Mak of the Woods

Panzerschwein · Nov 27, 2016

Hey gang!

Well it was pretty nice out today (at least it wasn't raining) so I went out to do some yard work for my dad. Then it hit me... I had my Bulgarian Makarov PM on me in my Sticky holster (MD-3 Medium, good holster btw) and not only that, but a box of TulAmmo 9x18mm Makarov 92 grain FMJ loads nearby. I decided to head to the woods behind the house and have some fun!

This gun has had 0 misfires in approximately 3,000 rounds of ammo fired through it in it's lifetime. Today was no exception, all rounds fired flawlessly and the gun is quite accurate for it's size. This is my everyday carry gun and I wouldn't have it any other way. The Sticky holster is a good way to carry it and it's been very secure. I appreciate the Makarov PM's excellent reliability, high durability, ease of maintenance, abundant availability of spare parts, affordable ammunition price, decent ballistics, very good accuracy, acceptable capacity (8+1), safe design, and above all else it's ease of shooting. These are great guns and if you don't already own one I HIGHLY recommend you pick one up, if nothing else than for the history and joy of shooting of this great design.

Thanks for reading guys. Have a good one!

AZAndy · Nov 27, 2016

Funny you should mention. I just got back from putting 250 rounds through mine today (a Russian one). I do a lot better with it now that I've put fluorescent orange paint on the front sight. It's always trouble-free. What load do you use for carry? I have some 95-grain XTPs that I've been planning on working up a load for.

bannockburn · Nov 27, 2016

Coodill

Nice looking Bulgarian Mak you've got there! Don't have one of my own but my brother has an East German Mak that he let me use from time to time. I have always been impressed by it's tank-like design and solid construction. Metal polishing and bluing on the East German gun was especially nice, very close to the quality we use to see with Colt and S&W handguns.

Panzerschwein · Nov 27, 2016

Thanks guys! I've been carrying ball ammo in my Makarov but might switch to Underwood 95 grain +P XTPs, I hear they are a great carry load.

AZAndy · Nov 27, 2016

Here's a target from today. 2 1/4" group at ten yards. (Diameter of the black is 3 7/8", to give some perspective.) That's about as good as I've ever done with a 1911 with its much bigger sight radius, so the Mak is definitely a keeper.

With this guy:

I have the red grip for it, but I like the all-black look.

Panzerschwein · Nov 27, 2016

AZAndy said:
Here's a target from today. 2 1/4" group at ten yards. (Diameter of the black is 3 7/8", to give some perspective.) That's about as good as I've ever done with a 1911 with its much bigger sight radius, so the Mak is definitely a keeper.

With this guy:

I have the red grip for it, but I like the all-black look.

Nice! Those commercial ones are pretty good, not as good as a true military Mak, but very good nonetheless. You cannot go wrong with a Makarov PM!

Ignition Override · Nov 28, 2016

Cooldill: you described my impressions better than anybody else. Despite the commercial Russian .380 having less of a shine, it is just as rugged/reliable. The decent prices for these still puzzle me (though Russian, not US-made). Excellent photos!

Don't want to mar the shines on my Bulgy or pair of "EG" Maks. And if the US ever decides to ban Wolf/Tula (etc) 9x18 ammo or put high taxes on it, increasing the overall retail prices, we have Maks in both chamberings.

AZAndy: Tight groups are rewarding, but my main goal is to be able to Detect an actual threat running at me from a rear blind spot, as quiet as a cat, wearing soft running shoes.
Otherwise it would not matter, even if I carried a WW2 Thompson or HK MP5.

gillmeister692 · Nov 28, 2016

Cooldill said:
Hey gang!

Well it was pretty nice out today (at least it wasn't raining) so I went out to do some yard work for my dad. Then it hit me... I had my Bulgarian Makarov PM on me in my Sticky holster (MD-3 Medium, good holster btw) and not only that, but a box of TulAmmo 9x18mm Makarov 92 grain FMJ loads nearby. I decided to head to the woods behind the house and have some fun!

I also have a Bulgarian Makarov I carry loaded with the Hornady defense hollowpoint cartridge. Get yourself a rubber handgrip by Pearce for sustained target practicing. They're black in color and soft, made from TPR, I think (thermoplastic rubber). Avoid that bakelite plastic Soviet bloc grip slapping your thumb silly.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

This gun has had 0 misfires in approximately 3,000 rounds of ammo fired through it in it's lifetime. Today was no exception, all rounds fired flawlessly and the gun is quite accurate for it's size. This is my everyday carry gun and I wouldn't have it any other way. The Sticky holster is a good way to carry it and it's been very secure. I appreciate the Makarov PM's excellent reliability, high durability, ease of maintenance, abundant availability of spare parts, affordable ammunition price, decent ballistics, very good accuracy, acceptable capacity (8+1), safe design, and above all else it's ease of shooting. These are great guns and if you don't already own one I HIGHLY recommend you pick one up, if nothing else than for the history and joy of shooting of this great design.

Thanks for reading guys. Have a good one!

Cooldill said:
Hey gang!

Well it was pretty nice out today (at least it wasn't raining) so I went out to do some yard work for my dad. Then it hit me... I had my Bulgarian Makarov PM on me in my Sticky holster (MD-3 Medium, good holster btw) and not only that, but a box of TulAmmo 9x18mm Makarov 92 grain FMJ loads nearby. I decided to head to the woods behind the house and have some fun!

This gun has had 0 misfires in approximately 3,000 rounds of ammo fired through it in it's lifetime. Today was no exception, all rounds fired flawlessly and the gun is quite accurate for it's size. This is my everyday carry gun and I wouldn't have it any other way. The Sticky holster is a good way to carry it and it's been very secure. I appreciate the Makarov PM's excellent reliability, high durability, ease of maintenance, abundant availability of spare parts, affordable ammunition price, decent ballistics, very good accuracy, acceptable capacity (8+1), safe design, and above all else it's ease of shooting. These are great guns and if you don't already own one I HIGHLY recommend you pick one up, if nothing else than for the history and joy of shooting of this great design.

Thanks for reading guys. Have a good one!

AZAndy · Nov 28, 2016

Ignition Override said:
Despite the commercial Russian .380 having less of a shine, it is just as rugged/reliable.

That's not a .380.

MedWheeler · Nov 28, 2016

I don't carry mine because its finish is so pristine and I'd hate to wear it any. I should probably get another one to carry. I love shooting mine (also a Bulgarian) and handle it quite well. There isn't anything about it I dislike at all.

I did recently acquire a P-64, and it's worn enough that I'd carry it. I just haven't tried it out yet. I do not expect it to be as nice at the range as the PM, though.

AZAndy · Nov 28, 2016

MedWheeler said:
I don't carry mine because its finish is so pristine and I'd hate to wear it any. I should probably get another one to carry. I love shooting mine (also a Bulgarian) and handle it quite well. There isn't anything about it I dislike at all.

I did recently acquire a P-64, and it's worn enough that I'd carry it. I just haven't tried it out yet. I do not expect it to be as nice at the range as the PM, though.

P-64 is snappier, but mine shoots better than it has any right to (in single action, anyway). I wish it had a slide release.

Panzerschwein · Nov 28, 2016

MedWheeler said:
I don't carry mine because its finish is so pristine and I'd hate to wear it any. I should probably get another one to carry. I love shooting mine (also a Bulgarian) and handle it quite well. There isn't anything about it I dislike at all.

I did recently acquire a P-64, and it's worn enough that I'd carry it. I just haven't tried it out yet. I do not expect it to be as nice at the range as the PM, though.

P-64s are reliable guns but I have found them to be uncomfortable to shoot, and the DA trigger is so bad on most examples it is hard to describe. But they are interesting guns nontheless.

Coyote3855 · Nov 29, 2016

Cooldill said:
Nice! Those commercial ones are pretty good, not as good as a true military Mak, but very good nonetheless. You cannot go wrong with a Makarov PM!

I have three PMs, an East German, a Bulgarian (both military), and the commercial Russian IJ 70. The true military Maks are more desirable to collectors, but I'd rank my IJ 70 between the German and the Bulgarian for fit/finish. All have been 100% reliable will any ammunition. The trigger on the IJ 70 is almost as good as the German and better than the Bulgarian. It has also been shot much more than the other two.

Panzerschwein · Nov 29, 2016

Some people are hard on just about anything that isn't East German.

Truth is, both the Russian and Bulgarian guns are perfectly acceptable as are.

Ignition Override · Nov 30, 2016

AZAndy:

A huge number of Russian Makarovs were chambered in .380, and are probably the only Commercial versions of Maks, although some info suggests that a much more limited quantity of Bulgys might also be in .380 ACP or 9x18 Mak for the commercial markets.
Most of these Russians are single-stack mags although some were designed with double-stack mags (mags hard to find). The common single-stack tends to "list" for about $250 or so.
"Gunbroker item 600788344: Hueytown Pawn and Coin, Bessemer AL". "Starting bid $205".

Along with Gunbroker having a good selection available, The Makarov forum at Gunboards also has plenty of info. Wikipedia: "They were available in .380 ACP in addition....9 mm Makarov".

My commercial Russian is chambered for the exact same .380 ammunition as my Sig 232 and my former ("Made in West Germany") Walther PPK/S.

The commercial versions are just as fun to own and shoot.

AZAndy · Nov 30, 2016

Ignition Override said:
AZAndy:

A huge number of Russian Makarovs were chambered in .380, and are probably the only Commercial versions of Maks, although some info suggests that a much more limited quantity of Bulgys might also be in .380 ACP or 9x18 Mak for the commercial markets.
Most of these Russians are single-stack mags although some were designed with double-stack mags (mags hard to find). The common single-stack tends to "list" for about $250 or so.
"Gunbroker item 600788344: Hueytown Pawn and Coin, Bessemer AL". "Starting bid $205".

Along with Gunbroker having a good selection available, The Makarov forum at Gunboards also has plenty of info. Wikipedia: "Baikal marketed.....in the U.S...IJ-70". "They were available in .380 ACP in addition....9 mm Makarov".

My commercial Russian is chambered for the exact same .380 ammunition as my Sig 232 and my former ("Made in West Germany") Walther PPK/S.

Again, the objective is that my nice EGs and Bulgy are collector guns, but the .380 Russian is just as reliable/rugged but has little collector value, and not all of my (Mak.) "eggs are in one basket", should any High tariffs/taxes ever be placed on imported 9x18 Mak. ammo.
The commercial versions are just as fun to own and shoot.

Thanks for taking the time to share all that information. I'm aware of the .380s; I merely meant that mine isn't. I have an unreasonable fondness for the 9mmMak chambering and have all the usual easily-available pistol types for it-- IJ70, P-64, CZ-82, PA-63, and P83. I even reload the little buggers. Here's an old thread about the pistols mentioned, if you're interested.

Ignition Override · Dec 1, 2016

AZAndy Sorry about the misunderstood context and bulky info.

By the way, I really enjoyed my CZ-82 and Polish P-83s.
That P-83 might be one of more under-appreciated compact guns out there, but without the best bluing to instill confidence (Americans sometimes judge quality by external looks).
The trigger is not bad- a pretty consistent pressure; the better DA pull and recoil are certainly better than my (former) "Made in W. Germany" PPK/S and little Polish P-64.

Panzerschwein · Dec 1, 2016

Keep in mind PA-63s, P83s, CZ82s, and P64s are not Makarov pistols.

Some people do not realize this. There are no such things as "Czech Makarovs" or "Polish Makarovs" etc. There are only Russian, Bulgarian, Chinese, and East German Makarovs.

Ignition Override · Dec 1, 2016

Cooldill: Exactly. My mention of these other handguns are in reference to AZAndy's outstanding comparisons of them in his link.
Again, superb photos of your Bulgy.

The other types are described because they are Not Makarovs, but are chambered in 9x18 Mak. I assume that everybody here already realizes the differences.
A very astute friend of mine (buys/sells stocks as a hobby) with approx. 100 surplus rifles plus handguns had somehow believed until about a year ago that His Polish P-64 was a Makarov. I gradually explained to him the difference, trying not to cause embarrassment.

Tallball · Dec 1, 2016

I have a Russian commercial in 380. I bought it NiB something like 25 years ago.

My FiL reloads for us. He does 380 but doesn't want to start reloading yet another caliber, so I have avoided 9x18 so far. I really like the CZ82, so I bought the 83, the commercial version in 380.

I like my commie pistols very much. Maybe one day I will get a proper one in the original caliber. Until then they are fun to shoot in 380, and I certainly wouldn't feel unarmed while carrying one of them.

lincen · Dec 1, 2016

Another 9x18 that is a variant of the FEG PA-63 is the R61 and SMC 918. Both are more like the PPK in that they are smaller than the PA-63 and hold one less round. Sound strange but these little guns have less felt recoil than the larger PA-63. Both have aluminum alloy frames.

PabloJ · Dec 1, 2016

AZAndy said:
Here's a target from today. 2 1/4" group at ten yards. (Diameter of the black is 3 7/8", to give some perspective.) That's about as good as I've ever done with a 1911 with its much bigger sight radius, so the Mak is definitely a keeper.

With this guy:

I have the red grip for it, but I like the all-black look.

That is real good shooting. I have East German piece and the trigger pull is not very good. A lot better than P-64 or Nagant revolver but a lot worse than one found on my R9. A matter of comparisons I suppose. As I said that is very good shooting.

SeanSw · Dec 1, 2016

I have a Russian mak that I'd like to take out shooting more often but the trigger is poor and the adjustable sights feel like they belong on a Chinese air rifle. I am waiting for a long winter night to disassemble the entire thing and polish the internals. Never had a misfire or malfunction in the few hundred rounds I've put through it yet and I just got a few boxes of silver bear JHPs which seem best described as "maybe yes, maybe no" in terms of performance. Had ccw been an option in IL earlier it may have filled in for my XDs, they're very similar in size and weight, but no longer. Still happy to have a makarov in the collection though.

SC Shooter · Dec 8, 2016

My Bulgarian rides with me in my truck where ever I go.

Ignition Override · Dec 9, 2016

When you guys/gals describe the Makarov trigger needing help, are you only describing the DA pull?

My Russian .380 and Bulgarian have a fairly stiff trigger in the last part of the DA pull.
As for that, one of my EGs is only a bit better, while the other EG is a good bit better.

When a very seasoned gunsmith in the city told me that very little could be done to improve the trigger, is it possible that some gunsmiths find Mak trigger polishing simply too tedious?

Mak of the Woods

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