Little background: I have started to enjoy collecting military surplus firearms. So when a Polish P-64 recently came up for a great price, I jumped on it. I was absolutely thrilled. I had never shot one, and this one looked absolutely mint. Got home and the pistol was awesome. Great transaction with the member here getting it. Everything awesome. Ordered about 200 rounds of 9mm Mak and bided my time before I could get to the range.
Finally, last friday I was able to sneak out for a little while and give it its first shots. I loaded the first mag, loaded, aimed, fired...and though "That cant be right...I must have been holding it wrong." All of the recoil ended up square in the palm of my hand and my support hand to a hard wrapping to my fingers. So I fired again..."Ouch...what am I doing wrong?" I tried multiple holds, adjusted my hands, gripped it in many different ways. And after 50 rounds, a sore hand, and a minor slide bite, I decided that these P-64's were designed to be fired extremely rarely, mainly when executing undesirables or something. Not sure if its the grip size, my hand, my skill, or I wasnt holding my mouth right, but I was completely unable to fire this thing with any ounce of enjoyment. The accuracy was fine, and it ran perfectly fine, but its shape/recoil profile is just anti-me.
So, I am still thrilled to have it in the stable as a beautiful example of post WWII eastern european firearms, but man...the other 150 rounds I have is pretty much a lifetime supply for me now.
So, it got me thinking: Has anyone else ever been super excited about a firearm only to shoot it and become completely underwhelmed?
Finally, last friday I was able to sneak out for a little while and give it its first shots. I loaded the first mag, loaded, aimed, fired...and though "That cant be right...I must have been holding it wrong." All of the recoil ended up square in the palm of my hand and my support hand to a hard wrapping to my fingers. So I fired again..."Ouch...what am I doing wrong?" I tried multiple holds, adjusted my hands, gripped it in many different ways. And after 50 rounds, a sore hand, and a minor slide bite, I decided that these P-64's were designed to be fired extremely rarely, mainly when executing undesirables or something. Not sure if its the grip size, my hand, my skill, or I wasnt holding my mouth right, but I was completely unable to fire this thing with any ounce of enjoyment. The accuracy was fine, and it ran perfectly fine, but its shape/recoil profile is just anti-me.
So, I am still thrilled to have it in the stable as a beautiful example of post WWII eastern european firearms, but man...the other 150 rounds I have is pretty much a lifetime supply for me now.
So, it got me thinking: Has anyone else ever been super excited about a firearm only to shoot it and become completely underwhelmed?