Replacement carry for a Makarov

Which new firearm would you suggest to replace my Makarov for CC?

  • Sig P238

    Votes: 6 10.7%

  • Glock 42

    Votes: 5 8.9%

  • Bersa Thunder380

    Votes: 12 21.4%

  • CZ 2075

    Votes: 11 19.6%

  • Bersa BP9CC

    Votes: 4 7.1%

  • Ruger LC9

    Votes: 10 17.9%

  • Sig P938

    Votes: 8 14.3%
  • Total voters
    56
  • Poll closed .
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C

Cactus Jack Arizona

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Jul 25, 2008
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640
Location
Southwest MO
I've carried my Makarov PM for several years now. Every time I'd try something different I'd always run right back to my Mak. I've grown fond of the little 9x18 round and I've never felt under gunned with it.

However, as time goes by I find the sights on the little Makarov a little more difficult to focus on. Clearly new hi-viz sights of some kind are needed. So I have two choices.

First choice, I can pay my gunsmith how ever much money for him to machine the slide so that he could mount the new sights. I don't like that idea for several reasons.

Second choice is simple, just buy a new gun with really good sights. I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to have to buy another firearm. I have three .380ACP models that I'm considering as well as four 9mm models.

Those would be, in random order starting with .380ACP: Sig P238, Glock 42, Bersa Thunder380.

The four 9mm pistols up for consideration are, again in random order: CZ 2075,
Sig P938, Bersa BP9CC, Ruger LC9.

All things being equal, which would you suggest?

I look forward to reading the posts.
 
Well it really comes down to what will work best for you. Have you shot any or all of the pistols you are considering? All of the guns listed are decent pistols, & I would be comfortable with any of them. I did vote for the Bersa .380 as it appears to be the most similar to your Makarov.
 
Another vote for the Bersa Thunder 380. The sights on mine are very easy to pick up on, it's a sweet shooter that has digested everything from crud-covered, decades-old aluminum-cased stuff to just about every bullet profile in modern ammo, and, as noted, it runs the same as your Makarov in action.
 
I think your right on the money with your selection of 380 pistols. I have all of them and all are excellent.

If I had to chose it would be the P238 1st, the G42 2nd and the bersa third, but would be perfectly content with anyone of the three.

The small 9mm pistols take too much of a toll on my 82 year old wrists, elbows and shoulders, so I don't shoot my LC9 or my PM9 much anymore.
 
I voted for the Bersa, but the SIG P232 is one of the best .380s out there. IMHO.

The S&W Shield in 9mm with Tru-glow TFOs would be a great too.

What it comes down to is what you can shoot best with.

If you are going to sell your Mak please PM me. (I know you probably won't sell it, but if you are.)
 
I got one of the later commercial Maks with rear adjustable sight. It's a 380 model. It will feed any ammo you put in it.
We had a Bersa 380 for 8 years and had good luck with it. It's started acting like the springs are weak. I'm taking it to a gun Dr. sometime soon for service.
I second the suggestion for the Sig 232. One of the best 380's out there in my opinion. If you decide on a 9mm, I'd go with the CZ. I like traditional sa/da triggers. The long pull of a dao trigger is hard for me to shoot well.
If you have a range that rents guns, or friends who will let you shoot theirs, I would try a few out.
 
Bersa may be your best choice. Having said that I voted for the CZ. I love those little guys. The problem is that my hand is too big for a three finger grip and the way the magazine sticks out doesn't make it easy to put your little finger anywhere. If your hand fits it is a nice gun.
 
You owe it to yourself to at least look at the Taurus Millennium PT111 G2. Ignore all the internet Taurus naysayers and conduct a due diligence search. I've got one and it's proven to be a QUALITY gun
 
The Sig. That being that it had to be one of those 4. Otherwise get a Kahr PM9 or 40, and XDS or a Shield in 9 or 40.
 
It's not one of the four 9mm's you listed but have you ever considered a Glock 19? I bought a new one two years ago at age 62 and haven't switched the sights yet but eventually I know I'll have to. When that time comes there's a lot of options for me; I'm casually looking at them right now but not in a hurry to get them just yet. At least I've got a lot of stuff to choose from when my G19 sights get too fuzzy. Have you tried an LC9 yet? One of my sisters who is 60 has an LC9 with the factory sights on it and she's happy with it so far.
 
Go on YouTube and search for a guy by the name of Sootch00 (<----zeroes)
He just did a review of the Rami and I believe he has reviewed some of the others as well.
 
I carried a Russian commercial Mak for ~two years as my EDC. My current EDC is a S&W 990 Compact. It's very similar in size to the CZ 2075 that I voted for in your poll. 11 rounds of 9mm in a compact pistol makes a very nice CCW.
 
I carry a Bulgarian Makarov on occasion, and feel well armed. It is a bit heavy but my two main carries are an HK P7, and CZ PCR, neither of which win any weight contests, but they are compact, and good shooters.

If you are OK with .380, then a Beretta 85FS would be a great choice as it is a bit lighter than the Mak. If you want to go 9MM it is hard to beat the S&W Shield with an Apex trigger kit for the money.
 
Hello Lucky, I've shot my friend's 42, P938 and LC9.

I've owned the P238, the 2075 and the Thunder380. I should have kept all of them. You know, hind sight is 20/20.

Thanks for responding.
 
Hello Home, the Bersa Thunder380 is indeed most similar to the Mak. I really should have kept the one I had as it was the Thunder380 Deluxe. :banghead: Like I said to another poster, hind sight is 20/20.

Sorry to tell you, but I currently have no plans to sell any of my beloved Maks. However, if I ever decide to do so I'll place them on here in the selling section first. Just don't get your hopes up.

Thanks for responding.
 
Thanks to everyone who have responded. I will consider many of the suggestions of some of the other pistols. Specifically, I've always loved the looks of the Sig 232. I've never shot one and I don't know anyone who has one. There is a range in the next town over that rents firearms, the only one in the area that I know of. However, they do not offer the 232.

Thanks for all your help. No decisions have been made yet. Any other suggestions still welcomed. :)
 
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