Forming 9mm into Makarov?

[yhtomit]

There aren't as many guns available for 9mm Makarov as for 9mm Luger, of course, but the Makarov-chambered guns include some very attractive choices. I have tried not to get too interested in them on the basis that fewer types of ammo is better than more, but ... when I browsed the (unexpectedly fascinating) Cartridges of the World the other day, I believe it said that 9mm luger ammo could be easily formed into 9mm Mak ammo.

Does anyone reading this board do this? 9mm brass being so nicely available (and Mak ammo costing a bit more), this sounds too good to be true. If cheap / free / findable 9mm brass can be coaxed into Makarov form, it would make certain gun show offerings even more tempting than they already are - - I'm thinking esp. of the Cz-83

Perhaps I misread the paragraph, and I'm barking up the wrong tree, but I'd appreciate any insight on this.

timothy

 

[ReloaderFred]

It can be done, but trimming a full millimeter from a case that short could prove tiresome and tedious. The shorter the case, the harder it is to trim it, especially if using a power trimmer, like I do. Starline has the proper brass for $115.85 per thousand, which is probably the way I would go, if I were to come into possession of a handgun in that caliber.

When I acquired my first 9x19 handgun in 1964, there was no 9mm ammunition or brass to be had anywhere in my area at the time. I scoured the gunshops for miles around, with no luck. I finally made 9x19 brass by trimming .38 Special brass to the proper length and using my drillpress as a lathe and cutting the extractor groove. After about 25 rounds, I decided it wasn't worth it and after awhile I sold the gun and cobbled up rounds to a friend. I'm sure the youngsters can't imagine a time without 9mm ammo, but it wasn't imported and no one carried it at the time, at least in LA County. And yes, there used to be lots of gunshops in LA County, unlike now.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[The Bushmaster]

Fred...You sure? I would think (and I could be wrong here, but) that the case might get a bit thick removing that much brass. Also isn't the case head smaller on the 9mm Makarov?

 

[ReloaderFred]

Bushmaster,

I've never tried it. I looked up the reference in the 10th edition of Cartridges of the World, and it says you can, just like yhtomit says. I'm assuming someone has done it, though, or they wouldn't have printed it.

I did look up the case dimensions in the Sierra Manual. The Makarov case rim diameter is .392", and the 9x19 case rim diameter is .394". The diameter of 9x19 brass above the extractor groove is .391", and the Mak is .392". It's close enough to probably work, and the Mak brass that I've picked up at the range appeared to have been fired in a generous chamber, so there's probably enough slop in most Mak chambers for it to work. There's also quite a bit of variance in brass thickness between brands of 9x19 brass, enough that some brands would probably work better than others.

I'd still opt for the Starline brass, though. It's a pain to make something like that in any quantity.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[lee n. field]

Does anyone reading this board do this?

I've done it. Size once fired 9x19 brass in the Mak sizing die, then trim to length. You use a shell holder appropriate for the 9x19, of course.

For me it was more to prove to myself that it could be done, if I had to to get ammo for the Mak. It's not particularly difficult (even with my hand powered Trim Pro), and the ammo works just fine.

 

[The Bushmaster]

O K...I'm convinced...Does seem to be a lot of work just to get cases for a mak though...

 

[Shoney]

9 mm Luger brass is simpy trimmed then sized in a 9x18 die. Even though I bought 5000 Starline many years ago, I convert Nickle plated Lugers that I find to 9x18, and loaded as PD rounds, since they are easily distinguised and won't tarnish with long storage.

I also make a 9x18 shot cartridge for the 9x18 from 7.62x25 (30 Tokarev).

 

[jwr_747]

9x19 to 9x18

have done about 200 9mm Luger to 9x18 Mak. if there is a problem,I haven't seen it yet.if you have a FFL,01 or 03,you can find 9x19mm "once fired brass" for under $20.00 per 1000 from Graf's or Midway. I have several hundred pieces of 9x18mm brass,but have several thousand pieces of the 9mm luger stuff.have a jig that is motorized for my Foster "lathe type" case trimmer that takes about 10 sec. to trim a case,really no problem for me. jwr

 

[trickyasafox]

i've done it, and do continue to do so to get mak ammo. I have to run them through more than just the sizing die though. . .i run them through the expander die as well and then trim them down.

it takes forever. it is a pain in the butt, but it works. i do it by hand with a lee case trimmer. i usually do 5-6 while im waiting to do something else.

if you can find it MFS +P is good loading brass for the mak. starline is also obviously good. but its heart wrenching to take brass thats 15 bucks per hundred and accept you'll lose 20% of it cause the guns throw them a country mile away.

 

[FieroCDSP]

I use the Lee case trimmer in a drill press (i have the one without the wood ball handle. Expand the case slightly and then trim, because the Lee trimmer head won't fit in if you dont expand. I haven't seen any problems yet, but make sure you mark them different from regular 9mm.

 

[lee n. field]

I have to run them through more than just the sizing die though. . .i run them through the expander die as well and then trim them down.

Which is why I use once fired brass for this purpose. All I have to do, really, is bell the case slightly.

 

[JDGray]

Its a royal PITA to do, but works. The unfired cartridge, looks like a snake swallowing a bowlingball, but fireforms and looks normal.