FEG PA-63? 7.65mm or .32 cal?

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Budman1128

Inactive
Once again this Hungarian FEG has stumped me. I cleaned and oiled it well last night, but I still can't get it to operate correctly. It's marked "FEG Hungary" on the right side of the frame just under the slide and the slide is marked 7.65mm Md74. The left grip doesn't have the thumb rest on it and the mag release is on the bottom like my wife's East German Makarov. The interior parts are virtually the same and it looks like all the PA-63's I've seen on the web. The mag won't lock in unless the slide is open and the slide won't close with an empty mag. I've been told 7.65 is the same as 32 cal, but the Federal 32 automatic rounds sit with the nose pointed down in the mag and I saw them load 7.65 just fine. The 32's will load, but the slide drags and the rounds end up with scratches on the sides. Do I have the wrong rounds and what kind of FEG is this?
 
I've been told 7.65 is the same as 32 cal, but the Federal 32 automatic rounds sit with the nose pointed down in the mag and I saw them load 7.65 just fine.
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It is.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


.32 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), also known as the .32 Automatic is a centerfire pistol cartridge. It is a semi-rimmed, straight-walled cartridge developed by firearms designer John Browning, initially for use in the FN M1900 semi-automatic pistol. It was introduced in 1899 by Fabrique Nationale, and is also known as the 7.65×17mm Browning SR or 7.65 mm Browning.
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I think your problem is with brand, or bullet design, not caliber. 32ACP should work the same as 7.65 Browning. Were the Federal rounds hollow point, or FMJ?

Do I have the wrong rounds and what kind of FEG is this?
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This may help with information on it's history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FEG_PA-63
 
I suggest you look for some Fiocchi ammo. I've found it works very well in my European .32acp pistols. You may want to try some shorter ammo as well. Any hollow point will be shorter than a 71-73 gr. round nose bullet.
 
I too, now own this same fine pistol. Many ppl who dont and afew who Ive run into that either had owned it feel it is too small a round to do much. I disagree; why? Cause rounds well placed, meaning practice alot, can effect powerful results. Mine atm is dead on accurate to 25 feet. Point and aim and it sticks it spot on. Sure, 25 feet isn't much but this has been this accurate since my grandfather was first issued it back close to 1925. It's of the first batch run with a serial number stamped in the 6,000s and aside from a little wear it operates without any problems. Field maintainance and even a bench takedown require you to have with a Youtube video or an experienced person familar with how it fits together. But it will shoot through FMJ, HP, plain lead rounds fine. You can always increase the round clips by one in the chamber and with it's build in safeties it wont accidentally fire concealed or in your bag or holster; it can't. Has been tough finding a well-fitting holster and more correct fitting clips but I'm certain I will. There are heavy loads available via Bufflalo ammo or just your usual 7.65mm or .32ACP. Oh and btw these fine pistols are currently reselling for $850 to $1,000.00 if you just have the pistol in good condition. If you find one keep it, its going to continue to last another century and still work just as well.
 
I did a little looking into the gun you're describing, and it seems to be an odd bird.

What I'm finding, a Md 74 is a Romanian gun, made by Carpati, which is chambered in 7.65. It's a blowback pistol, same as the Walther PP and PPK (and the various Hungarian FEGs). I remember looking at them years ago, when I was digging into Com Bloc pistols, as the Romanians had Tokerovs, but they didn't jump to the Makarov (Carpati didn't make a 9x18, I think they did make a .380).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistol_Carpa%C8%9Bi_Md._1974


What this sounds like, just my own opinion, is that you have a FEG pistol with a Carpati slide. It's interesting that the 2 would interchange, but not entirely surprising; we're talking very similar designs that both copied the Walther. If it functions, fine, but I'd want to find the correct slide.

edited to add: I see that the gun isn't functioning! Ok, then my diagnosis is simple: you have the wrong slide.

I'd look at the frame, all the markings you can, and try to find out what model you have.
 
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FEG PA63 was designed for military and police use, and all were chambered in 9mm Makarov (9x18mm).

FEG did make other pistols that shared a similar design. What you have, if it is a FEG, is an AP 7.65, chambered in .32 ACP.

Other names for the same cartridge are:
.32 Auto
7.65mm Browning
7.65x17mm SR

Edited to add: Scoobysnacker has an interesting hypothesis. If correct, you are the victim of somebody's Frankengunning. If you can find out the correct frame model, it might be possible to buy a correct replacement slide. Otherwise, it would make a fine paperweight. I would recommend taking the firing pin out so you can be sure it will never fire.
 
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This is a Carpati Md 74
M74L.jpg

despite some confusion, they weren't made by FEG.

Notice the frame, it has a bulgelike appearance around the grip. There is another model, the Md 95 in .380
dscn2408.jpg_thumbnail0.jpg

with the straight grip angle.

I came across some youtube posting calling something a FEG Md74, but the picture is clearly a Carpati
maxresdefault.jpg


Now, to add to the confusion, you describe yours as having a heel release for the magazine; the Carpati does, but I haven't found a FEG model that does.

Can you post a couple of pictures of your gun, with the slide on, and with it off?



OK, I think I might have solved it :)
Reading this link http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?201706-side-by-side-comparison-of-the-M74-Carpati-and-PA63, the poster on that thread stated that FEG imported the Romanian Carpati, and sold a bunch into East Germany at some point. They got stamped by FEG during the process.

As the other forum states, the guns are similar in appearance, and it'd be easy to mistake. Further (from my point of view), the fact that the Romanian gun never made one in 9x18 Makarov caliber would make them more obscure; Mak fans would know most variations that chamber that round, but since the Carpati never did, people don't know as much about it.


The gun is not a FEG and is not interchangeable. If you have the heel release for the mag, it is the correct frame for the Carpati. You would need to find the correct (Carpati) magazines.
 
these .32 acp guns fill a true niche.
a mid sized gun with a large enough grip to make it easy to hold and shoot, coupled with a centerfire round that old ladies can shoot without discomfort....

id gladly trade my Sig p232 for a similar gun in .32 acp
 
I hade one of the actual FEG 32acp's. A relative talked me out of it. IIRC the magazine release was.the more common button type. I think it was called a model AP or something like that. It was a nice little pistol.I am pretty sure it was an alloy frame. It was old surplus from some European police organization. I replaced it with a CZ70, but I liked the FEG better.
 
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