EG Mak

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Storm

Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2006
Messages
2,358
Location
Georgia
Yesterday I did a little trading culling a few unwanted guns out of my arsenal. I ended up getting almost twice what I had anticipated (I love it when that happens) so after grabbing a SIG522 I had enough left over to pick up some odds and end that included an East German Makarov.

The shop had a number of Makarovs (some in .380), all Russian, except for one. I'm no Makarov expert but when I see "Germany" stamped on a Mak I know that it's East Germany. Thanks to a recent thread here I knew that the East German was most likely the pick of the litter. As I drove home with the top down on my Jeep and the gun laying on the seat next to me I couldn't help but notice the finish on the gun. I was amazed that a COMBLOC gun could have such a great finish, but then again it is German.

This one turns out to be an Ernst Thaelmann of 1964 vintage in 9x18 Mak. While the photo doesn't show it (that streak is from my gun cloth) the gun is in 90%+ condition, probably closer to 95%, conservatively. It came with a holster and extra mag. Unfortunately the number etched in the spare mag doesn't match the gun's serial number. The other mag does. All other serial numbers match.

Overall I'm quite pleased with this acquisition. I paid $300 for it which seemed reasonable. I wasn't up on Makarov prices, but it felt like found money so I didn't feel the need to go onto the Net from my PDA to research pricing. I've never shot 9x18 Mak and look forward to it. A CZ-83 that I once had was in .380 (which seemed pretty pointless to me despite being a very nice gun). I could see a few more Maks in my collection, next time a Russian.

img8375q.jpg
 
That Mak is worthless. You should sell it to me for $150.


J/K. Great find. Collecting Maks is addictive. I have 2 EGs and 1 Bulgarian. I let a Russian slip by on the last gunshow. I went to but that won't happen again.
 
Beautiful Mak PM

I also have a 1962 E. German and a 1963 E. German, and they both are awsome as yours apears to be the same condition. They have the better triggers on them when I have compared them to other makes, although that could be fixed on any make.

Congrats and get a range report next!!
 
I was really surprised by the trigger. The SA is nice, but the DA really surprised me. It reminded me a bit of a SIG DA trigger with the rebounding hammer. Much lighter and smoother than I anticipated.

The fit and finish is another big plus. There's really nothing COMBLOC about this gun other than it's politics. While the photo makes it look lousy it's a very deep glossy blue more on order of a Walther finish approaching the quality of my PP Super. The finger groove grips also surprised me, an not knowing anything about Makarovs at first I thought that they were replacement which I didn't like. Now I can live with them but I really do like the look of the Bakelite grips on other versions.

Yup, I'll get it to the range soon. I'm anticipating something on the order of my Walther PP Super in 9mm Ultra (Police) which I find to be a pleasure to shoot.
 
Last edited:
Put some Pearce rubber grips on it, you will like it even better when it comes to shooting it. Be careful, they are addictive, I have 7 of them in various flavors.

Enjoy.
 
Congratulations Storm on a very good deal on a very nice looking pistol. And docnyt is right - these are addictive little pistols. I picked up a minty EG mak, so minty that I had to get a Bulgarian as a shooter. But both looked lonely without their mama, so I got a Russian. But Russians are way too collectible, so I picked up a Baikal Mak. But that turned out to be unfired, so now I still need to get myself a shooter :D

Actually, it only turns into an addition when it stops being fun, and it never stops being fun...
 
Nice find. The E. German Maks are definitely a step above the rest in fit and finish. You got a pretty good deal too based on prices I've seen lately.
 
Thanks for the comments. I think that I'll go back when I can and put the Biakal on layaway if it's still there. It has the adjustable sights (commercial version?) and is in very nice condition. It's priced the same as the EG at $300. Is that a fair price?
 
I think that you are right, a non-commercial Russian is the way to go. I'll probably pass on the adjustable sighted commercial one. Those sights just don't look right to me.
 
Congrats...you picked a Winner! I love my EG Mak, they are the best of the bunch...
 
Thanks North Bender, I will definitely put some original EG grips on it. Knowing that they are import grips was the excuse that I was looking for:D (updated: just ordered an EG grip)

Hey JDGray, I'm thinking I might also have to haveone with the adjustable sights. That Biakal that I was eyeing might be the one. if it's still there next week....
 
Last edited:
Hey JDGray, I'm thinking I might also have to haveone with the adjustable sights. That Biakal that I was eyeing might be the one. if it's still there next week....
Click to expand...

I dont mind the sights, and it sure is nice to be able to dial in the gun:) Traded an old Rem 58 Sportsman for mine, have an 1100 and didn't need two almost same guns. The shotgun was worth $200-250, so I think I did alright.
 
The East German grips arrived. They are in beautiful condition, but there was one small issue. When they switch to the import grips they must also switch the grip screw. This one wouldn't seat deep enough in the EG grip to catch the threads or inset into the grip. As it turns out there is a steel pressure fitted cup set into the grip that the screws seats onto. What had to be done was to push the cup out from the inside of the grip catching the edge of the cup with a small screwdriver. Once the cup is out it can be ground down, slowly, constantly testing for proper depth. If you just take the cup out completely the screw goes in too far impinging on the magazine. While the screw could probably be trimmed (or replaced with a proper one, but I wasn't into that) but I think that the cup in the grip may offer some support.

Now my Mak looks right. Time to get some extra mags, ammo, and shoot the thing.
 
Yup, I knew I could get another grip screw, but with five minutes of trimming I'm good to go.

As to the old grip, it will just sit on a shelf.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
ATTN Fellow Mak Fans
Replies
4
Views
493
RockyMtnTactical
R
R
  • Locked
East German vs Bulgarian Makarovs
Replies
18
Views
4K
oweno
O
Coyote3855
  • Locked
German Mak, $350. Deal or No Deal?
Replies
11
Views
622
OldMac
O
V
  • Locked
  • Poll
Thinking of customizing my Mak
Replies
15
Views
905
Zundfolge
Zundfolge
R
  • Locked
East German Makarov questions.
Replies
5
Views
905
wojownik
wojownik
Back
Top