massachusettes resident searching for a pa 63 . sturbridge show had a 9mm short(380 auto). really want 9x18 mak.cal. i'll attend the marlboro show on the 24th or 25th. if i don't find one for sale there , i need to find one already in mass. for sale. it can't be imported into mass. (non mass. compliant). see one at a mass. gun shop or have one in mass. for sale ,please message me. thanks . steve.
9 x 18 makarov cal. PA63
- Thread starter steve12
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Cheapshooter
New member
Welcome to TFL.
Can't help you find one, other than suggesting you move to a free state. But I am curious as to why 9X18 Mak over 380acp? They are ballistically equal, and 380 offers a lot more choices of ammo, and is much more available.
Can't help you find one, other than suggesting you move to a free state. But I am curious as to why 9X18 Mak over 380acp? They are ballistically equal, and 380 offers a lot more choices of ammo, and is much more available.
gojuice101
New member
Y'all must have some crazy laws up there for that to not be compliant. It's not "high capacity" and doesn't possess any of the "assault weapon" features that I know of. But I have no idea what your guns laws are up there.
Thats the thing with MA laws, the gun may be preban and manufactured before 1994 but another section of the law says it has to be legally owned in MA before that date. Keep you eyes on the new laws just passed. For instance most glocks are now on the "list" but some dealers still won't sell. MA gun laws are so complicated you probably know more about them then the average LEO.
gojuice101
New member
I knew about CA's "compliance" list. However, I never researched it to see exactly what made something compliant or not compliant. I figured it was dependent on features of the gun like most bans/restrictions (mag capacity, AW features, etc...). I didn't know it was based on testing.
I'm so glad I live in a free state (for now...), and don't have to worry about ridiculous compliance lists and other crazy legal hurdles.
Here is a link that explains Ma tests.
http://www.goal.org/handgunsales.html
http://www.goal.org/handgunsales.html
In reference to the 9X18 over the 9X17 ( 380 ), I changed the barrel on my PA63 to 380 just for the reason there were so many more choices of cartridges in 380. Yes the 9X18 is a little faster but not so much as to make a big difference in stopping power using the right cartridges. 
JMHO
JMHOI have been carrying a P-83 in 9x18, and you do get slightly more performance than the .380. I like the 95 grain, Hornady Critical Defense rounds for carry. There is a decent selection of SD JHP out there for 9x18, just not as much as .380. The extra 100 FPS of the 9x18 is worth it for me.
Cheapshooter
New member
??? The only difference is 5 grains in bullet weight for a whopping 11 ft lbs more energy. An increase of About 2/3 the muzzle energy of a 7.6 gr. 177 air rifle @ 950fps.
Unless you go to the Buffalo Bore +P (advertising hype for ammo loaded to pressure above SAAMI standards). But if you compare there hot 9X18 to their hot 380, the 380 comes out on top by 23 ft lbs, twice the increase of 9X18 over 380 in standard loads.
Like I said, ballistically equal, but 380 is easier to find, and offered in many more choices.
