PA 63

[WD45]

Saw a nice one in the pawn shop the other day for 250 saw bucks. Never owned one and thought I'd ask about the likes and dislikes from those of you that own one.

[Avyctes]

I like the pistol over all, but if I had to pick between it and a Cz82/83 I'd go with the Cz. 

But it sounds like you have to decided between the Pa63 and nothing; I'd go with the Pa63.

The plastic grips in my book made for a little sting in the recoil, so I replaced them with some nice Walnut (oil finish) from MarschalGrips.com, which made a world of difference.

Part of the problem with the factory grips is that the plastic doesn't extend all the way to the end of the grip frame, so you have a space and then the sharp edge of the aluminum.  These wood grips I bought extend all the way out flush to the frame, and it is 100x more comfy

The other part of the problem with the grips is that the light weight aluminum alloy frame doesn't absorb much of the recoil, and plastic merely transfers the energy rather than absorbing any of it, so you get to feel all of the recoil, which while not intolerable by any means, is easily reduced by the addition of some solid wood grips.

Other than that, it's fairly accurate, but has a hideously stout double action trigger reminiscent of the Nagant revolver.  In SA mode, it's about like anything else.  Mine is fairly crisp, and as accurate as a small pistol with a short barrel could be expected (I can pop cans at 7 - 8 yards no problem).

Hope that helps a bit.

Ciao,

Chris.

[WD45]

Thanks for the reply. I have been watching for a CZ but have not found any yet. This PA caught my eye because of how good of shape it was in. It appears most people here definatley prefer the CZ over the PA

[S.S.]

I have found that some of the ammo on the market is a bit warm for my PA63.
In this particular case, I like the lower pressured American Loadings.
The old Norinco stuff was some of the best to hit our shores but no more.
S&B is also quite good. The Eastern European stuff slams the action pretty hard.
Mine is very accurate and has been utterly reliable.

[pslshooter]

I bought a pair for $350 5yrs ago. Very dependable, but the hammer bite and slide cuts on my thumb jount is what caused me to sell them.

[res45]

I picked this one up several months ago it's a KBI imports,info in the box stated it was either NIB or factory refurbished before being sold by KBI, mine looks new regardless.  The pistol is pretty snappy with combloc ammo and some group better than others,I got two boxes of Brown Bear so I could try it out till I got all my reloading supplies together to load the round.

I make my brass from once fired 9mm cases http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yrmgh3SToE  being I also shoot 9mm it's a handy conversion and I get all the free brass I want at the range.  My favorite bullets are the Missouri bullet 93 gr. RN hard cast and Speer Gold Dot HP behind Bullseye or W231 powder.

J & G sales carries  hammer and recoil spring kits for the PA-63 http://www.jgsales.com/index.php/stocks-gun-parts/small-parts/cPath/1_388_400 here is how to change them out http://p64.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=other9x18&action=display&thread=2462  I kinda like mine the way it is with the reloads I shoot through it as far as recoil goes but the DA trigger pull could use a lighter spring.

PA-63,extra mag,holster and two boxes of ammo for $275.

[32 Magnum]

I've owned one now for over 12 years - it's had over 500 rounds through it of various manufacturer's ammo.  The trigger pull has definitely lightened during that excursion.  It now has a double action pull of around 10 lbs. and a singe action pull of around 4.5 to 5 lbs with a very minimal take-up and a sharp let off.  Accuracy is excellent - I can put all 7 rounds in a 1" circle at 25 feet, standing - off hand.  It is entirely reliable with all ammo.  I put a set of the wood grips - had to rout out some of the wood inside the grip to make it work reliably - but it definitely made the fit to my hands better than the lawyer inspired black plastic thumb rest import legal grips it came with.  I have no reservations on carrying this piece for self defense - hell, I've done it a very large number of times - it plain out shoots and I'm confident and comfortable with this piece - at the very LEAST my piece is a gem.