Makarov vs. FEG PA-63?

[campergeek]

I'm a rifle & shotgun guy who has never shot a handgun, but I'm sorta considering getting one sometime in the future, especially if we get concealed carry in Missouri. I've read the threads about new shooters and seen the recommendations to start with a wheelgun, but for some reason I'm drawn to autoloaders. I'm an educated guy and somewhat mechanically inclined, so I don't fear the added complexity of the autoloader.

Before I buy for sure, I certainly plan to go to a range where I can try out some different varieties of handguns, but for arguments sake let's say we're beyond all of that.

It is important that whatever arm I purchase be reliable, but inexpensive. I've been reading about the Makarov and it seems that Mak owners are generally happy with them. Obviously, looks aren't everything, but I'll admit that from what I've seen I kinda like the lines on this handgun that some call ugly. However, I've also seen that the FEG PA-63 can be had usually for a little less money, which obviously makes it attractive. Plus I like the looks of the two-tone PA-63s I've seen advertised on gunbroker and auctionarms.

So, assuming that I've researched other options and come back to these two, can anyone give a side-by-side comparison of the two? Is the cheaper PA-63 less reliable or otherwise of lower quality than a gun which carries the Makarov name?

 

[makdaddy03]

Makarovs ugly? Noway Man.... The Makarov is the best handgun ever made. If you want looks, The Bersa 380acp is a decent handgun. But its no Mak. My Mak has 2000 rds of various (380acp)ammo put through it with only 2 jams. No kidding.

 

[PCRCCW]

What you have are just two different approaches with the same result. In short. The Mak is a Military design that is about as simple mechanically as you can get. The sights are the weak point to me and then the trigger. The trigger is easily fixed if you have a decent mechanical apptitude...and some patience.
The FEG is a solid little shooter also...I personally think the FEG is a better looking handgun...just my taste.
What you get with the FEG is one of the worst D/A trigger pulls of all time....drag a grand piano down a gravel road with your trigger finger and you have an accurate account. S/A trigger is fairly good on both. The FEG sights are slightly better than those on the Mak.
Weight isnt an issue...both are light enough. The Mak will carry/conceal SLIGHTLY better, being smaller.
In shooting them...heres the biggest difference outside of the d/a trigger pull...the Maks all are good shooters. They are fairly easy on you even with Barnaul/Corbon/Fiocchi loads that can be on the hotter side. The FEG's Ive shot, PA's anyway, are very hard on the shooter. Mind you, the guns were all military surplus much like the Maks and were very well broken in. That being said, they were much more abusive to shoot. New springs in both guns may have given different results.
The FEG's Ive heard but never seen can be finicky with some wide mouth JHP's...Barnaul for example. Maks will feed empty cases much like my CZ83's all have done.....
Both guns have parts that are easily acquired and ammo is the same...cheap and plentiful.
If you can find a clean and reasonably priced example of either...
you cant go wrong.
Shoot well

 

[wingman]

The Mak will carry/conceal SLIGHTLY better, being smaller.

Actually for me the pa63 conceals better,
thinner design, somewhat less wt due to
alloy frame. Overall though the mak is more reliable much tougher design.
Both are fun, and for the price buy one of
each.

 

[aircarver]

You should start out with a few Maks first.

Then a PA-63 will be a nice inexpensive 'accessory' to your Mak collection (since you have that case of mak ammo now anyway.....)

Give the PA-63 a Walther PPK hammerspring and even the DA trigger pull will be acceptable.

They all will shoot better than you can.

 

[Tropical Z]

I have two Maks and two 63's.If i can get my 63's functioning reliably id rather carry them as weight is a concern.Unfortunately my 63's are only about 80% reliable and im not sure why.I need to get new springs from makarov.com and see if that helps.My Maks are utterly reliable and more comfortable to shoot.The 63's kick like a mule!

 

[Hand_Rifle_Guy]

Ya know, we had this conversation once.

Here on TFL.

Lotta good bits. Go to it.

 

[aircarver]

If i can get my 63's functioning reliably id rather carry
them as weight is a concern.Unfortunately my 63's are only about 80% reliable and
im not sure why

You didn't say WHAT the problem was, so I'll guess: ammo. My -63 doesn't like HP ammo because the magazines go too tight around the nose of the ammo, and the 'corner' of the HP catches on the mag. release cutout.

My Maks will eat Barnaul HPs by the case with nary a snag, but the -63 won't. I found Hornady HPs (with a narrow HP mouth) work all right in the -63, but are too expensive for 'fodder'

So try some round nose in it.

A retired 17# Mak recoil spring works fine in the -63 (when you put a 19# Mak.com spring in your Mak to reduce the Low Earth Orbit tendency of the Mak with ejected cases).

The 'perceived recoil' is typical of blowback operation, together with the low mass aluminum frame coupling the recoil right into your hand.

(The Mak spring helps with this)

 

[PCRCCW]

Hey to each there own....I think the Mak carries better. Its versatile and small enough for pocket carry, all of the time. The PA isnt that way...the PMK/SMC Series FEG's are. The FEG has a longer body and the great thumbrest grips that arent CCW friendly to the same extent as the Mak.
Each person and body carry guns differently....all I know who've carried both the PA and Mak...agree that Mak is easier.
Shoot well

 

[Trebor]

I own a couple Maks and I've fired the PA 63 in anticipation of buying one. After I shot it, I decied to stick with the Mak.

The Mak just shoots better and is more user friendly, all around. The only points in the PA 63's favor are the button mag release, aluminium frame if you're concerned about weight, and the lower price.

Now that Bulgie Maks are selling for $130 again, and the PA 63 is about $100, price isn't as much of an issue.

Buy the Mak and go to www.makarov.com to get a set of Pearce Grips for it, you'll be happier in the long run.

 

[denfoote]

All I have to say about the PA-63 is that it takes a crane to pull that trigger!!!
Get Pistolet Makarova!!

 

[Tropical Z]

The only ammo ive tried are barnauls 95gr HP.I got this based on rave reviews here and elsewhere.Ill try some FMJ's and see if those damn, lousy 63's can send more than one round down range!

 

[BowStreetRunner]

campergeek,
I have a mak and love it, and would like a 63 also,
but for more perspective on this, go to gunboards.com and find the makarov forum.....the makarovniks over there have discussed this frequently
BSR

 

[aircarver]

The only ammo ive tried are barnauls 95gr HP.I got this based on rave reviews
here and elsewhere.Ill try some FMJ's and see if those damn, lousy 63's can send
more than one round down range

O-K then. There's the problem. Barnaul HPs deserve rave reviews when used in a Mak.

Used in a PA-63, they hang up in the mag. catch cutout. The PA-63 design guys never gave thought to using HPs in it.

Try S&Bs, they work great in mine though LVE or Barnaul FMJ may be cheaper.

 

[Apple a Day]

I own both. You may want to do a quick searchand see my posts regarding grips for the PA-63. I have big hands and it has taken some work to make the PA-63 comfortable for me. IMHO the Makarov is a better shooter-it's heavier and has a better trigger. The PA-63 is adequate as a shooter and lighter/more comfortable to carry. The PA-63 looks better in general but the two-tone finish reminds me a little too much of one of the old 1980s 280ZX paint jobs. A buddy of mine had one in grey/blue... thing drove like a sleeping bag with wheels ( a 280Z, not a PA-63)
I carry/have carried both. I have ~two thousand through the Makarov, which is older, with only one hiccup (had a bad round). I've put only a few hundred (maybe 300) through the Hungarian but haven't had any stoppages thus far. Since they're both simple blowback designs them they're both inherently reliable compared to something more complicated. I've put anything and everything through the Makarov but only ball through the Hungarian so far. I can't comment on how hollowpoints would work. With something as slow and light as a 9x18 round I stick with ball as a personal preference.
I have painted the sights on both of them with flourescent paint to make them more visible. On the Hungarian it's nearly a sYmbolic gesture since the sights are even smaller than on the Makarov. It points well though.
That's my experience. Luck to you,

 

[David4516]

"reliable, but inexpensive"

:banghead:

This is a no brainer: you want a Makarov. Reliable is the key word there. While I've never shot a PA-63, I know people who have and have read posts here and on the Mak fourm at gunboards, and hear alot of them saying something like "my PA-63 doesn't like JHPs".

I've had alot of rounds thur my Mak (I don't know the exact count, but I'd guess about 2000?) without any problems (About half those were JHPs). No jams, no failures to fire, feed, or eject, nothing. For a while I had some problems getting my first round to chamber, but that turned out to be bad ammo(case mouth getting stuck on edge of magazine), and once that first round did chamber it functioned 100%.

I've seen alot of "high-end" pistols Jam. My Dad's Glock 27 comes to mind (had it jam twice in the same day). But I have NEVER seen a Makarov jam. I've heard storys about Maks jamming, but I sometimes have to wonder if people are just making them up...