looking at ammo websites and seeing 95gr for both 9x18 and .380 but the 9x19 is 115-147.My question is since the mak bullets have a slightly larger diameter than normal 9mm why are they so light? I still don't fully understand bullet weights.
9x18 bullet weight?
- Thread starter Sobel
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The mak and 380 have shorter cases than 9mm parabellum thus less room for powder so bullets need to seat shallower in case mouth and pistols for those calibers usually smaller, smaller mags, and bullets need to be shorter for less OAL. The slightly larger mak diameter has little effect on the wt of the bullet.
BCRider
Member
Because the Mak round has a much lighter charge of powder than the 9x19 Luger it has to use a lighter bullet to ensure a decent muzzle velocity. The small 1mm difference in case length is far from the whole story. You have to look at the chamber pressures vs bullet weights which result in the sort of desireable muzzle velocities needed.
Also keep in mind that the Makarov is a simply blowback pistol of compact size. Such guns do not handle well when the round has more energy than the 9x18Mak or something like .380ACP.
Also keep in mind that the Makarov is a simply blowback pistol of compact size. Such guns do not handle well when the round has more energy than the 9x18Mak or something like .380ACP.
jonnyc
Member
I've seen Makarov bullets from 90 to 115 grains.
Apple a Day
Member
Think of it as a fat .380. IIRC the original military ammo was 107 grains. Back in the days of cheap Mak ammo right after the USSR collapsed you could get piles of surplus ammo for silly-cheap but it was noticably hotter than what you find nowadays. Ah, those halcyon days when you could get 1k rounds for less than $90. 
Your joking the lgs here makes me pay 25 for 50. I hear everyone talk about how things were like 10 years ago makes me upset my dad wasn't into guns might have actually got to enjoy some of the low prices.Think of it as a fat .380. IIRC the original military ammo was 107 grains. Back in the days of cheap Mak ammo right after the USSR collapsed you could get piles of surplus ammo for silly-cheap but it was noticably hotter than what you find nowadays. Ah, those halcyon days when you could get 1k rounds for less than $90.
Jim Watson
Member
I almost put a Mak barrel in a 1911 when I saw a heavy ball - 109 gr, I recall - load advertised. By the time I had the details worked out, the inventory was gone and I have not seen any more since.
Snowdog
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I actually liked the heavy 120gr Silver bears and its 115gr replacement. They worked wonderfully from the IJ-70 I had at the time. It was fairly accurate and noticably stout (I replaced the recoil spring just for it).
I used up the last of my 115gr in my Cz-82 without any issues. It's a shame they shaved off 21gr on the third revision. However, these 94gr Silverbears are what I use for my P64.
I used up the last of my 115gr in my Cz-82 without any issues. It's a shame they shaved off 21gr on the third revision. However, these 94gr Silverbears are what I use for my P64.
Apple a Day
Member
Sobel, my brother, in the mid/late '90s you could get commie gun calibers for prices that would make you weep today. That was before the Russians discovered marketing so it all came in plain, thin cardboard boxes. All of the Makarov ammo was copper-washed and steel cased. The 7.62x39 was all laquer coated. I remember being irritated that with shipping a thousand rounds came all the way up to $94. There was no such thing as choice but it was cheap.
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How I wish I could live in those times. Funny how as the Russians discover the wonders of capitalism quality decreases and price skyrockets. Nothing could make me happier than having stockpiles of Russian ammo and arms. I long for the day they alter the 922r and allow me my un-altered Russian ak47
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