FEG, K.B.I .380 info

[jhc77]

Picked up my dad's last firearm. My brother doesn't care much for handguns. While I was visiting last week he gave me his FEG, Mod.PMK-380.

Surely there is a few folks on here that can leave some info on it. It has a steel frame and a blued slide.  Haven't pulled it apart yet, but I sure hope the trigger pull drops a few pounds once I get in there for a cleaning.

Enjoy

[JAB]

Sorry, I don't know a lot about the PMK-380.  I do have a FEG SMC-380 and can tell you that it has been a pretty good gun.  I don't/haven't shot it a whole lot as it isn't carried regularly (I have a Kel Tec P3AT if I want to carry a .380.)  When I do shoot it, I find it quite enjoyable (I really like the Walther-ish style of guns.)  The SMC is pretty accurate at SD distances and functions well with FMJ ammo.  I can tell you that, when I tried them, it didn't like Federal Hydrashoks very much and really wouldn't chamber them very well, at all.  On the other hand, it likes the Monarch JHP from Academy just fine (of course I am not sure how easy that, particular ammo is to find right now.)

 

Unless I am mistaken, the magazines from a PMK will work in my SMC - they will just 'stick out' a little from the bottom (I say that only to say that the two guns are, apparently, at least somewhat similar, although the SMC is smaller.)  Obviously, SMC mags would be too short to work in a PMK but, apparently, PMK mags are easier to find, anyhow.

 

Of course, being a slightly larger gun, the PMK might not be quite as 'picky' about JHP types as my SMC.  I imagine that it will be even more of a pleasure to shoot and probably have even more potential accuracy, also do to being slightly larger.  I think you will enjoy the PMK-380.

Edited August 19, 2013 by JAB

[jhc77]

Just got done with the tear down and cleaning. Amazed it still shot when my brother had it, much less chamber a round. Gunk everywhere. Trigger pull is still around 10. Don't own a gauge, but it's way more then my 686 in DA for sure. SA will break easier for sure.

[Jonnin]

Feg makes a lot of stuff, and a lot of these guns do have a nasty trigger pull.   Their stuff is rugged and "economically" made.  That is, fit and all may be a little rough, or not, depends on what it is and when (I dunno this model).   They work, reliable and pretty much what you would expect from a foreign military type pistol.

 

It looks a lot like the one I had in 9x18.   Which was a great gun, but watch that slide bite :)

[jhc77]

Learned about slide bite from my G26 the hard way. It is a bit on the rugged side as well. Front strap and mag finish is rough, but no a mark on the slide. I'm guessing on how to date this, but seems to be around the same age as my 686 wheel gun. When dad bought stuff, he did it in quantity sometimes. This was his travel/vacation piece, lived in the shaving kit as I remember when I was a young-en.  Will see how she functions in a few weeks. Range time is about here.

[Karnage]

Trigger pull is still around 10. Don't own a gauge, but it's way more then my 686 in DA for sure. SA will break easier for sure.

Change out the hammer spring. The factory spring is 16lbs. I have a FEG PA-63, same design as the PMK-380 (both are Walther PP copies), with the 13lb spring. An 11lb spring might even work.


http://www.gunsprings.com/Semi-Auto%20Pistols/FEG/PA-63/cID1/mID20/dID103

[Jonnin]

the 63 is what I had as well.  pictures being pictures, I was not sure how close the 2 were, but that explains it looking very similar :)

 

And I think the 63 is the (design?) date.... 

meaning these pistols probably date from the 60s and 70s and maybe even into the 80s.   I think they stopped in the late 80s or 90s (???).  Likely there is a date right on it, coded into a number but obvious, like 17986 (86 being the year) or something like that.... 

[guns9355]

I had one of these a few years back. I bought it new cause I thought it looked like 007's gun. Trigger pull was always bad and nothing made it better. However, I didn't try a lighter spring. I bought it for my wife but she could not rack the slide. It was not a lot of fun to shoot although it was a fairly accurate pistol. Barrel is part of the frame. I sold it for any and all of the reasons above.

[Jonnin]

I am not sure the barrel actually IS part of the frame (?).  Most likely, it can be removed by a gunsmith and replaced if needed.... but its not a "loose" barrel like a modern semi auto.  
 

[jhc77]

Don't remember. Might have to dig it out again and check the barrel. Still haven't taken out to the range. Hope to take it shortly.

[Caster]

I like that!! I had a couple PA63's and they were very comfortable. Yours is nicer without the obscure nonsense of the 9x18.
Very nice indeed.

[jhc77]

I am not sure the barrel actually IS part of the frame (?).  Most likely, it can be removed by a gunsmith and replaced if needed.... but its not a "loose" barrel like a modern semi auto.

Gunsmith only. Couldn't remember if the barrel was like the P22, back off a nut and the barrel pulls off.

[leroy]

Aint it a Walther copy of a PP?... Dont think ya can separate the barrel from the frame...  Maybe some walther folks can chime in...  I think it strips down by pullin the trigger guard down an the slide releases forward... The barrel and frame stay together as one unit (...i think; that means i aint sure...)...

 

leroy

[jhc77]

You are correct Leroy, but the slide goes back then separates up. The spring stays attached to the frame also. At least on this one.

[Jonnin]

Hmm, could be.  The PA-63 type which is very, very similar you can swap the barrels on, I think.   As well as some of the walther PPs.   Basically you have to knock out a very difficult to remove pin and then force it out....   but its possible, even likely, that some models do not have this feature.