Makarov question

[HIPOWER]

Hi folks. I'm new to Makarovs and have a pretty dumb question. I got a new one the other day, Bulgarian, and have just finished cleaning off the gobs of cosmoline. Anyway, the hammer, when in the forward position, does not contact the slide or rear of the firing pin. When dry-firing it does not seem to contact it either in its downward stroke, but may simply be hitting it and bouncing back quicker than the eye can see.

Is this normal? Thanks for any info.

 

[Illuminate]

Very normal. It is functioning properly.

PS: makarov.com

 

[JohnKSa]

The Makarovs employ a rebounding hammer safety.

Make sure your gun is unloaded (drop the magazine, lock the slide back, check the chamber, drop the slide.)

Now point your gun in a safe direction with the safety in the fire position.

Pull the trigger AND KEEP THE TRIGGER DEPRESSED FULLY. You should now be able to push the hammer forward until it contacts the firing pin/slide. While holding the hammer forward, release the trigger. The hammer should be pushed backward as you release the trigger.

It's a decent alternative to a firing pin safety.

 

[Kevinch]

When dry-firing it does not seem to contact it either in its downward stroke, but may simply be hitting it and bouncing back quicker than the eye can see.

That is exactly what is happening. Don't worry - the Makarov is one pistol that will go BANG! when you pull the trigger on a loaded round every time!

By the way - we're neighbors. I'm out in the eastern suburbs. However, I did travel into town on Sunday night to watch the Browns perform touchdown drills up & down the field.. :banghead:

I should have stayed home instead of going to the game - at least there you can change the channel

 

[Glockster35]

One way to easily check the function is the pencil test.

Simply elevate the muzzle slightly, insert a pencil (eraser first into the barrel) and then point in a safe direction, then dry fire. If the pencil flies, you are getting a good firing pin strike.