9x18 Makarov: Penetrator or Expander?

[355sigfan]

Coming into this thread with the non-answer of "Forget the Mak, carry a real caliber!" wasn't really all that helpful and somewhat impolite, and bound to be taken as "flamebait" or "trolling".

Now, you can send all us Mak guys each a Sig 239 in .357Sig if you'd like ... I'm sure we'd all gladly carry it instead
END

This is a valid point. I owe an appology to some here. If I could afford to send out a Sig 239 or a GLock 26 I would. I simply want people to make informed decisions. I will wait to a thread discussing the merits of the 9x18 as a defense round next time before posting.
Pat

 

[Gordon]

I'd sure hate to get in the way of the Corbon 9x18 load. Too bad it's discontinued(I bought all that was in the area!) .

 

[Tim Wilson]

Pat writes:

A belt gun should be of a real caliber not a pocket pistol caliber like the 9x18. A belt gun should be at least a 9x19. I don't take Makarovs seriously. They are chambered in a minor caliber, with terrible sights and trigger. They are preaty much everything you don't want in a carry gun.

The sights leave a little to be desired, I'll give you that.

The trigger on my '61 E. German Mak($175) is the equal to that on my $750 Springfield .45.

It is also as accurate.

My Mak has never, ever jammed - can't say the same about my .45

So, aside from the (barely) borderline caliber, if this is what I don't want in a carry gun, what do I want?

Parting shot: Perhaps you'd be willing to take a hit or two, just to demonstrate how in-effective the 9x18 round is?

Tim W.

 

[Keith]

Kieth most 9x18 loads either can expand or they can penetrate most can't do both. If you can find a 9x18 round that can go 12 inches and expand to .65 caliber then let me know

Cor-Bon and Fiochi make 9x18 ammo that exceeds 1100 fps - fired from an actual Mak barrel. 1100 fps WILL expand a hollowpoint and certainly give adequate penetration. You could also choose Glazers or Magsafes and certainly make a mess of an assailant with those kinds of "pre-fragmented" loads.

I don't even own a Mak any more, but I find quibbling about such similar calibers a bit silly. When you get into short barreled guns there really isn't much ballistic difference between something like a 9mm Mak and Luger - or .38/.380 for that matter!
The "paper velocity" of a 9x19 +P of 1300 fps doesn't come out that way when fired from the three inch tube of a concealment gun. It's a mistake to confuse manufacturers claims with reality.

People should choose a gun on reliability. If in doubt about the ballistics (and you should be in doubt about the ballistics of ANY handgun) then train to shoot double taps, Mozambique, etc.

The important feature of a gun is that it go bang every time, even when coated with pocket lint, mud, squirrel droppings - whatever. The Mak does that and so it's a "good gun".

Keith

 

[JERRY]

it was a 3913 ls, weight was 22oz. in a nylon ankle holster with calf strap. easily ran down a few bad guys. held it snuggly in place.

have you ever seen the pant cuffs for ohio troopers? while not bell bottoms, they are more generous than the ankle beaters other depts. issue. im 6'04" 225, but ive seen a few guys smaller than me(osp)carry the glock 9mm on their ankle. not sure of make of gun or holster.

mine was in an uncle mikes nylon ankle rig with velcro fastening strap and a calf support. after years of wearing it, it felt wierd not having it their.

the only time it felt funny with it on, was after 2 weeks of vacation and putting it on for the first few minutes. after that you adjust to it easily.

 

[355sigfan]

Parting shot: Perhaps you'd be willing to take a hit or two, just to demonstrate how in-effective the 9x18 round is?

END

I have used this line before and while its amusing it does prove nothing. You would not want to take a hit from a 22 short I bet but I don't think you would recomend it as a carry caliber. Typical loads form the GLock 26 are still going 1100 fps with 127 grain ranger loads. So there is a considerable difference from the 9x19 and the 9x18.
Pat

 

[David4516]

"why carry a larger gun in a weak caliber when you could have the same thing in 9mm,40sw or 357 sig. "

control. I've shot my Dad's Glock 27 a few times and the darn thing wants to jump right out of your hands. I can empty my Mak in the time it takes to fire 2 or 3 shots from the Glock...

If you could carry a .454 or maybe .50 AE that was the size of a Kel-Tec P32, would you? I sure wouldn't...

Even if 1 9mm Mak round won't have a whole lot of stopping power, I bet 8+1 of them (fired rapidly)will...

 

[355sigfan]

control. I've shot my Dad's Glock 27 a few times and the darn thing wants to jump right out of your hands. I can empty my Mak in the time it takes to fire 2 or 3 shots from the Glock...
END
Control is important and the 27 is peppy. The 26 however kicks about the same as the mak due to the fact the 26 is a locked breach weapon and the mak is a blow back. Try the 9mm.
Pat

 

[jar]

In my outdated and obsolete Makarov that I so foolishly carry in my pocket, even went to the extreme length of wasting additional money on a custom holster to hold it at the right angle for access, I generally use the Corbons. While they were still available I bought up a bunch and will try to use them judiciously.

When not carrying my outdated and obsolete Makarov I carry my anemic, discontinued relic of a Colt Detective Special with nothing more powerful than Gold Dots or my even wimpier SiG 230 with only 380s. My one hope is that when confronted by a hoard of gangbangers with their home boy equiped GLOCKs I will be able to get away while they are doubled over laughing at my foolishness.

 

[sarge48]

The mak works!