Is This a Good Deal on a Mak? GO/NO GO...

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Rubber_Duck

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My wife likes Soviet guns (she's taken over my WASR-10 and Mosin-Nagants), and shes been wanting a classic Soviet handgun to go with them, so I've been considering getting her a Makarov. She's okay with having a Bulgarian, it's the same as a Russian for all intents and purposes and I've read great things about the Maks in general (accurate and reliable, despite the anemic cartirdge, however it will just be a range toy so that wont be a problem).

This one is for sale locally and looks good to me, but I'm unfamiliar with what a Bulgy Mak should be fetching so can I have your guys' opinions on this one? I'm seeing them for $200 to $450 on GunBroker, so no help there, and it would be much more convenient to buy locally.

http://jasonsguns.com/Display.aspx?id=1623

Thanks.
 
i bought a bulgarian mak back in 1998 for $130. i know that times (and prices) have changed so thats probably a good price range for fair to good condition. it has been a very reliable gun ,only complaint is ammo getting hard to find, about 2 weeks ago i paid $255 for 1000 rounds of fiocchi 9x18
 
That seems a bit on the high side to me. I bought my Baikal IJ-70 Makarov for $240 about 5 months ago, and I saw a Bulgarian Mak in a local gunshop about 5 weeks ago selling for $228. Those magazines though are a fantastic price. I haven't seen any around for less than $30 nowadays.
 
I don't think I'd pay over about $250 for one. You could probably get a Tokarev for less than that if you shop.
 
I don't think I'd pay over about $250 for one.
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Ditto.

I'm aware there are some folks that collect Makarovs and are willing to shell out $300 for a specimen they want, I just don't happen to be one of them. Makarovs are robust and reliable pistols, however, I personally wouldn't pay a penny more than $200 for one (and gone are the days of $200 Makarovs). I'd much rather spend $275 towards something else.
 
I would only pay over $250 for an East German, PRC military, or Soviet military. Any Bulgy or commercial Makarov just isn't worth the premium.
 
The Mak in the link posted by blackrussian is still available, I may get it, I like the adjustable sights on the IJ-70.
 
My wife likes Soviet guns (she's taken over my WASR-10 and Mosin-Nagants), and shes been wanting a classic Soviet handgun to go with them, so I've been considering getting her a Makarov.
Click to expand...
My Wife liked the Makarov and used one for Her carry gun.

At the gun shows any more the Maks are all going for over $300.
I've been buying them since the first East German guns were imported. At that time I said these are $400 guns selling for $100. I suspect it won't be long before $400 for a Mak won't be unusual.

Some time back I did a torture test on a new Bulgarian Mak. The idea was to try and make it malfunction by carrying "normal" difficulties to the extreme.
For instance, I got the loaded gun a little dirty.
Makinmud.gif

I put a little "pocket lint" inside the gun.
Makcoveredwithlint.gif

I left the over greased, loaded gun in the freezer to simulate a 24/7 car gun.
Makfrozen_2.gif

Plus other tests like leaving the gun in water, shooting it "gangster style" and even up side down, "limp wristing", etc.
In a thousand rounds of JHP and JRN ammo there was not one gun caused malfunction.



I like Makarovs.:D
Maksall15.gif
 
The Bulgarian Maks are still a decent deal at the current Aim and J&G prices. I think the Bulgies are the best Maks for the money as they do not have the adjustable sights of the Russian Commercial Maks and display very good quality. The EG's are getting pricey.
 
Yes, a Bulgarian Makarov is just as good as a Russian Mak. However, it's not a Russian Mak. It probably would be better for you to just pick up the Russian Mak, even if you have to extend your search a little longer. She won't be happy until it says Made In Russia. I wasn't. :neener:
 
If you really want a Mak, that's about fair. I think Maks got stupid in price. Up till about 2004, they were at about $150-175 in very good shape. Then, as they dried up, they escalated. Some of the bulgies at shows listed for over $300 - aned no one was buying them. They are a VERY solid gun and likely worth over $200 - every bit in terms of quality. But... you'll have $300 in it with shipping and transfer. To me that is pushing it for what it is. Didn't know AIM had them...

Of course, they are easily equal to a PPK in function and durability - better in reliability, so it is attractive.
 
After some research, I found that the adjustable sights are not as solid as the fixed sights, and as such I have decided to hold out for an original "Circle 10" Bulgy Makarov. Easier to find and cheaper than a Soviet and much cheaper than an EG, so it's about perfect as far as collector value and range toy/safe queen. I also prefer the look of the original red "star" grips over the black ones. Perhaps I need to buy TWO Makarovs, one for me and one for the wife!
 
Bulgy,

Got a Russian a long time ago and had the sight come loose.

Adjusted the sights and loctited them down - no problem since. Also bought replacement screws for it just in case, as well as a non-adjustable sight that goes right in the dovetail and then locks down with a screw. Sounds goofy, but is actually pretty cool. Got that from the old Makarov.com sight, but am sure you can find one with some digging.

Bottom line - love that little pistola! A real shooter. Much more accurate than I ever expected. Never a hiccup either. I would not hesitate on the Russian over the adjustable sight. I just consider it an interesting varuiation of the series. My $.02.
 
Last edited:
Anybody know where to get the red star grips? I have one Bulgie with the red star grips and one with a black grip with thumbshelf that I'd like to get a red star for.

Thanks.
 
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