Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > General Topics > Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics
o

Notices

Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics Post Your General Gun Topics and Non-S&W Gun and Blade Topics Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-28-2017, 08:45 PM
BB57's Avatar
BB57 BB57 is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NC
Posts: 4,710
Likes: 3,527
Liked 12,554 Times in 3,342 Posts
Default FEG SMC-380

FEG made a number of pistols derived from the Walther PP, PPK/S and PPK. They all use the Walther PP operating system with some of the later variants having some evolutionary changes such as a firing pin safety.

I have a few of FEG's steel framed commercial pistols including a couple AP9S pistols (a PP sized pistol in .380 ACP), an APK9S (a shorter slide PPK/S sized pistol in .380 ACP), and an APK7S (an APK in 7.65mm Browning). The pistols imported by Interarms in particular were made to a very high standard of finish with excellent polish and blue, but all of them shoot very well.

Below, top to bottom are an Interarms imported AP9S, an Interarms imported APK9S, and a TGI imported APK7S:



The FEG PP copies have slightly larger slides and grip frames that reflect their lineage from military pistols that were originally chambered in 9mm Makarov, and the AP9M is an all steel commercial pistol chambered in 9mm Mak.



All this is back ground for my post recent FEG purchase - an FEG SMC-380. "SMC" is K.B.I.'s model number for an FEG pistol that uses the smaller PPK sized aluminum frame of their BR-61 pistol with a later APK style slide incorporating a trigger actuated firing pin safety. Michael Kassanar had a habit of naming pistols using the initials of family members, and in the case of the SMC-380, SMC-918 (chambered in 9x18mm Mak) and SMC-22 (in .22 LR) the initials were those of his sales manager.

K.B.I. didn't order the pistols to quite the same high level of finish as Interarms, but they sold them at a lower price point. The slide is nicely polished and blued (the brown color is a reflection of the brown roof over the firing range), and the lower level of finish is evident in the anodized aluminum alloy frame which still carries some tool marks. This particular pistol has a ding on the rear of the grip frame up near the slide, probably from being dropped and shows some wear on the anodizing on the frame around the trigger, and over the barrel hood, but otherwise was in excellent condition externally and had virtually no wear internally.


\
I started by loading it 6+1 and then fired 7 shots slow fire at 7 yards to see how well it shot. The clean bore shot went a bit high and right but the next 6 rounds went into a single ragged hole. I then shot another 6 magazines rapid fire, starting with the hammer down, and aiming for the 8 on the B-27 target. The results were not bad for a DA pistol with a characteristically heavy PP series trigger.





I put 100 rounds through it by the end of the session and the only malfunction occurred due to the magazine not being fully seated. That's not surprising given my experience with other FEG PP style pistols. What was surprising is that the 18 oz PPK sized pistol was comfortable to shoot over an extended range session and displayed no tendency toward slide bite.

I like the FEG commercial pistols and in general they are badly under estimated, possibly due to the number of well used surplus PA-63 pistols on the market and more than a few franken pistols assembled from the large number of FEG PP variant military and commercial pistols. That's not all bad however as you can often find FEG commercial pistols like the SMC-380 for around $200 in excellent to LNIB condition.

The SMC pistols also have the distinction of being the smallest pistols imported since the passage of the Gun Control Act of 1968. The finger extension on the magazine is just long enough to squeak it in over the wire for the minimum height dimension while the original black plastic grips with a thumb rest on the left panel were just wide enough to meet the minimum width requirement.
Reply With Quote
The Following 6 Users Like Post:
  #2  
Old 07-28-2017, 09:18 PM
LVSteve's Avatar
LVSteve LVSteve is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Lost Wages, NV
Posts: 19,820
Likes: 24,236
Liked 28,981 Times in 10,766 Posts
Default

Never seen the APK7S before. I have a FEG PP clone in 7.65. It shoots great after going down on the hammer spring and up on the recoil spring.
__________________
Release the Kraken
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-28-2017, 09:39 PM
Walkingwolf's Avatar
Walkingwolf Walkingwolf is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 2,003
Liked 1,653 Times in 809 Posts
Default

Wife's purse gun is a SMC-380 loaded with 100 grain VHT coated wide flat point.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-29-2017, 02:47 PM
Delta Expatriate Delta Expatriate is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: down South
Posts: 933
Likes: 972
Liked 784 Times in 468 Posts
Default

I had an SMC-380 for a number of years, and finally sold it a few years ago. It was an excellent gun and I shot well (for me) with it, and never had any kind of failure. I was moving toward consolidating calibers, and no longer saw the need for the .380.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-29-2017, 08:11 PM
jack the toad jack the toad is offline
SWCA Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,896
Likes: 3,295
Liked 4,962 Times in 1,950 Posts
Default

Not to hijack but I'd like to mention my recent experience with the FEG (P35/Hipower clone) I recently acquired. The finish has certainly seen its better days with apparently lotsa use (carry) and a little abuse but in spite of that, mechanics appear ok and the gun seems to shoot as good as any hipower I've owned regardless of brand. This includes models from FN/Browning in various styles including Wehrmacht (Nazi) marked and FM Argentina. An all matching gun with wood grips and spare mag for $200, I couldn't say no.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-29-2017, 09:11 PM
Erich's Avatar
Erich Erich is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: High Desert of NM, USA
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 9,320
Liked 8,812 Times in 2,554 Posts
Default

I owned a FEG SMC-380 - one of the ones with the steel frame and the matte finish. It was a good gun, but I foolishly traded it.



Nowadays I have an FEG milsurp R61, the first of the Hungarian pistols to have a teensy bit of Ti mixed into the aluminum for the frame. Same size as your SMC, but in 9x18.

__________________
Now go make God proud...
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #7  
Old 07-29-2017, 09:19 PM
robvious robvious is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Eastern Nebraska
Posts: 3,854
Likes: 10,172
Liked 8,253 Times in 2,853 Posts
Default

have never found any of the commercial versions... but as stated... I am a fan of the PA-63...
Attached Images
File Type: jpg banger 021.jpg (161.5 KB, 27 views)
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #8  
Old 07-29-2017, 09:25 PM
jack the toad jack the toad is offline
SWCA Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,896
Likes: 3,295
Liked 4,962 Times in 1,950 Posts
Default

Here's a quick pic of the $200 P9M. Looks rough but shoots good.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #9  
Old 07-29-2017, 10:29 PM
Derosa's Avatar
Derosa Derosa is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 673
Likes: 1,102
Liked 865 Times in 286 Posts
Default

Sir jack the toad,

Where did you get the 200.00 beauty?

Regards,
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-30-2017, 01:02 AM
jack the toad jack the toad is offline
SWCA Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,896
Likes: 3,295
Liked 4,962 Times in 1,950 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Derosa View Post
Where did you get the 200.00 beauty?
Thanks Derosa, it is kinda beautiful in its own way.
I found it in Tulsa (about 100 mile round trip) but saw it listed on a semi-local board.
ETA:
Seller also had an M15-3 that sold for the same amount.

Last edited by jack the toad; 07-30-2017 at 01:04 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 07-30-2017, 01:44 PM
italiansport italiansport is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 2,905
Liked 5,333 Times in 1,869 Posts
Default

I have an FEG PA63 in 9MM Makarov that I use as a pocket carry gun. It's thin enough that it's hard to see and it's been very reliable, however with the aluminum frame- one magazine fired equals a hand that's gone numb! I don't use it as a target pistol and that's fine with me. Does anyone know of a source for the wooden grips pictured on some of the examples above?
Jim
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 07-30-2017, 01:49 PM
Arik Arik is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Outside Philadelphia Pa
Posts: 16,601
Likes: 7,342
Liked 17,200 Times in 7,303 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jack the toad View Post
Here's a quick pic of the $200 P9M. Looks rough but shoots good.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Actually that looks good. Looks like it was used for the reason it was bought

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #13  
Old 07-30-2017, 02:14 PM
LVSteve's Avatar
LVSteve LVSteve is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Lost Wages, NV
Posts: 19,820
Likes: 24,236
Liked 28,981 Times in 10,766 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jack the toad View Post
Here's a quick pic of the $200 P9M. Looks rough but shoots good.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I own its twin brother. Only issue I have had with it was when I removed the mag safety. The mechanism got grumpy and the trigger wouldn't always reset. Put the mag safety back in and all was good.
__________________
Release the Kraken

Last edited by LVSteve; 07-30-2017 at 02:36 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #14  
Old 07-30-2017, 02:22 PM
BB57's Avatar
BB57 BB57 is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NC
Posts: 4,710
Likes: 3,527
Liked 12,554 Times in 3,342 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by italiansport View Post
I have an FEG PA63 in 9MM Makarov that I use as a pocket carry gun. It's thin enough that it's hard to see and it's been very reliable, however with the aluminum frame- one magazine fired equals a hand that's gone numb! I don't use it as a target pistol and that's fine with me. Does anyone know of a source for the wooden grips pictured on some of the examples above?
Jim
I had similar concerns about the SMC - an 18 oz blow back operated pistol in .380 ACP isn't a recipe for shooter comfort. The pistol came with the standard black plastic grips, but the sale included the set of never used wood grips, and 2 spare magazines, which were all selling points.

The wood grips are wider across the back and they do greatly improve the comfort level.

US made 9mm Makarov is a bit anemic and is about the same as a good .380 ACP self defense load, but the European manufactured 9mm Mak tends to be about 100 fps faster, and recoil is a bit more noticeable.

----

The PA-63 pistols are comparatively common and it's a lot easier to find aftermarket wood grips for them than it is to find them for the straight grip framed AP7 and AP9 series pistols.

Marshall Grips sells wood grips for the PA-63. They also sell them for the SMC series in a few different styles - they are just hidden under the PA-63 heading on the on-line order form. The grips on mine are the extended series that extend over the sides of the magazine finger rest, and effectively make the grip a little larger.

Marschalgrips.com

You can also find wider profile after market plastic grips in various colors for the PA-63 on e-bay for under $30.

Grips4U also sells them for the PA-63, and the Walam 48 grips will fit the AP7 and AP9 series commercial pistols, but I don't think thy support the SMC pistol.

GRIPS4u.net

The bad news is that other than the $25-$30 plastic grips, wood grips for the FEG PA military and AP commercial PP style pistols tend to run in the $70 to $80 range, which is a lot to pay when the pistol itself sells for $200-$250.

Last edited by BB57; 07-30-2017 at 02:24 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 07-30-2017, 03:46 PM
jack the toad jack the toad is offline
SWCA Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,896
Likes: 3,295
Liked 4,962 Times in 1,950 Posts
Default

Arik,
It certainly has that "used" look.
LVSteve,
Mine had the mag safety already removed. Havent shot it very much as just got it a week or so back but so far, so good.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 07-31-2017, 10:56 AM
Erich's Avatar
Erich Erich is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: High Desert of NM, USA
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 9,320
Liked 8,812 Times in 2,554 Posts
Default

I also really like the look of that P9M. I don't know if you FEG Hi-Power guys know about this booklet, but for $6 . . .



__________________
Now go make God proud...
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #17  
Old 07-31-2017, 02:26 PM
jack the toad jack the toad is offline
SWCA Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,896
Likes: 3,295
Liked 4,962 Times in 1,950 Posts
Default

Thanks Eric for the book tip, think I'll order one as I spend more than that on snocones when I take the g-kids out.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #18  
Old 07-31-2017, 02:37 PM
Old_Cop Old_Cop is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Crawford County PA
Posts: 3,704
Likes: 4,368
Liked 6,709 Times in 2,417 Posts
Default

I have a PA-63 that I bought on a whim. Shot it, liked it, noted the similarity to a PP and had the slide coated, and bought a set of grips from GRIPS for U. It looks so good that it's no longer a truck gun, but is a $360 PA-63. I still like it though.
__________________
Made it, Ma! Top of the world!
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #19  
Old 07-31-2017, 07:26 PM
BB57's Avatar
BB57 BB57 is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NC
Posts: 4,710
Likes: 3,527
Liked 12,554 Times in 3,342 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Erich View Post
I also really like the look of that P9M. I don't know if you FEG Hi-Power guys know about this booklet, but for $6 . . .

Decoding the F'EG Hi-Power: Jerry Paregien, G. M. Frazier: 9781495488368: Amazon.com: Books
It is by far the best resource out there on FEG "Hi Power" pistols. There are a few points here and there that are not covered - but not many.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #20  
Old 10-14-2018, 07:35 PM
dwcopple dwcopple is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 257
Likes: 44
Liked 170 Times in 67 Posts
Default

I was doing some gun safe cleaning/rearranging today and found my SMC I thought I had sold behind some shotgun shells. What a beauty. It's listed here for sale though as I consolidated ammo and don't have any .380 acp left...
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 10-16-2018, 08:40 AM
Tex1001's Avatar
Tex1001 Tex1001 is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: North Texas prairie
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 2,521
Liked 2,094 Times in 661 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Erich View Post
Nowadays I have an FEG milsurp R61, the first of the Hungarian pistols to have a teensy bit of Ti mixed into the aluminum for the frame. Same size as your SMC, but in 9x18.
Since this thread is resurrected, I have an R61 in 380. It won't earn any prizes for it's looks, but it's a decent shooter/carry gun.
Mags for it are almost non-existent. It took me years of accumulating parts to put together 2 spares.
__________________
I'm with her
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #22  
Old 10-16-2018, 02:45 PM
Erich's Avatar
Erich Erich is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: High Desert of NM, USA
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 9,320
Liked 8,812 Times in 2,554 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tex1001 View Post
Since this thread is resurrected, I have an R61 in 380. It won't earn any prizes for it's looks, but it's a decent shooter/carry gun.
Mags for it are almost non-existent. It took me years of accumulating parts to put together 2 spares.

Please allow me to encourage you to keep your eyes open - I run across them from time to time (There was a fellow on GB selling a mess of them a couple months ago) and I'm pretty full up on 6-rounder mags now. (No, none are for sale. )


__________________
Now go make God proud...
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 10-16-2018, 03:03 PM
dwcopple dwcopple is offline
Member
FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380 FEG SMC-380  
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 257
Likes: 44
Liked 170 Times in 67 Posts
Default

I'm gonna try modifying a Bersa Thunder 8rd mag to fit. They are dimensionally identical so it should just need a notch cut. MecGar is making them now for ~$20ish

Nevermind...ended up selling it on GunBroker!

Last edited by dwcopple; 10-23-2018 at 06:46 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:27 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)