New guy, PA63 new gun, what caliber is it?!?!

[SPCMarty308]

Well as you can see i'm new around here and already have an issue I need help with. I bought a PA63 yesterday for $149, and it seems I figure out what caliber it is. it's marked as the 9x18mak but the rounds do not cycle properly and seat fully. I took it apart and dropped a live round and then an empty case in the chamber and both stuck out about a millimeter. After hearing about the .380 conversions and the failure to mark them, I dropped a live .380 round and it sat flush and cycled fine, spent cases are bulged out so i figure that .380 is not the correct caliber either. I used Federal american eagle .380fmj and winchester white box 9x18 fmj.

Are there any other calibers this gun was chambered in or do i have some kind of sheer failure.

[Mrgunsngear]

If you could post pics of each round in the chamber that would help us help you.

['88Scrat]

I'm pretty sure that a friend of mine used to have have one in 9x18 Makarov but he sold it a couple years ago. A .380 is 9x17 if memory serves so it must be very close to a 9x18mak. My guess would be 9x18 because the .380 models had the designation PMK-380.

I would try and find out where your gun was manufactured, might give you some hint.

Worth noting perhaps that PA63s were also made in .32 ACP for a short while but I doubt very much that yours is chambered for it.

Sorry I couldn't be more help...

[BrittB]

If you are having issues with the 9x18 Makarov round then it may be time to visit a gun smith. That's the round that it was designed for and a firearm is not something to screw around with.

[Master Blaster 2]

They are 9X18. Don't use .380. Did you shoot it or just cycle it.
Hint if you get a Wolf hammer spring for it the DA is reduced greatly. Also polish up the aluminum reciever. Attractive gun. I did mine.

Out of stock/Back order now but easy to install.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/437714/wolff-hammer-spring-pack-feg-pa-63-reduced-power

[bdb benzino]

You were probably using whinchester white box 9x19mm and 380. Now go to a gun shop and get some real 9x18mak ammo. I don't think they even make WWB in 9x18!

[SPCMarty308]

it was Federal 9x18. im having the same feeding and seating issue with Silver Bear 9x18 HP.
this is with a fed 9x18
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n483/Derek_Martenson/f00fc158.jpg

this is the usual spot the slide stops at. and i can push the slide into battery from there
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n483/Derek_Martenson/b7cb8866.jpg

rack the slide again...same thing
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n483/Derek_Martenson/b2b724c9.jpg

then the last few... seem to fully seat or they've just worn out from being racked so much
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n483/Derek_Martenson/035ecc01.jpg

[BrittB]

Mine had a little scoring in the same spot on the frame as well as the bottom of the frame under the barrel. I buffed the scratches out and they never came back. Mine works with all ammo and shoots very well!

[Master Blaster 2]

Send it back SPCMarty

[SPCMarty308]

You really think I should take it back? Is the case sticking out a big red flag? Maybe the spring is worn out and doesnt have the power anymore. I've got 30days to figure out what's really wrong.

It seems like the barrel just needs replacing which isnt hard apparently. Anyone know where to find either .380 or 9x18? All I've found were out of stock.

[docnyt]

I'm not a gunsmith but I would take that to one. Something is just not right with the way the 9x18 is seated in the chamber. If it were me I would take it back and get a real Makarov PM.

[BrittB]

Here's the one I ended up buying. I don't think you need one though as I think it's either a spring or deburring issue. I replaced my barrel because it was ringed and it was priced accordingly. Now it's an awesome gun and may be my summer carry weapon.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Detail.aspx?pid=1204890A&catid=2060

[SPCMarty308]

The fact it cycles the last 4 or so rounds seems to support the idea of needing a new spring. The bolt face is recessed to hold the case so maybe it is supposed to stick out a hair.

Maybe some pics of your guys' with a round resting in the chamber.

[BrittB]

Just checked mine out and it should look the same as if it had no rounds in it. Get a new main spring and deburr that frame and slide. Also, check that the slide clears the barrel, it's pretty close there too!

[SPCMarty308]

Just ordered a Wolff 15lb recoil spring. It must be a weak spring that has a hard time stripping the first few rounds off the mag.

[Chesster]

I'm voting on a weak spring. The 9mm Mak gives the spring in this light alloy framed jewel a serious butt kicking each time it is fired. I like to change the spring after 250 rounds in my PA-63s and SMC 918/RK59 etc.....

[SPCMarty308]

I hope that's all. I'll take sandpaper and a polisher to it in the meantime

[Mrgunsngear]

Put me down for spring as well from the pics and what you've said. If you can push it into battery, a stronger spring will likely do the same...

[BrittB]

I used 320 wet and dry with WD40 as the wet part at the start and finished with 600 with WD40. It goes fairly quickly so go slow with your sanding and take off just enough to take off the high parts.

[Walt Sherrill]

It may be a spring issue.

Someone mentioned replacing the "main spring." As noted above, it's the RECOIL spring that might be causing the problem. (The "main spring" is the term most commonly used to describe the hammer spring; replacing the main spring won't help.)

More than one importer has converted some 9x18 guns to .380 by changing barrels. That doesn't seem to be the case, here, though.

[Chesster]

Good clarification. The big spiral thingy that slips over the barrel before installing the slide. :)

[SPCMarty308]

while im waiting for the spring...
what kind of holster do y'all use or recommend?
I have a inside the pants uncle mikes Size 1 that fits but is a bit loose around the gun

[BrittB]

Bersa Thunder 380 is a perfect fit, even better than the PPK holster.

[SPCMarty308]

well the new spring seems to have done the trick, Silver Bear HP have an occasional failure to seat but i think thats poor ammo issue as the brass cased FMJ functions perfect. Polished up the feed-ramp, chamber and reblued the slide.