KINGMAX
Member
I just came across a deal on a Makarov PA63, in a 9X18 that is rated for Plus P. $144, NIB - OTD.
Does anyone know anything about one?
Does anyone know anything about one?
PA-63 9x18 Makarov
- Thread starter KINGMAX
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It's pretty similar to a Walther PP with an aluminum frame and a larger camel-hump of a backstrap. It's made in Hungary.
Cons:
only reliable with FMJ due to the magazine design - rough and sharp feed lips and follower design allow for frequent nose dives... not a problem with FMJ, though.
Only takes 95 grain bullets. Longer bullets won't fit into the magazine and aren't recommended due to the aluminum frame
Lots of sharp edges and the safety requires pliers to use, out of the box.
DA trigger is a tad heavy.
Handle shape is not designed for a human being.
Pros: inexpensive, light, accurate, very good SA trigger, reliable with FMJ, and it really takes well to a concealment holster. It's basically a cheaper and lighter Walther PP, but fairly comparable in terms of reliability and accuracy. The German made Walther PPK has a much better DA trigger. But it's not too far worse than the American made ones.
It has a hammer block safety/decocker and a trigger-activated firing pin safety. It cannot be carried cocked and locked. The firing pin safety design and the design of the trigger transfer bar are the primary reasons for the heavy DA pull and can't be tweaked, completely. But a lighter mainspring is avail from Wolff.
$144 OTD, new, sounds like a great deal. You'll be hard pressed to find any comparable gun at that price (today). I'd buy it if it was in front of me. The CZ-82/3 is all steel and has a better trigger, albeit they are a bit larger and much heavier. You can still buy them, used, for close to that, apparently.
Cons:
only reliable with FMJ due to the magazine design - rough and sharp feed lips and follower design allow for frequent nose dives... not a problem with FMJ, though.
Only takes 95 grain bullets. Longer bullets won't fit into the magazine and aren't recommended due to the aluminum frame
Lots of sharp edges and the safety requires pliers to use, out of the box.
DA trigger is a tad heavy.
Handle shape is not designed for a human being.
Pros: inexpensive, light, accurate, very good SA trigger, reliable with FMJ, and it really takes well to a concealment holster. It's basically a cheaper and lighter Walther PP, but fairly comparable in terms of reliability and accuracy. The German made Walther PPK has a much better DA trigger. But it's not too far worse than the American made ones.
It has a hammer block safety/decocker and a trigger-activated firing pin safety. It cannot be carried cocked and locked. The firing pin safety design and the design of the trigger transfer bar are the primary reasons for the heavy DA pull and can't be tweaked, completely. But a lighter mainspring is avail from Wolff.
$144 OTD, new, sounds like a great deal. You'll be hard pressed to find any comparable gun at that price (today). I'd buy it if it was in front of me. The CZ-82/3 is all steel and has a better trigger, albeit they are a bit larger and much heavier. You can still buy them, used, for close to that, apparently.
Found no sharp edges on mine,safety is stiff but usable after break in,
no problems using hollow points but I reload so I can set OAL where needed,
grips fit and feels great to me, actually a natural pointer and accurate,
small, slim good for carry.
Having said all that the "real" makarov is an overall better gun.
no problems using hollow points but I reload so I can set OAL where needed,
grips fit and feels great to me, actually a natural pointer and accurate,
small, slim good for carry.
Having said all that the "real" makarov is an overall better gun.
weregunner
Member
www.makarov.com or
http://www.p64.proboards67.com/index.cgi
http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=45
These are sources for info on these.
AS for gun parts either www.e-gunparts.com or the www.makarov.com has them.
http://www.p64.proboards67.com/index.cgi
http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=45
These are sources for info on these.
AS for gun parts either www.e-gunparts.com or the www.makarov.com has them.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
The PA-63 is not even distantly related to the Makarov.
Whole different design internally.
The only thing they have in common is the caliber & blow-back action.
rcmodel
Whole different design internally.
The only thing they have in common is the caliber & blow-back action.
rcmodel
FieroCDSP
Member
Loading for the PA-63 is a pain. I've managed to get some XTP loads to work okay, but the thing is real touchy on the OAL. I've had to lower the charge from near-max and shorten. Wear gloves when shooting it.
You can always have the slide, trigger guard, trigger, hammer, and mag release hard chromed. This makes for a very highly corrosion and wear resistant CCW. And, it's light due to the alloy frame. It's also very thin. It really is a great CCW if you upgrade to the Wolff springs.
What now? No such thing as a +P 9x18 load. If whoever selling is trying to tell you about some magic +P rated PA-63, they're just trying to blow smoke up your @ss.
Otherwise, they're fun range guns. Like some other posters, I had issues with feeding HP ammo through mine, when I had it. Not a single hiccup with FMJs though. And yes, due to the alloy frame and the shape of the grip, recoil is unpleasant.
volfandan: That's a real purdy example. I also notice how your mag is sitting completely flush with the handle. Do all your mags sit like that? Mine has quite a bit of gap with all my mags, but some worse than others. I wonder if there's a way to remedy this... although it appears only cosmetic. Actually, the only part of my FEG I couldn't disassemble was the mag catch, though I doubt I could do anything about it, anyway... short of fabricating a new part, which I'm not currently equipped to do.
trempel: true as may be what you say, Hungarian MFS 95 grain FMJ Makarov ammunition is marked +P on the box. The specs appear to be the same as all the other stuff, though.
trempel: true as may be what you say, Hungarian MFS 95 grain FMJ Makarov ammunition is marked +P on the box. The specs appear to be the same as all the other stuff, though.
I really liked mine, because it was a beater that you could rely upon as a CCW. You absolutely have to respring them with the kit from makarov.com/Wolff Gunsprings for several reasons: 1) taming recoil 2) reliability 3) safety with heavy loads. The springs in mine were VERY weak when I bought it.
I agree that these pistols are fairly brutal with anything heavier than 95 gr or any load stouter than the Barnaul JHP.
I agree that these pistols are fairly brutal with anything heavier than 95 gr or any load stouter than the Barnaul JHP.
Prince Yamato
Member
I've got one. It's a real nice shooter. The recoil is not that bad, compared to its Polish counterpart, the P64. It has very comfortable grips too.
KINGMAX
Member
I like the hard chrome one
The one that has been hard chromed looks great, how much $$.$$ do you have in the chroming job. How long does it take????
The one that has been hard chromed looks great, how much $$.$$ do you have in the chroming job. How long does it take????
KINGMAX
Member
CZ 83 / PA63 / Walther PPK
the CZ 83 is a favorite of mine. I like it better that the Walther PPK. I got this PA63 about a month ago, and like it more that the Walther for sure. I have shot around 150 rounds through it so far. After a break in peroid of about 50-60 rounds, hence, no malfunctions. It was very tight at first, did not want to seat the first round when I released the slide. I polished the throat and ramp with a Dremel tool and some jewler's rouge, made it nice and slick. No problems.
What is the real story on the PLUS + P rounds. That is what I buy and shoot through mine, at 9.95 per box of 50. That is cheeper than the .380's.
the CZ 83 is a favorite of mine. I like it better that the Walther PPK. I got this PA63 about a month ago, and like it more that the Walther for sure. I have shot around 150 rounds through it so far. After a break in peroid of about 50-60 rounds, hence, no malfunctions. It was very tight at first, did not want to seat the first round when I released the slide. I polished the throat and ramp with a Dremel tool and some jewler's rouge, made it nice and slick. No problems.
What is the real story on the PLUS + P rounds. That is what I buy and shoot through mine, at 9.95 per box of 50. That is cheeper than the .380's.
jwxspoon
Member
I've got a PA63, it's been 100% reliable from day 1. All I have shot through it is silver bear 95 grain JHP. Not a single malfunction, probably 750 rounds.
I like it, neat little gun.
jw
I like it, neat little gun.
jw
FieroCDSP
Member
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