diff --git a/src/pkg/reflect/makefunc.go b/src/pkg/reflect/makefunc.go
index 9b1b7d5721b..0e61fdea7a3 100644
--- a/src/pkg/reflect/makefunc.go
+++ b/src/pkg/reflect/makefunc.go
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ func MakeFunc(typ Type, fn func(args []Value) (results []Value)) Value {
 
 	impl := &makeFuncImpl{code: code, typ: ftyp, fn: fn}
 
-	return Value{t, unsafe.Pointer(impl), flag(Func) << flagKindShift}
+	return Value{t, unsafe.Pointer(impl), 0, flag(Func) << flagKindShift}
 }
 
 // makeFuncStub is an assembly function that is the code half of
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ func makeMethodValue(op string, v Value) Value {
 	// Ignoring the flagMethod bit, v describes the receiver, not the method type.
 	fl := v.flag & (flagRO | flagAddr | flagIndir)
 	fl |= flag(v.typ.Kind()) << flagKindShift
-	rcvr := Value{v.typ, v.val, fl}
+	rcvr := Value{v.typ, v.ptr, v.scalar, fl}
 
 	// v.Type returns the actual type of the method value.
 	funcType := v.Type().(*rtype)
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ func makeMethodValue(op string, v Value) Value {
 	// but we want Interface() and other operations to fail early.
 	methodReceiver(op, fv.rcvr, fv.method)
 
-	return Value{funcType, unsafe.Pointer(fv), v.flag&flagRO | flag(Func)<<flagKindShift}
+	return Value{funcType, unsafe.Pointer(fv), 0, v.flag&flagRO | flag(Func)<<flagKindShift}
 }
 
 // methodValueCall is an assembly function that is the code half of
diff --git a/src/pkg/reflect/type.go b/src/pkg/reflect/type.go
index ffc653b192a..0f38781113a 100644
--- a/src/pkg/reflect/type.go
+++ b/src/pkg/reflect/type.go
@@ -478,6 +478,8 @@ func (t *rtype) FieldAlign() int { return int(t.fieldAlign) }
 
 func (t *rtype) Kind() Kind { return Kind(t.kind & kindMask) }
 
+func (t *rtype) pointers() bool { return t.kind&kindNoPointers == 0 }
+
 func (t *rtype) common() *rtype { return t }
 
 func (t *uncommonType) Method(i int) (m Method) {
@@ -496,7 +498,7 @@ func (t *uncommonType) Method(i int) (m Method) {
 	mt := p.typ
 	m.Type = mt
 	fn := unsafe.Pointer(&p.tfn)
-	m.Func = Value{mt, fn, fl}
+	m.Func = Value{mt, fn, 0, fl}
 	m.Index = i
 	return
 }
diff --git a/src/pkg/reflect/value.go b/src/pkg/reflect/value.go
index 7764ffade2c..e37a3f8879e 100644
--- a/src/pkg/reflect/value.go
+++ b/src/pkg/reflect/value.go
@@ -62,14 +62,15 @@ type Value struct {
 	// typ holds the type of the value represented by a Value.
 	typ *rtype
 
-	// val holds the 1-word representation of the value.
-	// If flag's flagIndir bit is set, then val is a pointer to the data.
-	// Otherwise val is a word holding the actual data.
-	// When the data is smaller than a word, it begins at
-	// the first byte (in the memory address sense) of val.
-	// We use unsafe.Pointer so that the garbage collector
-	// knows that val could be a pointer.
-	val unsafe.Pointer
+	// Pointer-valued data or, if flagIndir is set, pointer to data.
+	// Valid when either flagIndir is set or typ.pointers() is true.
+	ptr unsafe.Pointer
+
+	// Non-pointer-valued data.  When the data is smaller
+	// than a word, it begins at the first byte (in the memory
+	// address sense) of this field.
+	// Valid when flagIndir is not set and typ.pointers() is false.
+	scalar uintptr
 
 	// flag holds metadata about the value.
 	// The lowest bits are flag bits:
@@ -108,6 +109,78 @@ func (f flag) kind() Kind {
 	return Kind((f >> flagKindShift) & flagKindMask)
 }
 
+// pointer returns the underlying pointer represented by v.
+// v.Kind() must be Ptr, Map, Chan, Func, or UnsafePointer
+func (v Value) pointer() unsafe.Pointer {
+	if v.typ.size != ptrSize || !v.typ.pointers() {
+		panic("can't call pointer on a non-pointer Value")
+	}
+	if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
+		return *(*unsafe.Pointer)(v.ptr)
+	}
+	return v.ptr
+}
+
+// packEface converts v to the empty interface.
+func packEface(v Value) interface{} {
+	t := v.typ
+	var i interface{}
+	e := (*emptyInterface)(unsafe.Pointer(&i))
+	// First, fill in the data portion of the interface.
+	switch {
+	case t.size > ptrSize:
+		// Value is indirect, and so is the interface we're making.
+		ptr := v.ptr
+		if v.flag&flagAddr != 0 {
+			// TODO: pass safe boolean from valueInterface so
+			// we don't need to copy if safe==true?
+			c := unsafe_New(t)
+			memmove(c, ptr, t.size)
+			ptr = c
+		}
+		e.word = iword(ptr)
+	case v.flag&flagIndir != 0:
+		// Value is indirect, but interface is direct.  We need
+		// to load the data at v.ptr into the interface data word.
+		if t.pointers() {
+			e.word = iword(*(*unsafe.Pointer)(v.ptr))
+		} else {
+			e.word = iword(loadScalar(v.ptr, t.size))
+		}
+	default:
+		// Value is direct, and so is the interface.
+		if t.pointers() {
+			e.word = iword(v.ptr)
+		} else {
+			e.word = iword(v.scalar)
+		}
+	}
+	// Now, fill in the type portion.  We're very careful here not
+	// to have any operation between the e.word and e.typ assignments
+	// that would let the garbage collector observe the partially-built
+	// interface value.
+	e.typ = t
+	return i
+}
+
+// unpackEface converts the empty interface i to a Value.
+func unpackEface(i interface{}) Value {
+	e := (*emptyInterface)(unsafe.Pointer(&i))
+	// NOTE: don't read e.word until we know whether it is really a pointer or not.
+	t := e.typ
+	if t == nil {
+		return Value{}
+	}
+	f := flag(t.Kind()) << flagKindShift
+	if t.size > ptrSize {
+		return Value{t, unsafe.Pointer(e.word), 0, f | flagIndir}
+	}
+	if t.pointers() {
+		return Value{t, unsafe.Pointer(e.word), 0, f}
+	}
+	return Value{t, nil, uintptr(e.word), f}
+}
+
 // A ValueError occurs when a Value method is invoked on
 // a Value that does not support it.  Such cases are documented
 // in the description of each method.
@@ -143,24 +216,57 @@ func methodName() string {
 // unsafe.Pointer to represent it, so that if iword appears
 // in a struct, the garbage collector knows that might be
 // a pointer.
+// TODO: get rid of all occurrences of iword (except in the interface decls below?)
+// We want to get rid of the "feature" that an unsafe.Pointer is sometimes a pointer
+// and sometimes a uintptr.
 type iword unsafe.Pointer
 
+// Get an iword that represents this value.
+// TODO: this function goes away at some point
 func (v Value) iword() iword {
-	if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 && v.typ.size <= ptrSize {
-		// Have indirect but want direct word.
-		return loadIword(v.val, v.typ.size)
+	t := v.typ
+	if t == nil {
+		return iword(nil)
 	}
-	return iword(v.val)
+	if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
+		if v.typ.size > ptrSize {
+			return iword(v.ptr)
+		}
+		// Have indirect but want direct word.
+		if t.pointers() {
+			return iword(*(*unsafe.Pointer)(v.ptr))
+		}
+		return iword(loadScalar(v.ptr, v.typ.size))
+	}
+	if t.pointers() {
+		return iword(v.ptr)
+	}
+	return iword(v.scalar)
 }
 
-// loadIword loads n bytes at p from memory into an iword.
-func loadIword(p unsafe.Pointer, n uintptr) iword {
+// Build a Value from a type/iword pair, plus any extra flags.
+// TODO: this function goes away at some point
+func fromIword(t *rtype, w iword, fl flag) Value {
+	fl |= flag(t.Kind()) << flagKindShift
+	if t.size > ptrSize {
+		return Value{t, unsafe.Pointer(w), 0, fl | flagIndir}
+	} else if t.pointers() {
+		return Value{t, unsafe.Pointer(w), 0, fl}
+	} else {
+		return Value{t, nil, uintptr(w), fl}
+	}
+}
+
+// loadScalar loads n bytes at p from memory into a uintptr
+// that forms the second word of an interface.  The data
+// must be non-pointer in nature.
+func loadScalar(p unsafe.Pointer, n uintptr) uintptr {
 	// Run the copy ourselves instead of calling memmove
 	// to avoid moving w to the heap.
-	var w iword
+	var w uintptr
 	switch n {
 	default:
-		panic("reflect: internal error: loadIword of " + strconv.Itoa(int(n)) + "-byte value")
+		panic("reflect: internal error: loadScalar of " + strconv.Itoa(int(n)) + "-byte value")
 	case 0:
 	case 1:
 		*(*uint8)(unsafe.Pointer(&w)) = *(*uint8)(p)
@@ -182,13 +288,13 @@ func loadIword(p unsafe.Pointer, n uintptr) iword {
 	return w
 }
 
-// storeIword stores n bytes from w into p.
-func storeIword(p unsafe.Pointer, w iword, n uintptr) {
+// storeScalar stores n bytes from w into p.
+func storeScalar(p unsafe.Pointer, w uintptr, n uintptr) {
 	// Run the copy ourselves instead of calling memmove
 	// to avoid moving w to the heap.
 	switch n {
 	default:
-		panic("reflect: internal error: storeIword of " + strconv.Itoa(int(n)) + "-byte value")
+		panic("reflect: internal error: storeScalar of " + strconv.Itoa(int(n)) + "-byte value")
 	case 0:
 	case 1:
 		*(*uint8)(p) = *(*uint8)(unsafe.Pointer(&w))
@@ -278,7 +384,7 @@ func (v Value) Addr() Value {
 	if v.flag&flagAddr == 0 {
 		panic("reflect.Value.Addr of unaddressable value")
 	}
-	return Value{v.typ.ptrTo(), v.val, (v.flag & flagRO) | flag(Ptr)<<flagKindShift}
+	return Value{v.typ.ptrTo(), v.ptr, 0, (v.flag & flagRO) | flag(Ptr)<<flagKindShift}
 }
 
 // Bool returns v's underlying value.
@@ -286,9 +392,9 @@ func (v Value) Addr() Value {
 func (v Value) Bool() bool {
 	v.mustBe(Bool)
 	if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
-		return *(*bool)(v.val)
+		return *(*bool)(v.ptr)
 	}
-	return *(*bool)(unsafe.Pointer(&v.val))
+	return *(*bool)(unsafe.Pointer(&v.scalar))
 }
 
 // Bytes returns v's underlying value.
@@ -299,7 +405,7 @@ func (v Value) Bytes() []byte {
 		panic("reflect.Value.Bytes of non-byte slice")
 	}
 	// Slice is always bigger than a word; assume flagIndir.
-	return *(*[]byte)(v.val)
+	return *(*[]byte)(v.ptr)
 }
 
 // runes returns v's underlying value.
@@ -310,7 +416,7 @@ func (v Value) runes() []rune {
 		panic("reflect.Value.Bytes of non-rune slice")
 	}
 	// Slice is always bigger than a word; assume flagIndir.
-	return *(*[]rune)(v.val)
+	return *(*[]rune)(v.ptr)
 }
 
 // CanAddr returns true if the value's address can be obtained with Addr.
@@ -373,9 +479,9 @@ func (v Value) call(op string, in []Value) []Value {
 	if v.flag&flagMethod != 0 {
 		t, fn, rcvr = methodReceiver(op, v, int(v.flag)>>flagMethodShift)
 	} else if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
-		fn = *(*unsafe.Pointer)(v.val)
+		fn = *(*unsafe.Pointer)(v.ptr)
 	} else {
-		fn = v.val
+		fn = v.ptr
 	}
 
 	if fn == nil {
@@ -477,10 +583,12 @@ func (v Value) call(op string, in []Value) []Value {
 		n := targ.size
 		addr := unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(ptr) + off)
 		v = v.assignTo("reflect.Value.Call", targ, (*interface{})(addr))
-		if v.flag&flagIndir == 0 {
-			storeIword(addr, iword(v.val), n)
+		if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
+			memmove(addr, v.ptr, n)
+		} else if targ.pointers() {
+			*(*unsafe.Pointer)(addr) = v.ptr
 		} else {
-			memmove(addr, v.val, n)
+			storeScalar(addr, v.scalar, n)
 		}
 		off += n
 	}
@@ -514,7 +622,7 @@ func (v Value) call(op string, in []Value) []Value {
 		a := uintptr(tv.Align())
 		off = (off + a - 1) &^ (a - 1)
 		fl := flagIndir | flag(tv.Kind())<<flagKindShift
-		ret[i] = Value{tv.common(), unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(ptr) + off), fl}
+		ret[i] = Value{tv.common(), unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(ptr) + off), 0, fl}
 		off += tv.Size()
 	}
 
@@ -544,18 +652,20 @@ func callReflect(ctxt *makeFuncImpl, frame unsafe.Pointer) {
 	for _, arg := range ftyp.in {
 		typ := arg
 		off += -off & uintptr(typ.align-1)
-		v := Value{typ, nil, flag(typ.Kind()) << flagKindShift}
-		if typ.size <= ptrSize {
-			// value fits in word.
-			v.val = unsafe.Pointer(loadIword(unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(ptr)+off), typ.size))
-		} else {
+		addr := unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(ptr) + off)
+		v := Value{typ, nil, 0, flag(typ.Kind()) << flagKindShift}
+		if typ.size > ptrSize {
 			// value does not fit in word.
 			// Must make a copy, because f might keep a reference to it,
 			// and we cannot let f keep a reference to the stack frame
 			// after this function returns, not even a read-only reference.
-			v.val = unsafe_New(typ)
-			memmove(v.val, unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(ptr)+off), typ.size)
+			v.ptr = unsafe_New(typ)
+			memmove(v.ptr, addr, typ.size)
 			v.flag |= flagIndir
+		} else if typ.pointers() {
+			v.ptr = *(*unsafe.Pointer)(addr)
+		} else {
+			v.scalar = loadScalar(addr, typ.size)
 		}
 		in = append(in, v)
 		off += typ.size
@@ -584,10 +694,12 @@ func callReflect(ctxt *makeFuncImpl, frame unsafe.Pointer) {
 			}
 			off += -off & uintptr(typ.align-1)
 			addr := unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(ptr) + off)
-			if v.flag&flagIndir == 0 {
-				storeIword(addr, iword(v.val), typ.size)
+			if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
+				memmove(addr, v.ptr, typ.size)
+			} else if typ.pointers() {
+				*(*unsafe.Pointer)(addr) = v.ptr
 			} else {
-				memmove(addr, v.val, typ.size)
+				storeScalar(addr, v.scalar, typ.size)
 			}
 			off += typ.size
 		}
@@ -610,7 +722,7 @@ func methodReceiver(op string, v Value, methodIndex int) (t *rtype, fn unsafe.Po
 			panic("reflect: " + op + " of unexported method")
 		}
 		t = m.typ
-		iface := (*nonEmptyInterface)(v.val)
+		iface := (*nonEmptyInterface)(v.ptr)
 		if iface.itab == nil {
 			panic("reflect: " + op + " of method on nil interface value")
 		}
@@ -729,10 +841,10 @@ func (v Value) Cap() int {
 	case Array:
 		return v.typ.Len()
 	case Chan:
-		return int(chancap(v.iword()))
+		return int(chancap(v.pointer()))
 	case Slice:
 		// Slice is always bigger than a word; assume flagIndir.
-		return (*SliceHeader)(v.val).Cap
+		return (*sliceHeader)(v.ptr).Cap
 	}
 	panic(&ValueError{"reflect.Value.Cap", k})
 }
@@ -742,7 +854,7 @@ func (v Value) Cap() int {
 func (v Value) Close() {
 	v.mustBe(Chan)
 	v.mustBeExported()
-	chanclose(v.iword())
+	chanclose(v.pointer())
 }
 
 // Complex returns v's underlying value, as a complex128.
@@ -752,12 +864,12 @@ func (v Value) Complex() complex128 {
 	switch k {
 	case Complex64:
 		if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
-			return complex128(*(*complex64)(v.val))
+			return complex128(*(*complex64)(v.ptr))
 		}
-		return complex128(*(*complex64)(unsafe.Pointer(&v.val)))
+		return complex128(*(*complex64)(unsafe.Pointer(&v.scalar)))
 	case Complex128:
 		// complex128 is always bigger than a word; assume flagIndir.
-		return *(*complex128)(v.val)
+		return *(*complex128)(v.ptr)
 	}
 	panic(&ValueError{"reflect.Value.Complex", k})
 }
@@ -770,48 +882,31 @@ func (v Value) Elem() Value {
 	k := v.kind()
 	switch k {
 	case Interface:
-		var (
-			typ *rtype
-			val unsafe.Pointer
-		)
+		var eface interface{}
 		if v.typ.NumMethod() == 0 {
-			eface := (*emptyInterface)(v.val)
-			if eface.typ == nil {
-				// nil interface value
-				return Value{}
-			}
-			typ = eface.typ
-			val = unsafe.Pointer(eface.word)
+			eface = *(*interface{})(v.ptr)
 		} else {
-			iface := (*nonEmptyInterface)(v.val)
-			if iface.itab == nil {
-				// nil interface value
-				return Value{}
-			}
-			typ = iface.itab.typ
-			val = unsafe.Pointer(iface.word)
+			eface = (interface{})(*(*interface {
+				M()
+			})(v.ptr))
 		}
-		fl := v.flag & flagRO
-		fl |= flag(typ.Kind()) << flagKindShift
-		if typ.size > ptrSize {
-			fl |= flagIndir
-		}
-		return Value{typ, val, fl}
-
+		x := unpackEface(eface)
+		x.flag |= v.flag & flagRO
+		return x
 	case Ptr:
-		val := v.val
+		ptr := v.ptr
 		if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
-			val = *(*unsafe.Pointer)(val)
+			ptr = *(*unsafe.Pointer)(ptr)
 		}
 		// The returned value's address is v's value.
-		if val == nil {
+		if ptr == nil {
 			return Value{}
 		}
 		tt := (*ptrType)(unsafe.Pointer(v.typ))
 		typ := tt.elem
 		fl := v.flag&flagRO | flagIndir | flagAddr
 		fl |= flag(typ.Kind() << flagKindShift)
-		return Value{typ, val, fl}
+		return Value{typ, ptr, 0, fl}
 	}
 	panic(&ValueError{"reflect.Value.Elem", k})
 }
@@ -835,20 +930,26 @@ func (v Value) Field(i int) Value {
 	}
 	fl |= flag(typ.Kind()) << flagKindShift
 
-	var val unsafe.Pointer
+	var ptr unsafe.Pointer
+	var scalar uintptr
 	switch {
 	case fl&flagIndir != 0:
 		// Indirect.  Just bump pointer.
-		val = unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(v.val) + field.offset)
+		ptr = unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(v.ptr) + field.offset)
+	case typ.pointers():
+		if field.offset != 0 {
+			panic("field access of ptr value isn't at offset 0")
+		}
+		ptr = v.ptr
 	case bigEndian:
-		// Direct.  Discard leading bytes.
-		val = unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(v.val) << (field.offset * 8))
+		// Must be scalar.  Discard leading bytes.
+		scalar = v.scalar << (field.offset * 8)
 	default:
-		// Direct.  Discard leading bytes.
-		val = unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(v.val) >> (field.offset * 8))
+		// Must be scalar.  Discard leading bytes.
+		scalar = v.scalar >> (field.offset * 8)
 	}
 
-	return Value{typ, val, fl}
+	return Value{typ, ptr, scalar, fl}
 }
 
 // FieldByIndex returns the nested field corresponding to index.
@@ -896,14 +997,14 @@ func (v Value) Float() float64 {
 	switch k {
 	case Float32:
 		if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
-			return float64(*(*float32)(v.val))
+			return float64(*(*float32)(v.ptr))
 		}
-		return float64(*(*float32)(unsafe.Pointer(&v.val)))
+		return float64(*(*float32)(unsafe.Pointer(&v.scalar)))
 	case Float64:
 		if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
-			return *(*float64)(v.val)
+			return *(*float64)(v.ptr)
 		}
-		return *(*float64)(unsafe.Pointer(&v.val))
+		return *(*float64)(unsafe.Pointer(&v.scalar))
 	}
 	panic(&ValueError{"reflect.Value.Float", k})
 }
@@ -926,41 +1027,48 @@ func (v Value) Index(i int) Value {
 		offset := uintptr(i) * typ.size
 
 		var val unsafe.Pointer
+		var scalar uintptr
 		switch {
 		case fl&flagIndir != 0:
 			// Indirect.  Just bump pointer.
-			val = unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(v.val) + offset)
+			val = unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(v.ptr) + offset)
+		case typ.pointers():
+			if offset != 0 {
+				panic("can't Index(i) with i!=0 on ptrLike value")
+			}
+			val = v.ptr
 		case bigEndian:
 			// Direct.  Discard leading bytes.
-			val = unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(v.val) << (offset * 8))
+			scalar = v.scalar << (offset * 8)
 		default:
 			// Direct.  Discard leading bytes.
-			val = unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(v.val) >> (offset * 8))
+			scalar = v.scalar >> (offset * 8)
 		}
-		return Value{typ, val, fl}
+		return Value{typ, val, scalar, fl}
 
 	case Slice:
 		// Element flag same as Elem of Ptr.
 		// Addressable, indirect, possibly read-only.
 		fl := flagAddr | flagIndir | v.flag&flagRO
-		s := (*SliceHeader)(v.val)
+		s := (*sliceHeader)(v.ptr)
 		if i < 0 || i >= s.Len {
 			panic("reflect: slice index out of range")
 		}
 		tt := (*sliceType)(unsafe.Pointer(v.typ))
 		typ := tt.elem
 		fl |= flag(typ.Kind()) << flagKindShift
-		val := unsafe.Pointer(s.Data + uintptr(i)*typ.size)
-		return Value{typ, val, fl}
+		val := unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(s.Data) + uintptr(i)*typ.size)
+		return Value{typ, val, 0, fl}
 
 	case String:
 		fl := v.flag&flagRO | flag(Uint8<<flagKindShift)
-		s := (*StringHeader)(v.val)
+		s := (*stringHeader)(v.ptr)
 		if i < 0 || i >= s.Len {
 			panic("reflect: string index out of range")
 		}
-		val := *(*byte)(unsafe.Pointer(s.Data + uintptr(i)))
-		return Value{uint8Type, unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(val)), fl}
+		b := uintptr(0)
+		*(*byte)(unsafe.Pointer(&b)) = *(*byte)(unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(s.Data) + uintptr(i)))
+		return Value{uint8Type, nil, b, fl}
 	}
 	panic(&ValueError{"reflect.Value.Index", k})
 }
@@ -971,11 +1079,11 @@ func (v Value) Int() int64 {
 	k := v.kind()
 	var p unsafe.Pointer
 	if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
-		p = v.val
+		p = v.ptr
 	} else {
-		// The escape analysis is good enough that &v.val
+		// The escape analysis is good enough that &v.scalar
 		// does not trigger a heap allocation.
-		p = unsafe.Pointer(&v.val)
+		p = unsafe.Pointer(&v.scalar)
 	}
 	switch k {
 	case Int:
@@ -1023,47 +1131,33 @@ func valueInterface(v Value, safe bool) interface{} {
 		v = makeMethodValue("Interface", v)
 	}
 
-	k := v.kind()
-	if k == Interface {
+	if v.kind() == Interface {
 		// Special case: return the element inside the interface.
 		// Empty interface has one layout, all interfaces with
 		// methods have a second layout.
 		if v.NumMethod() == 0 {
-			return *(*interface{})(v.val)
+			return *(*interface{})(v.ptr)
 		}
 		return *(*interface {
 			M()
-		})(v.val)
+		})(v.ptr)
 	}
 
-	// Non-interface value.
-	var eface emptyInterface
-	eface.typ = v.typ
-	eface.word = v.iword()
-
-	// Don't need to allocate if v is not addressable or fits in one word.
-	if v.flag&flagAddr != 0 && v.typ.size > ptrSize {
-		// eface.word is a pointer to the actual data,
-		// which might be changed.  We need to return
-		// a pointer to unchanging data, so make a copy.
-		ptr := unsafe_New(v.typ)
-		memmove(ptr, unsafe.Pointer(eface.word), v.typ.size)
-		eface.word = iword(ptr)
-	}
-
-	return *(*interface{})(unsafe.Pointer(&eface))
+	// TODO: pass safe to packEface so we don't need to copy if safe==true?
+	return packEface(v)
 }
 
 // InterfaceData returns the interface v's value as a uintptr pair.
 // It panics if v's Kind is not Interface.
 func (v Value) InterfaceData() [2]uintptr {
+	// TODO: deprecate this
 	v.mustBe(Interface)
 	// We treat this as a read operation, so we allow
 	// it even for unexported data, because the caller
 	// has to import "unsafe" to turn it into something
 	// that can be abused.
 	// Interface value is always bigger than a word; assume flagIndir.
-	return *(*[2]uintptr)(v.val)
+	return *(*[2]uintptr)(v.ptr)
 }
 
 // IsNil returns true if v is a nil value.
@@ -1075,7 +1169,7 @@ func (v Value) IsNil() bool {
 		if v.flag&flagMethod != 0 {
 			return false
 		}
-		ptr := v.val
+		ptr := v.ptr
 		if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
 			ptr = *(*unsafe.Pointer)(ptr)
 		}
@@ -1083,7 +1177,7 @@ func (v Value) IsNil() bool {
 	case Interface, Slice:
 		// Both interface and slice are nil if first word is 0.
 		// Both are always bigger than a word; assume flagIndir.
-		return *(*unsafe.Pointer)(v.val) == nil
+		return *(*unsafe.Pointer)(v.ptr) == nil
 	}
 	panic(&ValueError{"reflect.Value.IsNil", k})
 }
@@ -1112,15 +1206,15 @@ func (v Value) Len() int {
 		tt := (*arrayType)(unsafe.Pointer(v.typ))
 		return int(tt.len)
 	case Chan:
-		return chanlen(v.iword())
+		return chanlen(v.pointer())
 	case Map:
-		return maplen(v.iword())
+		return maplen(v.pointer())
 	case Slice:
 		// Slice is bigger than a word; assume flagIndir.
-		return (*SliceHeader)(v.val).Len
+		return (*sliceHeader)(v.ptr).Len
 	case String:
 		// String is bigger than a word; assume flagIndir.
-		return (*StringHeader)(v.val).Len
+		return (*stringHeader)(v.ptr).Len
 	}
 	panic(&ValueError{"reflect.Value.Len", k})
 }
@@ -1142,17 +1236,32 @@ func (v Value) MapIndex(key Value) Value {
 	// of unexported fields.
 	key = key.assignTo("reflect.Value.MapIndex", tt.key, nil)
 
-	word, ok := mapaccess(v.typ, v.iword(), key.iword())
-	if !ok {
+	var k unsafe.Pointer
+	if key.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
+		k = key.ptr
+	} else if key.typ.pointers() {
+		k = unsafe.Pointer(&key.ptr)
+	} else {
+		k = unsafe.Pointer(&key.scalar)
+	}
+	e := mapaccess(v.typ, v.pointer(), k)
+	if e == nil {
 		return Value{}
 	}
 	typ := tt.elem
 	fl := (v.flag | key.flag) & flagRO
-	if typ.size > ptrSize {
-		fl |= flagIndir
-	}
 	fl |= flag(typ.Kind()) << flagKindShift
-	return Value{typ, unsafe.Pointer(word), fl}
+	if typ.size > ptrSize {
+		// Copy result so future changes to the map
+		// won't change the underlying value.
+		c := unsafe_New(typ)
+		memmove(c, e, typ.size)
+		return Value{typ, c, 0, fl | flagIndir}
+	} else if typ.pointers() {
+		return Value{typ, *(*unsafe.Pointer)(e), 0, fl}
+	} else {
+		return Value{typ, nil, loadScalar(e, typ.size), fl}
+	}
 }
 
 // MapKeys returns a slice containing all the keys present in the map,
@@ -1164,13 +1273,9 @@ func (v Value) MapKeys() []Value {
 	tt := (*mapType)(unsafe.Pointer(v.typ))
 	keyType := tt.key
 
-	fl := v.flag & flagRO
-	fl |= flag(keyType.Kind()) << flagKindShift
-	if keyType.size > ptrSize {
-		fl |= flagIndir
-	}
+	fl := v.flag&flagRO | flag(keyType.Kind())<<flagKindShift
 
-	m := v.iword()
+	m := v.pointer()
 	mlen := int(0)
 	if m != nil {
 		mlen = maplen(m)
@@ -1179,11 +1284,24 @@ func (v Value) MapKeys() []Value {
 	a := make([]Value, mlen)
 	var i int
 	for i = 0; i < len(a); i++ {
-		keyWord, ok := mapiterkey(it)
-		if !ok {
+		key := mapiterkey(it)
+		if key == nil {
+			// Someone deleted an entry from the map since we
+			// called maplen above.  It's a data race, but nothing
+			// we can do about it.
 			break
 		}
-		a[i] = Value{keyType, unsafe.Pointer(keyWord), fl}
+		if keyType.size > ptrSize {
+			// Copy result so future changes to the map
+			// won't change the underlying value.
+			c := unsafe_New(keyType)
+			memmove(c, key, keyType.size)
+			a[i] = Value{keyType, c, 0, fl | flagIndir}
+		} else if keyType.pointers() {
+			a[i] = Value{keyType, *(*unsafe.Pointer)(key), 0, fl}
+		} else {
+			a[i] = Value{keyType, nil, loadScalar(key, keyType.size), fl}
+		}
 		mapiternext(it)
 	}
 	return a[:i]
@@ -1206,7 +1324,7 @@ func (v Value) Method(i int) Value {
 	fl := v.flag & (flagRO | flagIndir)
 	fl |= flag(Func) << flagKindShift
 	fl |= flag(i)<<flagMethodShift | flagMethod
-	return Value{v.typ, v.val, fl}
+	return Value{v.typ, v.ptr, v.scalar, fl}
 }
 
 // NumMethod returns the number of methods in the value's method set.
@@ -1316,15 +1434,16 @@ func (v Value) OverflowUint(x uint64) bool {
 // code pointer, but not necessarily enough to identify a
 // single function uniquely. The only guarantee is that the
 // result is zero if and only if v is a nil func Value.
+//
+// If v's Kind is Slice, the returned pointer is to the first
+// element of the slice.  If the slice is nil the returned value
+// is 0.  If the slice is empty but non-nil the return value is non-zero.
 func (v Value) Pointer() uintptr {
+	// TODO: deprecate
 	k := v.kind()
 	switch k {
 	case Chan, Map, Ptr, UnsafePointer:
-		p := v.val
-		if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
-			p = *(*unsafe.Pointer)(p)
-		}
-		return uintptr(p)
+		return uintptr(v.pointer())
 	case Func:
 		if v.flag&flagMethod != 0 {
 			// As the doc comment says, the returned pointer is an
@@ -1336,10 +1455,7 @@ func (v Value) Pointer() uintptr {
 			f := methodValueCall
 			return **(**uintptr)(unsafe.Pointer(&f))
 		}
-		p := v.val
-		if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
-			p = *(*unsafe.Pointer)(p)
-		}
+		p := v.pointer()
 		// Non-nil func value points at data block.
 		// First word of data block is actual code.
 		if p != nil {
@@ -1348,7 +1464,7 @@ func (v Value) Pointer() uintptr {
 		return uintptr(p)
 
 	case Slice:
-		return (*SliceHeader)(v.val).Data
+		return (*SliceHeader)(v.ptr).Data
 	}
 	panic(&ValueError{"reflect.Value.Pointer", k})
 }
@@ -1371,14 +1487,9 @@ func (v Value) recv(nb bool) (val Value, ok bool) {
 	if ChanDir(tt.dir)&RecvDir == 0 {
 		panic("reflect: recv on send-only channel")
 	}
-	word, selected, ok := chanrecv(v.typ, v.iword(), nb)
+	word, selected, ok := chanrecv(v.typ, v.pointer(), nb)
 	if selected {
-		typ := tt.elem
-		fl := flag(typ.Kind()) << flagKindShift
-		if typ.size > ptrSize {
-			fl |= flagIndir
-		}
-		val = Value{typ, unsafe.Pointer(word), fl}
+		val = fromIword(tt.elem, word, 0)
 	}
 	return
 }
@@ -1401,7 +1512,7 @@ func (v Value) send(x Value, nb bool) (selected bool) {
 	}
 	x.mustBeExported()
 	x = x.assignTo("reflect.Value.Send", tt.elem, nil)
-	return chansend(v.typ, v.iword(), x.iword(), nb)
+	return chansend(v.typ, v.pointer(), x.iword(), nb)
 }
 
 // Set assigns x to the value v.
@@ -1412,13 +1523,15 @@ func (v Value) Set(x Value) {
 	x.mustBeExported() // do not let unexported x leak
 	var target *interface{}
 	if v.kind() == Interface {
-		target = (*interface{})(v.val)
+		target = (*interface{})(v.ptr)
 	}
 	x = x.assignTo("reflect.Set", v.typ, target)
 	if x.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
-		memmove(v.val, x.val, v.typ.size)
+		memmove(v.ptr, x.ptr, v.typ.size)
+	} else if x.typ.pointers() {
+		*(*unsafe.Pointer)(v.ptr) = x.ptr
 	} else {
-		storeIword(v.val, iword(x.val), v.typ.size)
+		memmove(v.ptr, unsafe.Pointer(&x.scalar), v.typ.size)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1427,7 +1540,7 @@ func (v Value) Set(x Value) {
 func (v Value) SetBool(x bool) {
 	v.mustBeAssignable()
 	v.mustBe(Bool)
-	*(*bool)(v.val) = x
+	*(*bool)(v.ptr) = x
 }
 
 // SetBytes sets v's underlying value.
@@ -1438,7 +1551,7 @@ func (v Value) SetBytes(x []byte) {
 	if v.typ.Elem().Kind() != Uint8 {
 		panic("reflect.Value.SetBytes of non-byte slice")
 	}
-	*(*[]byte)(v.val) = x
+	*(*[]byte)(v.ptr) = x
 }
 
 // setRunes sets v's underlying value.
@@ -1449,7 +1562,7 @@ func (v Value) setRunes(x []rune) {
 	if v.typ.Elem().Kind() != Int32 {
 		panic("reflect.Value.setRunes of non-rune slice")
 	}
-	*(*[]rune)(v.val) = x
+	*(*[]rune)(v.ptr) = x
 }
 
 // SetComplex sets v's underlying value to x.
@@ -1460,9 +1573,9 @@ func (v Value) SetComplex(x complex128) {
 	default:
 		panic(&ValueError{"reflect.Value.SetComplex", k})
 	case Complex64:
-		*(*complex64)(v.val) = complex64(x)
+		*(*complex64)(v.ptr) = complex64(x)
 	case Complex128:
-		*(*complex128)(v.val) = x
+		*(*complex128)(v.ptr) = x
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1474,9 +1587,9 @@ func (v Value) SetFloat(x float64) {
 	default:
 		panic(&ValueError{"reflect.Value.SetFloat", k})
 	case Float32:
-		*(*float32)(v.val) = float32(x)
+		*(*float32)(v.ptr) = float32(x)
 	case Float64:
-		*(*float64)(v.val) = x
+		*(*float64)(v.ptr) = x
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1488,15 +1601,15 @@ func (v Value) SetInt(x int64) {
 	default:
 		panic(&ValueError{"reflect.Value.SetInt", k})
 	case Int:
-		*(*int)(v.val) = int(x)
+		*(*int)(v.ptr) = int(x)
 	case Int8:
-		*(*int8)(v.val) = int8(x)
+		*(*int8)(v.ptr) = int8(x)
 	case Int16:
-		*(*int16)(v.val) = int16(x)
+		*(*int16)(v.ptr) = int16(x)
 	case Int32:
-		*(*int32)(v.val) = int32(x)
+		*(*int32)(v.ptr) = int32(x)
 	case Int64:
-		*(*int64)(v.val) = x
+		*(*int64)(v.ptr) = x
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1506,7 +1619,7 @@ func (v Value) SetInt(x int64) {
 func (v Value) SetLen(n int) {
 	v.mustBeAssignable()
 	v.mustBe(Slice)
-	s := (*SliceHeader)(v.val)
+	s := (*sliceHeader)(v.ptr)
 	if n < 0 || n > int(s.Cap) {
 		panic("reflect: slice length out of range in SetLen")
 	}
@@ -1519,7 +1632,7 @@ func (v Value) SetLen(n int) {
 func (v Value) SetCap(n int) {
 	v.mustBeAssignable()
 	v.mustBe(Slice)
-	s := (*SliceHeader)(v.val)
+	s := (*sliceHeader)(v.ptr)
 	if n < int(s.Len) || n > int(s.Cap) {
 		panic("reflect: slice capacity out of range in SetCap")
 	}
@@ -1537,11 +1650,29 @@ func (v Value) SetMapIndex(key, val Value) {
 	key.mustBeExported()
 	tt := (*mapType)(unsafe.Pointer(v.typ))
 	key = key.assignTo("reflect.Value.SetMapIndex", tt.key, nil)
-	if val.typ != nil {
-		val.mustBeExported()
-		val = val.assignTo("reflect.Value.SetMapIndex", tt.elem, nil)
+	var k unsafe.Pointer
+	if key.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
+		k = key.ptr
+	} else if key.typ.pointers() {
+		k = unsafe.Pointer(&key.ptr)
+	} else {
+		k = unsafe.Pointer(&key.scalar)
 	}
-	mapassign(v.typ, v.iword(), key.iword(), val.iword(), val.typ != nil)
+	if val.typ == nil {
+		mapdelete(v.typ, v.pointer(), k)
+		return
+	}
+	val.mustBeExported()
+	val = val.assignTo("reflect.Value.SetMapIndex", tt.elem, nil)
+	var e unsafe.Pointer
+	if val.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
+		e = val.ptr
+	} else if val.typ.pointers() {
+		e = unsafe.Pointer(&val.ptr)
+	} else {
+		e = unsafe.Pointer(&val.scalar)
+	}
+	mapassign(v.typ, v.pointer(), k, e)
 }
 
 // SetUint sets v's underlying value to x.
@@ -1552,17 +1683,17 @@ func (v Value) SetUint(x uint64) {
 	default:
 		panic(&ValueError{"reflect.Value.SetUint", k})
 	case Uint:
-		*(*uint)(v.val) = uint(x)
+		*(*uint)(v.ptr) = uint(x)
 	case Uint8:
-		*(*uint8)(v.val) = uint8(x)
+		*(*uint8)(v.ptr) = uint8(x)
 	case Uint16:
-		*(*uint16)(v.val) = uint16(x)
+		*(*uint16)(v.ptr) = uint16(x)
 	case Uint32:
-		*(*uint32)(v.val) = uint32(x)
+		*(*uint32)(v.ptr) = uint32(x)
 	case Uint64:
-		*(*uint64)(v.val) = x
+		*(*uint64)(v.ptr) = x
 	case Uintptr:
-		*(*uintptr)(v.val) = uintptr(x)
+		*(*uintptr)(v.ptr) = uintptr(x)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1571,7 +1702,7 @@ func (v Value) SetUint(x uint64) {
 func (v Value) SetPointer(x unsafe.Pointer) {
 	v.mustBeAssignable()
 	v.mustBe(UnsafePointer)
-	*(*unsafe.Pointer)(v.val) = x
+	*(*unsafe.Pointer)(v.ptr) = x
 }
 
 // SetString sets v's underlying value to x.
@@ -1579,7 +1710,7 @@ func (v Value) SetPointer(x unsafe.Pointer) {
 func (v Value) SetString(x string) {
 	v.mustBeAssignable()
 	v.mustBe(String)
-	*(*string)(v.val) = x
+	*(*string)(v.ptr) = x
 }
 
 // Slice returns v[i:j].
@@ -1602,24 +1733,21 @@ func (v Value) Slice(i, j int) Value {
 		tt := (*arrayType)(unsafe.Pointer(v.typ))
 		cap = int(tt.len)
 		typ = (*sliceType)(unsafe.Pointer(tt.slice))
-		base = v.val
+		base = v.ptr
 
 	case Slice:
 		typ = (*sliceType)(unsafe.Pointer(v.typ))
-		s := (*SliceHeader)(v.val)
+		s := (*sliceHeader)(v.ptr)
 		base = unsafe.Pointer(s.Data)
 		cap = s.Cap
 
 	case String:
-		s := (*StringHeader)(v.val)
+		s := (*stringHeader)(v.ptr)
 		if i < 0 || j < i || j > s.Len {
 			panic("reflect.Value.Slice: string slice index out of bounds")
 		}
-		var x string
-		val := (*StringHeader)(unsafe.Pointer(&x))
-		val.Data = s.Data + uintptr(i)
-		val.Len = j - i
-		return Value{v.typ, unsafe.Pointer(&x), v.flag}
+		t := stringHeader{unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(s.Data) + uintptr(i)), j - i}
+		return Value{v.typ, unsafe.Pointer(&t), 0, v.flag}
 	}
 
 	if i < 0 || j < i || j > cap {
@@ -1629,14 +1757,14 @@ func (v Value) Slice(i, j int) Value {
 	// Declare slice so that gc can see the base pointer in it.
 	var x []unsafe.Pointer
 
-	// Reinterpret as *SliceHeader to edit.
-	s := (*SliceHeader)(unsafe.Pointer(&x))
-	s.Data = uintptr(base) + uintptr(i)*typ.elem.Size()
+	// Reinterpret as *sliceHeader to edit.
+	s := (*sliceHeader)(unsafe.Pointer(&x))
+	s.Data = unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(base) + uintptr(i)*typ.elem.Size())
 	s.Len = j - i
 	s.Cap = cap - i
 
 	fl := v.flag&flagRO | flagIndir | flag(Slice)<<flagKindShift
-	return Value{typ.common(), unsafe.Pointer(&x), fl}
+	return Value{typ.common(), unsafe.Pointer(&x), 0, fl}
 }
 
 // Slice3 is the 3-index form of the slice operation: it returns v[i:j:k].
@@ -1659,12 +1787,12 @@ func (v Value) Slice3(i, j, k int) Value {
 		tt := (*arrayType)(unsafe.Pointer(v.typ))
 		cap = int(tt.len)
 		typ = (*sliceType)(unsafe.Pointer(tt.slice))
-		base = v.val
+		base = v.ptr
 
 	case Slice:
 		typ = (*sliceType)(unsafe.Pointer(v.typ))
-		s := (*SliceHeader)(v.val)
-		base = unsafe.Pointer(s.Data)
+		s := (*sliceHeader)(v.ptr)
+		base = s.Data
 		cap = s.Cap
 	}
 
@@ -1676,14 +1804,14 @@ func (v Value) Slice3(i, j, k int) Value {
 	// can see the base pointer in it.
 	var x []unsafe.Pointer
 
-	// Reinterpret as *SliceHeader to edit.
-	s := (*SliceHeader)(unsafe.Pointer(&x))
-	s.Data = uintptr(base) + uintptr(i)*typ.elem.Size()
+	// Reinterpret as *sliceHeader to edit.
+	s := (*sliceHeader)(unsafe.Pointer(&x))
+	s.Data = unsafe.Pointer(uintptr(base) + uintptr(i)*typ.elem.Size())
 	s.Len = j - i
 	s.Cap = k - i
 
 	fl := v.flag&flagRO | flagIndir | flag(Slice)<<flagKindShift
-	return Value{typ.common(), unsafe.Pointer(&x), fl}
+	return Value{typ.common(), unsafe.Pointer(&x), 0, fl}
 }
 
 // String returns the string v's underlying value, as a string.
@@ -1695,7 +1823,7 @@ func (v Value) String() string {
 	case Invalid:
 		return "<invalid Value>"
 	case String:
-		return *(*string)(v.val)
+		return *(*string)(v.ptr)
 	}
 	// If you call String on a reflect.Value of other type, it's better to
 	// print something than to panic. Useful in debugging.
@@ -1761,11 +1889,11 @@ func (v Value) Uint() uint64 {
 	k := v.kind()
 	var p unsafe.Pointer
 	if v.flag&flagIndir != 0 {
-		p = v.val
+		p = v.ptr
 	} else {
-		// The escape analysis is good enough that &v.val
+		// The escape analysis is good enough that &v.scalar
 		// does not trigger a heap allocation.
-		p = unsafe.Pointer(&v.val)
+		p = unsafe.Pointer(&v.scalar)
 	}
 	switch k {
 	case Uint:
@@ -1788,13 +1916,14 @@ func (v Value) Uint() uint64 {
 // It is for advanced clients that also import the "unsafe" package.
 // It panics if v is not addressable.
 func (v Value) UnsafeAddr() uintptr {
+	// TODO: deprecate
 	if v.typ == nil {
 		panic(&ValueError{"reflect.Value.UnsafeAddr", Invalid})
 	}
 	if v.flag&flagAddr == 0 {
 		panic("reflect.Value.UnsafeAddr of unaddressable value")
 	}
-	return uintptr(v.val)
+	return uintptr(v.ptr)
 }
 
 // StringHeader is the runtime representation of a string.
@@ -1808,6 +1937,12 @@ type StringHeader struct {
 	Len  int
 }
 
+// stringHeader is a safe version of StringHeader used within this package.
+type stringHeader struct {
+	Data unsafe.Pointer
+	Len  int
+}
+
 // SliceHeader is the runtime representation of a slice.
 // It cannot be used safely or portably and its representation may
 // change in a later release.
@@ -1820,6 +1955,13 @@ type SliceHeader struct {
 	Cap  int
 }
 
+// sliceHeader is a safe version of SliceHeader used within this package.
+type sliceHeader struct {
+	Data unsafe.Pointer
+	Len  int
+	Cap  int
+}
+
 func typesMustMatch(what string, t1, t2 Type) {
 	if t1 != t2 {
 		panic(what + ": " + t1.String() + " != " + t2.String())
@@ -1908,6 +2050,8 @@ func Copy(dst, src Value) int {
 
 	// If sk is an in-line array, cannot take its address.
 	// Instead, copy element by element.
+	// TODO: memmove would be ok for this (sa = unsafe.Pointer(&v.scalar))
+	// if we teach the compiler that ptrs don't escape from memmove.
 	if src.flag&flagIndir == 0 {
 		for i := 0; i < n; i++ {
 			dst.Index(i).Set(src.Index(i))
@@ -1918,14 +2062,14 @@ func Copy(dst, src Value) int {
 	// Copy via memmove.
 	var da, sa unsafe.Pointer
 	if dk == Array {
-		da = dst.val
+		da = dst.ptr
 	} else {
-		da = unsafe.Pointer((*SliceHeader)(dst.val).Data)
+		da = (*sliceHeader)(dst.ptr).Data
 	}
 	if sk == Array {
-		sa = src.val
+		sa = src.ptr
 	} else {
-		sa = unsafe.Pointer((*SliceHeader)(src.val).Data)
+		sa = (*sliceHeader)(src.ptr).Data
 	}
 	memmove(da, sa, uintptr(n)*de.Size())
 	return n
@@ -2056,12 +2200,7 @@ func Select(cases []SelectCase) (chosen int, recv Value, recvOK bool) {
 	chosen, word, recvOK := rselect(runcases)
 	if runcases[chosen].dir == uintptr(SelectRecv) {
 		tt := (*chanType)(unsafe.Pointer(runcases[chosen].typ))
-		typ := tt.elem
-		fl := flag(typ.Kind()) << flagKindShift
-		if typ.size > ptrSize {
-			fl |= flagIndir
-		}
-		recv = Value{typ, unsafe.Pointer(word), fl}
+		recv = fromIword(tt.elem, word, 0)
 	}
 	return chosen, recv, recvOK
 }
@@ -2090,16 +2229,8 @@ func MakeSlice(typ Type, len, cap int) Value {
 		panic("reflect.MakeSlice: len > cap")
 	}
 
-	// Declare slice so that gc can see the base pointer in it.
-	var x []unsafe.Pointer
-
-	// Reinterpret as *SliceHeader to edit.
-	s := (*SliceHeader)(unsafe.Pointer(&x))
-	s.Data = uintptr(unsafe_NewArray(typ.Elem().(*rtype), cap))
-	s.Len = len
-	s.Cap = cap
-
-	return Value{typ.common(), unsafe.Pointer(&x), flagIndir | flag(Slice)<<flagKindShift}
+	s := sliceHeader{unsafe_NewArray(typ.Elem().(*rtype), cap), len, cap}
+	return Value{typ.common(), unsafe.Pointer(&s), 0, flagIndir | flag(Slice)<<flagKindShift}
 }
 
 // MakeChan creates a new channel with the specified type and buffer size.
@@ -2114,7 +2245,7 @@ func MakeChan(typ Type, buffer int) Value {
 		panic("reflect.MakeChan: unidirectional channel type")
 	}
 	ch := makechan(typ.(*rtype), uint64(buffer))
-	return Value{typ.common(), unsafe.Pointer(ch), flag(Chan) << flagKindShift}
+	return Value{typ.common(), ch, 0, flag(Chan) << flagKindShift}
 }
 
 // MakeMap creates a new map of the specified type.
@@ -2123,7 +2254,7 @@ func MakeMap(typ Type) Value {
 		panic("reflect.MakeMap of non-map type")
 	}
 	m := makemap(typ.(*rtype))
-	return Value{typ.common(), unsafe.Pointer(m), flag(Map) << flagKindShift}
+	return Value{typ.common(), m, 0, flag(Map) << flagKindShift}
 }
 
 // Indirect returns the value that v points to.
@@ -2144,21 +2275,13 @@ func ValueOf(i interface{}) Value {
 	}
 
 	// TODO(rsc): Eliminate this terrible hack.
-	// In the call to packValue, eface.typ doesn't escape,
-	// and eface.word is an integer.  So it looks like
-	// i (= eface) doesn't escape.  But really it does,
-	// because eface.word is actually a pointer.
+	// In the call to unpackEface, i.typ doesn't escape,
+	// and i.word is an integer.  So it looks like
+	// i doesn't escape.  But really it does,
+	// because i.word is actually a pointer.
 	escapes(i)
 
-	// For an interface value with the noAddr bit set,
-	// the representation is identical to an empty interface.
-	eface := *(*emptyInterface)(unsafe.Pointer(&i))
-	typ := eface.typ
-	fl := flag(typ.Kind()) << flagKindShift
-	if typ.size > ptrSize {
-		fl |= flagIndir
-	}
-	return Value{typ, unsafe.Pointer(eface.word), fl}
+	return unpackEface(i)
 }
 
 // Zero returns a Value representing the zero value for the specified type.
@@ -2173,9 +2296,9 @@ func Zero(typ Type) Value {
 	t := typ.common()
 	fl := flag(t.Kind()) << flagKindShift
 	if t.size <= ptrSize {
-		return Value{t, nil, fl}
+		return Value{t, nil, 0, fl}
 	}
-	return Value{t, unsafe_New(typ.(*rtype)), fl | flagIndir}
+	return Value{t, unsafe_New(typ.(*rtype)), 0, fl | flagIndir}
 }
 
 // New returns a Value representing a pointer to a new zero value
@@ -2186,14 +2309,14 @@ func New(typ Type) Value {
 	}
 	ptr := unsafe_New(typ.(*rtype))
 	fl := flag(Ptr) << flagKindShift
-	return Value{typ.common().ptrTo(), ptr, fl}
+	return Value{typ.common().ptrTo(), ptr, 0, fl}
 }
 
 // NewAt returns a Value representing a pointer to a value of the
 // specified type, using p as that pointer.
 func NewAt(typ Type, p unsafe.Pointer) Value {
 	fl := flag(Ptr) << flagKindShift
-	return Value{typ.common().ptrTo(), p, fl}
+	return Value{typ.common().ptrTo(), p, 0, fl}
 }
 
 // assignTo returns a value v that can be assigned directly to typ.
@@ -2211,7 +2334,7 @@ func (v Value) assignTo(context string, dst *rtype, target *interface{}) Value {
 		v.typ = dst
 		fl := v.flag & (flagRO | flagAddr | flagIndir)
 		fl |= flag(dst.Kind()) << flagKindShift
-		return Value{dst, v.val, fl}
+		return Value{dst, v.ptr, v.scalar, fl}
 
 	case implements(dst, v.typ):
 		if target == nil {
@@ -2223,7 +2346,7 @@ func (v Value) assignTo(context string, dst *rtype, target *interface{}) Value {
 		} else {
 			ifaceE2I(dst, x, unsafe.Pointer(target))
 		}
-		return Value{dst, unsafe.Pointer(target), flagIndir | flag(Interface)<<flagKindShift}
+		return Value{dst, unsafe.Pointer(target), 0, flagIndir | flag(Interface)<<flagKindShift}
 	}
 
 	// Failed.
@@ -2335,20 +2458,20 @@ func makeInt(f flag, bits uint64, t Type) Value {
 		// Assume ptrSize >= 4, so this must be uint64.
 		ptr := unsafe_New(typ)
 		*(*uint64)(unsafe.Pointer(ptr)) = bits
-		return Value{typ, ptr, f | flagIndir | flag(typ.Kind())<<flagKindShift}
+		return Value{typ, ptr, 0, f | flagIndir | flag(typ.Kind())<<flagKindShift}
 	}
-	var w iword
+	var s uintptr
 	switch typ.size {
 	case 1:
-		*(*uint8)(unsafe.Pointer(&w)) = uint8(bits)
+		*(*uint8)(unsafe.Pointer(&s)) = uint8(bits)
 	case 2:
-		*(*uint16)(unsafe.Pointer(&w)) = uint16(bits)
+		*(*uint16)(unsafe.Pointer(&s)) = uint16(bits)
 	case 4:
-		*(*uint32)(unsafe.Pointer(&w)) = uint32(bits)
+		*(*uint32)(unsafe.Pointer(&s)) = uint32(bits)
 	case 8:
-		*(*uint64)(unsafe.Pointer(&w)) = uint64(bits)
+		*(*uint64)(unsafe.Pointer(&s)) = uint64(bits)
 	}
-	return Value{typ, unsafe.Pointer(w), f | flag(typ.Kind())<<flagKindShift}
+	return Value{typ, nil, s, f | flag(typ.Kind())<<flagKindShift}
 }
 
 // makeFloat returns a Value of type t equal to v (possibly truncated to float32),
@@ -2359,17 +2482,17 @@ func makeFloat(f flag, v float64, t Type) Value {
 		// Assume ptrSize >= 4, so this must be float64.
 		ptr := unsafe_New(typ)
 		*(*float64)(unsafe.Pointer(ptr)) = v
-		return Value{typ, ptr, f | flagIndir | flag(typ.Kind())<<flagKindShift}
+		return Value{typ, ptr, 0, f | flagIndir | flag(typ.Kind())<<flagKindShift}
 	}
 
-	var w iword
+	var s uintptr
 	switch typ.size {
 	case 4:
-		*(*float32)(unsafe.Pointer(&w)) = float32(v)
+		*(*float32)(unsafe.Pointer(&s)) = float32(v)
 	case 8:
-		*(*float64)(unsafe.Pointer(&w)) = v
+		*(*float64)(unsafe.Pointer(&s)) = v
 	}
-	return Value{typ, unsafe.Pointer(w), f | flag(typ.Kind())<<flagKindShift}
+	return Value{typ, nil, s, f | flag(typ.Kind())<<flagKindShift}
 }
 
 // makeComplex returns a Value of type t equal to v (possibly truncated to complex64),
@@ -2384,13 +2507,13 @@ func makeComplex(f flag, v complex128, t Type) Value {
 		case 16:
 			*(*complex128)(unsafe.Pointer(ptr)) = v
 		}
-		return Value{typ, ptr, f | flagIndir | flag(typ.Kind())<<flagKindShift}
+		return Value{typ, ptr, 0, f | flagIndir | flag(typ.Kind())<<flagKindShift}
 	}
 
 	// Assume ptrSize <= 8 so this must be complex64.
-	var w iword
-	*(*complex64)(unsafe.Pointer(&w)) = complex64(v)
-	return Value{typ, unsafe.Pointer(w), f | flag(typ.Kind())<<flagKindShift}
+	var s uintptr
+	*(*complex64)(unsafe.Pointer(&s)) = complex64(v)
+	return Value{typ, nil, s, f | flag(typ.Kind())<<flagKindShift}
 }
 
 func makeString(f flag, v string, t Type) Value {
@@ -2493,15 +2616,15 @@ func cvtStringRunes(v Value, t Type) Value {
 func cvtDirect(v Value, typ Type) Value {
 	f := v.flag
 	t := typ.common()
-	val := v.val
+	ptr := v.ptr
 	if f&flagAddr != 0 {
 		// indirect, mutable word - make a copy
-		ptr := unsafe_New(t)
-		memmove(ptr, val, t.size)
-		val = ptr
+		c := unsafe_New(t)
+		memmove(c, ptr, t.size)
+		ptr = c
 		f &^= flagAddr
 	}
-	return Value{t, val, v.flag&flagRO | f}
+	return Value{t, ptr, v.scalar, v.flag&flagRO | f} // v.flag&flagRO|f == f?
 }
 
 // convertOp: concrete -> interface
@@ -2513,7 +2636,7 @@ func cvtT2I(v Value, typ Type) Value {
 	} else {
 		ifaceE2I(typ.(*rtype), x, unsafe.Pointer(target))
 	}
-	return Value{typ.common(), unsafe.Pointer(target), v.flag&flagRO | flagIndir | flag(Interface)<<flagKindShift}
+	return Value{typ.common(), unsafe.Pointer(target), 0, v.flag&flagRO | flagIndir | flag(Interface)<<flagKindShift}
 }
 
 // convertOp: interface -> interface
@@ -2527,20 +2650,21 @@ func cvtI2I(v Value, typ Type) Value {
 }
 
 // implemented in ../pkg/runtime
-func chancap(ch iword) int
-func chanclose(ch iword)
-func chanlen(ch iword) int
-func chanrecv(t *rtype, ch iword, nb bool) (val iword, selected, received bool)
-func chansend(t *rtype, ch iword, val iword, nb bool) bool
+func chancap(ch unsafe.Pointer) int
+func chanclose(ch unsafe.Pointer)
+func chanlen(ch unsafe.Pointer) int
+func chanrecv(t *rtype, ch unsafe.Pointer, nb bool) (val iword, selected, received bool)
+func chansend(t *rtype, ch unsafe.Pointer, val iword, nb bool) bool
 
-func makechan(typ *rtype, size uint64) (ch iword)
-func makemap(t *rtype) (m iword)
-func mapaccess(t *rtype, m iword, key iword) (val iword, ok bool)
-func mapassign(t *rtype, m iword, key, val iword, ok bool)
-func mapiterinit(t *rtype, m iword) *byte
-func mapiterkey(it *byte) (key iword, ok bool)
-func mapiternext(it *byte)
-func maplen(m iword) int
+func makechan(typ *rtype, size uint64) (ch unsafe.Pointer)
+func makemap(t *rtype) (m unsafe.Pointer)
+func mapaccess(t *rtype, m unsafe.Pointer, key unsafe.Pointer) (val unsafe.Pointer)
+func mapassign(t *rtype, m unsafe.Pointer, key, val unsafe.Pointer)
+func mapdelete(t *rtype, m unsafe.Pointer, key unsafe.Pointer)
+func mapiterinit(t *rtype, m unsafe.Pointer) unsafe.Pointer
+func mapiterkey(it unsafe.Pointer) (key unsafe.Pointer)
+func mapiternext(it unsafe.Pointer)
+func maplen(m unsafe.Pointer) int
 
 func call(fn, arg unsafe.Pointer, n uint32)
 func ifaceE2I(t *rtype, src interface{}, dst unsafe.Pointer)
diff --git a/src/pkg/runtime/hashmap.c b/src/pkg/runtime/hashmap.c
index e42121b0442..5d625c15a86 100644
--- a/src/pkg/runtime/hashmap.c
+++ b/src/pkg/runtime/hashmap.c
@@ -1060,40 +1060,16 @@ runtime·mapaccess2(MapType *t, Hmap *h, byte *ak, byte *av, bool pres)
 }
 
 // For reflect:
-//	func mapaccess(t type, h map, key iword) (val iword, pres bool)
-// where an iword is the same word an interface value would use:
-// the actual data if it fits, or else a pointer to the data.
+//	func mapaccess(t type, h map, key unsafe.Pointer) (val unsafe.Pointer)
 void
-reflect·mapaccess(MapType *t, Hmap *h, uintptr key, uintptr val, bool pres)
+reflect·mapaccess(MapType *t, Hmap *h, byte *key, byte *val)
 {
-	byte *ak, *av, *r;
-
-	if(raceenabled && h != nil)
+	if(raceenabled && h != nil) {
 		runtime·racereadpc(h, runtime·getcallerpc(&t), reflect·mapaccess);
-
-	if(t->key->size <= sizeof(key))
-		ak = (byte*)&key;
-	else
-		ak = (byte*)key;
-
-	av = hash_lookup(t, h, &ak);
-	if(av == nil) {
-		val = 0;
-		pres = false;
-	} else {
-		if(t->elem->size <= sizeof(val)) {
-			val = 0; // clear high-order bits if value is smaller than a word
-			t->elem->alg->copy(t->elem->size, &val, av);
-		} else {
-			// make a copy because reflect can hang on to result indefinitely
-			r = runtime·cnew(t->elem);
-			t->elem->alg->copy(t->elem->size, r, av);
-			val = (uintptr)r;
-		}
-		pres = true;
+		runtime·racereadrangepc(key, t->key->size, runtime·getcallerpc(&t), reflect·mapaccess);
 	}
+	val = hash_lookup(t, h, &key);
 	FLUSH(&val);
-	FLUSH(&pres);
 }
 
 // mapassign1(mapType *type, hmap *map[any]any, key *any, val *any);
@@ -1148,50 +1124,50 @@ runtime·mapdelete(MapType *t, Hmap *h, byte *ak)
 }
 
 // For reflect:
-//	func mapassign(t type h map, key, val iword, pres bool)
-// where an iword is the same word an interface value would use:
-// the actual data if it fits, or else a pointer to the data.
+//	func mapassign(t type h map, key, val unsafe.Pointer)
 void
-reflect·mapassign(MapType *t, Hmap *h, uintptr key, uintptr val, bool pres)
+reflect·mapassign(MapType *t, Hmap *h, byte *key, byte *val)
 {
-	byte *ak, *av;
-
 	if(h == nil)
 		runtime·panicstring("assignment to entry in nil map");
-	if(raceenabled)
+	if(raceenabled) {
 		runtime·racewritepc(h, runtime·getcallerpc(&t), reflect·mapassign);
-	if(t->key->size <= sizeof(key))
-		ak = (byte*)&key;
-	else
-		ak = (byte*)key;
-	if(!pres) {
-		hash_remove(t, h, ak);
+		runtime·racereadrangepc(key, t->key->size, runtime·getcallerpc(&t), reflect·mapassign);
+		runtime·racereadrangepc(val, t->elem->size, runtime·getcallerpc(&t), reflect·mapassign);
+	}
 
-		if(debug) {
-			runtime·prints("mapassign: map=");
-			runtime·printpointer(h);
-			runtime·prints("; key=");
-			t->key->alg->print(t->key->size, ak);
-			runtime·prints("; val=nil");
-			runtime·prints("\n");
-		}
-	} else {
-		if(t->elem->size <= sizeof(val))
-			av = (byte*)&val;
-		else
-			av = (byte*)val;
+	hash_insert(t, h, key, val);
 
-		hash_insert(t, h, ak, av);
+	if(debug) {
+		runtime·prints("mapassign: map=");
+		runtime·printpointer(h);
+		runtime·prints("; key=");
+		t->key->alg->print(t->key->size, key);
+		runtime·prints("; val=");
+		t->elem->alg->print(t->elem->size, val);
+		runtime·prints("\n");
+	}
+}
 
-		if(debug) {
-			runtime·prints("mapassign: map=");
-			runtime·printpointer(h);
-			runtime·prints("; key=");
-			t->key->alg->print(t->key->size, ak);
-			runtime·prints("; val=");
-			t->elem->alg->print(t->elem->size, av);
-			runtime·prints("\n");
-		}
+// For reflect:
+//	func mapdelete(t type h map, key unsafe.Pointer)
+void
+reflect·mapdelete(MapType *t, Hmap *h, byte *key)
+{
+	if(h == nil)
+		runtime·panicstring("delete from nil map");
+	if(raceenabled) {
+		runtime·racewritepc(h, runtime·getcallerpc(&t), reflect·mapassign);
+		runtime·racereadrangepc(key, t->key->size, runtime·getcallerpc(&t), reflect·mapassign);
+	}
+	hash_remove(t, h, key);
+
+	if(debug) {
+		runtime·prints("mapdelete: map=");
+		runtime·printpointer(h);
+		runtime·prints("; key=");
+		t->key->alg->print(t->key->size, key);
+		runtime·prints("\n");
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1254,34 +1230,12 @@ reflect·mapiternext(struct hash_iter *it)
 }
 
 // For reflect:
-//	func mapiterkey(h map) (key iword, ok bool)
-// where an iword is the same word an interface value would use:
-// the actual data if it fits, or else a pointer to the data.
+//	func mapiterkey(h map) (key unsafe.Pointer)
 void
-reflect·mapiterkey(struct hash_iter *it, uintptr key, bool ok)
+reflect·mapiterkey(struct hash_iter *it, byte *key)
 {
-	byte *res, *r;
-	Type *tkey;
-
-	res = it->key;
-	if(res == nil) {
-		key = 0;
-		ok = false;
-	} else {
-		tkey = it->t->key;
-		if(tkey->size <= sizeof(key)) {
-			key = 0; // clear high-order bits if value is smaller than a word
-			tkey->alg->copy(tkey->size, (byte*)&key, res);
-		} else {
-			// make a copy because reflect can hang on to result indefinitely
-			r = runtime·cnew(tkey);
-			tkey->alg->copy(tkey->size, r, res);
-			key = (uintptr)r;
-		}
-		ok = true;
-	}
+	key = it->key;
 	FLUSH(&key);
-	FLUSH(&ok);
 }
 
 // For reflect: