Makarov vs. Kel-Tec P-11

[CZSteve]

Domzilla

Yes, was factorying in the Pearce grips.
Plan on using the Pearce grips for extended range shooting (maybe) and the Red/star or EG for carry.

Thanks for all the responses. Decided to go ahead and get the Mak to start with. Ordered from SOG for $115.00 (Dec. 16 will be the $115.00 special again, BTW).

Will be picking the gun up from my FFL guy on Monday night. I'm getting one and so is my brother; feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.

Will have to see how the finish is. May leave blue, refinish myself w/ GunKote from Brownells, change sights, ???
Thoughts, Suggestions?

 

[hnm201]

Suggestions

Yes, I have suggestions.

1) Re finish: I don't know what your experience with gun kote is, but I think it sucks. It may be personal preference. Your bulgie is going to arrive encased in cosmoline, or something similar. Search on cosmoline for the best methods for removal. There is a shop here in town that will soak your gun in a sonic bath for $15 that will remove every bit of it with no elbow grease required (which is a reasonable cost for the service if you have two or three cosomline entombed weapons that need to be cleaned and the can all be done at the same time). While the finish on your bulgie may not look super cool at first, after it gets some wear spots from carry-duty it will look really neat. Kinda antiqued and sexy. Don't spend money on finish - just get a tuff cloth from sentry solutions, found here, http://www.sentrysolutions.com/tuf-cloth.html and use it to keep your mak and all of your other firearms wiped down.

If you must refinish, get a good finish. I've had two of my maks moly coated and it was a big mistake. Moly coating doesn't wear very well. I think that the best bargain in refinishing for a carry gun of relative value of a mak is nickle plating by Jack Fuselier. Here is an example, borrowed from Cigarman's post on ktrange.com:

Jack did my P-11, and it's dreamy. Jack's website is http://www.gunsmith.fuselier.com

3) Re other mods: Spend as little money on mods as possible, thereby saving money for ammo, rangetime (the two most important accessories) and holsters. That being said I'd buy a #19 recoil spring from Wolf (available on Makarov.com) and then spring the cost of an additional makarov pistol to have George at Makarov put some real sights on your heater: see http://www.makarov.com/slide/index.html

4) When buying a holster, get one made for the gun. Makarov holster makers are almost uncommon. I think I will next try H.B.E. Leatherworks, http://www.hbeleatherworks.com And he can make Kel-Tec P-11 holsters for you too I also carry a mak in a smart carry occasionally (with or without another gun). Best of luck with your mak. You have chosen wisely.

 

[hnm201]

One other thing to consider, is the belt clip available for the Kel tec, with it you can carry IWB and not need a holster. I have one, and I like mine

Actually, you can do the same thing with a Makarov, using a product called ClipDraw

 

[hnm201]

inexpensive shooting

Makarov 9x18 ammo is cheap and plentiful. I just picked up a case (1K rds) of Barnaul 95gr JHP from Ammoman.com for $119.00 DELIVERED TO MY DOOR

Now what is this about Mak ammo being hard to find? Buy it by the case and save your money. Shoot often and be more practiced and effective with this gun a $500 glock that have to feed more expensive ammo. And by the way, Barnaul JHP pulls double duty as practice and defensive ammo.

Contact Ammoman at http://www.ammoman.com

AMMOMAN.COM d/b/a Discount Distributors MON, TUES, & THURS. FRI. 7am TO 2pm. E.S.T. call 1(856) 753-2500 (Warehouse) all other times call 1(856) 778-7702 (Office). They are in New Jersey.

You can get Mak ammo from half a dozen or more online distributors including makarov.com, jgsales.com, etc. My advice is to stay away from Wolf & Silver Bear & LVE and shoot Sellier-Belloit, Barnaul or that Greek stuff, Olympia I think it is called (it's brass cased like S&B).

 

[Bainx]

And by the way, Barnaul JHP pulls double duty as practice and defensive ammo.

Roger that! I've tried all brands and the Barnaul JHP is about the best going and the price is right.

 

[sadp40]

just a thought

i had a keltec and i am no basher it was very reliable and at contact distance it was a killer. but always a but isnt there? what if a loved one was grabbed and the perp started backing up and the range got touchy? the mak will shine in this scenario you have a small bit of the perps head and maybe some bit of body for a target, he is going to kill your loved one or do awful things to them or both can you tell me that you are gonna make that 15 yd shot with confidence? i know that up to 25 yds i can put all 8 of those hornady xtp's into a neat 1.5 to 2 inch spot anywhere i want. please keep this in mind ccw doesnt just mean saving your own butt. also what about bystanders? i want to know that in a quick dirty situation the mak will be spot on.

 

[lee n. field]

Will have to see how the finish is. May leave blue, refinish myself w/ GunKote from Brownells, change sights, ???
Thoughts, Suggestions?

For the Mak, you should get it refinished in something rust resistant. I really like mine but it does rust easily.

 

[Teakwood]

If you are looking for a re-finish for your Mak, try Mac's Shootin' Irons:
http://www.shootiniron.com/
They do a very nice Moly gunkote and they are familiar with Maks. I had a slide domne on one of mine for about $25