What gun is this?

[hcker2000]

Alright no clue as to what it is but I have a chance to buy it for $100. Let me know what you think. I also know its chambered in 9x18 Makarov. How dose that compare to a .380?

EDIT: I think I found out its a MSC-918. I also talked him down to $70 for it so I'm going to buy it so long as the wife dosnt go nuts.

 

[max popenker]

this is a Hungarian-made Walther PP clone, made by FEG.
IIRC, the commercial designation was SMC-918, while the military version was called PA-63 (9x18 mak, there also was a commercial AP-63 version in 9x17/.380ACP).

 

[JA]

The 9x18mm uses a .363" bullet vs. the .355" bullet of the 380acp. It is loaded with the same range of bullet weights and at a slightly higher velosity which is within 50fps of the 380acp.

 

[hcker2000]

Good deal for $70? I did some reading and from what I have read I'm geting it at a steal. The 9x18's seem to be a bit harder to find but is a bit more powerfull than the .380's (from what I have read correct me if I am wrong).

EDIT: another picture showing some of the scratches.

 

[gvass]

Hi,
yes, it is a Hungarian, FEG-made PA-63 service pistol in 9x18 Makarov kaliber. If it do not have normal manufacturer's name and caliber designation, it was official issue.

(PA-63 = Pisztoly Aluminiumtokkal, 1963)

The gun is similar to Walther PP, but internally quite different, with elevating firing pin (kind of passive safety).

The holster is original military (or border patrol), the police version was the same in black color.

Some of these oldies are still in use as sidearm here.

Shooting a PA-63 is not fun! The recoil is very snappy. The life expectation is under 3000 rounds! Tha aluminium frame is quite prone to break.

The magazines are often not feed when loaded more than 5 rounds.

The PA-63 is just for collecting ex-commie guns, not for serious purpose!

 

[hcker2000]

Thanks for you input. As far as kick is concerned I don't care that much. I do know that the triger pull is very heavy but agine I'm not as picky with triger presure as most people (I'v heard there is a spring to fix this problem and the sharp kick). Only draw back I see is the fact that I can't realy get clips to easy for it but 1 should do me just fine.

The real question is it a horable deal for $70?

http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-1802.html

 

[gvass]

According to US prices the gun was advertised in Shotgun News for 80-120 USD. So 70 USD with the second magazine and holster could be fair.

Here in Hungary we do not pay a single cent for a PA-63...

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I've handled two PA-63s. Is $70 a good deal. Perhaps.

But you'd have to pay ME to take one. <grin>

For $50-$60 more, I'd get a Bulgarian Mak and end up with a far better weapon.

 

[JA]

Magazines for $15.
http://www.hoosiergunworks.com/catalog/magazine_mil_pistol.html

I never bought one as they don't fit my fat hand very well. But I have shot them as several friends bought them when SOG had them for $69 each if you bought 3 or more of them in the mid 1990's. A dealer/friend sold the crap out of them from his shop and gun shows. At $99 out the door it was the best deal in a semi auto pistol. He had several pistols returned that had problems but the problem wasn't with the pistol itself but with the magazines having bent feed lips. This was a 5 minuite fix with pliers counting the time to load the magazine with dummy rounds and cycle them through the pistol.

 

[outofbattery]

Geez , for $70 I don't see how you couldn't go for it just for funsies . If it really only lasts for 3000 rounds and you shoot 50 rounds through it a week , it means that it'd cost you a whopping buck seventeen a week to own - and of course you could then trade it for ~something~ or get $50 from a gun buy back program , seems to me a no brainer .

The Makarov might be better for twice the price but for twice the price of the Mak you can have a SIG P230 ... there's no end when it comes to that line of reasoning ; if it appeals to you then get it - it has to be better than a Jennings/Lorcin/Bryco

 

[MtrCty]

Go for it ,I have one they are a good value and acurate for a small auto. As far as trigger pull goes check out makarov.com for a spring kit .It makes it much nicer to shoot,lighter trigger ,less recoil.

 

[hcker2000]

Thanks guys I don't think I can pass it up now that you have pointed out the cheap clips. I might use it as a ccw but I will have to look at how to get my licence first.

 

[macavada]

Don't shoot Wolf ammo in it. Shoot lighter grain, lighter load ammo if at all possible. I've read that Wolf will shorted the life expectancy in these guns due to the heavier grain bullet taking a toll on the frame.

 

[ezypikns]

Wolf Ammo Superb in Bulgarian Mak

I shoot Wolf ammo in my Bulgarian Makarov all the time with absolutely no ill effects. You can purchase a box of 50 for around 6.00 at Cheaper Than Dirt in Ft. Worth every day. Any pistol for 70.00 is a good deal. I had an FEG .380 cal PPK clone a few years ago. Nice pistol.

 

[hcker2000]

Ahh more good info it's looking like some people have just had bad luck with there guns regarding reliability. Can any one tell me how many rounds they have threw theres?

 

[Morgan]

$70 is a good price.

I had a similar pistol and sold it, as it was not to my liking. Extremely heavy, nasty trigger, torquey (is that a word?), rather brutal recoil, and I'm not a wuss for recoil. It was, however, reliable. I agree with the recommendation for a Mak for a little more money.

 

[hcker2000]

yea I have heard of the Mak but so long as the is accurate and a sturdy gun then I will just invest the $10 bucks for a spring kit and make it a very decent gun. Any one got a link on how to properly disassemble them?

EDIT: Oh and dose any one know if there is any thing special I need to do to buy a fire arm from another person (not a dealer)?

 

[gvass]

" I might use it as a ccw but I will have to look at how to get my licence first."

70-dollar, potentially unreliable pistol for CCW?

Your life worth only 70 dollars???

Sorry, I can not accept when someone spare money on selfdefense gun...

 

[hcker2000]

Well it isn't realy like that. I have no real fears around where I live or work. I was just saying that in the even't that I thought I would need a ccw I would probably cary that untell I could save up for some thing reliable.

I'v also found out that just because some thing cost $400 dosn't make it better. Take my monitor for example. My 19" KDS monitor went out about 4 months ago. It originaly cost me $400 and only lasted 3-4 years. I expect alot of of my computer equitment (image and reliability in this case). The new samsung 19" that was under $200 is sharper and have never had one issue with it.

I must say that my old kds monitor did take 10 shots of .22lr before the glass got a hole all the way threw it. Note that I'm not a good shot when the sites are 4" high and 4" to the right. So only a few of the shots were on top of each other. Glass was at least 1/2 inch thich.

 

[Gunhead]

OK,
but the most important is: for defensive purposes buy guns which are known as reliable products. For small amount of money you probably can not buy such gun, the only exception is probably the Makarov.

For inexpensive, but good defensive gun, I would buy a used SW or Taurus snubbie revolver, for about 200-300 USD.

 

[mrhuckins]

HEY, getcher finger off of the bang lever, unless your gonna fire that thing.

The 4th Rule of Gun Safety - Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Your Sights Are On The Target!

From the looks of that post here in section 4, your not sighted in on anything, and if you are, I hope you have an indoor range.

 

[hcker2000]

I know I can get a reliable hand gun for $200. Bersa Thunder .380. Also from what I have read this is a reliable gun. I guess I won't know for sure tell I run some rounds threw it. I also am planing to spend the extra $10 and get the better springs for it.

Not my hand in the pic. Thats another one of my friends hand in the pic (not the same friend as from my sks pic).

 

[mrhuckins]

HEY, getcher friends finger off of the bang lever, unless they are gonna fire that thing!

 

[hcker2000]

I'm not sure he might have been shooting the wall

 

[mrhuckins]

Uh oh. You got one of those "crazy wall killer" friends too hunh? Sounds like we both need new friends.