Makarov ya or nay?

There is only one Makarov. It was made in China, Russia, Bulgaria and East Germany.

The Polish P64 and Hungarian PA63 and CZ 82/83 are not Makarovs. They shoot the 9x18 rounds. They are decent guns but cost less than a Mak (except the CZ83).

The Makarov is a excellent shooting, reliable and tough pistol.


Personally I like the Makarov, so much so I've bought about 25 amd still own about 17.

big ya

build like a tank with the weight to match.

kicks more than i care for considering the caliber/power level.

slightly better than .380acp levels, ammo was cheap when i had one.

good accuracy, never had a problem with the bulgy mak i had.

I carry my Russian commercial as my daily CHL loaded the Barnaul 95 g JHP. Its so light and conceals very well. The nice thing is, they are very accurate for a small gun. And also built very robust. I do need a nice Bulgy someday to complement my Russian.

Maks are no longer the great bargain that they were back in the day. And the cheap ammo supply has long been dry. So I can't think of a practical reason to go looking for one unless you are a collector. They are big and heavy for the level of power offered. There are several good nines that are smaller and lighter and the cost isn't significantly more.

On the other hand, I have a Russian Mak that I purchased almost twenty years ago. It is dependable and it is quite accurate. It was a fun plinker back when ammo was very inexpensive. But now there's not much use for it. It just sits in the safe and sulks.

9MM Mak ammo is available in bulk for similar prices, or sometimes less than 9MM Luger ammo. It is also easily reloadable using Starline brass or by trimming 1MM off of readily available 9x19 (9MM Luger) brass. Mak sized bullets are also readily available from most reloading suppliers and bullet makers including inexpensive cast lead. So if you don't want to spend the $10/box of 50 for factory ammo, you can reload for it cheaply.

The Makarov is slim, and easily carried and the 9x18 round is a bit more powerful than .380. If fits in most common holsters designed for small semi-autos. Its all steel contruction, and weight make it easy to shoot well. It is simple and robust in construction, and is very accurate and reliable because of this fact.

I have four Maks. An EG, two Bulgarians and a Russian Commercial .380. I sometimes carry one of the Bulgies which I believe are the best value and still available for around $200 if you look. They are well worth that and more.

The 9mm Makarov is one of my favorite cartridges to load. Several years ago I obtained a rather large quantity of brass and since I cast my own bullets, I find the Mak a real joy to own and shoot.

The guns have that classic look as well as being nice shooters for the most part.

A big "Yea" from me.

husker said:

WOW! Nice collection M2.
Do they make the 9x18 ammo in +p? If so,ok to use?
My reason for wanting this handgun is for concealed carry. I should have mentioned that to start with.

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Yes, Buffalo Bore makes a +P in that chambering. They do not, however, recommend use in the PA/63. Firing it in the Mak, CZ82, or P-64 is GTG though.

Hope this helps.

There are plenty of more modern guns you might like more. However, if you like the Mak, then get it, it is a particularly reliable and robust gun and it will not disappoint you.

Many military surplus maks had worn mainsprings and this made them kick harder than they should. It's a ten dollar part and it is easy to replace.

Many who carry the Mak prefer rubber grips to the hard plastic they usually come with.

I bought te Chinese Norinco for $125 many years ago and a Bulgarian for $135 some time later and still have them. For the money they are an excellent gun. I like the design and it has enough power as a CCW.

I carry a Russian commercial Makarov in .380 occasionally. Its a good gun. Solid, and reliable. As said earlier it is heavy though. Also, if you plan to carry it and get one with the lanyard loop on the grip you'll almost have to replace that grip. The loop will dig into your side all day. You can still find Pearce Makarov grips out there though.

Niet. There are too far too many better choices out there. Even lowly Ruger SR9C is better gun in every way.

Nay
Unless stichken.

I say yay. The Makarov is one of my favorite handguns of all time, it's very accurate, extremely reliable, easy to disassemble, and looks good. I also like that the safety is "down to fire" like a 1911 so I won't get confused under stress since a 1911 is the only other gun I shoot and practice with that has a manual safety. The only downside to me is the heel mag release but it's easy enough to use with some practice. Recoil is a bit snappy but it's not difficult to shoot.

Yes, Buffalo Bore makes a +P in that chambering. They do not, however, recommend use in the PA/63. Firing it in the Mak, CZ82, or P-64 is GTG though.

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For two reasons I recommend replacing the recoil spring in any Makarov you buy.
You do not know the gun's history and I use the Wolff 21 pound spring in all my Makaroves, even the .380 ones.
The heavier spring softens the recoil a litle but it does make it harder to pull the slide back.
Also I feel better with the heavy spring installed when using hotish loads.


BTW I tried to make a new Bulgarian malfunction in the first 1,000 rounds. I didn't succeed.

Never shot a MAK but man I sure like the CZ82.

Roadking Rider said:

Never shot a MAK but man I sure like the CZ82.

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My fave of the 9x18 clan too.

Wish I had waited until SOG had gotten a replenishment of Makarovs instead of "settling" for a P-64.
The P-64 is rugged and well-make, but the Makarovs I've fired felt far better in the hand and overall, easier to handle.
Makarovs and their progeny are concealable with more than adequate ballistic power. I wouldn't pass one up.

YAY!!!

I have a FEG pa63, and a CZ 82 and would take them any day over my buddies LC9. The CZ is rivals my glock with accuracy and the pa63 is sleek and sexy. A small lgs owner got a bulgy mak on trade, I told him to save it for me along with a P64, but he liked the mak so much, he kept it for himself. It's been the only one i've seen locally.

Get it I had one a got rid of it because I got the ammo mixed up with my 40 cal so I got a 38/special. It carried and shot great.

Makarov ? two thumbs up, my E.G. is one of my concealed carry guns. The Mak is simple, reliable and accurate.

The Mak

Had a Russian Mak (the adjustable sight commercial variety..IJ70 or some such thing) and it never grew on me. It was absolutely reliable though.

I am a big CZ82 fan - and have been reloading 9x18 for a few years. I like the cartridge.

If it feels good in the hand and you connect with it - you can't go wrong with the cartridge or the Mak Pistol.