Yukon Jack
Member
Anybody out there have experience with this SA? The price looks right, but is there value? Any info at all would be appreciated.
Yukon Jack
Yukon Jack
PA 63 9x18 Hungarian Mak Pistol: anybody own or tried one out?
- Thread starter Yukon Jack
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Tropical Z
Member
There's a lot of value in the PA-63.Some weak wristed sissy types will complain about recoil,but it's not that bad.Some super picky trigger fans will whine about it's double action pull but again it's not that bad.I own two so I can speak first hand.They have an aluminum alloy frame and a steel slide.
They have an aluminum alloy frame and a steel slide.tracer
Member
As Tropical Z said,the DA trigger is pretty stiff,but not as stiff as the Polish Maks.A more rare FEG is the R61,and SMC 918 both compact 9x18's ,with better triggers.Usually about $200 though.
tracer
tracer
The trigger in DAO is stiff, yes. But I bought one about a month ago and everyone that's shot it loves it. It eats whatever I put though it, and it's accurate to boot. I paid $200 with three boxes of ammo at the last gunshow and I regret it not one whit.
Lurikeen pew pew
Member
pa 63
I just ordered one from the local gun store. It came out costing a little
more than the ones off the internet but I have been assured that is in
excellent condition.
I cant wait to pick it up in.... 10 days
damn you california!!!
I just ordered one from the local gun store. It came out costing a little
more than the ones off the internet but I have been assured that is in
excellent condition.
I cant wait to pick it up in.... 10 days
damn you california!!!
M2 Carbine
member
The PA-63 isn't a bad pistol. Mine have been accurate and reliable with FMJ ammo. One jams with some JHP though.
Someone is going to say it, so I might as well.
The PA-63 is not a Makarov. The only thing the PA-63 and Polish P64 have in common with the Makarov is they both shoot the 9x18 (Makarov) round.
The distributors and dealers continue to call the PA-63 (and P64) Makarovs so people will buy them thinking they are getting a real Makarov. I've seen it. Just recently a man wanted to show me his new Makarov and it was a Pa-63 for which the dealer charged him a Makarov price.
Anyhow, other than I've heard that some PA-63s have cracked the frame, they aren't a bad gun in the $150-$160 range.
Someone is going to say it, so I might as well.
The PA-63 is not a Makarov. The only thing the PA-63 and Polish P64 have in common with the Makarov is they both shoot the 9x18 (Makarov) round.
The distributors and dealers continue to call the PA-63 (and P64) Makarovs so people will buy them thinking they are getting a real Makarov. I've seen it. Just recently a man wanted to show me his new Makarov and it was a Pa-63 for which the dealer charged him a Makarov price.
Anyhow, other than I've heard that some PA-63s have cracked the frame, they aren't a bad gun in the $150-$160 range.
lee n. field
Member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2002
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What'd yours come to? I just saw some for $199 at a place I cruise through once or twice a month. Not that I've got any particular desire to have one, just wondering.
Oh, yeah. That store had no 9x18 on it's shelves.
MadMercS55
Member
My PA63 liked to fire when decocked. And it wouldn't feed JHP ammo at all. It was very accurate and reliable with FMJ of all kinds though. I recall paying about $150 total for the gun and 4 mags many years ago. I gave up after it started going off when I'd decock it. I know better now, and wish I'd have kept the little gun.
The PA63 carries nicely. Borrowing heavily from the Walther PP design it is time tested design. Chambered in 9X18mm Makarov it is slightly more powerful than a Walther PP in .380. I got mine about 10 years ago, along with a R59, the compact model. Both are very reliable. However the PA63 has a few drawbacks. Terrible trigger as mentioned before. The sights are small. I find the recurve grip does not fill my hand well. It leaves an air pocket which can sting when you fire the gun. It makes the recoil seem worse than it should. I actually shoot the smaller R59 better, however they are rarer and more expensive if you can find one. If you want a inexpensive CCW gun.....the 63 will work. But I don't think it is ideal.
Walt Sherrill
Member
For just a bit more, I'd MUCH rather have a Bulgarian Makarov. Or a Kel-Tec P3AT (in .380).
The PA-63s I've handled and the one I've shot were not my idea of good guns, or good design.
For just a bit more you can get a Ruger P-95 (9mm), and the ammo is cheaper!
The PA-63s I've handled and the one I've shot were not my idea of good guns, or good design.
For just a bit more you can get a Ruger P-95 (9mm), and the ammo is cheaper!
Teakwood
Member
PA-63 is pleasing pistol to look at. It is essentially an enlarged Walther PP. In fact, some of the parts are a direct changout.
The Hungarians wanted them cheap and light for their police. So they went with the alloy frame and alodined them instead of anodizing. However, I have seem some in blak frame.
The drawback of the alloy frame is that it does not have the life expectancy of an all steel contruction. I have heard numbers of 1000 to 3000 rounds before the frame cracks. If you were in the Hungarian military, then you could get another when you needed one. For the collector, I can only suggest that you be careful and use only 95 gr mmo (no 105 gr - 120 gr stuff). Also, they tend to like FMJ as opposed to JHP.
As to the aweful trigger pull, I recommend polishing the mechanism and changing out the mainspring to about 11#. Replacements are available from Wolff Gunsprings. [Some people use a 9# spring, but I found that resulted in a lot of fail to fire.]
Also, the recoil spring should be replaced with a 15# from Wolff. That helps to reduce the shock of discharge.
The Hungarians wanted them cheap and light for their police. So they went with the alloy frame and alodined them instead of anodizing. However, I have seem some in blak frame.
The drawback of the alloy frame is that it does not have the life expectancy of an all steel contruction. I have heard numbers of 1000 to 3000 rounds before the frame cracks. If you were in the Hungarian military, then you could get another when you needed one. For the collector, I can only suggest that you be careful and use only 95 gr mmo (no 105 gr - 120 gr stuff). Also, they tend to like FMJ as opposed to JHP.
As to the aweful trigger pull, I recommend polishing the mechanism and changing out the mainspring to about 11#. Replacements are available from Wolff Gunsprings. [Some people use a 9# spring, but I found that resulted in a lot of fail to fire.]
Also, the recoil spring should be replaced with a 15# from Wolff. That helps to reduce the shock of discharge.
varoadking
Member
The PA63 is likely the worst waste of hard earned dollars that I can imagine.
Had one, shot it once, sold it for a loss. Pure crap...
Find yourself a real Mak for a bit more and enjoy...
Had one, shot it once, sold it for a loss. Pure crap...
Find yourself a real Mak for a bit more and enjoy...
Bob F.
Member
Mak's definitely a better pistol, although a little heavier. HOWEVER: I have a real junker PA-63 that I paid too much for. Needed a concealable piece since work carry was verboten but sometimes comforting. PA was recommended but I didn't know any better. None available locally, as with so many others. Asked an old horse-trader and he found me one. Since I asked I felt obligated even though I felt the price was a little too high. Later found the barrel was bulged to the point the piece won't field strip. But when it's reasonably clean it's accurate and reliable. It's my truck gun. Even with all that, no real regrets! Maks are getting harder to find. wife grabbed a NICE EG Mak for $200 since the grips fit her hand!
Bob
Bob
DougW
Member
I had a PA63, but sold it. The pistol was completely reliable, but the frame design in my hand made shooting this pistol a painful experience. It is not one that is fun to shoot for an outing. It is light and concealable,and would make a nice carry piece on a budget.
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Yukon Jack
Member
Thanks for the responses and info @ Hungarian PA 63
I ordered one, signed the paperwork at the FFL holder and will pickup the pistol this Thursday. I saw it when it came in looks brand new and unfired.
Source: AIM Surplus for $139.95 with 2 clips.
Purpose: for my wife, personal home "pertection".
Ammo: after all the ammo comments, will buy FMJ rounds, or if to much re- coil for my wife, will hand load some lighter loads that will still cycle SA.
Thanks all again for the comments and helpful info.
Yukon Jack
I ordered one, signed the paperwork at the FFL holder and will pickup the pistol this Thursday. I saw it when it came in looks brand new and unfired.
Source: AIM Surplus for $139.95 with 2 clips.
Purpose: for my wife, personal home "pertection".
Ammo: after all the ammo comments, will buy FMJ rounds, or if to much re- coil for my wife, will hand load some lighter loads that will still cycle SA.
Thanks all again for the comments and helpful info.
Yukon Jack
Yukon Jack
Member
CZ 52 Slip-On Grip
Hogue makes a slip on grip for about $11.00. I bought one and will try it on my CZ 52 tomorrow.
Hogue makes a slip on grip for about $11.00. I bought one and will try it on my CZ 52 tomorrow.
jph55
Member
SMC 380 & 9x18 pistols available
Guns for sale should go in the appropriate For Sale section. Thanks in advance.
Sorry, I am new and will change to the classifieds
Guns for sale should go in the appropriate For Sale section. Thanks in advance.
Sorry, I am new and will change to the classifieds
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musher
Member
We gotta classifieds section too!
joab
Member
I bought a PA63 as one of my impulse purchases for about $170 a few years ago.
When I originally bought it I planned to give it to my father but he couldn't pull the trigger with his moderate arthritis
I shot it once and hated it so it went in the back of the safe.
God awful trigger pull, serrations on the trigger were like little semi dull knives, and the thumb rest on the grip forced my hand into a position where the little beaver tail would painfully impact my thumb at the last knuckle.
I found out about a spring kit available from Mak.com that cost about $10.
Once I installed it the gun it became a perfectly acceptable firearm and with the addition of some $18 after market grips it became a great little gun.
If you plan on giving it to your wife plan on the spring kit upgrade. It's well worth the money and the 5 minutes it took to install
When I originally bought it I planned to give it to my father but he couldn't pull the trigger with his moderate arthritis
I shot it once and hated it so it went in the back of the safe.
God awful trigger pull, serrations on the trigger were like little semi dull knives, and the thumb rest on the grip forced my hand into a position where the little beaver tail would painfully impact my thumb at the last knuckle.
I found out about a spring kit available from Mak.com that cost about $10.
Once I installed it the gun it became a perfectly acceptable firearm and with the addition of some $18 after market grips it became a great little gun.
If you plan on giving it to your wife plan on the spring kit upgrade. It's well worth the money and the 5 minutes it took to install
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