Black Blade
1st May 2010, 08:10 PM
I recently acquired and added two Hungarian FEG handguns to the collection. One is the SMC-918 and the other is the RK-59 both in 9x18mm Makarov calibre.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/FEG1a.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/FEG2a.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/FEG3a.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/FEG4a.jpg
SMC-918 (left) and RK-59 (right)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/FEG12a.jpg
The FEG SMC model was the smallest pistol ever "legally" imported into the U.S. When K.B.I. observed the popularity of the SMC-380 in the U.S., it decided to import the 9mm Makarov version, the SMC-918. The Hungarians had made this model (with slight modifications) since the late 1950s, with importation beginning in late 1994.
The SMC-918 offers the 9mm Makarov cartridge in a package that is appreciably smaller and lighter than the Soviet-designed Makarov pistol or its derivatives. The SMC-918 is, in fact, the smallest pistol currently in production for the Makarov round. The price to pay is a gun that is easier to carry and slightly more difficult to shoot. Given its mission of self-defense, though, that's a compromise many buyers will surely find acceptable.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/FEG13a.jpg
In 1991, Century imported about 3,000 RK-59s into the U.S. The small size of this gun makes it especially handy as a hideout gun, used mostly by high-ranking officials, pilots and various vehicle crews who occasionally need a pistol but are forced to work and fight in confined spaces. Handgun expert Leroy Thompson has argued that the RK-59 is perhaps the world's best military pistol, because it uses a fighting cartridge powerful enough to be taken seriously, yet is compact enough to carry comfortably on the person at all times.
A slightly improved version of the RK-59---the SMC-380---appeared in 1991. It's actually the same gun rechambered to the slightly less powerful, albeit better known, .380 ACP round. Its frame is still a lightweight alloy, but for commercial sales it is anodized black to match more closely the blued slide of the pistol. In its military version, the frame is left unfinished
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/FEG10a.jpg
Both the SMC-918 and the RK-59 magazines are limited to 6 rounds, however, both handguns will accept the 7-round PA-63 magazine. Both guns make for excellent self-defense "pocket rockets" although the RK-59 has a weaker aluminum frame that was resolved in the subsequent production of the BR-61 and PA-63 with the ddition of 0.1% titanium. Both guns have a reasonably decent trigger although some complain about felt recoil. I personally found them to be rather comfortable to shoot compared to most small handguns. I had no trouble feeding FMJ and HP ammo (including Hornady XTP). They are accurate shooters and lend themselves to being excellent deep cover and self defense firearms.
- Black Blade
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/FEG1a.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/FEG2a.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/FEG3a.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/FEG4a.jpg
SMC-918 (left) and RK-59 (right)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/FEG12a.jpg
The FEG SMC model was the smallest pistol ever "legally" imported into the U.S. When K.B.I. observed the popularity of the SMC-380 in the U.S., it decided to import the 9mm Makarov version, the SMC-918. The Hungarians had made this model (with slight modifications) since the late 1950s, with importation beginning in late 1994.
The SMC-918 offers the 9mm Makarov cartridge in a package that is appreciably smaller and lighter than the Soviet-designed Makarov pistol or its derivatives. The SMC-918 is, in fact, the smallest pistol currently in production for the Makarov round. The price to pay is a gun that is easier to carry and slightly more difficult to shoot. Given its mission of self-defense, though, that's a compromise many buyers will surely find acceptable.
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/FEG13a.jpg
In 1991, Century imported about 3,000 RK-59s into the U.S. The small size of this gun makes it especially handy as a hideout gun, used mostly by high-ranking officials, pilots and various vehicle crews who occasionally need a pistol but are forced to work and fight in confined spaces. Handgun expert Leroy Thompson has argued that the RK-59 is perhaps the world's best military pistol, because it uses a fighting cartridge powerful enough to be taken seriously, yet is compact enough to carry comfortably on the person at all times.
A slightly improved version of the RK-59---the SMC-380---appeared in 1991. It's actually the same gun rechambered to the slightly less powerful, albeit better known, .380 ACP round. Its frame is still a lightweight alloy, but for commercial sales it is anodized black to match more closely the blued slide of the pistol. In its military version, the frame is left unfinished
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/FEG10a.jpg
Both the SMC-918 and the RK-59 magazines are limited to 6 rounds, however, both handguns will accept the 7-round PA-63 magazine. Both guns make for excellent self-defense "pocket rockets" although the RK-59 has a weaker aluminum frame that was resolved in the subsequent production of the BR-61 and PA-63 with the ddition of 0.1% titanium. Both guns have a reasonably decent trigger although some complain about felt recoil. I personally found them to be rather comfortable to shoot compared to most small handguns. I had no trouble feeding FMJ and HP ammo (including Hornady XTP). They are accurate shooters and lend themselves to being excellent deep cover and self defense firearms.
- Black Blade