FEG PA-63

FÉG PA-63
FÉG PA-63
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	Hungary
Service history
Used by	Hungary
Production history
Designer	FÉG
Designed	Late 1950s
Manufacturer	FÉG
Specifications
Weight	21oz (unloaded), 26oz (loaded)
Length	6.9 in
Barrel length	3.9 in
Cartridge	9x18mm Makarov
Action	blowback
Muzzle velocity	315 m/s (1034 f/s)
Effective range	25 m (27 yd)
Feed system	7-round detachable box magazine
Sights	blade front, notch rear

The FÉG PA-63 is a semi-automatic pistol designed and manufactured by the FÉGARMY Arms Factory of Hungary.

History

FÉGARMY Arms Factory of Hungary started producing Walther PP/PPK clones in the late 1940s starting with their Model 48 which differed from the Walther PP only in minor details. By the late 1950s FÉG began making broader changes resulting in the PA-63, which uses a 9x18mm Makarov round. It quickly became standard issue to both Hungarian military and police forces. Due to its popularity and relative durability FÉG later issued models using .32ACP and .380 ACP caliber rounds (FÉG AP9 and PMK-380 respectively).

The Military standard PA-63 version sports a two-tone polished aluminum frame with black slide, grips, trigger and hammer assembly. While unusual for military issue in that a reflective polish was used, it was chosen due to its relative cheapness as well as quicker build time. Problems related to the durability of the aluminium frame were resolved prior to the development of the PA-63 in 1961 with the production of the FÉG R-61 Police Pistol. The addition of .1% titanium to the aluminium alloy solved premature alloy frame wear problems inherent in the earlier FÉG aluminum framed pistols. This development was then applied to all aluminum framed FÉG guns including the PA-63.

The Makarov Label

PA-63s sold in the United States are often advertised as "PA-63 Makarov." This can lead some consumers to believe they are purchasing a Makarov PM pistol instead of a different pistol chambered for the same 9x18mm Makarov caliber. Though both pistols share lineage from the Walther PP/PPK, similar operating principles and use the same ammunition, the Makarov PM is a different design featuring all-steel construction and different lockwork. There are no parts in common between the FEG PA-63 and the Makarov PM.

Compromises of the PA-63

The PA-63 design reflects a compromise between police and military needs.

The safety/decocking lever, located on the rear of the slide, must be pushed forward to disengage the safety. Aficionados of the John Browning-designed Model 1911 or the Makarov PM may find this design unfamiliar, although those with experience using more modern designs such as the Walther PPK or Beretta M9 pistols will find the safety/decocking lever to be located in a similar position.

The 7-round magazine capacity is much lower than many newer service pistol designs. Also a factor is the relatively low stopping power of full metal jacketed (FMJ) 9x18mm Makarov ammunition when compared to the .45 ACP or 9x19mm Parabellum rounds. While the 9x18mm Makarov standard loading has muzzle energy of 231 ft/lbs, which makes it slightly higher than even Cor-Bon's .380 ACP JHP +P loading at 220 ft/lbs and significantly higher than the standard loadings of .380 ACP during the 1950s when the PA-63 was designed, it is still significantly less than the 9x19mm cartridge. Modern 9x18mm cartridges using jacketed hollow point bullets, however, have improved the terminal ballistic performance of this cartridge over the original solid bullet service cartridge.

Due to its lighter-weight alloy construction, the PA-63 handgun produces more noticeable recoil than the similarly sized, all steel Makarov PM, and some shooters may note an increased tendency toward muzzle flip with each shot. This tendency can be reduced by replacing the stock recoil spring with a stronger one, readily available as an aftermarket item.

Many of the objections raised to the PA-63 have to do with its perception as a military service pistol in the tradition of the American M1911A1, the Russian Tokarev, the German Walther P-38 and P-08 Luger, or the Browning High-Power. As its design can be traced back to a German pocket pistol intended for concealed carry in a pocket or under a coat rather than in a holster on the battlefield, these objections are perhaps understandable. After the fall of communism in 1990, the Hungarian army and police units initiated a program to replace the PA-63 with pistols using the NATO standard 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge, first the imported Jericho Model 941, followed by the domestically produced P9RC, but the PA-63 is still in service in Hungarian law enforcement.

FEG AP9, PMK-380 & FEG PPH

A lesser known variant of the PA-63 is the AP9. This pistol is almost completely identical to the PA-63 except for the fact that it is chambered in 9x17mm (.380 auto).

Another variant is the PMK-380 and it looks exactly the same (with the exception that it is all blued, and not two toned), and has the same safety/decocking mechanism and is chambered in the .380 ACP cartridge. ( http://www.makarov.com/others/index.html )

An even lesser known variant is the FEG Model PPH. This pistol is rare. The only known samples were imported to the USA by Interarms Imports, Texas in 1986. The "Interarms Imports" legend is on the right side of the slide, appears to be added by Feg, not the usual import stamp by the importer. This indicates that this pistol was part of the most likely one-time direct order by Interarms. The Feg PPH is the only known Feg firearm model which carries the "HUNGARIAN ARMS WORKS" legend.

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References

Ian V. Hogg and, John Walter (2004). Pistols of the World, 4th Ed.. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87349-460-1. 

Hartink, A.E. (2003). The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell. ISBN 0-7858-1871-5. 

External links

• Makarov.com Other Pistols
• PA-63 Shooting Range Video and Review