FEG PA-63 Report

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doc540

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My stepson, 28, lives out of state, and when I learned he was coming here for Christmas, I hatched a plan to swap him out of his low-rent PA-63 for one of my mid-rent .40 S&W's.

Always like a new project anyway.

Got it Friday, took it to the range yesterday.

Just like everyone predicted:

Shot accurately

Functioned perfectly

Double action was nearly impossible due to the hammer spring, etc

Beat the ever-lovin' crap out of the web of my hand

Changed the recoil spring to a Wolff 19lb

And last night changed the trigger spring to whatever Wolff sent (no strength noted)

I've ordered the Wolff hammer spring pack, but couldn't wait till it got here.

Removed first one coil, then a second coil off the factory hammer spring.

Seemed to work within reason, but don't yet know about light strikes.

If I've screwed up (won't be the first time), I have the new Wolff pack on the way.

Might end up being my low-rent car gun if I can find some Hornady HP's.

DSCN3646-1.gif
 
I experienced much of the same, but I couldn't shoot mine any where near as accurate as many of my other autoloaders. I sold it.
 
Removed first one coil, then a second coil off the factory hammer spring.

Seemed to work within reason, but don't yet know about light strikes.

If I've screwed up (won't be the first time), I have the new Wolff pack on the way.
Click to expand...

This sounds pretty much exactly what I did before firing the first shot. But I stopped at 1 1/2 coils. The DA trigger pull was still atrocious, and yet I got plenty of light strikes! Don't worry, though. The Wolff springs will solve half the problem. The other half is just breaking it in. It's still the worst DA trigger pull of any gun I own, but I can keep the holes on the paper. :)

Random suggestion: under the grips, there are two little cups that serve as sear pivot pins. Any time you're poking around in there, make sure these are clean and greased before you reassemble the pistol. If one is tighter than the other, put the tight one in the right side. These pins are under some pressure during the double action pull. If left dry, they are one of the first parts on the PA-63 to wear out. This allows more play in the sear, which can result in hammer follow.

On the bright side, a drill and a Dremel are sufficient tools to fabricate a replacement out of an old hex bit. :)
 
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Test fired it today with two coils cut from the hammer spring.

MUCH better double action pull and no light strikes.

I'll still try the Wolff springs for comparison.

All that's available now in HP seems to be the Silver Bear 94 grn JHP and the Hornady 95 grn JHP.

Don't know for a fact, but the internets are saying "no larger than 95 grn" in the alloy frame PA-63's.

Found a holster today: Don Hume JIL Slide No. 59. Rides high, fits nice and tight.

DSCN3647-1.gif

DSCN3649-1.gif
 
I put the Wolff springs in mine, changed out the grips to get rid of that darn thumb rest, and then put a Handall junior on it. Made it nicer to shoot, but it still beats up my hand. It will probably never be a great "fun" gun, but it does go bang every time I pull the trigger. As a concealed carry weapon, I wouldn't hesitate to carry it. For anyone, but especially for someone on a budget, it would be a fine defense weapon.
 
I had one and traded it for a Hi-Point 9mm and never looked back. Mine was a jammer and the recoil was nasty. I recommend using a stronger recoil spring with factory hammer spring. This and some rubber grips will tame that little nasty.
 
Hornady HP's are scarce as hen's teeth right now, and expensive if you can find any.:eek:

Scored some in 9x18 Makarov along with an extra mag for the car gun.

DSCN3808-1.gif
 
Recoil is pleasant to me. It's all in how you grip it. If you aim the beavertail right at your joint at the base of your thumb, then yes it's going to be nasty! That said, the funky grip hump and the sharply serrated safety and trigger all combine for a painful initial experience out of the box.

A grip reduction (complete humpectomy) improved the ergos and felt recoil, in my case. The soft aluminum alloy is easily machined, filed, and sanded, and doesn't need to be refinished.

Mine rarely misses its target, inside of 50 feet. It's got a great SA trigger pull, and those tiny sights are very precise. It's quite similar in size and shape to a Bersa .380, but thinner through the grips, more streamlined (without the big Bersa slidestop), and has quite a bit more kick.
http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv241/gloob27x/PA63002.jpg
 
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Different hands/different jolts

Now that I've tamed the recoil a bit, I really like the way this little pistol shoots.

Might even carry it now and then.
 
I don't mind the recoil, nor the trigger. Keep in mind I primarily carry a Polish P-64, which has a truly hard double action trigger pull. The trigger on the PA-63 is pleasant by comparison, and very nice after the Wolff 13-pound hammer spring is installed. I had light strikes with the 11-pound spring, but stepped up to the 13 and it's been flawless ever since. I'm also using the strongest recoil spring Wolff makes. Overall it's my favorite of the Makarov-style guns. Lightweight, accurate, pleasant to shoot, good trigger, button mag release, and great looks.

By the way, if you can't get Hornady hollowpoints, get Silver Bear hollowpoints. Yes, they're cheap, but they're very good ammo and the gun will eat it up all day.
 
You know, Doc540, you really should feel some shame for conning your son out of such a nice piece. I think you probably got the better end of the deal. The PA-63 is a real gem of a gun. After a little spring work, there's nothing not to like about it.

If you haven't looked into it, check out Marschal Grips. This guy does beautiful custom wood grips for ComBloc handguns. He lives in Hungary, and has around a 6 week turnaround time, but his work is well worth the cost and wait. My Makarov and P-64 both sport his grips (as does my father's P-64), and my friend has some on his CZ-82. No complaints whatsoever.
 
The PA-63, and the Polish P64, are fine little carry guns. They are well made, and reliable. At the price, you can't go wrong.
 
WardenWolf said:
You know, Doc540, you really should feel some shame for conning your son out of such a nice piece. I think you probably got the better end of the deal. The PA-63 is a real gem of a gun. After a little spring work, there's nothing not to like about it.

If you haven't looked into it, check out Marschal Grips. This guy does beautiful custom wood grips for ComBloc handguns. He lives in Hungary, and has around a 6 week turnaround time, but his work is well worth the cost and wait. My Makarov and P-64 both sport his grips (as does my father's P-64), and my friend has some on his CZ-82. No complaints whatsoever.
Click to expand...
After changing the springs and putting new shoes the PA63 can be a reliable, accurate and good looking little shooter. Here are grips made by Marschal in bubinga wood. Approx $50 and 6wks.

GEDC0323.jpg
 
I have the same pistol in .32 ACP. Bought it NIB for around

$140 several years ago, found some extra mags, carry it frequently.
Never had any problems with it at all.
FWIW, the frames are actually an alloy of aluminum with titanium for long wear-these were Hungarian police pistols, and sad to say there are no more to be found-FEG is no longer in business, IIRC. I have owned maybe a half dozen different FEG's over they years, and keep an eye out for used ones in my gunshop travels.
Hang on to it-they are very accurate and reliable and easy to carry. And a real bargain, which is hard to find in guns now.
Also, if you think the trigger is tough, try a Walther in DA...

ADDED: Article on FEG, and this series of pistols...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FEG_PA-63


mark
 
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I've got one and like it...... Especially for what I paid. Right at 150 for the pistol, 2 mags, and a leather holster. I put the "Kit" together myself....

Suprisingly accurate, shoots good, and is a hot little round. I probably wouldnt pump 100 rounds through it in one shooting session, but no FTF,s etc. with military Brown Bear 9x18. SA is strong, but manageable IMO.

If I see another one and I have 100-150 in my pocket, I would do it again! :D
 
I normally carry a KT PF9 so the recoil on the PA63 has never been an issue. It isn't any where near as bad as the PF9, which I can shoot over 100rds now with issues. I would love to come across a few boxes of the Hornaday JHP's. I have been using Silver Bears and they are alright.
 
Just use the Silver Bear hollowpoints. Great ammo at a great price. That's one thing I love about Makarov-caliber guns: the ammo is super-cheap and pretty easy to find yet still high-quality.
 
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