Makarov or Inexpensive 380?

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Fat Boy

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I am thinking to buy A medium/small frame semi-auto. This gun needs to fit in the back pocket of a pair of blue-jeans, etc.
given that it would be carried as a CCW quite a bit I am looking for something that is durable, functional, and not terribly expensive.

I can buy an ij70 Makarov for $300. I have also read a bit on Bersa guns. While I like Ruger, the size of their LCP is a bit small for my taste

I am looking for recommendations to be considered, rented at the range, etc

Thank you
 
I don't have a Makarov, but I do have a FEG PA-63 in 9x18 Mak. The PA-63 has pretty snappy recoil, bordering on unpleasant. If it breaks, parts can be hard to find, I recently had to replace the extractor and was lucky to find one. I also don't know how long ammo will be available, and most of it is steel-cased Russian stuff.

I also have a Bersa Thunder .380, and it's been a great little pistol for me. I'd recommend one.
 
You aren't talking expensive 380s until you get up to the level of the Sig 232. Now that is an outstanding piece. It's going to run a few hundred more than your Makarov.
 
I don't think a commercial ij70 Makarov would be the best for concealed carry given the larger adjustable sights on them, but maybe a Bulgarian or even a E. German could work. They may still be a bit larger than will fit in a jeans pocket, so if that's an important requirement, you may want to try one and see if it fits before you buy it.

I have had bad experiences with a Bersa with several issues that couldn't be fixed even with multiple trips in for warranty repair, so I can't personally recommend them.

Another option (albeit in 9x18 instead of 9x17) is a Polish Radom P64. Very reliable, and with a new mainspring and recoil spring from Wolf, you can get the trigger down to a reasonable weight and help tame the snappy recoil.
 
A P64 is about twice the weight of a TCP, is physically larger, carries the same amount of ammo, packs about the same punch, and is less pleasant to shoot. The IJ70 carries two more rounds and is even heavier than the P64.

The TCP is a wonderful little gun and feels about like a cell phone in your pocket.

Plus, you can get an all black TCP for $199 with one magazine. $20 for an additional magazine, $13 for a Pachmayr grip, and $15 for an uncle mike's number 2 pocket holster. For under $250 plus ammo you are good to go.

Jim
 
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Also (unless things have radically changed), I think you are overestimating the cost of the IJ70 by around $100. I have one in 9mm Mak and one in .380. Both work flawlessly. All steel gun (which I like). I bought both off of auction sites for about $160 last summer.
 
I have a Bulgarian Makarov and it is a nice shooter, pretty accurate, but I wouldn't quite consider it a concealable pocket carry gun. It's all steel, so it is big and heavy for what it is. It is truly 1950's soviet technology, dead reliable and fairly basic. Although I personally don't quite care for polymer guns, a Ruger LCP, or their new 9mm is what I would recommend for what you want.
 
I do carry the Mak as a CCW once in awhile, and I really like it. It is slim, it is fairly light, and frankly it fits my hand real well. Mine is an East German Mak so it has the tiny little sights, not the best but I can hit with it.
The 9mmMAK round is not the best in the world but it is a step up from .380 in velocity.
So all things considered, there are other platforms out there that are better, but if you want to buy one, do it. Make yourself happy; I did and I enjoy it. Very dependable, accurate enough, and concealable.
 
If you can get a makarov made to arsenal specifications you will have one of the most reliable pistols on the planet. It may not be as handy for CC as some other designs, but in 9mm makarov it will go bang every time you pull the trigger. The 9mm mak round tends to be more powerful than most fmj .380's are when actually chronographed. What I am saying is that if the size and wt of the gun is ok with you thrn the Mak is a good gun for you. As long as imported ammo is allowed you will able to shoot a mak. The supply may vary from time to time. Currently is it loaded in the US by federal as 95 GRAIN FMJ by FEDERAL #AE9MK and is available at about 60 cents a round. I would opt for the russian load when it is again available. It is what the gun was designed to use it will likely be loaded a bit hotter than the american loadings in my opinion.
 
While I like Ruger, the size of their LCP is a bit small for my taste
Click to expand...

I am not sure of their price or availability, but what about Ruger's new LC380? Basically an LC9 chambered in 380.
 
The Pistolet Makarov (PM) is not really a back pocket gun. It is a smallish service pistol designed to be carried in a holster. It is a fine pistol for that and I CCW a Bulgarian Makarov on occasion. Makarov prices have risen and supply is finite. They are no longer being made, and no longer being imported into the U.S. $300 for a Russian Commercial IJ-70 is not outrageous, but I would offer a bit less $200 - $250 would be better.
 
Lots of quality .380 designs out there which would probably serve you better, in the CCW role, than the larger Makarov pistol would. I think mboe794's suggestion of LC380 is a good place to start looking.
 
I have the Bersa Thunder 380, and it has been a stellar shooter. With its aluminum frame, it's lighter than the all-steel Makarovs, but is still very manageable in fire.

The Thunder CC is a little bit smaller and more rounded at the corners, but is still larger than the LCP or Taurus TCP. Either could be a "back-pocket" gun, depending on said pocket.

I second the idea of checking on price and availability of the new LC380 by Ruger. I take it you don't care for the subcompact 9mm guns (LC9, Kel-Tec PF9?) That is understandable; they can be quite rude to spend time firing with.
 
The compact 9mm guns from KAHR, Kel-Tec, and Ruger do not kick much (if any) harder than a Makarov. I had a Makarov for years and liked it, but the sight were rudimentary, and the double/single action trigger pull transition was drastic (double was very heavy, single very light). I think the compact 9mm's make better concealed carry guns.
 
NO to Makarov

Mass-produced, poorly-finished, and just an overall stinker. That's in addition to it being erroneously advertised as a "9mm" pistol.
I bought my wife a Ruger LCP in .380ACP, and I must say I am pleased with it, and it is reasonably-priced.
Keep in mind that a.380 is basically a belly-gun, and cannot be coutned on to make TV-show shots with...it's an up-close and personal defense round. To that end, it is ideal for a purse, or pants pocket. It's nearly invisible. Being a DAO hammerless with a light trigger pull makes it ideal for ladies to carry.
Due to the short barrel and light wieght, it is fairly loud and recoil is snappy but not uncomfortable.
It can be a little picky about what it likes to eat, but a slight polish job on the feed ramp fixed mine...it didn't feed JHP well until after that.
As to accuracy, my wife was shooting 4" groups at 25 feet on the first day--and it was not the first day for her shooting the LCP, it was the first day for her firing ANY pistol.
<$350 anywhere.
 
StevieRayHubcap said:
Mass-produced, poorly-finished, and just an overall stinker. That's in addition to it being erroneously advertised as a "9mm" pistol.
Click to expand...
Well, I have to disagree with your assessment of the Makarov. I have four, and they are all well made solid pistols. The East German Mak is a beautifully finished, and has a very smooth action. My Bulgarian Maks aren't far behind it thought, and my Russian Commercial, with factory Satin Nickel finish is a beautiful pistol.
 
FWIW, I have a Bulgarian Makarov which is my truck gun, and a Radom P64 which I use for pocket carry. Love them both!
 
Stevierayhubcap, that's not quite the way I would start off joining a new forum. There may not be another person on this site that agrees with your makarov comments.
 
Bottomline, a Mak is not really a "pocket gun", heck the duty holster mine came with costs more the gun;)

With all the pocket 9mm and 380's those will fit your pocket. I like the 9x18 but ammo is not cheap anymore. Heck the new XDs 45 and now 9mm are smaller.

I prefer the CZ in 9x18 as the trigger is mo better.

Hard to beat the Ruger LCP, put the extend mag on it if too small.
 
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