EG Makarov: the bluing is the prime attraction?

[Ignition Override]

Being very familiar with the "Makarov.com" forum at Gunboards, I wanted to read opinions on a different website.
Is it apparent that Bulgy versions would be more popular if they were known to normally have the same looks?

Are EG DA triggers the only operational difference ?
My EG trigger is a tad better than both the Bulgy and commercial Russian.

A shop in the area has an EG with somewhat faded bluing, listed at $350: "Ernst Thalmann", 1962.

 

[Pilot]

The East German Maks are more refined overall in fit, and finish. The triggers are also better, and they just operate more smoothly. They are no more accurate or functional than others, but just a bit better finished.

 

[JR47]

The E. German Makarov that I own is held to a better fit and finish than my Russian IJ-70, or my Bulgarian Makarov. It has a better trigger, and is more accurate, as well.

Then, there's the cachet of being a true Mil-Surp, and not a clone of one. While I'm certain that some Bulgarian Makarovs are Mil-Surps, the vast majority were commercial variants.

 

[bannockburn]

Had a chance for a number of years to play around with my brother's East German Mak and I can likewise attest to it having a high polish blued finish (even comparable to some U.S. made guns), excellent overall build quality, and a very usable trigger.

 

[PabloJ]

Being very familiar with the "Makarov.com" forum at Gunboards, I wanted to read opinions on a different website.
Is it apparent that Bulgy versions would be more popular if they were known to normally have the same looks?

Are EG DA triggers the only operational difference ?
My EG trigger is a tad better than both the Bulgy and commercial Russian.

A shop in the area has an EG with somewhat faded bluing, listed at $350: "Ernst Thalmann", 1962.

The only difference between Bulgarian military one and East German one are slide and frame markings, grip screw and hooded spring tab recess above the magazine plate.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Yeah, my EG Mak outshines the other ones. It's just so nicely made.
The East Germans may have been Commies, but they were still Germans.

 

[Deaf Smith]

I have to admit, I've owned and shot EG and Bulgarian Maks, and shot Russian & Chineese versions, and hands down the EGs have better fit, finish, and triggers. The worst are the Chinese, then Bulgarians better, Russians a bit better, and then the best are East German.

And that is why I kept the EG and sold my Bulgarian.

Deaf

 

[bannockburn]

A Mak collector once told me the reason he thought the East German Maks had a better fit and finish over all the others was that if making Maks was your only job in a Communist run state factory you probably took your time and did it right so as to preserve your job security. Don't know if that's true or not but just about every East German Mak I have seen was very well put together, like someone was taking their time making them.

 

[SC Shooter]

I have a Bulgarian and a Russian, and love both as they are great shooters. I keep looking for an East German, as I alway have heard and read that they are of better quality in both fit and finish.

 

[Deaf Smith]

The Germans had, at that time, a very good work ethnic. Russians and Chinese had the 'we pretend to work and they pretend to pay us' ethnic. Bulgaria was somewhere in between.

Deaf