Makarov P-64

[Willis McPherson]

I

I have been offered an East German Makarov P-64, 9X18 caliber, in "Like New" condition for $250 USD. I have no experience at all with this pistol. I would greatly appreciate input from the members in regard to its desirability, reliabiliy, value, etc.

Anyone wishing to sell one of these guns is invited to offer it to me, and I would like to hear your opinions as to its suitability as a concealed carry self defense weapon.

Thank you all....................Rustyone

PS I have a Curio & Relic FFL. I have been told that the above pistol falls into that category but I haven't had time to verify it.

Information

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[Claven2]

If it's a P64 are you sure it's east German and not Polish?

Tha Makarov has an all steel frame and slide, and was adopted in the USSR in 1951, subsequently produced in Bulgaria, China, East Germany, and a possibly a few other places.

The P-64 is Polish only and has an aluminum frame.

Personally, I would hold out for a steel framed East German, russian or Bulgarian Makarov over an Aluminum framed Polish P64. But that's just my personal preference.

They are very popular for inexpensive CCW in some states and are about the same size, but pack more punch than the .380 Walther PPK which is also a popular choice. I wouldn't recomment the .32PPK as it may be underpowered in some situations, where the .380 and 9mm Makarov are both closer to 9mm NATO ballistics.

[Willis McPherson]

You have raised a very important point (steel vs aluminum).

I'm going to have to check that out. Many thanks

[Willis McPherson]

You were right: it is Polish and the frame is aluminum. At first I thought well, I don't want that, but then I remembered all those pistols with polymer frames which perform so well. Surely aluminum is as tough as plastic...isn't it?
What's your opinion on that?

[Claven2]

It should be fine, it's just not a makarov is all. I prefer steel for aesthetic reasons, but aluminum works just as well most of the time.

[Willis McPherson]

"...just not a makarov is all." Bien dicho (Well said).

Basically, I'm in agreement with you. For a very long time, I wouldn't buy a gun that wasn't made of blue steel and black walnut, period. In recent years, I've had to modify my stance to some degree, but only when I had to.
If I buy a Makarov it will be Russian or German; that is, it will be steel.

Many thanks. I appreciate your help.

[swiend]

Does this mean these alloy framed P-38 (P-1's) are durable shooters?

[Claven2]

The P1 frame is not a stressed part. The P1 slide is beefier than a P38 slide, so in comparisson they should be durable.

[Guntoter]

There appears to be some confusion over several different weapons and their designations. The Polish P-64 is a finely crafted all steel pistol chambered in Cal. 9x18 Makarov. The fit and finish of all the P-64's I've looked at equals anything commercially available. I can't speak for their accuracy as mine is new and still unfired.


Here is a great resource for the P-64:
http://p64.home.insightbb.com/main.htm

The PA63 is a Hungarian pistol also chambered for the Cal. 9x18 Mak. It does have an aluminum frame and is found in both bright aluminum as well as black. Fit and finish can be crude, they usually have rough triggers, and recoil can be brutal due to its light weight. Aim currently sells them for $129.00.:
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Hungarian_PA63_9x18Mak_Pistol.html

Neither of these weapons are Makarovs though they do use the Makarov cartridge. Neither of them are C&R eligible at this time.
Hope this helps,
Guntoter

[Willis McPherson]

Many thanks for your input. The info was very useful; however, I'm not sure that "confusion" accurately describes the situation. I wasn't confused; I was ignorant--when it came to both the Makarov and the P-64. I indicated this in the first post. Claven2 may have been in error when he said the P-64 has an aluminum frame, but he wasn't confused about it: he clearly states that the P-64 is "...not a Makarov...", and the website you refer to emphasizes that the two weapons are altogether different. An online dealer had offered the gun to me as a "P-64 East German Makarov." I was unable to learn whether or not it had an aluminum frame, so, with the phrase "caveat emptor" uppermost in my mind, I assumed that it did.

In the introductory post I made when I joined this organization, I said that I was here to learn, and I'm grateful to anyone who helps me do that. so far so good.

Rustyone