9x18 Makarov dying off?

[Deaf Smith]

I'm curious, which countries still issue the Makarov?

Well these countries were known to have adopted them. Not sure if any still use them (bet Cuba and North Korea still do!)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makarov_PM

Afghanistan
Albania
Angola
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bulgaria
Belarus
China:
Cuba
East Germany
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Georgia
Iraq
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lithuania
Macedonia
Malta
Moldova
Mongolia
Mozambique
Nicaragua
North Korea
Poland
Soviet Union
Russia
Syria
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
Uzbekistan

 

[Lj1941]

9x18

I don't think they are dying off. The reason for the bullets being discontinued is the low volume of sales compared to the 38/357,40 S &W,45ACP and 9x19 Luger. They explained that it was only a temporary move to concentrate on the big sellers. I too am affected by shortage in availabilty of 9x18 bullets from Berrys.I may be forced to do something that a lot of people say to not do.I am thinking about trying cast projectiles in my CZ 82. Has any body tryed them in a polygonal barrel?

 

[nathan]

They rather focus on the more saleable items than the 9 mm mak. Once things get back to normal , they will surely get them back into production. Not something to fear about.

BTW , AIMsurplus has the Prvi Partizan in JHP. They have jumped in prices lately but not that bad. Get few boxes of these if you can help it . 9mm Makarov are here to stay in good ole USA.

9mm makarov is still very much in use . Chinese Police use them for their easy concealability . Its a perfect gun for CHL in my opinion if you love the round. But of course i would love to have a Sig 239 in .40SW someday. They cost a lot more though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xM_PiWZN-E

 

[David4516]

Once things get back to normal

Will things get back to normal? I am starting to wonder. I have had difficultly finding ammo and reloading components since 2008. If another Democrat is elected president in 2016, I see things getting worse, not better.

Only thing I can think of that will have any hope of getting things "back to normal" will be if manufactures increase their production capacity. If they have been running their factories 24/7 for years on end now, and still have a backlog, why on earth are they not expanding?

Anyway, back to 9 x 18 Mak, for me it's a carry gun and I want good JHPs for carry. If nobody is going to make them, I am very seriously considering converting my Makarovs to .380 ACP

 

[rondog]

Rogersbetterbullets.com has lead bullets for 9x18 mak, I have a couple bagfuls that I bought a few years ago. AKA Kings shooters supply, in King of Prussia, PA.

 

[David4516]

Acutally I just noticed something. I didn't see the "critical defense" 9x18 on the list, maybe they'll continue to make it? I've not tried it yet, haven't even seen it in stock anyplace, but it could be interesting...

The "critical defense" bullet is the same thing as the FTX right? Wonder if it will become availible to reloaders at some point...

 

[raubvogel]

I myself need to get some bullet moulds and I will be all set

 

[Pyzon]

I've been shooting 9mm Mak for years and I am seeing more ammo available (at shows and online, not a the local store)than ever before.

 

[Prince Yamato]

If someone were to release a pocket pistol in that caliber, we'd be set for years to come. *cough* Magnum Research *cough* ZVI Kevin/Micro Eagle.

 

[David4516]

Have decided to convert my Makarovs to .380 ACP. Just ordered dies, 200 starline cases, and 500 bullets (100gr FMJs). Already have the replacment barrels. Now just need to figure out how to install them. Will probably have a gunsmith do it, I don't want to mess this up...

 

[sixgunner455]

David, you used to be able to buy a barrel press from makarov.com and do it yourself. I never have messed with it, but I have been thinking about it. Unfortunately, that site went down, but there may be a press floating around so you could take care of your changeover.

 

[wally]

Is anyone currently producing 9x18 pistols?

But given the number of 9x18 guns out there, heck you can still buy .30 Nagant, .32 S&W long and .38S&W ammo, and many others long obsolete.

 

[stressed]

If you have a mak in .32 can you just swap a barrel like the .380 and 9x18 Maks?

 

[Deaf Smith]

When a store was going under I got RCBS carbide 9x18 dies CHEAP.

And I have several boxes of Winchester 9x18 ammo (reloading brass!) as well as 400 Hornady XTP 9mm mak slugs.

So I'm good to go if there is ever a shortage of 9x18 ammo.

Deaf

 

[David4516]

sixgunner455,

I remember seeing those too on Makarov.com, really sad that this site is no longer in business.

The local gunsmith says he can change the barrels for about $30 per pistol. I could buy the press myself, or for just a few dollars more just have the whole thing done for me, so I am leaning in that direction.

I will probably only convert one pistol for now, and leave the second one in 9x18. I will then use it to shoot up all my current .363 diameter bullets (have several hundred). When I run out of Mak bullets, it too will be coverted to .380 ACP.

Will probably keep my old barrels, reloading dies, and brass, just in case I ever want to go back to 9x18...

 

[raubvogel]

And me who was thinking on mooching off the barrels and other 9x18 gear you had...

 

[GyMac]

The ammo companies still make .300 Savage ammo (no offense to Savage owners); they'll continue to make 9mm Mak.

 

[Ignition Override]

People always tell other shooters not to worry about availability. My comparison might not yet be realistic, but we can buy plenty of .22LR on line and sometimes in a store such as Academy, which rations it (can't blame them).

The .22LR available to most people (right now) who don't have the correct timing is about 2X or more what the ammo cost before the panic. This is my point. Everything in use will be around somewhere-but for what price?

Checking "gunbot" ammo prices right now leaves me with the impression that even some .380 handguns soon might not be able to compete as well with compact guns in 9mm or UC 9mm Luger, due to ammo prices. The lower prices for 9mm L. ammo have dropped more than the lowest .380.

 

[whatever]

Speaking of makarovs, how much are they going for these days? Lets say a bulgarian mak in decent shape. I'm really jonesing for one but I want to try and find one locally (dfw). They used to be $200. Whats a good deal now?

 

[David4516]

I paid $109.99 plus tax for an East German Makarov at my local Cabelas about 2 years ago. I think it was mis-marked though.

Anyway, I think they're in the $250.00-ish range these days

 

[Pilot]

I paid $109.99 plus tax for an East German Makarov at my local Cabelas about 2 years ago. I think it was mis-marked though.

Anyway, I think they're in the $250.00-ish range these days

East German Maks are going for around $500 now. They are considered the best finished of the Maks. You got a steal!

Bulgarians, and Russian Commercial models are going for around $250.

 

[BSA1]

I wasn't going to take the bait but the temptation is too great for me to refuse.

Will things get back to normal? I am starting to wonder. I have had difficultly finding ammo and reloading components since 2008.

If you have had difficulty finding ammo and reloading components since 2008 then I respectfully suggest you do not know where and how to look. Ammo and reloading supplies have been readily available and at often at sale prices until the end of 2012.

If another Democrat is elected president in 2016, I see things getting worse, not better.

Well you have three years to get ready and lots of Folks on THR that will help you find ammo and reloading supplies.

Only thing I can think of that will have any hope of getting things "back to normal" will be if manufactures increase their production capacity. If they have been running their factories 24/7 for years on end now, and still have a backlog, why on earth are they not expanding?

If you have not figure that out by now you never will. This topic has been well discussed and researched on THR.

Anyway, back to 9 x 18 Mak, for me it's a carry gun and I want good JHPs for carry. If nobody is going to make them, I am very seriously considering converting my Makarovs to .380 ACP

Personal choice FMJ vs. JHP. But before you go getting all worked up about dumping the 9x18 the 380 was the cartridge in most demand in the Banic of 08/09. Hedging your bets by having one in 380 and 9x18 deserves consideration although I would choose one caliber and invest the money in ammo.

 

[el Godfather]

If .25 is still around, you need not to lose sleep over sudden demise of 9x18. That said, I think it will be less common hereon as no mainstream design pistols are made in x18. Baikal, cz etc make them but I would be curious to know about their sales, and I dont really put them in the same league as guns like Glock H&K Sig Sauer etc (not all cz but the x18 model). If Glock starts x18 production, it will prolong x18 life by many many years; and it will be nice to have polymer x18 from Austria.

 

[David4516]

el Godfather,

I shoot .25 ACP as well, and am much less worried about it. Heck they still make some pretty nice pistols in this caliber, like the tip-up-barreled Berettas. The old .25 will be around longer than alot of other calibers/cartridges.

BSA1,

"If you have had difficulty finding ammo and reloading components since 2008 then I respectfully suggest you do not know where and how to look."

I have looked around a fair ammount, in both brick and mortar stores (my small LGS, and bigger places like Cabelas) and online (Midway, Natchez, etc). Supply has been spotty at best for a long while now. But also keep in mind that I tend to shoot alot of "oddballs". I don't have a .223 or a 9x19, I have werid stuff like 9x18, .30-40 Krag, etc. I am thinking that I need to go more "mainstream" in the future...

"Well you have three years to get ready and lots of Folks on THR that will help you find ammo and reloading supplies."

Difficult to get ready with all the other people out there doing the same thing too. This is why I can't find .22LR anywhere. The time to get ready would have been 2007 or before. Now I have to try to "catch up", and on a limited budget too (so even when I can find supplies I can't stock up as much as I'd like to).

"Personal choice FMJ vs. JHP"

I almost always choose JHP. Only real exception to this is with the .25, I carry it with FMJ (although I do have some 35gr hollow points for it just in case I change my mind LOL)

 

[BSA1]

BSA1,

"If you have had difficulty finding ammo and reloading components since 2008 then I respectfully suggest you do not know where and how to look."

I have looked around a fair ammount, in both brick and mortar stores (my small LGS, and bigger places like Cabelas) and online (Midway, Natchez, etc). Supply has been spotty at best for a long while now. But also keep in mind that I tend to shoot alot of "oddballs". I don't have a .223 or a 9x19, I have werid stuff like 9x18, .30-40 Krag, etc. I am thinking that I need to go more "mainstream" in the future...

Hummm...your "oddballs" actually sound a lot like my idea of fun also. As you mention supplies of commercial ammo can be spotty and higher in price which means if you ain't reloading you should be.

"Well you have three years to get ready and lots of Folks on THR that will help you find ammo and reloading supplies."

Difficult to get ready with all the other people out there doing the same thing too. This is why I can't find .22LR anywhere. The time to get ready would have been 2007 or before. Now I have to try to "catch up", and on a limited budget too (so even when I can find supplies I can't stock up as much as I'd like to).

Well I never had any issues buying what I wanted prior to January of this year including 22 LR. In fact all the "banic" did for me was to motive me to stock up on more reloading supplies. I have purchased more guns, powder, bullets, etc. in 2013 than the previous three years at prebanic prices. In fact I have started shooting blackpowder firearms this year and brought all new guns and supplies.

I fail to understand the demand for 22 LR but emotions override any sense of logic just as your emotions have you convinced that 22 LR will remain unavailable for the next three years even though most of the "Banic" buying has ended.

Your situation may well be a local one rather than a widespread national one which is why the Internet is your friend. Believe me I share your pain about a limited budget. The run for firearms has largely ended and stores like Cabela's are running AR's and a variety of guns on sale just in time to boost Christmas sales. Almost all calibers of ammunition is back in stock in retail stores.

"Personal choice FMJ vs. JHP"

I almost always choose JHP. Only real exception to this is with the .25, I carry it with FMJ (although I do have some 35gr hollow points for it just in case I change my mind LOL)

A good friend of mine own the same model of 9x18. He chooses hollowpoints for expansion and I choose FMJ for penetration and reliability. Both of us are comfortable with the reasons for our choices.

Like I said you have a vast resource here on THR and many members will go out of their way to help you track down good deals on ammo and shooting supplies. All you have to do is ask.