Bill Adair
Member
I'm currently looking for a carry weapon, and two in particular are at the top of my list at the moment. Since you are open to suggestions, you might be interested in my reasons for choosing these two, or not! 
Being a revolver fan, I'm attracted to the Ruger SP101 in .357 magnum, 9mm, or .38 Special. You might prefer the .32 H&R magnum chambering, though it is not as powerful as your Mak, and ammo may be more difficult to find.
The 9mm is an excellent choice for folks who do not reload, because it offers low recoil, great accuracy, good stopping power, and better relative performance in the short barrel models (9mm loses less velocity in short barrels than the 38 or 357). Recoil will be less than your Makarov (because of the Maks blow back action), but with the greater stopping power of 9mm Luger ammo. Also, 9mm is available in a much greater variety, and is the cheapest center fire ammo on the domestic market. Last but not least, 9mm uses moon clips, which are low cost, and offer faster reloading in a revolver.
Because I reload, I'm looking at the .357 and .38 Special chamberings in particular, but would not turn down a used 9mm (no longer in production). I can taylor the loads to my level of comfort in the .357, or load hotter with .38 Special for instance.
Pros:
Stainless steel for low maintenance, and minimal holster wear.
Small size, but with just enough weight to moderate recoil.
Superb reliability.
Outstanding customer service.
Life time service. (No written warrantee, but check the Ruger web page for details.)
Low cost.
US made.
Cons:
Five round capacity.
Wider than most auto loading pistols.
My second choice, is the compact S&W 908S in 9mm, but you might consider the full size version (910S), which has greater magazine capacity, and a longer barrel. Similar compacts (and full size) are available in .40 S&W, and 45 ACP.
Pros:
S&W is one of the highest quality pistols on the market, at bargain prices. (Only Sig compares, but at almost twice the price!)
Excellent accuracy.
Superb reliability.
Great handling.
Stainless slide for minimal holster wear.
Alloy frame for less weight.
Outstanding customer service.
Life time warrantee.
US made.
Cons:
The price is a little higher than the Ruger revolver, but very reasonable for a proven design (third generation) pistol, of this quality.
I also have two Makarovs that I shoot and like a lot, but they are heavier, and too nice to abuse with holster wear.
Good luck with your quest, and what ever gun you consider, be sure to rent or borrow one to shoot at the range a time or two, before buying. Often a gun will feel great in the hand, but handle awkwardly on the range.
Bill
Being a revolver fan, I'm attracted to the Ruger SP101 in .357 magnum, 9mm, or .38 Special. You might prefer the .32 H&R magnum chambering, though it is not as powerful as your Mak, and ammo may be more difficult to find.
The 9mm is an excellent choice for folks who do not reload, because it offers low recoil, great accuracy, good stopping power, and better relative performance in the short barrel models (9mm loses less velocity in short barrels than the 38 or 357). Recoil will be less than your Makarov (because of the Maks blow back action), but with the greater stopping power of 9mm Luger ammo. Also, 9mm is available in a much greater variety, and is the cheapest center fire ammo on the domestic market. Last but not least, 9mm uses moon clips, which are low cost, and offer faster reloading in a revolver.
Because I reload, I'm looking at the .357 and .38 Special chamberings in particular, but would not turn down a used 9mm (no longer in production). I can taylor the loads to my level of comfort in the .357, or load hotter with .38 Special for instance.
Pros:
Stainless steel for low maintenance, and minimal holster wear.
Small size, but with just enough weight to moderate recoil.
Superb reliability.
Outstanding customer service.
Life time service. (No written warrantee, but check the Ruger web page for details.)
Low cost.
US made.
Cons:
Five round capacity.
Wider than most auto loading pistols.
My second choice, is the compact S&W 908S in 9mm, but you might consider the full size version (910S), which has greater magazine capacity, and a longer barrel. Similar compacts (and full size) are available in .40 S&W, and 45 ACP.
Pros:
S&W is one of the highest quality pistols on the market, at bargain prices. (Only Sig compares, but at almost twice the price!)
Excellent accuracy.
Superb reliability.
Great handling.
Stainless slide for minimal holster wear.
Alloy frame for less weight.
Outstanding customer service.
Life time warrantee.
US made.
Cons:
The price is a little higher than the Ruger revolver, but very reasonable for a proven design (third generation) pistol, of this quality.
I also have two Makarovs that I shoot and like a lot, but they are heavier, and too nice to abuse with holster wear.
Good luck with your quest, and what ever gun you consider, be sure to rent or borrow one to shoot at the range a time or two, before buying. Often a gun will feel great in the hand, but handle awkwardly on the range.
Bill
