B West 380 ACP Russain Import

[TennJed]

Saw a B. West 380 ACP Russian import (I guess it is a Makarov) at a pawn shop today.

Can anyone tell me a little more about these guns.

Are they any good? I know nothing about these guns.

This one was blued (more a deep grey) with probably a 95% finish (really good shape). No papers or boxes. 1 mag. Should be able to get it for $199 OTD. Is this a good price?

 

[PRM]

Back in the mid-90s I worked for a Sheriff's Office. We got a deal on those guns in .380. There were 15 or so bought by different officers including myself. I think we paid something like $115 at that time. I don't know of anyone who had a problem with them. They are basically a .380 version of the Makarov 9mm. In todays market ~ I'd say that is a great price on a dependable firearm.

 

[vellocet]

Long as it interchanges with a regular mak so you can get parts if it breaks it sounds like a good deal, but there are other mak-like imports for similar prices that use the cheaper and more powerful 9x18 round. Good luck.

 

[PabloJ]

I'm getting stainless steel one with same import markings. I hope it will be reliable and accurate pistol. I like 9x17 better ammo can be bought anywhere and Hornaday 'Personal Defense' (90gr @1000fps) ammo was $3 per box less then 9x18ammo (95gr @1000fps). If I wanted 9x18 I would have gone CZ-82 route it's better pistol them PM but stainless is nice bonus and the price of gun was less too.

 

[TennJed]

Thanks guys...I reload for the 380 so that would be the caliber I would perfer

 

[ugaarguy]

(In my best Russian accent) Stupid Americans say Glock is AK-47 of handguns. Nyet, Makarov is real AK-47 of handgun world. Makarov is real Russian pistol. We even chamber in 9mm Browning Short for make more export sales to USA. (Accent off).
You can even use it as a bottle opener - http://www.armoryblog.com/firearms/hand-guns/makarov-beer-bottle-opener/#

 

[Pilot]

I bought a B-West imported Mak when they were around new in 1994. It has a satin nickel finish, and is in .380. These were only imported by B-West in this configuration and not many came into the U.S. as B-West went belly up.

Yes, they are good pistols, and shoot just as well as their 9x18 counterparts. The mags are the SAME, and will hold either round. The gun is the SAME as a 9x18 Makarov except for the barrel diameter.

I still own and shoot the pistol. It is also very accurate.

 

[TennJed]

Pilot (or anyone) where can I find info on how to determin when this one (I got it today!) was made an imported?

I have searched the web and have found lots of info on the Makarov but not a serial number database

Thanks

 

[Pilot]

Jed,

I don't know of a Russian Commercial Makarov serial number data base. That doesn't mean one does not exist, Ive just never seen one.

Start here:

http://www.makarov.com/

Then go here:

http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?46-The-Makarov-Forum


Your pistol was probably produced between 1993 - 1995, as they were only imported a relatively short time before the ban on Russian pistols was enacted.

 

[Onmilo]

Baikal/Izmash Makarov.
They are very decent guns.
Many folks, myself included, would like to see these guns again imported into the U.S. for domestic sales.

 

[mgmorden]

I've got one of these. Overall its a very, very nice gun. The only change I made was to remove the adjustable sight (which "adjusts" itself a little too readily) and add on an aftermarket fixed sight.

Not sure if mine is just an oddball with this problem, but another issue I've had is that the metal is a little sharp on the corners of the trigger guard. After a few firings it causing some pain on my middle finger that's touching the bottom of the guard. No blood or cuts or anything - just a bit uncomfortable.

The gun functions great though and is very accurate.

 

[harmon rabb]

(In my best Russian accent) Stupid Americans say Glock is AK-47 of handguns. Nyet, Makarov is real AK-47 of handgun world. Makarov is real Russian pistol. We even chamber in 9mm Browning Short for make more export sales to USA. (Accent off).
You can even use it as a bottle opener - http://www.armoryblog.com/firearms/hand-guns/makarov-beer-bottle-opener/#

The Mak is one of the all time great pistol designs, no doubt.

 

[MCgunner]

Thanks guys...I reload for the 380 so that would be the caliber I would perfer

You'd like reloading for 9x18. 9x19 brass everywhere at MY range. I just trim 1mm off it, load with a 100 grain cast round nose 9x18 bullet. It's much less PITA to buy Monarch for $9,95 a box, though, considering my P64 chunks brass a country mile and I can never find it.