- P-64 (pistol)
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For the American fighter aircraft, see North American P-64
P-64 
The P-64 with holsterType Semi-automatic pistol Place of origin 
PolandService history In service 1965–present Used by Poland Production history Designed 1950s Manufacturer Łucznik Arms Factory Variants P-70, P-75, P-78 Specifications Weight 620 g (22 oz) Length 160 mm (6.3 in) Barrel length 84.6 mm (3.3 in) Height 117 mm (4.6 in) Cartridge 9x18mm Makarov Action Blowback Muzzle velocity 305 m/s (1,001 ft/s) Effective range Sights fixed for 25 m Feed system 6-round detachable box magazine Sights Rear notch and front blade The P-64 is a Polish 9mm semi-automatic pistol designed to fire the 9x18mm Makarov cartridge. Developed in the late 1950s at the Institute for Artillery Research (Polish: Zakład Broni Strzeleckiej Centralnego Badawczego Poligonu Artyleryjskiego, which later became 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 CZAK[1] (an acronym of the designer's last names with the exception of J. Pyzel, who joined the team after the name had been established).
Contents
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 .380 ACP (9x17mm Short) cartridge and the Model W (Wojskowy), with a longer barrel than the Model M, a 7-round magazine capacity and chambered for the 9x18mm Makarov round.
During the evaluation phase which took place in 1961, both pistols were compared and the Model M was selected over the Model W.[1] It was then rechambered for the Makarov round and improved with a modified slide catch (the external catch button was removed) and better ergonomics. In 1965, the P-64, manufactured 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 7.62mm TT pistol.[1] The P-64 is no longer produced, and is being replaced by the WIST-94 pistol in 9mm NATO caliber. However, the P-64 remains in the inventories of the Polish Armed Forces and the police services.
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 an 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 with a pull of 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. In the 1970s the trigger mechanism was slightly modified and the hammer spur was enlarged.
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 then released by withdrawing the magazine a short distance and pulling the slide back. The weapon has fixed iron sights. The rear sight with a square notch is fixed for firing at 50 m.[1] The pistol is manufactured mainly through machine cutting. It comes equipped with a spare magazine, leather holster and cleaning kit. This pistol has a harsh recoil due to its size and the 9x18mm Makarov round.
Despite its similarity to the Walther PP, the P-64 is an original design, holding a Polish patent, number 54822.[1] The patent applies to the unique disconnecter, shaped like an elongated plate sliding vertically inside the pistol's frame, which 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.
Variants
With the introduction of advanced and 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, followed by the P-78 in 1978, 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.[1]
References
Bibliography
- (Polish) Wozniak, Ryszard (2002). "p. 205-206". Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej - tom 3 M-P. Warsaw, Poland: Bellona. ISBN 83-11-09311-3.
External links
Categories:- Semi-automatic pistols
- Polish semi-automatic pistols
- Weapons of Poland
- 9x18mm Makarov firearms
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