FEG Pistols Questions

watjr · 07-18-2004, 09:25 PM

I have purchased several pistols over the past two years. Before, pistols were probably my least favorite weapon however, I have really come to know them and appreciate their design and craftsmanship over that period of time. I bought the CZ models which I find well made and good shooters and the Makarovs which are very reliable and an excellent pistol. Then I fthe FEG pistols which I believe are highly underrated. Unfortunately that is based on the only one I have; that being a PA-63 which hurt the first time I fired it (thumb web) and now that I have replaced the trigger and recoil springs, adjusted my grip a little I find it a great pistol to shoot. Almost equivalent to my Mak's. I am curious about other FEG's. I would like to find the SMC 918 or some of the others and other than the gun auctions, who has these pistols? I found parts after a long search but few pistols. They seem to be rare in this country. I know there are a lot of the Browning clones but I am more interested in the 380/9X18 models. One other question, I have seen comments about the alloy frame being suspect. I shoot mine quite a bit and have noticed no problems whatsoever. What is that all about?

Fred J. Wahl · 07-23-2004, 01:57 AM

HI, WATJR,
I have an FEG in .380 ACP (originally a South African Police model) and find it to be a reliable, well made pistol, and very accurate with my carefully prepped handloads. The only problem I've had with it, is the VERY heavy trigger pull required to fire it! It really takes 2 fingers to fire it, in a lot of cases, needless to say this affects the accuracy potential! I've taken the pistol apart, but still am not familiar enough with it to be able to lighten the trigger pull by "stoning" the sear. Have you had the same experience with yours? The FEGS are apparently a copy of the Walther PPK, and disassemble the same way.
Since the pistol is DA, I would also caution you to be careful about decocking the hammer several times in succession, because on mine it causes a discharge, if you have a live round in the chamber!!! (I tried it with a primed, empty case, and got a surprise!)
Cheers,
Fred

watjr · 07-24-2004, 06:54 PM

I ordered the kit from Makarov.com, replaced the recoil spring (13#) and the trigger spring (9#) and the DA pull is now much better, a little higher than the Maks I have but since I don't have a way to measure the pull I just have to estimate it has come down a lot over what it was. Also, changing the recoil spring has lessened the recoil significantly and the pistol is very comfortable to shoot. Also, I bought the thin carry grips from Mak.com and that made a difference as well. I do not like those target grips, they push your hand too high on the handle in both the Mak and PA 63. I must admit, originally because of the heavy DA trigger and the recoil, I considered selling or trading the pistol. But it was just too nice looking and I loved the weight for CCW. So I took a chance and am pleasantly surprised at the difference those minor modifications made to me. Anyway, the changes I have described, grips and springs, have made the pistol pleasant to shoot. As far as the decocker. I have made it a practice to only decock once on a chambered round. Even then, only carefully, point away or up because I have never trusted decockers. Started with the old 45 SA pistols and just never got used to a pistol that decocked.

07-18-2004, 09:25 PM	#1
watjr Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2	FEG Pistols Questions I have purchased several pistols over the past two years. Before, pistols were probably my least favorite weapon however, I have really come to know them and appreciate their design and craftsmanship over that period of time. I bought the CZ models which I find well made and good shooters and the Makarovs which are very reliable and an excellent pistol. Then I fthe FEG pistols which I believe are highly underrated. Unfortunately that is based on the only one I have; that being a PA-63 which hurt the first time I fired it (thumb web) and now that I have replaced the trigger and recoil springs, adjusted my grip a little I find it a great pistol to shoot. Almost equivalent to my Mak's. I am curious about other FEG's. I would like to find the SMC 918 or some of the others and other than the gun auctions, who has these pistols? I found parts after a long search but few pistols. They seem to be rare in this country. I know there are a lot of the Browning clones but I am more interested in the 380/9X18 models. One other question, I have seen comments about the alloy frame being suspect. I shoot mine quite a bit and have noticed no problems whatsoever. What is that all about?

07-23-2004, 01:57 AM	#2
Fred J. Wahl Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: White Plains, N.Y. Posts: 34	HI, WATJR, I have an FEG in .380 ACP (originally a South African Police model) and find it to be a reliable, well made pistol, and very accurate with my carefully prepped handloads. The only problem I've had with it, is the VERY heavy trigger pull required to fire it! It really takes 2 fingers to fire it, in a lot of cases, needless to say this affects the accuracy potential! I've taken the pistol apart, but still am not familiar enough with it to be able to lighten the trigger pull by "stoning" the sear. Have you had the same experience with yours? The FEGS are apparently a copy of the Walther PPK, and disassemble the same way. Since the pistol is DA, I would also caution you to be careful about decocking the hammer several times in succession, because on mine it causes a discharge, if you have a live round in the chamber!!! (I tried it with a primed, empty case, and got a surprise!) Cheers, Fred __________________ PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS! VOTE!

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07-24-2004, 06:54 PM	#3
watjr Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2	I ordered the kit from Makarov.com, replaced the recoil spring (13#) and the trigger spring (9#) and the DA pull is now much better, a little higher than the Maks I have but since I don't have a way to measure the pull I just have to estimate it has come down a lot over what it was. Also, changing the recoil spring has lessened the recoil significantly and the pistol is very comfortable to shoot. Also, I bought the thin carry grips from Mak.com and that made a difference as well. I do not like those target grips, they push your hand too high on the handle in both the Mak and PA 63. I must admit, originally because of the heavy DA trigger and the recoil, I considered selling or trading the pistol. But it was just too nice looking and I loved the weight for CCW. So I took a chance and am pleasantly surprised at the difference those minor modifications made to me. Anyway, the changes I have described, grips and springs, have made the pistol pleasant to shoot. As far as the decocker. I have made it a practice to only decock once on a chambered round. Even then, only carefully, point away or up because I have never trusted decockers. Started with the old 45 SA pistols and just never got used to a pistol that decocked.