What to look for in a Makarov or PA-63

Nifer

New member
I am heading to the gun show this weekend. I just sold 3 pieces from my custom knife collection, so I will be looking to burn some cash. I was going to get a revolver, but decided to wait until after the first of the year when I apply for my CCW permit. For now, I am going to buy a Makarov and/or FEG PA-63.

I have seen different things on these forums about these guns and I want to know what I need to look for when picking one out. I know with the Mak, they were made in different countries. Does this really matter, or are they all basicly the same? What country of origin should I look for when picking out these guns? What are some checks I should make on the gun to tell if condition is acceptable for firing. I do not plan on these buying shelf setters, they will be shot, and if I like the way they shoot, carried. Also, how much should I expect to pay for one in excellent/unissued condition? Thanks.

JR
 
What to look for in a Makarov

As far as the countries of who produced the Makarov goes, a Makarov is a Makarov, the workmanship of each country's example may vary, but as far as interchangablity goes, they all will.

For example, a Russian Makarov will interchange with an East German, as it will with the Chinese and Bulgarian guns.

A Makarov will NOT interchange with the PA-63 and its progeny. The internals and magazines are totally different. Internally and externally, the PA-63 and progeny have more of a Walther influence than the Makarov does since both were derived from the Walther PP/PPK series.

Either gun will serve you well, I have both an East German Makarov and a PA-63.

The PA-63 should run about $89.00-$125.00
The Makarov, of any nationality should run about $99.00-$150.00
 
I had Bulgarian Makarov that I traded. Nice pistol. Went pop every time and was a fun plinker. Cleaned up nicely also. Presently have an East German Makarov with beautiful bluing and a really smooth trigger. For more info on all the Makarov's try www.makarov.com. Good Luck, J. Parker
 
There is a lot of info posted about Makarovs on this board. I don't think you will go too far wrong with any of them. My personal experience does not go along with a lot of the stuff I see posted. I own three Makarovs. A Bulgarian, a Russian, and an East German. I found the Bulgarian to be the most accurate. It is extremely accurate. Many posts tout the East German as the best of the lot, but for me, it is the least accurate one I own (I just got back from shooting it). The Russian I have is a commercial model with adjustable sights. I have read numerous times on here that these adjustable sights are "bad" . Mine work fine and this is the one I shoot the most because it has adjustable sights. Both my other ones shoot high with the East German shooting so high (7"-8") that I don't even enjoy shooting it. The Russian obviously shoots right where I put the sights. I guess it is just like shopping for anything else. Look them over and buy the one that looks the best to you.
 
I have an unissued Bulgarian that I picked up for $135 plus tax about 10 weeks ago. It was still in the original Cosmoline and came with the standard military issue pack consisting of 2 matching serial # magazines, leather holster, cleaning rod and lanyard strap.

Mine needed re-work on the trigger assembly but consider that very unusual.

A full trigger job, feed ramp polish and re-profile, Ashley Express big dot tritiums await it. I should keep it original, but I want to make it perfect.

Get an original military Bulgie still in Cosmo, they are the way to go. East Germans may be better guns, but they are all used these days, and I just don't like used handguns YMMV.

Mike H
 
Lay all of the various Makarovs out side by side and compare them and you will find that the East Germans do have the best fit and finish of them all. They also command a premium over the others. I have two East Germans and a Russian high cap .380 and all of mine are suitably accurate.

7th
 
I suggest the Makarov.

The all steel weight makes it a bit more comfortable to shoot and the triggers are actually manageable. I did the "trigger job" on my Mak as described at Makarov.com and it is much smoother. Every specimen of the PA-63 I have found have had horribly heavy triggers.

I recently tried a Bulgie Mak along side a Russian Mak and found the Bulgie to recoil a bit less than the Russian. I'm almost positive that this was due to different grip types. My Bulgie has the black "commercial" type grips (no lanyard loop) while the Russian had the "star" type Russian grips with the lanyard loop.

If I'm not mistaken, the PA-63's are alloy framed?

Either way you go, take advantage of the prices for 9x18 ammo. They are very reasonable these days and it never hurts to have too much ammo! The .380 versions are also popular, but you will pay about $10 a box of 50 vs $5-$6 a box for 9x18. If you see any Barnaul HP's snap em up. They are a great defensive load for the 9x18. Hornady XTP's are also good loads, but a bit anemic when compared to Russian fodder.

Good Shooting
RED
 
The PA-63 has an alloy frame, but I have seen them stand up to a lot of shooting with no problems. Just for the record, though, while ads claim that they are "like" the Walther PP, and the designs are similar, no parts will interchange with the Walther.

The Makarov, of course, is an entirely different design, and has no resemblance to either the PA-63 or the Walthers except in general appearance.

Jim
 
My only mak is an east german model and it is relatively inaccurate. I think the consensus is that the accuracy of the east german models varies a lot. I got unlucky. Some east german maks also have a tendancy to misfire; apparently the safety lever is jarred during recoil and blocks the next hammer strike. Mine has only done that a couple times. I got lucky. Mine also has a smooth trigger. No luck there - true of all EGs. If you want an east german mak, it is fair to pay more than $150, but I wouldn't go above $200.
 
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