Makarov 9x18

[mike_espo]

Hello. My first post here. I am thinking of buying a bulgarian Makarov 9x18. I have been searching the web for information and the best buy (including this one). Is it possible to get it NIB? A local gun store here in the Chicago suburbs says I can get a Bulgarian version for $180. Good deal? Im not sure as I will not be able to see the gun before I buy it.

Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks

 

[halvey]

They can be had cheaper, but after fees and such and NOT seeing before you buy, I'd take a hard look at it.

They can be NIB - although they rarely come with a box.

They are nice, heavy guns produced by slaves in a communist nation.

 

[Trebor]

Go to www.makarov.com for your Mak info.

The Bulgarian maks are currently available at the dealer level for $130 or so. Add in dealer mark up and whatever local fees you have to pay for your street price. The are "unissued" Bulgarian maks available. I don't know if they truly are unissued, but they look virtually new.

It's a great little gun. You'll probably like it.

 

[Shear_stress]

I recommend the Makarov. Simple, sturdy, reliable, rust resistant (chrome-plated barrel). The fixed barrel gives it remarkable accuracy too, though it is limited somewhat by the sights (if they bother you, Makarov.com has aftermarket sights available). One-eighty might be a pretty good deal if that price is out the door.

If one does follow you home, you might consider buying a heavier (19# and up) Wolff recoil spring. Otherwise, recoil is a little of snappy and your brass will bounce off low-flying planes.

 

[mike_espo]

thanks for the replys. I was looking at J&Gsales in AZ. Says there that the Bulgarian Makarovs are $139. However, they require a FFL from a local to ship to.....never bought a gun online before.

 

[antsi]

Mike,
Internet or auction sales are OK; you just have to have a local licensed firearms dealer to broker the sale. Dealer fees tend to run $25-50 depending, plus you have to consider shipping costs. If you can get a nice Bulgarian and have a chance to inspect it before purchasing for $180 that might not be all bad.
Either way you get one, I encourage you to find a Makarov. They have to be the best $-for-$ handgun available.

 

[P95Carry]

Welcome Mike

The Mak IMO has more than enough going for it to consider buying sight unseen - as long as from a reputable dealer who will not try to sell a lemon - but with maks I doubt too many of those.

I would also be surprised if, when you get one - it will fail to please you. very strudy and reliable piece. I paid a bit more for mine than the $140 region one can find - gun shows they are often $149, or were. It was tho effectively NIB (rather tacky style soft cardboard but - it was a box!).

It had an extra pair of grips - the ones I have on now in fact - better for me than the brown ones. Many folks buy and fit Pierce grips. This one is Bulgarian re import but - in fact a Russian - it has the triangle in a circle on left side. As such I did not baulk too much at the #210 or so I paid.



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Here is the marking I referred to --




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[cookekdjr]

Maks are great guns. They are not very powerful, but they are accurate and very reliable. They are also pretty heavy for their size.
However, because they (and their ammo) are so inexpensive, and their accuracy and reliability are so high, they are probably the best handgun you can buy for the money.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I've got a few of them.
Sunday I gave one to a friend, because no gun fan should be without a Makarov.
This will tell you a little something about how tough the gun is.

http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=294814

 

[Tomac]

I bought 2 of J&G's "VG+/Exc" Bulgarian Maks recently when they were $129 and except for a single safety rub mark they appeared completely pristine. I've heard mostly-good and few-bad things about the J&G "VG+/Exc" Maks. All-steel, accurate, rugged, extremely reliable and powerful enough to do the job if you do your part. What's not to like?
Tomac
PS- Be warned, these things *will* breed! I started out w/2 Bulgy Maks (only intended to get 1!) and have added 2 EG Maks and am seriously considering a couple more Bulgies!...

 

[mike_espo]

I think I will go with the J&G. I found a local here that will broker the sale for $38. They charge $20 for shipping and then the piece will cost about $200 total.

The only other was from keepshooting.com where they have 2 mil surp bulgarians for $179 +$10 to ship.

Can't Wait!!.......

 

[Gunnutz13]

I gotta...

East German Makarov made in 1961...cost was $150, last year from a private dealer. The reason I was willing to pay this much was the fact that it was in pristine condition...bore and finish. The price you were quoted is ballpark + his profit markup. Depends on the specimen...check the gunshows

 

[mike_espo]

Wow! From what Ive read online, thats a good deal for an E.German! Wish I could find one. Don't think there is a gunshow in Chicagoland till fall...

 

[denfoote]

P95,
Is that not one of the Makarovs that got the Bulgarian importer in hot water with the ATF, a few years back??

As I recall, .gov said that they violated the Executive Order banning the importation of Soviet/Russian Makarovs!!!

 

[M2 Carbine]

Tomac,

They must be coming from the same supplier.
The last 2 Maks I got from AIM were in the same boxes as yours.
Extra mag, crappy holster, black and brown grips?


Saturday my good friend shot my new Russian .380 and liked it.
He didn't like the sharp kick of the 9x18 115 and 120 grain loads that he's shot in the past.
Sunday I got out a new Bulgarian 9x18 Mak (had 3 new ones) and had him shoot my reduced lead reloads. He said he liked the way it shot (he was shooting very well with it also, the load is accurate).
When he was ready to head home I put the gun back the box and gave it to him.
Told him he has to clean it.

 

[ezypikns]

Buy a Makarov..

and you'll never regret it. It's the cheapest weapon I own, and although not powerful, it may be one of the most accurate. I shoot Wolf ammo from 'Cheaper Than Dirt'. At about 6.00 a box of 50 that's not too bad. FUN to shoot too.

 

[alamo]

East German Makarov made in 1961...cost was $150, last year from a private dealer. The reason I was willing to pay this much was the fact that it was in pristine condition

Willing to pay that much? !! That was a heckuva deal. An EG in that condition would sell for at least $250 today (or even last year when you bought it), if not more.

I paid $170 for my EG about 5-6 years ago which was a bit high at the time but looks like a bargain today.

 

[chunk]

p-64 9x18 is pretty cool,169$

i dont have a eg ,but my p-64 is very accurate(25 yds & under) and cheap