Debating between a FEG PA-63 and a CZ-52

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blo0dyhatchet

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Hello, I am new to these forums.
I just started collecting/range shooting. So far I have a SKS, a beretta .22 for my wife, a winchester 30-06, and i just sold a hi point 9mm that i had.

I am debating between these 2 guns. I have read a lot about each one and from what i can tell, the PA63 wont last as long due to the lightweight frame, and that it kicks hard. As for the CZ-52, I have heard that the firing pin wears out quickly, and that the safety/decocker is usually not in great working condition.
I am leaning more towards the PA63, but I would like some opinions. JGSales.com has them both pretty cheap, but I have a gunshow coming up the first weekend in Feb, so I am going to look for a better deal first :) . Plus with a private sale, I would have to wait so long to get it.

Please let me know your opinions on these 2 guns and which out of the 2 you would buy.
 
What is your intended use for the gun? Plinking? Collecting? Carry? Defense? Just a cheap gun to play with? Let us know and we can try to help.
 
It will be my vehicle/concealed carry. I do take the wife and go shooting on a regular basis, so it will be used for tageting and fun as well.
 
I really like the 52. However, wouldn't want to try to conceal carry it much. As for the firing pin, it's not that it wears out, but it may break due to dry firing it.

I would suggest a look at the CZ 83 surplus guns that are coming in now. Much more concealable, double action, and you get 12 rds of 9x18 Mak. They should be around $250.

Can't comment on your other choice, not familiar with it.
 
If you are looking at any type of concealment then the PA63 is the way to go, However there are no free lunches, You pay a cost in the recoil because of the light weight.
 
For fun, the 52.

I wouldn't want a PA-63 for range OR carry. I'd tried one, and all I could think was "Ouch!" ...the recoil is painfully snappy for such a little thing, it's a good way to develop a dangerous flinch. My tiny Taurus PT745 .45ACP has a comfortable push, the PA-63 has a viciously bitey little snap that hurts your hand in short order.

It also can't use the heavier bullets that real Makarovs can, so you're limited there, too.

My personal pick in the 7.62x25 caliber is the Tokarev TT-33, and in the 9x18 caliber, a real Makarov, either Russian, East German or Bulgarian.

A Makarov is suitable for carry, albeit a lot heavier than new handguns of the same size. A CZ-52 is not at all suitable for carry or as a reliable house gun, and is best considered just a range toy, IMO.
 
Ok, thanks for the comments thus far.

I took a look at the Makarov's on auctionarms and liked what I saw, these are also on my list now.

Also took a look at the Tokarev TT-33 and I must say I like it as well.

As you can tell, I am open to other suggestions. I would like to stay under 200 dollars and have a decent concealed if you have another suggestion.

I am trying to find a buddy that may have a PA-63 so that I can try it. I have heard about it kicking like a mule, but I would like to try one to see how bad it is for me.

The next Eastman show coming to my area is on Feb 3 and 4th, so I will most likely buy then, unless I come across nothing. Then I will be refering back to the net to purchase.
 
Makarov in my opinion is the best gun in that price range for plinking, concealed carry, & aesthetics. I think the only downfalls are that the ammo isn't available at WalMart (but it would be half the price of .380 if it was). Holster selection can be a bit limited but they are out there.

Not that you couldn't one day own all of the guns that you mentioned, but the Makarov would be my choice if I could only have one.

bulgmak01.jpg
 
It's not that the PA-63 kicks...it doesn't. It's more like a mousetrap snapping against the palm of your hand. It just stings, not pleasant at all.
 
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I've had both. The PA-63 is considered a cheap Makarov copy. The CZ-52 is a nice quality pistol that's fun to shoot and will last. Its size reminds me of a 9mm, but at a fraction of the price. I'd go for a CZ-52 or a real Makarov.

Saw two CZ-52's at a gun show last weekend with asking prices of $150 and $200 and I paid $175 for mine from a local dealer quite a few years ago. Should have never sold that gun. Makarovs are more popular and go a bit higher... usually $250-$300 in nice shape.
 
For that price range this would put you in the high side of where you want to be but check out the Bersa handguns, Thunder 380 and Thunder9. They are small to conceal and lighter.
 
I just bought a PA63 and took it to the range today. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think it has all that much recoil at all.

If you have large hands like myself, you may find the slide skinning the top of your hand. I believe the problem lies in the thumb groove molded into the left grip, which causes the meat of my hand between my the bases of my thumb and forefinger to protrude high enough that the slide action catches it. This intermittently caused the slide to return with inadequate force to chamber the next round. If this is a concern and you can find a range/shop that has a used one for sale, I would definitely see if they can let you try it out before buying.

As far as jamming concerns go, The only problem I had with JHP ammo was caused by one of my magazines, not the gun itself. This magazine seems to have higher spring tension, and the rounds seem to catch on the top lips, forcing the point downwards as it's pushed forward, jamming it. This only happened on the first round of a fully loaded magazine. If it was loaded with 6 rounds, the problem wouldn't occur. I think a little bit of fine filing will probably fix this issue. The problem did not occur with FMJ ammo at all, and I had no jams at all with FMJ.

Overall, I'd say this is a great little pistol, and worth the money. It shoots well and accurately, is very light and easily concealable if you're looking to use it as such. Ammo is relatively cheap - I paid $80 for 500 rounds of Silver Bear HP.
 
I'll give you three more ideas. The links are to KY Imports, whom I've not done business with, but they'll give you an idea on pricing.
http://www.kyimports.com/sw.htm#s&w - Top of page - used S&W Model 10 for $150. These are some of the finest service revolvers ever made and with a 4" tapered bbl they're a perfect all around range/vehicle/carry gun. At the bottom of the same page they have the Spanish Star BM, a 1911 looking compact 9mm semi-auto for $150. These are also sweet little pistols.
http://www.kyimports.com/amt.htm - another source for Makarovs, these are Bulgarian made and are priced pretty well from what I've seen.
 
The CZ52 is a fun pistol, but as others have pointed out, it's not all that practical for concealed carry.
The PA-63 is small and light, but it's not all that much fun to shoot.
Horrible double action trigger, it's very heavy.
I have seen less robust people, male and female, unable to pull it.
This could be overcome with training, but as a primary pistol it's far from ideal.
I'd not entirely trust the hammer drop safety to not to allow the pistol to fire when used to drop the hammer.
They do seem reliable though, just not very user friendly.

I've been very impressed with nearly all Makarovs.
Even the Chinese ones, whilst a little rough, were serviceable.
The Tokarevs are quite large for a concealed carry pistol, though they are
flat, which helps. Tough, but lots of sharp edges.

The Star BM's are decent, and seem to work well.

I'll second the call for a S&W Model 10. Personal preference goes to a 3" round butt. Not the smallest for carry, but a sweet shooter and reliable.
Nice light loads for range work too. It'll make you want to start reloading :)

Find a used but not abused HS2000, what the Springfield XD was before it became the XD.
Ruger Mk2 .22 pistol. Sure, they're not exactly ideal for carry, but everyone should have at least one in their collection (or a Browning Buckmark).
They're pretty close to your budget, and will allow you to do a lot of shooting for not too much money.
Yeah, just get a nice .22 pistol, and enjoy the trigger time.

Used Ruger P95, if you can find one. Tough.

Best wishes for expanding your collection.
 
cz52 is my choice

I carry mine every day in an IWB holster shooting Reeds ammo using 100 gr xtps.Yes it weighs almost 3 pounds with spare magazine but it is a comfort for me.
 
The PA-63 is a nice little concealed carry gun. It doesn't have a blowback action so the recoil is sharp. Nothing anyone can't handle but it can sting the hand in extended range sessions with full-power ammo.

Upgrading the springs helps, I put a Wolff 13# spring in and it's much more controllable.

Most commercial ammo is tame. I still have a couple of boxes of Bernaul FMJ and HP ammo and it's shooting at 1048fps vs. Hornady @ 939fps. I think it's sold under Brown Bear now but is twice as costly.

p.s...the PA-63 is a Walther PPK clone, not Makarov. Any holster for the PPK will work with the PA-63 making a lot of choices.
 
Um I need you guys to clarify something...
Are you refering to the CZ 83 surplus in .32 ? or the new production .380
I ask because the NIB CZ 83s are like double the price of the surplus .32s the .32s are $239.00 at AIM. They also have a CZ 82 in 9x18 for $209.00 and a PA63 for $129.00

www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Handguns.html
 
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MDig, there were some surplus CZ-83s in .380 around the same prices as the the the other two. I'll try to find some other links because there should still be some on the market. If you don't already have a pistol in .380 to worry with ammo compatability, the CZ-82 in 9mm Mak is a good deal. 9mm Mak & .380 ACP are nearly identical ballistically, and the cheap Russian 9mm Mak ammo will let you practice more on the dollar.
 
I did some more shooting with my PA63 this weekend, and can see validity to the complaints about recoil, if you shoot heavier/hotter ammo in these pistols. I bought several different boxes of ammo, including some wolf ammo that I didn't realize was 100grain until I was already shooting it. Shooting this stuff out of a PA63 isn't nearly as pleasant as the 94/95 grain ammos I had previously shot out of it. The PA63 isn't really designed for anything bigger than 95 grains, so I can see what the complaints are about. If you stick with the smaller stuff, shooting this gun should be a pleasant experience.
 
I know this is blasphemy.....

but if you've got a really tight budget, look at a Hi-Point. They're ugly as a mud fence, but they're American made (Ohio) and they go bang when you pull the trigger. I think you can get a 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP for between 120.00 and 170.00 brand new.
Seriously, the first center fire pistol I owned was a Hi Point 9mm. I put about 500 rds thru it and never a failure out of the box. Not too bad as far as accuracy goes. I've also heard that Hi Point's customer service is excellent.
I don't have one any more but it served the purpose of introducing me to shooting center fire pistols. Something to consider.
 
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