PA-63 for Self Defense?

[TooTaxed]

A small-frame female friend wants to get a reliable self-defense autoloading pistol for home and self defense...including concealed carry. Low cost is a prime consideration.

After checking what's currently available on the market, I'm leaning towards the Hungarian PA-63 Walther-style pistol in 9-mm Makarov, using Speer Gold Dot hollow-point ammo...$130 in VG to excellent condition from CDNN.

Considerations: Expense rules out otherwise suitable 9-mm Luger pistols. Revolvers are out...and expensive besides. CZ-82's are more bulky and somewhate more expensive. I have a lot of experience with pistols of all calibers, and have a lot of respect for the 9 x 18mm Mak cartridge...I use a Makarov pistol as one of my concealed carry guns, but those have become rather expensive and hard to find. .32 Auto and .380s simply are too light in power.

Comments? Alternatives? (Don't forget the criteria!)

 

[GLOOB]

I carry one. It's light and easy to conceal for me. But I'm a big-framed male.

I don't think 9mm Mak is a significantly better round than the .380, though. I think they're pretty close to the same category, considering the available ammo. But for the price of gun and ammo, I think the PA-63 is one of the best things going for a concealed carry gun, right now.

Observations:
After carrying it for a year or so, I have come to appreciate the development of the PPK. I wish the barrel were an inch shorter. (and, again, I'm a big framed male!)
The DA trigger pull is also kinda heavy.
Also, it might need some major dehorning. If her hands are hurting 2 minutes into her first session, she's not going to like it very much.

Here's a thought: you say .32 and .380 are just too small. Is that your opinion or hers? If this is to be her FIRST gun, even a .22 would be a big improvement for SD vs her car keys and a bad attitude. The PA-63 kicks pretty good, due to its light weight. You might consider keeping the lesser calibers on the table.

 

[wnycollector]

The PA-63 kicks pretty good, due to it's light weight.

I have shot a pa63, cz82 and owned a russian mak. As far as recoil, the pa63 had the sharpest, most unpleasnt recoil of the bunch. The softest shooter was the CZ...for the extra $20-30 it is the cream of to surplus pistols!

 

[The grons]

I own the 63 and the 82... a gun carried for concealment is a gun that will probably never be used. If so, I wouldn't worry too much about the kick or recoil bite. I carry the 63 despite these issues because the CZ is a great gun but too bulky and if I need to conceal and maybe get off 6 shots in my lifetime; I am OK with the 63.

Have your friend wear a glove at the range.

 

[brassdog]

Curious as to why you're ruling the 9mm. Just on costs alone? What is the budget limit?
Kel Tec makes the P11 & PF-9, both the same size roughly of the PA-63.
Also, unlike the FEG, the Kel Tec's are current manufactured firearms with a warranty and parts available. Their costs are reasonable and the 9mm is easier to find than the Mak 9x18 or the .380.
Even used Ruger P-95's can be had for under $300 or less.
Why the push on the PA-63? Are there any other options?

 

[OurSafeHome.net]

You can get a 4" .38 Special revolver from Armscorp for $170+ FFL transfer fees.

This would be a much better choice for someone who is not inclined to make the time and monetary investment necessary to become proficient with the pistols mentioned in this thread.

 

[The grons]

Funny; these were the two guns I recently considered the kel-tec 9mm and the PA-63, if there was .380 ammo I would have gone with the kel-tec .380 for it size but if I recall the kel-tec 9mm was a bit thicker than the PA-63 and for me, I was looking for a narrow gun. Also having gobs of mak ammo helped clinch the deal. But I do like the Kel-Tecs

 

[PT1911]

the P-11 is a bit thicker perhaps but the PF-9 definitely isnt thicker than a PA-63

 

[christcorp]

For someone who isn't going to be doing a lot of shooting; and basically wants a gun for protection; I ALWAYS recommend a 357 magnum revolver. You can get the right size to fit you perfectly. And you can find the right ammo to fit you. From the power of a 380 auto all the way up to most powerful 357 magnum. There isn't another common self defense caliber from 45, 40, 10, 9, etc.... that can do anything that the 357 magnum revolver can't. The 357 mag revolver is the most versatile caliber/gun of them all.

Now; having said that; the PA-63 is a fantastic gun for carrying. Ammo is readily available. There are 2 excellent hollow points available; Hornady XTP and Silver Bear HP. Ammo and weapons are very inexpensive, but very high quality. Bang for the buck; the PA-63, P-64, CZ-82 are the best deals out there. Nothing can touch the quality vz price. I carry the cz-82 concealed all the time. Size isn't an issue. However, the weight is. It is SOLID STEEL. And you can feel it. The alloy frame of the PA-63 makes it really light. it is a fantastic pistol. Don't worry about if it kicks. That is a non-factor. If you ever had to use it for defense, your mind would never even notice the kick. Your adrenaline and stress level will be so high, nothing else will matter.

So; 1st recommendation: If you don't plan on shooting much, then DON'T GET ANY SEMI-AUTO. Get a 357 magnum revolver and find light 38's, normal 38's, 38 +P, light 357mag or all the way up to 357 mag buffalo Bore kicking in at 1,700fps/M.E. 802 ft. lbs. It's the most versatile. If you plan on doing some practicing once in a while, the PA-63 is a fantastic gun for self defense.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

IMO your diminutive gal friend will do well w/the pa-63 but of course needs some practice time. it's got enough power believe me. I'm 6'4" and 290 and carry a Russki Mak (that I bought like new w/a spare mag for 155$ at pawn) with hot handloads.
I've shot enough .32acp, .380acp, 9mm Mak, 9mm Para, .38spcl, and .357 to know that I don't want to be downrange of any of 'em.

 

[Snowdog]

I'd opt for a used Taurus or Rossi .38 special (Taurus M85, Rossi M68, etc) or .357 magnum (Taurus m605, Rossi M877, etc) before opting for the PA-63 for a small lady.

A little shopping will land you a used Taurus or Rossi in the same price range as the PA-63. I carried a M85CH for years before switching to a K9. They're totally concealable and as reliable as reliable can possibly get.