Radom Armory P-64 Pistol
| P-64 | |
|---|---|
The P-64
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| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | Poland |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1965–present |
| Used by | Poland |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1950s |
| Manufacturer | FB Radom |
| 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) |
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| Cartridge | 9×18mm Makarov |
| Action | Blowback |
| Muzzle velocity | 305 m/s (1,001 ft/s) |
| Effective firing 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 9x18mm semi-automatic pistol designed to fire the 9×18mm Makarov cartridge. The pistol was 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 P-64 is also known as the CZAK (an acronym of the designers' last names with the exception of J. Pyzel, who joined the team after the name had been established).
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 - Police), with a magazine capacity of 6 rounds and chambered to use the .380 ACP (9×17mm Short) cartridge and the Model W (Wojskowy - Military), with a longer barrel than the Model M, a 6-round magazine capacity and chambered for the 9×18mm 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. 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. 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.
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Wikipedia