I acquired one in the Middle East and used to carry it as a backup gun in a pocket holster when working in that part of the world. It was the lightest and most powerful PPK-size pistol I had ever seen, hence my fondness for it. I doubt it will ever be imported into the U.S., however, since it won't make points.

A Polish PA-63 Machine Pistol in its holster and with a spare magazine pouch.

The other Hungarian 9x18mm pistol is relatively well known in the U.S. Usually designated the PA-63, this FEG product is larger than the previously mentioned RK59 and closely resembles a Walther PP with an alloy frame. It has been imported into the U.S. in the military version with an unfinished alloy frame and as the AP in blued commercial format.

I've shot the PA-63 a few times and find it a reliable design, though it is like the Makarov with a heavy trigger pull. The PA-63 is a good pistol, one with which I would feel adequately armed should I find myself somewhere with it as my only choice, but I would certainly opt for the RK59 if I had the choice.

Poland produced its own 9x18mm pistols as well. The first of these, the P64, is quite an appealing little pistol. Closer in size to the Walther PPK than the PP, the P-64 has a six-round magazine capacity and makes an excellent carry gun chambered for a cartridge more powerful than the .380. Unfortunately, it has an exceptionally heavy double-action pull, one that takes a strong hand to operate.

The sights are pretty rudimentary, but the top of the slide is crosshatched to cut glare. Although the P-64 was normally carried in a typical European flap holster when it was a Polish issue weapon, it is compact enough that it could be carried in a pocket, especially if flat-bottomed magazines were available rather than the finger-rest ones normally available.

A Polish contact did tell me that he has seen this pistol carried with flat-bottomed magazines, but I have not seen any. Perhaps the best feature of the P-64 is that it is currently available in the U.S. at very reasonable prices. This former Polish service pistol is a real buy as a carry or house pistol, and inexpensive 9mm Makarov ammo is available to allow one to become proficient with it.

Far less well known among American shooters is the replacement for the P-64--the P-83--which uses a substantial number of stampings and is therefore easier to manufacture than the P-64. Also known as the VANAD, the P-83 is a bit larger than the P-64 and uses an eight-round magazine, thus giving it two extra rounds over the P-64.

One of the most notable features of the P-83 is its double-action mechanism, which positions the prominent hammer so that it appears to ride in a half-cock position. I have fired a couple of hundred rounds through the P-83, and, as with all of the 9mm Makarov pistols I've used, I find it to be a reliable, serviceable design--not that noteworthy since they are copied from the highly reliable Walther PP/PPK design. There is an updated version of the P-83 designated the P-93 that has replaced it in service. Most of the differences seem to be in the design of the triggerguard and grip.