What's the difference between a .380 PA-63 and a 9x18mm PA-63?

Cyrano · 01-14-2008, 03:46 PM

Yes, that opening sounds stupid, I know. Obviously, one is chambered for .380 ACP and the other for 9mm Makarov. I got that far on my own and I know the two rounds are not interchangable.

But I keep hearing of people doing things like changing out the 9mm Mak barrel for a .380 ACP barrel and going out to shoot the piece as a .380. I suppose the thing that is puzzling me from the mechanical point of view is the magazine issue.

So far as I know, magazines are made not only to fit specific pistols, but the specific caliber the pistol is chambered for. 9mm Mak and .380 ACP rounds match closely in terms of length and diameter, but they are not identical. Yet you never hear of someone having to buy a .380 ACP PA-63 mag to insert into the frame of the pistol instead of the 9x18 Mak magazine it's designed for.

So what is going on? Does FEG make a version of the PA-63 in .380 ACP, with .380 ACP magazines (probably with a different model designation); or are people doing something bizarre bordering on dangerous by modifying existing 9x18 Mak mags to accept .380 rounds and simply rebarreling the pistol?

I like the pistol, but where I live it would be much easier to get .380 ACP in quantity than to lay my hands on 9x18 Makarov ammo in quantity. No one here stocks it and most shops claim it would be hard to find and expensive to order because there is no demand for it.

I'd very much like to get a PA-63. They show up in online stores all the time and in online auctions all the time. But before I go through the trouble of locating an FFl licensee who does not charge a significant percentage of a weapon's purchase price as the transfer fee (the locals want $50 and up to do it, the FFLs who are more reasonable live 90-plus minutes away, and with fuel prices what they are I need to factor that cost in too) and arranging shipment, I need to settle the ammunition issue in my mind. There is no point in buying a weapon if you can't obtain regular supllies of what it eats.

SPOCAHP ANAR · 01-14-2008, 04:05 PM

I believe the rounds are similar enough in size that the magazine will accept either without problem. My guess as I have never heard of any need for changing out the magazine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrano

But before I go through the trouble of locating an FFl licensee who does not charge a significant percentage of a weapon's purchase price as the transfer fee (the locals want $50 and up to do it, the FFLs who are more reasonable live 90-plus minutes away, and with fuel prices what they are I need to factor that cost in too) and arranging shipment, I need to settle the ammunition issue in my mind.

Cyrano get a C&R for 30$ and order a CZ 82 for $200.

Cyrano · 01-14-2008, 10:38 PM

The C&R license is in the works, but heaven knows how long it will take to come through - especially as up here in New York the BATFE actually sends someone to meet you and brief you on what you can and can't do under a C&R. I don't understand why they do that, but it's the policy of the BATFE hereabouts and therefore does not have to make sense.

musicmaniac · 01-15-2008, 10:07 AM

I am by no means an expert or anything, but from what I have read .380 is actuallt 9x17 if i remember correctly which makes it only slightly smaller than the 9x18Mak and apparently still works just fine in the PA-63 mags. I have bene doing as much reading about the PA-63 as I can lately and think I am gonna have my wife pick me one up from J&G who has them for 100 bucks right now. Our first wedding anniversary is coming up in March and I think that's what I will have her get me. Maybe sam, Moose, or Toolman can spread some more light on the magazine situation? I think it is toolman that I have read a few posts from on the PA-63.

ArkansasHunter · 01-15-2008, 10:15 AM

That other 9mm which is so common today is 9X19

musicmaniac · 01-15-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

That other 9mm which is so common today is 9X19

Right. I meant to mention that in my post. thanks AH!

Cyrano · 01-18-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmaniac

I am by no means an expert or anything, but from what I have read .380 is actuallt 9x17 if i remember correctly which makes it only slightly smaller than the 9x18Mak and apparently still works just fine in the PA-63 mags. Maybe sam, Moose, or Toolman can spread some more light on the magazine situation? I think it is toolman that I have read a few posts from on the PA-63.

You're correct about the .380 ACP being a 9 x 17mm cartridge. I've heard stories that .380 will feed out of a standard PA-63 magazine with no problems. However, I've also heard that they will slip out of position and jam if loaded into a standard PA-63 magazine in a pistol chambered for 9x18 Makarov. I have no idea which set of tales is correct, or if it depends on tweaks done to the pistol and the magazines, or what.

There is also the question about the barrel. Does it need to be changed out, or will the .380 ACP chamber and shoot correctly from the 9 x 18 Mak barrel? For that matter, does FEG manufacture a .380 barrel for the PA-63? I can't seem to find answers to these questions online.

rchjr · 01-19-2008, 10:45 AM

Numerich has .380 barrels listed for the PA-63.European American Armory*|*PA-63*|*e-GunParts.com
They are listed under Eastern European Armory Parts.

01-14-2008, 03:46 PM	#1
Cyrano Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York Posts: 2,356	What's the difference between a .380 PA-63 and a 9x18mm PA-63? Yes, that opening sounds stupid, I know. Obviously, one is chambered for .380 ACP and the other for 9mm Makarov. I got that far on my own and I know the two rounds are not interchangable. But I keep hearing of people doing things like changing out the 9mm Mak barrel for a .380 ACP barrel and going out to shoot the piece as a .380. I suppose the thing that is puzzling me from the mechanical point of view is the magazine issue. So far as I know, magazines are made not only to fit specific pistols, but the specific caliber the pistol is chambered for. 9mm Mak and .380 ACP rounds match closely in terms of length and diameter, but they are not identical. Yet you never hear of someone having to buy a .380 ACP PA-63 mag to insert into the frame of the pistol instead of the 9x18 Mak magazine it's designed for. So what is going on? Does FEG make a version of the PA-63 in .380 ACP, with .380 ACP magazines (probably with a different model designation); or are people doing something bizarre bordering on dangerous by modifying existing 9x18 Mak mags to accept .380 rounds and simply rebarreling the pistol? I like the pistol, but where I live it would be much easier to get .380 ACP in quantity than to lay my hands on 9x18 Makarov ammo in quantity. No one here stocks it and most shops claim it would be hard to find and expensive to order because there is no demand for it. I'd very much like to get a PA-63. They show up in online stores all the time and in online auctions all the time. But before I go through the trouble of locating an FFl licensee who does not charge a significant percentage of a weapon's purchase price as the transfer fee (the locals want $50 and up to do it, the FFLs who are more reasonable live 90-plus minutes away, and with fuel prices what they are I need to factor that cost in too) and arranging shipment, I need to settle the ammunition issue in my mind. There is no point in buying a weapon if you can't obtain regular supllies of what it eats.

01-15-2008, 10:07 AM	#4
musicmaniac Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 473 Images: 7	I am by no means an expert or anything, but from what I have read .380 is actuallt 9x17 if i remember correctly which makes it only slightly smaller than the 9x18Mak and apparently still works just fine in the PA-63 mags. I have bene doing as much reading about the PA-63 as I can lately and think I am gonna have my wife pick me one up from J&G who has them for 100 bucks right now. Our first wedding anniversary is coming up in March and I think that's what I will have her get me. Maybe sam, Moose, or Toolman can spread some more light on the magazine situation? I think it is toolman that I have read a few posts from on the PA-63. __________________ A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity. -- Sigmund Freud

01-14-2008, 10:38 PM	#3
Cyrano Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York Posts: 2,356	The C&R license is in the works, but heaven knows how long it will take to come through - especially as up here in New York the BATFE actually sends someone to meet you and brief you on what you can and can't do under a C&R. I don't understand why they do that, but it's the policy of the BATFE hereabouts and therefore does not have to make sense.

01-15-2008, 10:15 AM	#5
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,699	That other 9mm which is so common today is 9X19

01-19-2008, 10:45 AM	#8
rchjr Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central Virginia Posts: 17 Images: 6	Numerich has .380 barrels listed for the PA-63.European American Armory\|PA-63\|e-GunParts.com They are listed under Eastern European Armory Parts.