There will often be some kind of marking on a PD trade in.
Otherwise, you can ask the store owner or check and see if the shop in question has six of the same make and model, all with generous finish wear and decent bores.
IMO, the Makarov is an excellent deal in a defensive handgun. 9mm Makarov is slightly more powerful than .380 ACP, which is to say that it's slightly underpowered IMO. Not as powerful as a 9x19 but I carry mine loaded with FMJ to make sure that the bullets will penetrate far enough to get to something vital. It does have the advantage of being pretty concealable.
They used to be common for around $150 from several sources but not anymore. Expect to pay at least $200 for a decent one now unless you get lucky. Or you could try posting a classified ad in your area and see what turns up. Someone out there might have one collecting dust that they'd let go for a little less.
Also look around for a CZ-82 also firing 9x18 Makarov. Similar sized gun but with a double stack magazine and a little more common right now.
I've also come across some decent revolver deals. One was a S&W M-36 that I found for $189 used. It wasn't in great shape and needed a couple parts and a change of grips, but after that it was serviceable. Another was a 4" Colt Trooper .38 Special. It was in pretty good shape for $215. I haven't found many good deals on the old Smith & Wesson service sized revolvers that are always recommended though - the guys who find them must be lucky.
SIG P6 at AIM surplus - $259 last I checked and good choice. I had a P-225 in my youth and made the mistake of selling it. No semi-auto I've owned since has measured up in comparison to it.
Last, download CDNN's catalog and see what they have. They're a good place to deal with and often have very good prices on police trade ins, closeouts, discontinued models, etc.
Otherwise, you can ask the store owner or check and see if the shop in question has six of the same make and model, all with generous finish wear and decent bores.
IMO, the Makarov is an excellent deal in a defensive handgun. 9mm Makarov is slightly more powerful than .380 ACP, which is to say that it's slightly underpowered IMO. Not as powerful as a 9x19 but I carry mine loaded with FMJ to make sure that the bullets will penetrate far enough to get to something vital. It does have the advantage of being pretty concealable.
They used to be common for around $150 from several sources but not anymore. Expect to pay at least $200 for a decent one now unless you get lucky. Or you could try posting a classified ad in your area and see what turns up. Someone out there might have one collecting dust that they'd let go for a little less.
Also look around for a CZ-82 also firing 9x18 Makarov. Similar sized gun but with a double stack magazine and a little more common right now.
I've also come across some decent revolver deals. One was a S&W M-36 that I found for $189 used. It wasn't in great shape and needed a couple parts and a change of grips, but after that it was serviceable. Another was a 4" Colt Trooper .38 Special. It was in pretty good shape for $215. I haven't found many good deals on the old Smith & Wesson service sized revolvers that are always recommended though - the guys who find them must be lucky.
SIG P6 at AIM surplus - $259 last I checked and good choice. I had a P-225 in my youth and made the mistake of selling it. No semi-auto I've owned since has measured up in comparison to it.
Last, download CDNN's catalog and see what they have. They're a good place to deal with and often have very good prices on police trade ins, closeouts, discontinued models, etc.
