Ignition Override
Member
With a Bulgy and two EGs, I only bought the comm. .380 Russian to avoid much wear on these others' very nice bluing.
The Russian is my only carry gun.
The Russian is my only carry gun.
Do you collect any actual Makarovs?
- Thread starter Ignition Override
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I started with a commercial Russian, Satin Nickel, B-West import in .380 ACP that I bought around 1993 or 1994.. Very reliable, and accurate gun, and it still looks new. I have even carried it on occasion. Then when the Bulgarians and East Germans started coming in at good prices, I bought two EG's, and two Bulgies. I have always wanted a Chicom, but didn't pull the trigger when they were reasonably priced.
Now, I am moving on to other 9x18's like the P-83 which I like better for carry than my Bulgie Mak which I still carry from time to time. Love all my Maks!
Now, I am moving on to other 9x18's like the P-83 which I like better for carry than my Bulgie Mak which I still carry from time to time. Love all my Maks!
Panzerschwein
member
I've got 3 .mil Bulgies.
I've never seen a Mak as well blued as the East German ones. I'm not sure any 'one' is functionally better.
I briefly had a Russian commercial one that had an unsupported chamber and bulged brass like mad. If I was going to suggest collecting I'd start with military guns.
I briefly had a Russian commercial one that had an unsupported chamber and bulged brass like mad. If I was going to suggest collecting I'd start with military guns.
Panzerschwein
member
I'm a big Mak fan. I CCW one. I also carry it around the house and on my property in its issued holster with lanyard:
Good little blasters. Powerful enough to do the job, dead nuts reliable. This one has a mite under 3K with no jams whatsoever.
Good little blasters. Powerful enough to do the job, dead nuts reliable. This one has a mite under 3K with no jams whatsoever.
Ignition Override
Member
Cooldill: How often do you put a very thin layer of oil or CLP on a gun which is always carried?
I should have learned how to upload photos years ago. You guys' (or any gals') guns are very nice.
Dr. Rob: the (WW2) Mauser Hsc I bought two years ago also had badly bulged brass.
Some prior owner 'know-it-all' had made the feed ramp concave, probably dealing with jhp rounds? It was very difficult locating a replacement barrel ($240 on GB).
I should have learned how to upload photos years ago. You guys' (or any gals') guns are very nice.
Dr. Rob: the (WW2) Mauser Hsc I bought two years ago also had badly bulged brass.
Some prior owner 'know-it-all' had made the feed ramp concave, probably dealing with jhp rounds? It was very difficult locating a replacement barrel ($240 on GB).
Panzerschwein
member
I use a small cloth with RIG grease on it and wipe down every once and a while. It makes a thin rust resistant layer but is not slippery.
I've pretty much only shot steel cased ammo in my EG pistol. That Russian example was just poorly QC'd. It was sent back to the dealer as defective.
MedWheeler
Member
I love my pristine Bulgarian, but it is my only PM. I have other surplus Comm-Bloc guns, one of which is also chambered in the Makarov caliber, a Radom P64.
I see many reasons to enjoy the PM and the other Comm-Blocs.
I see many reasons to enjoy the PM and the other Comm-Blocs.
lincen
Member
Currently have 13 "true" Makarovs and 8 other handguns that are chambered for the 9x18. I guess I'm a collector...?
Missionary
Member
Greetings
Have had two.. one a 380 (sold to a friend) and still have the 9mm Mak. They work ! What more can a Russian pistol do.
Down here in Peru it is the most desired and purchased pistol. Have the carry people are using them. I will stick to my Smith & Colt revolvers though.
Mike in Peru
Have had two.. one a 380 (sold to a friend) and still have the 9mm Mak. They work ! What more can a Russian pistol do.
Down here in Peru it is the most desired and purchased pistol. Have the carry people are using them. I will stick to my Smith & Colt revolvers though.
Mike in Peru
Ibmikey
Member
As far as true Makarov pistols i have acquired : Russian IJ70 .380, EG in 99% condition, 3 ea Bulgarian unissued with maintenance manuals, and one Chinese. Also firing the same cartridge are two CZ 82, a PA 63, Polish P 83, SMC (380) and two P 64's and cannot forget the Grand pappy of all ....Nagant revolver and it's goofy ammunition. Since i included the Nagant I guess the three TT and a Yugo Tokorevs should be counted.
The Maks are the most fun to shoot although the CZ 82 is no slouch and as i have repeatidly stated the P 64 is downright unpleasant.
Lucky for us ( until the liberals banned everything) the Commies broke up and the splinter nations moved to more modern 9mm pistols jflooding the US with cheap, utilitarian Combloc pistols and rifles.
The Maks are the most fun to shoot although the CZ 82 is no slouch and as i have repeatidly stated the P 64 is downright unpleasant.
Lucky for us ( until the liberals banned everything) the Commies broke up and the splinter nations moved to more modern 9mm pistols jflooding the US with cheap, utilitarian Combloc pistols and rifles.
GBExpat
Member
Well ... I "accumulated" 2 a few years ago, if that counts.
In 2004 I saw VG/EXC Bulgy Maks advertised on SOG for $124, so I bought a pair. I then found a good price for some recent-mfr n/c 9x18 ammo and bought a 1k case.
They sport consecutive serial numbers and are in EXC condition.
I have never fired either pistol. I cleaned/inspected/oiled them and put them in the south gunsafe.
If my sister or niece ever decides to go Concealed Carry I will probably try them on those.
Sistema1927
Member
I picked up 3 Bulgarian Maks back when they were cheap about 20 years ago. Out the door at $125 each. One of them appeared unissued, and had no import markings.
Gave one to my son on his 21st birthday (he is now 35), the second quickly became my wife's, and the third, with no import marks, ended up being mine. Since that time I have also added a CZ82 and a P-64. Sure wish that ammo was as cheap as it used to be, but it can still be found at bargain prices.
Gave one to my son on his 21st birthday (he is now 35), the second quickly became my wife's, and the third, with no import marks, ended up being mine. Since that time I have also added a CZ82 and a P-64. Sure wish that ammo was as cheap as it used to be, but it can still be found at bargain prices.
entropy
Member
They certainly aren't trash, though I've never owned a Makarov. I had a CZ82, it was a great carry gun. I wouldn't carry trash.
Don't get your panties in a wad. One man's trash can certainly be another's treasure. One country's abandoned sidearm can certainly trek on as a excellent CCW.
Besides there's a wartime P38 and a P7psp that are also members of what I call my euro trash
entropy
Member
They're unwadded.
I realize you had parentheses around it, but just wanted to clarify that for any newbies considering one. Sounds like you have a distinguished 'euro-trash' collection. 
I realize you had parentheses around it, but just wanted to clarify that for any newbies considering one. Sounds like you have a distinguished 'euro-trash' collection. Ignition Override
Member
As for the larger Polish, the 83, it's just as fun to shoot as the Makarovs, and just as rugged. A well-photographed 'sticky' at Gunboards/Makarovs explains the very clever manufacturing.
The 83's DA trigger is slightly heavy, but a really smooth (steady pressure), easier to hit where it is aimed than most Maks. This 83 is practically a well-kept secret. Awareness of the little P-64 'viper' keeps some milsurp people from discovering the larger 83.
A buddy with one hundred milsurp rifles in a large vault, who carries a 64 had not known about it.
Do you guys/gals check 'Armslist' for your state ? I've made about eight FTF deals via Armslist. Somebody in Clarkesville TN had a Bulgy Mak. listed last night.
Also listed in Clarkesville is a CZ-82. Very nice DA and SA triggers on these.
The 83's DA trigger is slightly heavy, but a really smooth (steady pressure), easier to hit where it is aimed than most Maks. This 83 is practically a well-kept secret. Awareness of the little P-64 'viper' keeps some milsurp people from discovering the larger 83.
A buddy with one hundred milsurp rifles in a large vault, who carries a 64 had not known about it.
Do you guys/gals check 'Armslist' for your state
? I've made about eight FTF deals via Armslist. Somebody in Clarkesville TN had a Bulgy Mak. listed last night.Also listed in Clarkesville is a CZ-82. Very nice DA and SA triggers on these.
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drec
Member
No Makarovs, but two P64's and a CZ82.
Deaf Smith
Member
I have just one. An EG I bought maybe ten years ago. $105 is what I paid.
I have RCBS carbide dies, Winchester brass, Hornady XTC slugs (hundreds of 'em.) All I got at a gun shop going out of business for a very good price. Plus i have maybe 600 rounds of Wolf brand ammo.
It's all I need!
Deaf
I have RCBS carbide dies, Winchester brass, Hornady XTC slugs (hundreds of 'em.) All I got at a gun shop going out of business for a very good price. Plus i have maybe 600 rounds of Wolf brand ammo.
It's all I need!
Deaf
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