Makarov trigger pull

[Pukindog12]

Today I was in a LGS looking for a Marlin 60 when the owner showed me two Hungarian Makarovs. I have been looking for a second ccw weapon and to state I wasn't tempted would be a lie. The two guns were in great shape, felt good in the hand, and pointed really nice. But then he said I could dry fire them. I did and was seriously considering getting one until I pulled the triggers on the two. DAMN!!! The DA pull felt like 200 lbs. and the SA felt like 50 lbs although is seem to break cleanly.

Is it normal for these Makarovs to have such a formidable trigger pull?

 

[DaBull]

Makarovs have nice triggers. I don't think Hungarians made any true Makarov pistols. They did make pistols chambered in the 9mm Makarov (9x18mm) cartridge. When using the term Makarov, you have to distinguish between the Makarov pistol and other pistols chambered for the 9mm Makarov cartridge. I think the Hungarian pistols chambered in the 9mm Mak are called PA-63s.

 

[antiquus]

Get a hammer spring from Wolff, and a new recoil spring while you are at it. 5 minute job to change both and the trigger gets tamed to a little more than a S&W pull. Maybe $15 for both. Mine was the same way, after I changed the spring and worked it a little, it was well behaved enough to become a carry piece. They stole the design fair and square from Walther.

It's a PA-63, aluminum frame, narrow, light good carry piece. I wouldn't put 500 rounds a month through it, it's not a range workhorse, but it's solid and dependable with minimum care.

 

[Shadow 7D]

First off
The PA-63 IS NOT A MAKAROV
It is a aluminum copy of the Walther PP, slightly beefed up to hand the 9Mak round

It's known to suffer the same fate of all light weight, larger cal guns, it's got heavy springs and a notorious trigger pull.
but Hey, at least it's not a Polish P-64

Mak's (Russian PM and licensed copies) are actually known for decent triggers.

 

[Snowdog]

but Hey, at least it's not a Polish P-64

I admit the double-action on a P64 is downright comical. However, unlike the description of the PA-63's SA pull, the single action on the P-64 is as sweet as its double action is disgusting. I'm quite the fan of the P64's excellent SA trigger. I think of the P64 as a single-action-only auto.

One thing I have noticed with the P64 is that they're difficult to find now. I was set on purchasing another since they're C&R, but everyone seems to be sold out and those on Gunbroker are going for scalper's prices.

 

[Shadow 7D]

I have to say, HANDS DOWN
the single action on the P-64 is THE BEST of all my guns
that includes a SKS that I tinkered with, and that's a VERY nice trigger.
it beats my stock MKIII by a long ways.

Now DA, I thought it was broken, No, I'm serious, I though it was broken, or had the safety on or something, cause it's WAY past 20# on DA

 

[WardenWolf]

First off
The PA-63 IS NOT A MAKAROV
It is a aluminum copy of the Walther PP, slightly beefed up to hand the 9Mak round

It's known to suffer the same fate of all light weight, larger cal guns, it's got heavy springs and a notorious trigger pull.
but Hey, at least it's not a Polish P-64

Mak's (Russian PM and licensed copies) are actually known for decent triggers.

I own all 3, Makarov, PA-63, and P-64. None of them are bad guns. The PA-63 doesn't have a bad trigger. After respringing, mine has a 13-pound double action trigger pull and pleasant recoil. Not bad at all, and it's a completely manageable trigger. The P-64 is my carry gun. The initial double action trigger pull is heavy, around 18 pounds, but it's manageable. The single action trigger pull is very light. The gun shoots well.

 

[Snowdog]

I can see how one would think the P64's DA trigger was broken or binding somewhere. Fortunately, I was aware of the issue before putting the money down as I was told the P64's trigger is actually worse than that of an 1895 Nagant (which is saying a lot).

I've toyed around with the idea of new springs and work to reduce the DA pull. However, since I've been carrying it, I've practiced pulling the hammer on the first shot so much that I might as well continue doing that. I figure it's slower into action this way, but at least my first shot will be as accurate as the next six.

 

[harmon rabb]

You didn't dry fire a makarov -- they have nice triggers -- and the hungarians didn't make makarovs. You dry fired a PA-63, which is hungarian and is chambered in 9x18, also called 9mm makarov.

With a $10 spring swap that takes about 2 minutes to perform, the PA-63's trigger can be fixed. Don't let that scare you. They make nice little budget carry guns.

Pay no more than ~ $220 out the door for that gun, since you can buy surplus ones for about $160-$170 these days. Add in shipping and a FFL free, and $220 is about the max you'll spend to just order one.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Snowdog, I wouldn't respring it, even though I HATE the DA, it's like gorilla, KING KONG crazy hard, but the SA is maybe??? 2 pounds, and if I respring it, what will the SA get to? It's almost scary lite now.

 

[Remllez]

I tend to agree with post 9, at least that's been my experience although not target guns, Maks are nothing like PA's in double action. For the money true Makarov pistols are a great value and can be CC'd easily with proper holsters.

 

[harmon rabb]

I tend to agree with post 9, at least that's been my experience although not target guns, Maks are nothing like PA's in double action. For the money true Makarov pistols are a great value and can be CC'd easily with proper holsters.

Of the 9x18 guns, actually, 3 of the 5 models readily available in the US have decent to good triggers -- the real makarov, the cz-82 (best trigger of the bunch. hell, better DA/SA trigger than most modern DA/SA guns), the p-83 (about the same as the makarov). Only the PA-63 and P-64 have crappy DA triggers, and both of those are fixed with spring swaps.

The P-83's are actually very interesting and nice shooting. It's a shame the triggers have this long piece that swings out in a rearward direction that has a nice way of digging into your side when you try to CC one.

 

[makarovnik]

As other have said, the PA-63 will require a little work and a spring kit to be decent. I just don't like them. Mine was always a jammomatic and the aluminum feed ramp galls easily.

My P64 had even sharper recoil but was accurate and totally reliable. It also has a nasty double action trigger that will improve with different springs and a rubber grip sleeve.

 

[harmon rabb]

Sorry to hear about your PA-63, Makarovnik. Mine has never experienced a failure of any kind. Heck, NONE of my 9x18 pistols (i own 6) have ever had a failure.

 

[Snowdog]

I do believe these 9x18 surplus (or commercial copies such as the IJ-70) pistols are notoriously reliable.

I know this term originated with revolvers, but when I'm carrying my P64, I know I have "six for sure" (well, 6+1 actually).