A Cold War Beauty: Makarov

[sturmgewehr]

I've always been a fan of Soviet era weapons. When I was a kid it was probably because the Soviets were our enemies and their firearms were mostly unavailable on the U.S. market.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union we've been blessed with a couple of decades of surplus firearms from former Com-Bloc countries.

The Makarov is to Russia what the 1911 is to us here in the U.S. It's one of their most loved service pistols which remains in widespread use even after being replaced by a more modern 9mm Yarygin pistol in military service.

I recently shot a video about my Bulgarian Makarov pistol and wanted to share it with you guys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ_XCZsfrr0

Questions and comments are welcome (including nit-picks on my pronunciation of Makarov )

 

[meanmrmustard]

I've always been a fan of Soviet era weapons. When I was a kid it was probably because the Soviets were our enemies and their firearms were mostly unavailable on the U.S. market.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union we've been blessed with a couple of decades of surplus firearms from former Com-Bloc countries.

The Makarov is to Russia what the 1911 is to us here in the U.S. It's one of their most loved service pistols which remains in widespread use even after being replaced by a more modern 9mm Yarygin pistol in military service.

I recently shot a video about my Bulgarian Makarov pistol and wanted to share it with you guys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ_XCZsfrr0

Questions and comments are welcome (including nit-picks on my pronunciation of Makarov )

I love Maks.

 

[Casefull]

Right on...great gun. Outstanding trigger, very accurate. I wish it had a 9 x19 barrel so I could shoot .355 rounds.

 

[harmon rabb]

Great gun. I own.. Uh.. 5 of them. Simple as hell, dead nuts reliable, easy to conceal... What's not to like?

 

[Dr.Rob]

I'd say the Tokarev is a 1911 and the Mak is a Walther

I do like the Mak's simplicity.

Good review as always.

The East German guns were often imported with stock military sights but ugly 'target' grips. They have a really deep bluing that I think sets the apart in fit and finish. (Should have bought one when they were still under $200)

 

[Kiln]

Never shot a real Makarov myself but have always wanted to. Shot several other 9x18 pistols but haven't had the pleasure of firing a Russian Mak yet.

 

[GratefulGuy1234]

I love my P64 chambered in 9x18 - I've been looking for a decent one for a while now.
Maks are awesome.
Scott

 

[ambidextrous1]

The Mak is really good iron, with great reliability. I wish they weighed less, but the (Russian) one I have isn't for sale.

 

[Weevil]

Had a Bulgarian and currently have a Russian in .380.

Yeah they're a bit heavy but stone-cold reliable and built like a tank. One of those guns you can always count on to go bang when you pull the trigger.



If you have a Russian one with the crappy "target" sight there is a fixed replacement available. Much nicer looking and not as prone to snagging.

https://fs943.infusionsoft.com/cart/store.jsp?view=4&i=21&navicat=75&navisubcat=93&naviprod=21

 

[Robbins290]

Im a huge makarov fan. Extremly accurate. Cant seem to find anymore in my area. Mine was the first pistol i bought