Makarov. Just basic questions-have no handgun tng.

[Ignition Override]

I'm fairly new to guns and have several carbine rifles.Have only tried handguns a few times.
What makes the Makarov handguns attractive, other than the compact size and what appears to be low-cost ammo?
Do they have good safeties and high-cap. magazines etc?

Might consider one in the distant future, if not a typical 9mm Parabellum or Kurz (380 ACP).

 

[RON in PA]

Makarovs were very attractive when they first came into this country because they were inexpensive to purchase, but also very reliable and well made. They are also easy to conceal. They are not as available anymore, the supply seems to have dried-up and they are more expensive. The same goes for the ammo. I think you are about ten years late as far as easy obtainablity and low cost.

My advice would be to get a pistol chambered in 9mm Luger. Vast selection and 9mm Luger is relatively cheap and easily obtainable.

 

[alaskanativeson]

Makarovs are simple, extremely reliable guns. Their design keeps cost low but it's almost foolproof to operate. They're kind of the defensive pistol equivalent to the AK-47. Nothing too fancy, just bank vault reliability regardless of the conditions.

 

[Pilot]

Ammo is still relatively inexpensive and plentiful. New ammo is being made and imported by Wolf, Brown Bear, Silver Bear, etc. A Bulgarian Mak can still be found for around $200 and they are stellar examples of the breed. Its still one of the best values out there, and a great choice for plinking or self defense. Its a safe, reliable and accurate pistol.

 

[ulflyer]

Mak

I have several, both Bul and Ger. Like the Bul just as well
as the Ger which is reputed to be a bit "finer" made. However, I paid at least $200 for the Bul a couple years ago. In my neck of the woods they go for close to $300, maybe $275. Ger's $75 to 100 more. I'm talking about very nice ones; you mite come across one thats more used and a bit cheaper. The simplicity of these things is incredible. They can be completely dismantled in minutes.

 

[MRIman]

I've got 4 Makarov's,and always "shopping" for more.
They are hard to find now for cheap,but they are out thier.
You might want to look at a CZ-82. Double stack 9x18,(12+1)
that is built very well,and should last a life time.

 

[krs]

I don't think that the pricing for Makarovs is high today. They haven't gone up in price the way some collectible guns have and I'd bet that if someone sat down and figured today's worth of the $90. a Makarov might have cost in 1998 it would work out that the guns are still selling for about the same equivelant money.

I have four of the East German versions, supposedly the best of all of them, and I'd have a heck of a time getting $350. for any of them today. I remember buying the first one for $89.95 but I think I gave $150. for the last one.

That ain't exactly investment level return on money.

 

[orchidhunter]

IO, There is a Hi-Cap Mak that is not as reliable as the single stack, due to the bad design of the Hi-Cap mag. The Makarov is one of the few semi-autos I trust. orchidhunter

 

[krs]

x1 on orchidhunter, stay away from any of those Makarov with double stack mags. That gun can not be made reliable. It was an early Russian effort to make out in our market. They redesigned the good pistols to hold the ammo that they perceived us to want. The thing was a nightmare and if someone offers you one walk the other way.

 

[mainmech48]

I'd second the CZ82/83 if you absolutely 'need' high capacity in a 9x18 pistol. The surplus Czech M82's are a very good value if you act relatively quickly. The supplies are drying up and demand is getting stronger with the approach of the new administration.

The Makarov's price when they first began to come over here made them the bargain for those who wanted or needed a durable, reliable, basic multipurpose CF semiauto pistol. For the same kind of money, you got a compact design with proven reliability, rugged construction of decent quality materials and chambered for a caliber that had at least marginal credibility for HD/SD use rather than a .22RF/.25 ACP Zamac paperweight.

They are still a very practical and viable option for the person on a tight budget, although the price advantage they once held has eroded somewhat and the dirt-cheap generic/surplus ball ammo has pretty much disappeared.

To get similar size, quality of manufacture and condition in a 9x19 would still cost about twice the money and you'll pay nearly as much for ammo most places.

 

[moph759fl]

Maybe more Makarovs are on the way. Russian Police are changing their duty weapons from Makarov to the Yarygin 9mm pistol (18 rd mag.). Hope they show up here soon.

 

[RM]

I have an E.G. Mak, and I really like how easy it is to disassemble and reassemble. It is a brilliant, simple design. Certain guns a just FUN to own and shoot, and my Mak fits in that category.

Disassembly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVY4BEpVEwg

 

[RM]

I have an E.G. Mak, and I really like how easy it is to disassemble and reassemble. It is a brilliant, simple design. Certain guns a just FUN to own and shoot, and my Mak fits in that category.

Disassembly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVY4BEpVEwg

 

[RM]

Sorry, my computer seems to be out to lunch.

 

[Ignition Override]

Thanks very much.
Will remember all the advice here and if the decision is made to buy my first handgun, a Mak will probably be at the top of my list.

 

[regal]

I have a mak (russian)and IMO there are much better options for self defense. The blueing on these guns is poor at best, they are heavy, and have little JHP defensive ammo availability. You can get the same fire power in half the gun weight if you look at a modern .380. Many people think the Mak is a 9mm, its ballistics are actually 1/2 the power. They are however nice range guns.

 

[PRM]

You want be disappointed with the Makarov. I owned one in .380 and it functioned flawlessly. Sorry I sold it.

Also go to Gunbroker and check out some of the CZ83s. Double stack .380, 12+1 capability (13 shots). Extremely accurate, high quality, and great trigger pull (one of the best DA pulls on any gun I've shot). Mine has went through every type of ammo I shot through it without even a hiccup. I bought mine from Cole Distributing, European police trade-in, in like new condition. They sent pics of the gun for my approval before I purchased it. My FFL had it the day after the got my money order. $230 + $30 shipping.

www.coledistributing.com

 

[ultradoc]

No trouble with my E.G. Mak. since I got it about 15 years ago. Nice gun,easy to assemble/disassemble/clean and ammo is available about everywhere

 

[PcolaDawg]

My sister got a Makarov for Christmas. Didn't know anything about them at the time. Since then I've fired hers a number of times and I absolutely love the gun.

Feels solid as a rock. It's light. It's thin. It's accurate and it just feels good when you hold it.

It may end up being my next handgun purchase.

 

[7Star]

My Mak is still my favorite purchase...however..most of my buddies thought it was an "odd" purchase. Somethings just appeal to different people. I really only like the Bulgy. Shoots as well as the german in my opinion but I prefer the silverish blue as opposed to the black I see with some of the german versions. The only issue for me is the ammo...while the 9x18 in theory to me is a nicer round than the 380 and can be had cheap if bought in bulk and maybe more colelctible also...I do wish I had the option of some of the newer +P 380 self defense JHP rounds. That steel pistol could shoot any ammo all day long. I might consider getting another in 380 if I can find it...but for me..it's my car gun lately

 

[slzy]

i don't know it for a fact,but the hi-cap mags may have worked just fine in their 12 round as designed,instead of the clinton imposed 10 rounds,which plugged the 12 to 10.

 

[Troy308]

Have a P-64, CZ-82, and commercial Russian Mak. I like the CZ-82 the best for trigger pull, ergonomics, and mag capacity but the mak is smaller, and slimmer and I like it better for CCW.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

The Mak is a great little pistol. My East German had a very nice blued finish. I replaced the plastic grips with rubber ones from Brownell's which inproved the handling. It shot great but the trigger on my Cz82 is so much smoother. I buy Brown Bear hollow point ammo from a local gun shop for $9.98+tx per 50rnds. Also a Mak has the option of converting to .380acp by simply swapping the barrel.