PA63 First time out

BoogieMan · June 14, 2013, 11:12 AM

I have herd that these are snappy little guns. Being that they are Hungarian made and fit like a glove in the hand I had to have one. $209 OTD, $20 for a #16 recoil spring and #13 hammer spring prior to going to the range. The spring change made the DA pleasant and the single action light at (guesstement) #3-4.
First shot at a 3" steel 25yds found its mark, follow ups pretty good with about a 5" group. Me not the gun. I would expect its capable of sub 2" at 25yds all day long. It is still quite snappy but much more pleasant to shoot than a PPS or other similar sized guns IMO. I only put 100 rnds of Fiochi 95gr through it yesterday between me and my 15 y/o son. Never a hickup. Breakdown and cleaning was a snap. This is by far the fastest handling gun I have and have ever shot, my next closest would be a 1903 Colt that is hindered only because its heavier. The FEG is part of your hand. Follow up shots not as easy as say my Beretta 96 or Kimber Target II but the first shot is on target much quicker. Very light and lively little gun. For the money I would recommend that everyone put one of these in there pocket.
And thats what I think. If you disagree your obviously wrong.

JimmyR · June 15, 2013, 05:43 AM

I have one of these, and I find it to point very nicely. I have found, however, that it does not lend itself well to IWB carry due to the thumbrest on the grips. I have since ordered some replica plastic flat grips, and will be trying it in my holster soon. I just wish the mags were cheaper...

BoogieMan · June 17, 2013, 08:01 AM

I found mags for $25. As you said a little expensive considering its a 8 rnd mag.
Ammo is usually around and in the $20 range.

JimmyR · June 18, 2013, 01:00 AM

Where did you find mags that cheap?

BoogieMan · June 18, 2013, 12:34 PM

Interarms PA-63 / PMK / PPH 7 Round 9x18 Makarov (.380 ACP) Magazine
EUROPEAN AMERICAN ARMORY | PA-63

SKU: 885290C
Numrich
$26.10
I thought they were under $25.
IF you didnt already I suggest the Wolf spring kit also.

JimmyR · June 18, 2013, 11:59 PM

I'll have to check that out, I would think those are aftermarket; I tend to prefer factory mags for any gun I'm gonna carry.

As for the spring kit, I personally have seen no reason to switch mine. No issues with the trigger or recoil, so I just keep the original springs.

HiBC · June 19, 2013, 12:07 AM

I recommend avoiding steel case ammo.I used some on mine and hurt the feed ramp.

n5lyc · June 19, 2013, 04:14 PM

I love mine, points great, conceals well, was inexpensive.

And while the ammo crunch was in full force I could always find ammo (i was always getting asked "You know that is not regular 9mm ammo you are buying right?"

Considering their age, they are a really great looking gun too.
good clean lines, and a great feeling grip.

Glad you like it!

Dain Bramage · June 19, 2013, 06:26 PM

Clean the extractor plunger and spring hole often. The spring and plunger are the only thing holding the extractor in place. If they get crudded up, and stay compressed, the extractor flies off to by-by land. And it's currently an unobtainium part.

Kevin_d77 · June 19, 2013, 06:34 PM

Just handled one in a LGS and was about to make a price check thread. This one was $299 w 2 mags. Looks nice and feels great. Apparently that price may be a little bit high then if you paid $209

AirCool65 · June 22, 2013, 02:08 PM

I saw one in a local pawn shop a while back and it looked interesting, but the price was over $300 with one magazine as I recall. Where did you find one for $209? I'd be all over it at that price.

BoogieMan · June 26, 2013, 08:21 AM

I bought mine at LGS in S. NJ. NIB with 1 mag and cleaning kit. The price seemed in line with used ones from gunbroker so I jumped on it. I dont think they are 20k rnd gun but they are not a saturday night special either. amazingly easy to field strip. A bit tough to change the firing pin spring, if you do be very careful not to loose the detent plunger in the safety. After the spring change they end up with a trigger similar to a beretta 92/96. Its my favorite gun to hold, not my favorite to shoot.

June 14, 2013, 11:12 AM	#1
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	PA63 First time out I have herd that these are snappy little guns. Being that they are Hungarian made and fit like a glove in the hand I had to have one. $209 OTD, $20 for a #16 recoil spring and #13 hammer spring prior to going to the range. The spring change made the DA pleasant and the single action light at (guesstement) #3-4. First shot at a 3" steel 25yds found its mark, follow ups pretty good with about a 5" group. Me not the gun. I would expect its capable of sub 2" at 25yds all day long. It is still quite snappy but much more pleasant to shoot than a PPS or other similar sized guns IMO. I only put 100 rnds of Fiochi 95gr through it yesterday between me and my 15 y/o son. Never a hickup. Breakdown and cleaning was a snap. This is by far the fastest handling gun I have and have ever shot, my next closest would be a 1903 Colt that is hindered only because its heavier. The FEG is part of your hand. Follow up shots not as easy as say my Beretta 96 or Kimber Target II but the first shot is on target much quicker. Very light and lively little gun. For the money I would recommend that everyone put one of these in there pocket. And thats what I think. If you disagree your obviously wrong.

June 15, 2013, 05:43 AM	#2
JimmyR Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Posts: 1,273	I have one of these, and I find it to point very nicely. I have found, however, that it does not lend itself well to IWB carry due to the thumbrest on the grips. I have since ordered some replica plastic flat grips, and will be trying it in my holster soon. I just wish the mags were cheaper...

June 17, 2013, 08:01 AM	#3
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	I found mags for $25. As you said a little expensive considering its a 8 rnd mag. Ammo is usually around and in the $20 range.

June 18, 2013, 01:00 AM	#4
JimmyR Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Posts: 1,273	Where did you find mags that cheap?

June 18, 2013, 12:34 PM	#5
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	Interarms PA-63 / PMK / PPH 7 Round 9x18 Makarov (.380 ACP) Magazine EUROPEAN AMERICAN ARMORY \| PA-63 SKU: 885290C Numrich $26.10 I thought they were under $25. IF you didnt already I suggest the Wolf spring kit also.

June 18, 2013, 11:59 PM	#6
JimmyR Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Posts: 1,273	I'll have to check that out, I would think those are aftermarket; I tend to prefer factory mags for any gun I'm gonna carry. As for the spring kit, I personally have seen no reason to switch mine. No issues with the trigger or recoil, so I just keep the original springs.

June 19, 2013, 12:07 AM	#7
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,350	I recommend avoiding steel case ammo.I used some on mine and hurt the feed ramp.

June 19, 2013, 04:14 PM	#8
n5lyc Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2009 Posts: 180	I love mine, points great, conceals well, was inexpensive. And while the ammo crunch was in full force I could always find ammo (i was always getting asked "You know that is not regular 9mm ammo you are buying right?" Considering their age, they are a really great looking gun too. good clean lines, and a great feeling grip. Glad you like it!

June 19, 2013, 06:26 PM	#9
Dain Bramage Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2001 Location: Arlington, WA Posts: 219	Clean the extractor plunger and spring hole often. The spring and plunger are the only thing holding the extractor in place. If they get crudded up, and stay compressed, the extractor flies off to by-by land. And it's currently an unobtainium part.

June 19, 2013, 06:34 PM	#10
Kevin_d77 Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: SW FL Posts: 953	Just handled one in a LGS and was about to make a price check thread. This one was $299 w 2 mags. Looks nice and feels great. Apparently that price may be a little bit high then if you paid $209

June 22, 2013, 02:08 PM	#11
AirCool65 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 110	I saw one in a local pawn shop a while back and it looked interesting, but the price was over $300 with one magazine as I recall. Where did you find one for $209? I'd be all over it at that price.

June 26, 2013, 08:21 AM	#12
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	I bought mine at LGS in S. NJ. NIB with 1 mag and cleaning kit. The price seemed in line with used ones from gunbroker so I jumped on it. I dont think they are 20k rnd gun but they are not a saturday night special either. amazingly easy to field strip. A bit tough to change the firing pin spring, if you do be very careful not to loose the detent plunger in the safety. After the spring change they end up with a trigger similar to a beretta 92/96. Its my favorite gun to hold, not my favorite to shoot.