empty case ejector. The pistol has a trigger mechanism with a disconnector (that ensures semi-automatic-only fire), a double-action trigger (that allows the pistol to be cocked as a result of pulling the trigger) and a hammer striking mechanism with an exposed hammer. The slide features a loaded chamber indicator (that visually indicates the presence of a round in the chamber) and a manual safety lever that secures the weapon from being accidentally discharged with the hammer either cocked or released also enabling the weapon to be chambered with the safety engaged or toggled off. In the “safe” position, the firing pin is locked and the trigger bar is disconnected from the hammer’s notch. If the hammer is cocked and the safety engaged, the safety will release the hammer.

The P-64 is fed from a single-stack box magazine with a 6-round capacity. After the last round has been fired from the magazine the magazine’s follower lifts the slide catch and locks the slide open. The slide is released by pulling it to the rear. The weapon has fixed iron sights. The square notch rear sight is fixed for firing at 50 m.Wozniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 3 M-P. Bellona. 2002. pp205-206.]

The P-64 is an original design, holding a Polish patent, number 54822.Wozniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 3 M-P. Bellona. 2002. pp205-206.] The patent applies to the unique disconnecter, shaped like an elongated plate sliding vertically inside the pistol’s frame, which performs the following functions: provides an internal safety, decocks the hammer when the safety is engaged, interrupts the weapon’s cycle after every shot fired and allows the weapon to be reloaded with the safety on.

In the 1970s the trigger mechanism was slightly modified and the hammer’s shape was changed (larger hammer spur).

The pistol is manufactured mainly through machine cutting. It comes equipped with a spare magazine, leather holster and cleaning kit.

With the introduction of advanced and more cost-effective production techniques in the 1970s, a comprehensive redesign of the P-64 was attempted. In 1972, a prototype pistol was developed (called the P-70) with a 14-round magazine capacity and a slide made from copper-welded stamped steel. The frame was made from a lightweight alloy. In 1976 another prototype was introduced designated the P-75, with an itamide synthetic frame, and in 1978 – the P-78 was unveiled, which features a modular trigger group and a 12-round magazine. Production of the P-78 was abandoned as it lost to the P-83 Wanad pistol in a bid for a new service sidearm for the Polish Army and police.Wozniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 3 M-P. Bellona. 2002. pp205-206.]

Notes

References

*pl icon cite book| last = Wozniak| first = Ryszard| authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2002| chapter = p. 205-206| title = Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 3 M-P| publisher = Bellona| location = Warsaw, Poland| id = ISBN 83-11-09311-3

External links

* [http://www.p64resource.com The Unofficial P-64 Resource]
* [http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg142-e.htm Modern Firearms]
* [http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2005/polishp64vsppk/index.asp Comparison with Walther PPK]