Makarov or CZ-52?

[Dionysusigma]

I recently began another poll in the Rifle forum http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65457 which has been edited accordingly for a hangun forum...

Funds are running low, and while I'd like to get a Beretta eventually, I'll have to settle for something else (read: MUCH cheaper.)

So, AimSurplus's deals on Makarovs and CZ-52s got my attention, and I'd just thought I'd get y'alls opinion on which you'd rather have. Either would just be used for plinking/ target practice/ maybe HD. If the CZ-52, would y'all recommend getting replacement grips and/ or a new firing pin? I've no experience with either, and the only actual "pistol" I've ever shot was a Lone Eagle in .308... all other experience is with air pistols.

Thanks in advance!

 

[berettaman]

I vote CZ 52. Every gun nut should have one of these.They are big,heavy,awkward,ugly and loud.

 

[WonderNine]

If you need a home defense pistol, the CZ-52 is going to be way too loud indoors, unless you get yourself a pair of Pro-Ears, which would cost more than the gun anyways. Or of course some earplugs...

People will also mention the overpenetration issue of the 7.62X25mm Tok round, but my biggest concern would be the noise. For home defense with no hearing protection (most likely scenario) I'd prefer the Mak.

Of course a Yugo SKS would be better than both.

As for plinking guns you might have a little more fun with the CZ-52. Ammo prices for the Mak are generally just a LITTLE bit cheaper than for the CZ.

 

[Tropical Z]

Theres a lot of similar "Makarovs" out there but only one CZ-52!

 

[Flying V]

If you can only have one, get the Makarov. The CZ-52 is a great toy, but IMO due to ammo issues and problems with the decocker/safety it isn't well suited for defensive use. The CZ-52 decocker is unreliable and is an accidental discharge waiting to happen.

I just noticed you said you've little experience with pistols. IMO, the Makarov is a far safer choice for a person with little experience, and a better way to gain experience.

 

[steelhead]

I fully agree with Flying V. Go with the Makarov and as funds and experience grows get the CZ52. The CZ will always leave you with a smile on your face but the Mak is more practical and safer to start off with.

Check out Makarov.com for all the parts and accessories for both.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I have a Mak, and while I want a CZ-52, they are just a bit more big and ugly than I like. Maybe if I fired one, the fun of firing it would outweight the ugliness. But I do like my Mak a lot.

 

[Trebor]

The Makarov is a much more practical pistol than the CZ 52. It's reliable, accurate, easy to shoot, conceals well and ammo is cheap. The CZ is a neat mil-surp gun, but is big, hard to conceal, has tremendous muzzle blast and ammo is harder to find. For the range, none of that really matters, but if you actually intend to USE the gun for anything, I'd go with the Mak.

Really, it's twice the pistol of the CZ 52.

 

[SSGAUTEN]

My "firespritzenloudenboomer" CZ52 is just flat FUN to shoot!

 

[wally]

Poll should have two more options:

Both, buy the Mak first.
Both, buy the CZ first.

I'd vote for "Both, buy the Mak first".

--wally.

 

[WonderNine]

Check out Makarov.com for all the parts and accessories for both.

I was just over there earlier tonight. I wasn't real impressed with their prices. $28 aftermarket firing pins??? $15 for the surplus ones??? There's a guy on Ebay selling them for $6.50 and I thought that was alot.....

Really, it's twice the price of the CZ 52.

 

[Justin]

Wondernine- the reason for the high cost of after-market CZ52 firing pins is because the gunsmith who makes them makes them by hand. Harrington is a very good gunsmith/tinkerer who doesn't make slipshod products.

 

[Apple a Day]

I have both. Get the Makarov. It's as reliable as a calendar. Ammo is cheaper and there are more options. It won't shoot through as many houses as a CZ-52.
Both are a lot of fun but if those are your choices I'd go with the Makarov.

 

[P95Carry]

I also have both .. and the rationale has been already pretty well presented.

So .. Mak ......................... first!!

It is way more practical in many ways ... ammo, carryability ... all round toughie.

The CZ-52 rocks .... but it is IMO a ''fun gun'' category .. get one later if you can.

 

[RVSinOK]

My $0.02 is pretty much in line with most of the others. If you are only getting one, get a Mak. The best scenario is getting BOTH, but get the Mak first.

 

[David4516]

"if you actually intend to USE the gun for anything, I'd go with the Mak"

I agree. The Mak is a serious gun, the CZ 52 is a gun thats fun to take to the range every now and then...

The Mak is DA/SA, making it better for carry (if you plan to carry it). You can get 9mm Makarov/9X18 JHP ammo without too much trouble. 7.62X25 Tokarev on the other hand, well you are pretty much limited to FMJ...

 

[denfoote]

If you are gunna use it for home defense, I'd get the Makarov.
I'm told that the 7.62X25 round will penatrate level III soft body armor!! Not the sort of thing you want going through a wall into another room or across the street!!

I have both!!

 

[Trebor]

Just a thought, but if this is going to be your FIRST pistol, you might want to consider a good .22.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I have and like both.

Get both but get the Makarov first. It is more reliable and more durable. It's also better suited to CCW. The Mak is the best value in a defensive handgun, IMHO.

The CZ52 is a lot of fun though. The 7.62x25 would be a good defense round IMO if someone made good JHPs. I'd love to see it loaded with a 90 grain Gold Dot or XTP. As is, it's best suited for defense if you need to penetrate body armor or set your assailant on fire with the muzzleblast.

 

[David4516]

"I'd love to see it loaded with a 90 grain Gold Dot or XTP"

Hornady makes a .308 90 gr XTP. I've never seen factory hornady ammo, but you can reload it...

XTP

 

[mobay151]

CZ52 versus Makarov

I own two CZ52's and love them ,despite a problem with Sellier and Bellot ammo.

I find the gun to be robust ( extremely) very easy to disassemble (Very easy) , reliable to feed and fire, and accurate.

The CZ52 is probably (bar none) the best made, most reliable, most powerful gun, For under $95.00. Now rememeber that last point , FOR UNDER $100.00.

The biggest complaint that people have is that the ammo is hard to get and is too powerful for a self defense round. Both points are valid unless you are willing to look. True, the average gun store will not carry 7.62 X 25 mm ammo, but who here( in this forum) does not know the wonders of online ammo supplies. Ordered online , the ammo is readily available.

On the second point..., Yep! the CZ52 is a fire breathing dragon with it's 7.62 X 25 round that easily throws a 85FMJ slug at speeds of 1400+ FPS!. It is probably only behind the .357, .45, .44mag in terms of FT. LBS of energy and FPS. Basically it's a .30 cal rifle round trapped in a pistol. It wants to get out.

S-o-o-o-o- one needs to be aware of this power ( and the chance for overpenetration) and try to find a solution. My solution is Quality Cartridge in MD. who makes a round using the Hornady XTP 90 gr. bullet. I think this is an adequate self-defense round which will lessen or stop over penetration. With the power of the 7.62 powder charge behind it , the XTP or a JHP round is viable.

The Makarov is more money, and fires a less powerful round that , although not as common as the 9MM Luger, is available. It is smaller , and will carry easier. Reliability ( as with most Communist guns ) should be good.

I prefer the CZ52 because of it's power and load 6 or the XTP rounds and 2 of the FMJ just in case penetration is needed.It is my carry piece.

I also carry it when hunting, as if I had to rely on it for feral dogs, or bear, it would definitely snuff the canines and at least could penetrate a bear better. Before I get flamed, I am not saying it will kill a bear. But for black bear in our area I would prefer the 7.62 XTP or FMJ over a 9mm., as a incentive for them not to eat me.

Basically, after all this I say, if money if REAL tight, and you need a powerful, reliable, accurate weapon and don't want a lesser caliber then buy the XTP ammo and the CZ52.

If you've got the cash, get a Makarov, as it's ammo is easier to get, and it's a good gun.

Despite the widespread belief that only .45, .357's housed in expensive , US, Austrian, Italian pistols the Makarov or CZ52 would protect you if needed. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise . The whole point of this forum is protection. It does'nt always have to be expensive. Jennings notwithstanding!!

 

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Yo Steelhead That is one bad a@@ looking CZ-52!

 

[mobay151]

Forgot to mention, replace FP

Oh yeah!! I did replace the firing pin with a stainless steel one. Cost me $10.00 and was nothing to install.

This is due to the observation that the FP will break if one dry fire's the gun. Not being so dumb as to dry fire any gun, I nonetheless replaced the FP.

Sorry for not mentioning that.

 

[pbhome71]

I vote for Markarov. However, I think you should get them both.

The Markarov is very good and reliable.

The CZ-52 builds like a tank. But very very ugly.

You need to have at least one ugly gun. Mine is a Glock

-Pat

 

[Sean Smith]

The Makarov would probably be a better practical weapon. But the CZ-52 would be more fun.