A little advice on my limited concealed carry options, please.

[Zundfolge]

The Russian commercial Makarovs are every bit as well made as the Bulgarian Maks (especially if they don't have the crappy adjustable sights ... which were slapped on them to meet US import requirements that all handguns imported be "sporting arms"). The East German and post unification (Simson Suhl) Maks are a little nicer, but frankly Maks are all built like tanks and very reliable (well some folk claim the Norinco Model 59s suck, but I have no experience with them).

I miss my Bulgarian ... had a set of Novak low profile sights and African Blackwood grips on it ... sold it years ago to finance another gun but wish I'd have kept it (like most any other gun I've sold in the past).

EDIT
Here's what the slide on my Mak looked like.



On a side note, you should make sure you're not trying to solve a software problem with hardware. Mindset and training are more important than which piece you pack.

 

[makarovnik]

If you can get a steady round of ammo I would get the Mak. I think they are easier to carry and almost as easy to operate as a .38 j-frame.

I have about 1000 rounds through my Mak and not even a hiccup, which surprises me given all the cheap ammo I have ran through it. The 9x18 is almost equal to the .38 special regular pressure rounds.

Nice thing about the .38 special is the excellent +P rounds available. If all you can get is round nose ammo the 9x18 is just as good as the .38.

I carry truncated FMJ in my Mak and they even start to tumble a little beyond 30'. It's still dead nuts on accuracy wise.

 

[googol]

If you're interested in strong opinions backed up by anecdotal evidence, this is the place. Firearms discussion boards aren't always known for closely reasoned arguments. Here's my anecdotal evidence: I put hundreds of rounds through a Taurus M85 Stainless DAO revolver with only one hiccup, caused when I short-stroked the trigger. The thing has a lifetime warranty, it's rated for +P, and it's offered in a lot of configurations.

If you want something like objective analysis, search for reviews of the guns you're considering. The reviews will still end up being the opinion of the author, but at least they'll probably be backed up by some facts.

 

[emilianoksa]

Thanks again.

I looked at the Taurus revolvers yesterday. The cylinders were locked up so I couldn't see if there was any play in them, and was unable to work the trigger.

I must say that cosmetically they were impressive for the price. Surface work was very nice, and the parts seemed to fit together very well.

I even liked the blued 82 with the four inch barrel. It seemed a pretty substantial gun.

But the little 856 in stainless steel had the most appeal. I was reminded of a line from the Scorsese film "Taxi Driver" when the arms seller presents De Niro with a snubbie 38 : "Ain't that a little honey?"

Not a Smith and Wesson or a Ruger of course, but the Taurus fit and finish seemed pretty good, considering what they sell for in the States.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

We bought 4 new Taurus .357 magnum 4" bbl revolvers brand new for company use. After about a month, 0 rounds fired through the gun, the only time being used was worn in a holster for ~9 hours a day, I went to test one of them out as I routinely do. I dry fired the gun for the first time in its life and the trigger went back, and then never came forward again, just laid there flopping around. It had to be sent back.

FWIW YMMV IANAL IDK JM2C ETC

 

[emilianoksa]

What about the other three?

 

[emilianoksa]

Thanks again for all your help.

Decided to buy the Mak today, and ordered a Taurus 82 for home defence.

Risky business buying the Taurus I know, but I just couldn't afford a Smith or Ruger, and a four inch barrelled 38 special is about the most powerful handgun I can get here.

Maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones.