lokking at a makarov

The only "real" Makarovs are the Russian and Bulgarian. The Polish and Hungarian P-guns are simply chambered in 9mm Mak - vendors tend to label them as Makarovs to try and cash in on the Mak's reputation. Ditto for the CZ-82/83 (though those have a great rep all of their own). So, it all depends on what you want. If you're looking for an actual Makarov, you're likely to end up with a Bulgie.

Don't forget about the E. German Mak's. They are rergarded as one of the better ones!!

Actual Makarov pistols were produced by East Germany, Bulgaria, China, Russia, and germany(post-war).
All of them are good quality, although some are better than others. You can't go wrong with an East German or Bulgarian Mak.

The Czech CZ-82/83, the Polish P-64, and Hungarian FEG PA-63, while chambered in 9mm MAK, are NOT "Makarovs"

FWIW, the Mak has a reputation for being extremely reliable.

Check out makarov.com. They are no longer active, but the site is still up and has lots of great info(The price guide is way out of date).

After you pick up a Makarov I would suggest getting a CZ-82 (as I did) to have something in the same caliber with double-stack magazines.

I too would recommend a CZ-82.

Whoops - how could I forget the Chinese and German Maks?!

I have two stock Bulgarian Makarovs. Never had to do a thing to them except change out the recoil springs. Old for new. That's all.

There add ons or things you can do to tweak the gun if you want to.

I nerver have. Didn't see a reason to. There are those who have and the result was a better gun now then when they first had it.
http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?46-The-Makarov-Forum

Use the above link and then scroll down through the sticky threads. Much useful info. That includes the case for the Makarov as a CCW or defense gun.

A majority of the available Mak ammo has been tested and the results are in the sticky threads,also.

Considering a PA-63 or P64. There's this.
http://p64.proboards.com/index.cgi

Either of these places has info on these as well.

CZ 82 is a great gun you would not be disappointed.

Both the Mak and CZ82 are great functioning guns. The CZ82 has much better sights and slightly larger grip to handle recoil. CZ is about half the price for same condition (Start around $159).

If your intent is concealed carry then you should just purchase any Makarov and put East German grips on it. That will give you the most slab sided profile and most comfortable configuration possible

The CZ 82, and particulalrly the P-64 for carry, are the "Makarovs" to get. Don't bother w/a real one anymore -- they're just not worth it and were obsolete when they were first issued, especially compared to those others.

The Makarov forum at Gunboards has a sticky thread for the case of the Makarov as a carry piece.

Ammo info on just about all the brands are there as well in a sticky.

If you like to conceal carry, the real Makarov's with a stock set of the thin plastic grips (with the star on the bottom), are absolutely great. They are one of the original single stack CC pistols, and are a perfect size to comfortably carry.
I use to be big on capacity, but now would rather have some comfort and an extra mag! Super reliable, and easy to shoot as well.

The real-deal Makarov pistols (Russian, Bulgarian, East German & Chinese) are some of the most reliable pistols ever made. The others are good as well. Consider that these are all military arms and had to pass field trials be selected for service.

I had a Bulgarian Mak for a while. Darn good little gun. The recoil is a bit snappy, it's sort of heavy and has a limited magazine capacity. I traded it off for something I wanted more at the time.

But I had a few hundred rounds of 9x18 laying around so I got a CZ-82. I like it enough that it's my day to day carry gun now.

I carried a MAK for 30 years, it never mis-fired, never jammed, and it was never a problem. Mine was a .380 though.

Don't bother w/a real one anymore -- they're just not worth it and were obsolete when they were first issued, especially compared to those others.

Click to expand...

Seriously? Did you ever own one?

While the CZ-82 is a fine pistol in 9MM Mak it is heavier and more complex. The reliability, accuracy and simplicity of the "real" Makarov has been well proven. It is no more obsolete than any other single stack, relatively compact pistol. So I guess, single stack .380's like the Beretta M85, Walther PP/PPK and Sig P230/P232 are obsolete too?

I noticed early that talking bad about a real Makarov will get you in trouble here just like talking bad about 1911's.
I absoltely love my E. German Mak, and although I also love Kahr's, I can not see the benefit of an all steel Kahr over a real Mak. I do however like the ease of carry with the polymer Kahr's.

Yeah, I've noticed people can get psycho-defensive about inexpensive Com-Block stuff too.

I have shot, carried, owned, and do own Maks and others and love 'em all. I also think that if the poster wants a real Walther he would've mentioned that. But, IMO, if he wants a fine 9x18 gun at a low price he should buy the CZ 82 for hi-cap, the P-64 for carry (as I have), and the Makarov for a Soviet Cold-War era relic and anchor. Its time as a cheap but useful milsurp has come and gone in comparison.

Ha. Ok, don't respond to the facts, just state hyperbole and conjecture. Very High Road.

I really don't care if its Combloc or not. The FACT is that the PM continues to be accurate, reliable, slim, and concealable. Therefore, it is no more obsolete than any other .380 or 9x18 in its class including the CZ-82, which again is another fine choice. The FACT that they are now commanding much higher prices than the other 9x18 offerings is clear evidence they are sought after for a reason.

Another example of folk defending inexpensive Com-Block stuff they happen to own... I guess the next generation will be defending the P-64 as the best thing ever made that's also basically a copy of a fine German 1930's pistol.

Maks are NOT slim (just LOOK at a P-64 by comparison -- no, just compare the SLIDES!) nor especially concealable as they weigh a ton for what they are, and are only more expensive than the better overall MilSurp guns that are currently flooding the market. If for carry, the P-64 is obviously a superior choice. For home or range, or serious carry, the CZ. The Mak was a questionable main military pistol that was small and cheap enough when THEY flooded the market, to be of interest. And, as you may know, they are not imported anymore and haven't been for a while. Heck, they're not even made. Maybe that, a cult following by nerds (others collect thimbles and they cost more originally), and the Obama gun firesale is why their price has gone up? Nah. Even the company that specialized in parts and accesories for them couldn't keep a WEB-based part-time business open. Its over Johnny -- its OVER! And they'll fade into obscurity, a footnote to the fall of the Soviet Empire, literally.

Again, I'd simply like the buyer to handle these and let us know HIS decision. Why get defensive? I've given my opinion and now I'd like to hear another objective one. Or at least not from the schoolyard geeks who got picked on all their lives and now that they are "grown up" have to stamp their feet behind a screen about their once $89 handguns. Heaven forbid we ever find out what you'd act like if you'd ever paid several HUNDREDS for a pistol...

Had one and trade it on another gun. It was a good Pistol. But I got rid of it after I got some 9 mm Mak mixed up with my 40 cal ammo one day. So I clean up my collection for safety.

No doubt -- Maks are good. But ya gotta tell us, whadid ya get son, whadid ya get!?