Makarov in 9mm Luger?

[yhtomit]

It's taken a while for the design to grow on me, but seeing a beautifully finished Makarov (sort of bluish -- those who've seen it I'm sure know the one to which I refer!) here on THR, I have come to like the shape of the Makarov.

However, I'm not actually interested in owning one, because I don't (until I am a bajillionaire, at which point I reserve the option to change my mind) want to own any guns that are in anything but widely available, popular calibers for which I already own a gun or two -- and by that I mean (for autoloaders) 9mm and .45ACP.

Does anyone make a Makarovesque pistol in 9mm? Is there a technical reason why not, if not? Forgive the ignorance, but could a Makarov be converted to fire 9mm Luger ammunition, rather than 9mm Makarov? The size and shape are sweet; I can understand now why so many people carry them for CCW and otherwise extol their virtues. I just don't (myself! personally! YMMV! To each his own! No accounting for matters of taste! No flame intended!) want to own guns that fire funky ammunition.

(And by Makarovesque, I mean partly wrt aeshetics, partly wrt simplicity and reliability -- which I'm basing only on things I've read which tout Makarovs as robust, reliable, accurate, simple, easy to maintain, etc.)

It's a bit like wanting a Saab with a Subaru engine, I suppose, but ... well, I want that, too.

timothy

 

[Jim Watson]

Makarov has a straight blowback action and is not strong enough for 9mm P. Not long enough in magazine or slide stroke, either. Supposedly the Russians built some Makarov derivatives in 9mm P with grooved chamber to retard blowback and a heavy slide with stout spring to slow it down some more. Seems like that would lose what charms you about the gun.
There are some in .380 if you must have a more common calibre, or a 9.2x18 can be rebarrelled.
Frankly, I think they have a nasty kick and would not shoot one enough to care about the ammunition supply, even if I wanted one for a cheap but reliable hideout.

 

[yhtomit]

Thanks, Jim

I hazily recall reading a less concise version of the same answer now that you have refreshed my memory.

Sounds like the Subaru-Saab might be easier to come by then

Thanks!

timothy

 

[max popenker]

Bulgarian "Arsenal" once made their PM copy in 9x19; it had grooved chamber to slow down the slide rcoil somehow, but recoil was so sharp and painful so they quickly withdrew that version from production.
The 9x19 have some 50 to 100% increase in recoil impulse over standard 9x18 Mak ammo, and for that you either need super-strong spring, 50% to 100% heavier slide (think of Hi-Point ) or a locked breech design of a sort...

 

[alamo]

Here's something from Makarov.com's FAQ on it:

http://www.makarov.com/makfaq.html


I see on Baikal's web page that there's a 9mm Parabellum Makarov. Are they available?

According to the director Russian Affairs at former importer B-West, they tested the 9x19 Makarov available from Baikal. The way the 9x19 Makarov works is that the chamber is scored or serrated, the brass gets blown out into those serrations thereby retarding blowback. The result is that the brass is shredded and unusable for reloading, the brass is tossed into low orbit, and the recoil of the gun is horrendous. For liability reasons, B-West refused to import these.

Similarly, reaming the chamber of a .380 ACP pistol by 2 "silly millimeters" is discouraged. Naturally, if you want to shoot only handloads and know what you're doing while working up a load, you can try this. I suggest a good life insurance policy first though

 

[Teakwood]

The Russians made an experimental version of the Makarov in 9x19. It did not work very well. The few prototypes were destroyed. None were imported into the US.

Baikal make a Yarygin Pistol (MP-443 "GRACH" Army Pistol) in 9x19 but it is not a Makarov.