I tied one up on lay-a-way.
Good call. Maks are, like FIVETWOSEVEN says, "the most reliable semi auto you can get".
I've owned 3 of them over the years, a Bulgarian, East German, and Russian commercial version. I still have the first two, sold the Russian to a friend. It had the "flesh eating sight" so it was my least favorite of the 3.
I'm not as crazy about the 9X18 caliber as I used to be though. I had my EG Mak converted to .380 about a year ago. My Bulgie is currently at the gunsmith, also being converted to .380
I sold my 9X18 dies, brass, etc, to my friend who has my old Russian Mak...
My Bulgie was my carry gun for the last 15 years or so, until recently when I switched over to a Glock 43. To be honest I'm tempted to switch back to the Mak. The Glock is smaller, lighter, and shoots a more powerful round. But the Mak is more accurate (in SA mode anyway, not too fond of the DA trigger pull on it) and more robust.
Not long ago my wife borrowed my G43 to shoot in an IDPA BUG match. Somewhere during the course of the match, she broke the plastic rear sights. No idea how this happened
So lets see, Makarov, after daily carry for over a decade, and numerous trips to the range, 100% no issues. Glock, after less than one year, broken plastic parts...