Bulgy Mak

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I bought my Maks in the early 90's when they were coming in and sold relatively inexpensively. I have two Bulgie militaries, an E.G., and a Russian commercial in .380. They are all stellar pistols.

I also recently acquired two Polish P-83's, and I carry one regularly. Excellent, well made pistols made in the old world way.
 
No4Mk1* said:
I like my Bulgarian Makarov ($115 years ago) but I don't understand why people pay near the price of a new budget doublestack 9mm for a surplus single stack 9x18. I know history has some value, but to me there is not much history "value" in the Makarov. That said, it's an enjoyable pistol to own and shoot. Mine has never failed.
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Because some of us weren't able to buy guns like this "years ago for $115" (too young) and want to have a chance to enjoy one of these pieces of Cold War history before they're way up in value.

How's that?
 
Update:

My Bulgy Mak got here today. Man, it was Grease Fest 2016 up in da house! SO much cosmoline... you can't even. But a soak in mineral spirits and a lot of scrubbing, and some tricky reassembly once detail stripped, revealed this smokin' hot beauty:

20160525_194825_1.jpg

Oh man, this gun is honestly in near-100% NRA rating status. I seriously don't think it was ever issued, or fired. The bluing is gorgeous. Everything is SO nice on it. The grips seem to have a scuff or two, very minor, I'm not sure that these were the gun's original grips as it came with the ugly black import grips with these bakelite ones in the box. It came with a matching serial number magazine too, and a neat but strange flap holster w/ lanyard cord and cleaning rod, plus an extra magazine I ordered with it. This gun was made in 1988, only a few short years older than I.

I just can't wait to shoot it. UPS should have an ammo shipment in tomorrow, 250 rounds of Tulammo 9x18mms. I also experimented with my Sticky holster and this actually conceals pretty well. If it proves reliable, I may very well carry this, at least sometimes. It feels great in my hand, and I hear they are very reliable. The stopping power and capacity might not be the greatest, but I think it'll do just fine.

Thanks so much everyone, I'll keep you posted on how it shoots. Take care! :D
 
Just got back from the range gents:

150 rounds. ZERO (0) issues of any kind, shape or form. Oh, and it is SUCH a SWEET shooter!! My God! I just... I just love it!! :D

I just got off the phone with J&G Sales. I asked if they had more magazines for sale, but they didn't. I'm going to have to get some more mags and a 1000 rounds case of 9x18mm ammo, because this gun is just TOO GOOD.

Thanks for the help all!! I am one happy boy right now!!
 
Yes these are accurate, very reliable and not as hard to shoot as LCP or my R9. Unless you can find aftermarket ones from Keep on Shooting? original magazines even in used condition were $30/mag last time I looked. That sucks. I remember them good ole' days when prices were well under $10 per magazine.
 
I'm not a big bottom feeder fan, but the 1911 and PM are two of my favorite pistols.
 
No4Mk1* said:
I don't understand why people pay near the price of a new budget doublestack 9mm for a surplus single stack 9x18.
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Why would you want a current "price point" pistol built, filled with modern manufacturing "features" like MIM, polymer frames and small chintzy plastic parts when you can have a true example of quality materials, old world manufacturing, and a military pedigree?
 
Why would you want a current "price point" pistol built, filled with modern manufacturing "features" like MIM, polymer frames and small chintzy plastic parts when you can have a true example of quality materials, old world manufacturing, and a military pedigree?
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Amen, and pass the ammo can brother ;)
 
.455_Hunter said:
Why would you want a current "price point" pistol built, filled with modern manufacturing "features" like MIM, polymer frames and small chintzy plastic parts when you can have a true example of quality materials, old world manufacturing, and a military pedigree?
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^^^^^^This.
 
Not sure if anyone mentioned it yet but felt recoil IMO can be reduced by going to the next size lb up recoil spring (I think it's 19lb but check) and there's a few online trigger job tutorials that are decent.
 
js2013 said:
Not sure if anyone mentioned it yet but felt recoil IMO can be reduced by going to the next size lb up recoil spring (I think it's 19lb but check) and there's a few online trigger job tutorials that are decent.
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I won't do a thing to the gun. It shoots fine and is smooth. I'll spend the money on magazines and ammo. :)
 
Pilot:
Your handgun family reflects mine, except two EGs instead of two Bulgies. My CZ-82's thick grips can be replaced with thinner versions, making the gun's thickness similar to a Makarov. If only the WW2 Sauer 38H were still produced, and in .380...

As for the Polish P-83, it might be that the lack of good bluing gives people the wrong impression?
Americans tend to judge things from a very superficial perspective, and usually rank beauty over quality (or character).

The P-83's original DA trigger is somewhat better than on my Russian .380 and the Bulgy Mak. The 83 has also been 100% reliable and rugged.
 
Ignition Override said:
Pilot:
Your handgun family reflects mine, except two EGs instead of two Bulgies. My CZ-82's thick grips can be replaced with thinner versions, making the gun's thickness similar to a Makarov. If only the WW2 Sauer 38H were still produced, and in .380...

As for the Polish P-83, it might be that the lack of good bluing gives people the wrong impression?
Americans tend to judge things from a very superficial perspective, and usually rank beauty over quality (or character).

The P-83's original DA trigger is somewhat better than on my Russian .380 and the Bulgy Mak. The 83 has also been 100% reliable and rugged.
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I like the Combloc stuff, as they still made guns the old fashioned way. The P-83 is certainly a sleeper, and I prefer it for carry over the PM Mak.
 
I bought mine from AIM about 9 months ago. It came in prestige condition, albeit encapsulated in cosmoline (took an hour with a blow drier to remove cosmoline), but that cosmoline preserves guns unlike anything else.
 
I have two Mak, a Bulgarian and an E. German. I have not shot the EG as it looks as though it has never been shot. My Bulgarian doesn't shoot quite as well as the Russian Mak I used to have. Probably made a mistake getting rid of that one.

Anytime I feel like I want to sell it for something else, something new, something lighter, I end up selling the new gun and return to carrying the good 'ol Mak.

To be honest, when I get into these moods I always come here and read threads such as this. Bottom line, I now no longer wish to get rid of either my Bulgarian or E. German, and I am now looking for a way in which to purchase my Russian Mak back.

Thanks.
 
Ignition Override said:
Pilot:
Do you prefer the P-83 for "carry" over the Russian because the Polish bluing won't be as tarnished in a humid climate etc?
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The grip will make it little more pleasant to shoot". With inexpensive construction containing spot weldings and stamped sheet metal it is a better "throw away" gun than a Makarov or the P-64.
 
PabloJ: I had forgotten about the different manufacturing.

By the way, BWilhelm, over at Gunboards "Makarov.com" includes very clear, detailed photos and descriptions of the clever Polish design, using the stamped metal.

We know that the P-83 is Not an actual Makarov, but the Gunboards Makarov "Sticky" topic might be illuminating.
 
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Update:

Hey guys! Well I just got done putting the 500th round of 9x18mm ammo through my Bulgy Mak:

20160602_182517.jpg

The results:

ZERO FTF

ZERO FTE

ZERO FAILURES OF ANY KIND

Though 500 rounds is obviously not much, this gun has fired every single round with flawless reliability. I feel as if the double action trigger is smoothing out nicely, and am getting better with the gun. It is an absolute joy to shoot, I can't describe how much I like shooting it. Even after today's 250 rounds, my hand feels fine. The single action trigger is very nice and smooth. Recoil is a push, and isn't bad at all. Just so much fun to shoot!

PS: Don't tell anybody, but I got ANOTHER one. It came in to my LGS today and appears to be just as nice (basically perfect) as my first one. I plan to keep it in the cosmoline, at least for now, for backup and collectors purposes. Also, I've got 5 spare magazines coming and also got "The Official Makarov Pistol Manual" in my mailbox today. This is a translation of the original Soviet manual for the PM. I can't wait to read it!

I LOVE MY BULGY MAK!!! I got dat MAK ATTACK SON!!! :D
 
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