East German Makarov questions.

[RX-178]

Just received, and completed the transfer for an East German Makarov pistol. There's a few things about it that seem different, and I was wondering if any experts here could tell me about it.

1: The firing pin rattles slightly if I shake the weapon back and forth in my hand. I disassembled the slide and slid the firing pin out. It seems pretty loose, but leaves a good dent in the snap cap I tried it with. I'm guessing that the original firing pin was replaced by one from a non East-German Makarov, and has a loose fit as a result.

2: The trigger is very different from the Russian Makarov my friend has. On his Makarov, the trigger take-up starts at the most forward position of the trigger, and the trigger actually breaks really early, in my opinion. To me, it feels like it breaks halfway through the pull.

On this German Makarov, there's a good few millimeters of completely dead, squishy slack on the front of this trigger, but then when it's pulled, the trigger breaks all the way at the back, near the frame. I actually very much prefer it this trigger pull over the Russian Mak trigger pull, but I was wondering if it was something common to East German Maks.

 

[MikeJackmin]

My EG Mak rattles too. It saw very little use before I got it, I'd be surprised if any parts were replaced.

 

[usp9]

The pin is free floating and does rattle. The trigger sounds like mine, but without the squish. Mine was pretty tight from start to finish.

 

[Trebor]

The firing pin is supposed to rattle. If it doesn't move loosely in the slide it could be stuck or gummed up with old lube. That can be dangerous as a stuck firing pin can cause the pistol to fire when the slide is closed.

 

[bdb benzino]

I am carrying my E. German Makarov right now, and do on occasions from time to time. I absolutely love mine and beleive that they are great weapons. Good luck!!

 

[wojownik]

As others noted, free floating rattling firing pin is normal.

My EG Mak has a tight trigger pull that also breaks far into the pull. My Russian Mak has a tight trigger pull that breaks early. By Bulgarian Mak has a rougher trigger pull that breaks more at the mid point. FWIW....