Makarov safe to carry with safety off?

[abaddon]

I've heard it said elsewhere on this board that it's safe to carry a Makarov with the safety off and a round chambered.

But when I look at the action and how it works it seems to me that with the safety off all it needs is a blow to the hammer for the gun to fire. Is this true? If so then it wouldn't be safe to carry in this way. Any thoughts?

Jeff

 

[JohnKSa]

It has a rebounding hammer design. The hammer can't go all the way forward to contact the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled all the way to the back.

It's pretty safe in spite of the fact that it lacks a firing pin safety.

I wouldn't have a problem carrying one with the safety off.

 

[JerryM]

When I carry my Mak, I never have the safety on. I am not sure if it can fire if dropped, but I do not concern myself with that.

Go here and ask the question.
http://www.gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=3

I just posted the question at the Mak forum above, so visit it and see if we can get an answer.

Jerry

 

[MrTuffPaws]

If the DA trigger of a makarov is not safety enough, I think you are paranoid.

 

[Teakwood]

THe Makarov hammer will not move fully forward unless the trigger is pulled. "...The hammer face has a second engaging surface for the sear to catch near the bottom of its stroke ... This ensures the pistol will not fire unless the trigger is actually pulled, thus raising the sear."

In other words, it is a lot safer to carry a Mak with the safety off than carry another pistol cocked-and-locked.

 

[abaddon]

Okay, it looks safe to me. I just hadn't realized that there was an internal piece keeping it from firing. I just unloaded it and pushed on the hammer. It wasn't moving. I probably should have tried that before I asked.

PS: MrTuffPaws - if you had actually read my post before replying you would have seen that I was concerned with the hammer being struck - not with the DA trigger being pulled.

 

[AZ Jeff]

The Makarov has a rebounding hammer, as noted by others. Once the hammer has rebounded to the "rest" position, it is held there (and prevented from moving forward again) by the sear.

Thus, there is always hammer pressure resting against the sear when the pistol is uncocked.

In order for the hammer to reach the firing pin from this state, the sear would have to be broken. Just how much force this would take on the rear of the hammer is not known, but I would suspect it's pretty high.............

 

[MrTuffPaws]

PS: MrTuffPaws - if you had actually read my post before replying you would have seen that I was concerned with the hammer being struck - not with the DA trigger being pulled.

True

 

[JerryM]

Here is one response I got on Makarov.com.

"The California drop test is 3 test handguns dropped in 6 different orientations, from a height of 39.8 inches, onto a concrete block, with the safety off, without firing a primed round in the chamber. One of the 6 positions is dropping on an exposed hammer.

Bulgarian Maks were submitted by Century Arms for approval and passed the test. Granted, these test guns were probably the best condition Century could find, and Russian and EG Maks were not tested, but I would have no fear about discharges from a dropped Mak of any origin. (Scratching and dinging, however, are another story entirely).

Hope this helps you."

Jerry

 

[Zip06]

I've had Makarovs for about five years and have carried them quite a bit. I have always carried them with one in the chamber and safety off. Never had a problem. Never heard of anyone having a problem carrying the Mak like that.

You might want to go to the Makarov Forum at www.gunboards.com and ask for more info.

 

[tech]

I carry mine daily with one in the pipe and the safety off. Never had a problem but have yet to drop it(sure to soon though now that I posted this).

Mike

 

[Gunnutz13]

My Mak Carry Option

I always carry my Makarov Condition One...or else why carry!? It's gotta have one in the pipe with the safety off to be viable in a self defense situation...period ! 9x18...oh yea !

 

[abaddon]

Thanks all,

I have seen the info Jerry gave, but somehow missed the part about dropping it on the hammer. Thanks for all the information.

Gunnutz13: fyi - condition one is safety on, hammer cocked. You can't do that with a Makarov because the safety is also a decocker. But I know what you meant, that's how I've been carrying it.

 

[Gunnutz13]

oops...

Yer right...my bad. Slipped into SA 1911a1 mode there...

 

[abaddon]

Actually, I made the same mistake on this post

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=95650&highlight=makarov

No worries.