Bulgarian Makarov - Wolf spring?

I did not know that Bulgarian Makarov recoil springs needed replacement ASAP. Is this one of the reasons the East German Maks are considered superior?

I did not know that Bulgarian Makarov recoil springs needed replacement ASAP. Is this one of the reasons the East German Maks are considered superior?

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German Maks are superior from a fit and finish standpoint. They basically had better production methods.

When you get a surplus gun, a lot of people like to get a new set of sprigs for it, especially if they plan to do a lot of shooting with it. It's not as much of a "need", it's more of a "want". Plus the OP is referring to heavier weight recoil springs than normally come with the gun. On a blowback gun, a heavier spring also helps tame recoil (though the Mak isn't really a heavy recoiling gun).

OP: if you're planning on doing hotter reloads or suppressing the gun, go with the heavy recoil spring. Otherwise a normal weight should be fine.

Many folks have settled on the 19# spring for general shooting and the 21# spring if you plan to shoot the hotter loads. I use the 19# in my shooting Makarovs. The original is closer to 17# and will work just fine but for peace of mind.........

Thanks, Telekinesis! I thought maybe there was a problem I had not heard about. I have a Chinese commercial Makarov; I'd like to compare it with an East German one sometime.

i would determine which load you intend to fire from your makarov, and then try out different springs with that load to find the one that works the best

I would run a 19# spring it helps keep the brass closer. The wolff springs are inexpensive get all three.
These guns are around 50 years old I would try to find all spring replacements including the main spring.

joneb said:

I would run a 19# spring it helps keep the brass closer. The wolff springs are inexpensive get all three.
These guns are around 50 years old I would try to find all spring replacements including the main spring.

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I thought the Bulgarians were still manufacturing Makarovs. Are their guns also old military stock?

Monac said:

I thought the Bulgarians were still manufacturing Makarovs. Are their guns also old military stock?

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I don't believe anyone is producing Makarovs now.

I tried both. I liked the 19 much better than the stock or the 21.