Bulgarian Makarov
- Thread starter Gary G23
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The_Shootist
Member
Too Bad....
..the only decent self defense ammo you can get for it right now is Hornady. Bit expensive to plink with and I'm squemish about FMJ Wolf ammo as my carry round.
..the only decent self defense ammo you can get for it right now is Hornady. Bit expensive to plink with and I'm squemish about FMJ Wolf ammo as my carry round.
leadcounsel
member
Anyone have a good reliable inexpensive source for Maks, C&R or otherwise?
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
I got mine thru a local dealer - who just happened to have this one in stock (Bulgy import but Russian marking) - 2 or three years ago. Used to see them at every gun show but maybe they are less prolific now.
I'd consider a browse thru http://www.makarov.com/ for some inspiration.
I'd consider a browse thru http://www.makarov.com/ for some inspiration.
kentucky_smith
Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2005
- Messages
- 1,686
I traded mine on a CZ75bd in a moment of weakness. Got $175 for it in trade, which was profit. Went back to gunstore (budsgunshop) and they had it for $300. 
It was listed as a Russian 
Didn't have the heart to tell them about the circle 10 and non-original black grips.
It was listed as a Russian Didn't have the heart to tell them about the circle 10 and non-original black grips. I think people should stop calling the Makarov a 'beater gun' based solely on its price. It's a target pistol to me. It has the thin front sight blade and has comparable accuracy at close range (12 yards) next to my HK USP with its big combat-width front sight.
A rubber grip and an extra strength Wolff recoil spring make my Bulgie a pleasure to shoot.
I regret not stocking up when Barnaul ammo was $90 a case.:banghead:
It has the thin front sight blade and has comparable accuracy at close range (12 yards) next to my HK USP with its big combat-width front sight.A rubber grip and an extra strength Wolff recoil spring make my Bulgie a pleasure to shoot.
I regret not stocking up when Barnaul ammo was $90 a case.:banghead:
I'll second these thoughts. I can always hit a 12 inch square steel plate at 50 yards with my Mak if I'm paying attention. That translates down to a 2 inch square at 25 feet if my triginometry is still working properly, which is less than the distance between two eyeballs. More than enough accuracy for a gun whose weight, caliber and grip make rapid second shots easier (if necessary.)
tracer
Member
ezypikns
Member
It's the only pistol......
that I've never considered trading or selling. Ever.
that I've never considered trading or selling. Ever.
12 Volt Man
Member
I have two. I like them very much. Great fun to shoot.
CajunBass
Member
I've got one that has pretty much become my carry gun. It rides in a Fobus paddle holster and works great with Wolf FMJ ammo. I found by accident one day that the spare magazine fits into a spare sheath I had for a 3" Bucklite folding knife.
I do have some bad news. Mine jammed once. It was that American ammo I was shooting. I should know commie guns like commie ammo.
How could you say a Mak is ugly?
I do have some bad news. Mine jammed once.
It was that American ammo I was shooting. I should know commie guns like commie ammo. How could you say a Mak is ugly?
Northslope Nimrod
Member
Mine is my primay carry weapon. (I let my BHP & CZ RAMI stay nice & clean...I take them out on special occassions)
%100 reliable. Small and slim. Heavy enough to be a joy to shoot.
I put Pearce grips on mine which make it more comfortable to shoot but a little bulkier in the grip. LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!
I have tried to buy two others....but someone beat me to the seller.
%100 reliable. Small and slim. Heavy enough to be a joy to shoot.
I put Pearce grips on mine which make it more comfortable to shoot but a little bulkier in the grip. LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!
I have tried to buy two others....but someone beat me to the seller.
denfoote
Member
Tracer,
Is that nickle or hard chrome and who did the work??
Unless it is a ***RARE*** presentation piece, given to, mostly, the leaders of satellite states, it will not be a factory job!!
Here is my carry Mak: an Arsenal commerical Bulgy.
Is that nickle or hard chrome and who did the work??
Unless it is a ***RARE*** presentation piece, given to, mostly, the leaders of satellite states, it will not be a factory job!!
Here is my carry Mak: an Arsenal commerical Bulgy.
Mortech
Member
I love my Bulgie , always wanted one since I got to shoot one in Germany . I carry mine in the summer with the original red star grips because of their slimness .
M2 Carbine
member
This thread has been going on for a while.
I'm up to 15 Makarovs now.
16 but I gave one to a friend.
I'm up to 15 Makarovs now.
16 but I gave one to a friend.
Any of the Maks are absolutely reliable and surprisingly accurate. The Bulgarian is no exception. I'm really glad I got mine. I wish I could try other makes but everyone I know has the Bulgarian too. They all shoot great. You won't be sorry if you buy one.
tracer
Member
Denfoote- Aftermarket nickel job.I just saw it and bought it,so ,unfortunately,I don't know who did it,or how much it costs.
tracer
tracer
Mr. Tettnanger
Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2004
- Messages
- 232
Good luck finding one!!
My search has ended up dry....used the cash for a Glock 30. I am very pleased, but am still looking for a Blugy. Ammo is getting to be the rare bird also.
Mr. Tettnanger
My search has ended up dry....used the cash for a Glock 30. I am very pleased, but am still looking for a Blugy. Ammo is getting to be the rare bird also.
Mr. Tettnanger
Red Tornado
Member
CajunBass,
Thanks for the jamming story. Now when I'm talking about my Mak's reliability, I can say "Well, I 'HEARD' of one jamming one time, but I didn't see it." Mines still flawless with everything I've put through it. BTW, I'm using mostly Silver Bear 115 gr JHP, but I've tried all the random 9x18 that's cheap when I find it.
RT
Thanks for the jamming story. Now when I'm talking about my Mak's reliability, I can say "Well, I 'HEARD' of one jamming one time, but I didn't see it." Mines still flawless with everything I've put through it. BTW, I'm using mostly Silver Bear 115 gr JHP, but I've tried all the random 9x18 that's cheap when I find it.
RT
M2 Carbine
member
I found this EG Mak at a gun show last week.
I'm not a big fan of shiny chrome pistols but this one was too nice to turn down.
I'm not a big fan of shiny chrome pistols but this one was too nice to turn down.
M2 Carbine
member
Quote,
"Remington ballistics tables (Federal and Winchester are similar) for the standard 115 grain JHP load show a muzzle velocity (MV) of 1155 fps and a muzzle energy (ME) of 341 ft. lbs."
---------------------------------
The 115 grain JHP Makarov bullet is doing 1,000 fps.
The 9mm bullet is .355 dia and the 9x18 bullet is .364 dia.
Both mushroom well.
The 155 fps difference should have some effect but I kind of doubt that a BG will know which one he's been hit with.
The big advantage of the 9mm is the great many bullets types and weights that are available.
There isn't a US factory load, or bullets available for the Mak in the 115 grain range. As far as I know all the US 9x18 defense loads use light bullets at less than max velocity. Hornady, probably one of the best, only uses a 95 grain bullet doing a SLOW 921 fps.
Where as the Russian 95 grain JHP is doing 1033 fps.
I've been hoping for years that the US bullet manufacturers would come out with a 115 grain .364 dia bullet for the Makarov.
"Remington ballistics tables (Federal and Winchester are similar) for the standard 115 grain JHP load show a muzzle velocity (MV) of 1155 fps and a muzzle energy (ME) of 341 ft. lbs."
---------------------------------
The 115 grain JHP Makarov bullet is doing 1,000 fps.
The 9mm bullet is .355 dia and the 9x18 bullet is .364 dia.
Both mushroom well.
The 155 fps difference should have some effect but I kind of doubt that a BG will know which one he's been hit with.
The big advantage of the 9mm is the great many bullets types and weights that are available.
There isn't a US factory load, or bullets available for the Mak in the 115 grain range. As far as I know all the US 9x18 defense loads use light bullets at less than max velocity. Hornady, probably one of the best, only uses a 95 grain bullet doing a SLOW 921 fps.
Where as the Russian 95 grain JHP is doing 1033 fps.
I've been hoping for years that the US bullet manufacturers would come out with a 115 grain .364 dia bullet for the Makarov.
I do carry a Mak, with 9 rounds of the hot Russian 9x18 JHP. I could carry a KelTec P11, with 11 rounds of Speer Gold Dot 9mm Luger. But I am much more accurate with the Makarov at all ranges, and accurate follow up shots are faster too. I do NOT find shooting the P11 to be at all pleasant, and so have a hard time going through a lot of practice rounds, whereas I enjoy shooting the Mak until I run out of ammunition. As a result, I am much more confident that the Mak will do the job if necessary, even if I give up a few foot pounds of energy doing so.
BTW, my experience with Mak reliability also has been outstanding. I have been able to make it fail, when downloading rounds to see how soft a shooter I could make it and still have it cycle. On my guns, with 21# recoil springs, I've found that everything still works down to about 650fps (with a 93g lead bullet), and as you go below that there will be failures to lock open when empty and, eventually, failure to cycle. But with any "normal" ammuntion, dead nuts reliability.
BTW, my experience with Mak reliability also has been outstanding. I have been able to make it fail, when downloading rounds to see how soft a shooter I could make it and still have it cycle. On my guns, with 21# recoil springs, I've found that everything still works down to about 650fps (with a 93g lead bullet), and as you go below that there will be failures to lock open when empty and, eventually, failure to cycle. But with any "normal" ammuntion, dead nuts reliability.
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