Makarov? Would you use it for BUG? Carry it off duty?

[orangeninja]

Thanks guys...still deciding. I'm looking into .357 snubs as well.

 

[Coronach]

Pilot-

The sights are less than ideal, period. Some people don't mind them, but a lot of people do. I'm aware that they're military sights on a military gun (much like the small sights on a true milspec 1911), but it doesn't change the fact that, side-by-side with modern sights, they are not ideal.

That said, it is a simple matter to change them out (my Dad did). While that substantially adds to the cost of the gun, it only does so because the gun is so dirt-cheap to begin with. Buy a Mak, change out the sights, and you're still cheaper than almost any quality competition.

Mike

 

[LeonCarr]

Heck Ya

Alduro,

Heck ya I would carry a Mak. You can use the Wolf ammo for cheap practice and I think Cor-Bon still makes JHPs for it.

Another one you might look at is the Polish Radom PP-64s that are coming into the country now. Basically a Polish copy of the Walther PPK, they are also chambered in 9x18. I think a High Roader in Austin has one for sale in the classifieds for $140, which is a great deal. In the metroplex I think militarygunsupply.com in Fort Worth has them for around 150-175.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[orangeninja]

I think I'm gonna visit Military Gun Supply this week.

 

[LynnKCircle]

I carried an EG Mak for years and never felt undergunned. As to the sights, I figured as long as I could consistently hit a piece of typing paper at 15 yards (first round of each mag DA, rest SA), it was good enough for practical purposes.

Some people worry about its penetrating power. I just figured this: the Russians wear a LOT of heavy coats in the winter. One of my teachers spent a year at the University of Moscow. He said the entire university was basically a single building covering blocks. Otherwise there'd just be too much snow for students to get to classes during the winter.

So, the Makarov was used for what, about forty or forty-five years before the Russians went (recently) to a 9x19? It was the standard arm of the KGB, who were not known for their "kinder and gentler" approach to law enforcement. I simply concluded that if it were deadly enough for the KGB, then it would protect me if push came to shove.

(And why don't I carry it any longer? I got a surprise bonus from work a couple of Januarys ago. My wife agreed I could spend it on a really good handgun -- provided I sold some of the ones I had then. I sold the Makarov and a Taurus .22 snubby and bought the best I could afford of what I wanted, a modern 1911 .45. In my case, money ruled out the Thunder Ranch specials and such. So I bought a Kimber CDP and have been very happy with it.)

 

[orangeninja]

I believe the Russians probably used ball ammo though. Which is somthing to consider.

 

[GSMD Fan]

I have a Russian MAK that has performed well for years.
It came with some type of cheesey adjustable sight but it worked.
However, it does have a few sharp edges that was sometime quite uncomfortable.

I purchased a Kahr E9 that has been equally reliable. The Kahr is heavy but compared to a MAK it should not be that different.

The Kahr has 7 rounds of 9x19. It conceals very well in a IWB under a T shirt.
It would be over twice the cost (maybe three times depending on the model you chose).

 

[Johnnybgood]

I carry A Mak

Bulgarian type. I agree the sights leave a lot to be desired, but I can hit center at self defense ranges. I used skate board tape on the front and back handgrips to give better control and it works great. I have been using Bear JHP's but am considering the Glaser round. It is a great working gun and I see no reason to change.

 

[LynnKCircle]

Alduro, you are right about the ball ammo. Moreover, when I first began carrying a mak, maybe ten years ago, my practice ammo was Russian milsurp, washed copper cases, corrosive primers. That stuff was loaded far hotter than any commercial ammo I've used since. It used to sting the crap out of my palm, even when using a Makawrap grip..

 

[Pilot]

Coronach wrote:

"The sights are less than ideal, period. Some people don't mind them, but a lot of people do. I'm aware that they're military sights on a military gun (much like the small sights on a true milspec 1911), but it doesn't change the fact that, side-by-side with modern sights, they are not ideal.

That said, it is a simple matter to change them out (my Dad did). While that substantially adds to the cost of the gun, it only does so because the gun is so dirt-cheap to begin with. Buy a Mak, change out the sights, and you're still cheaper than almost any quality competition."

I would agree wth all of the above. However, I am leaving them as is (personal choice) because I can hit what I aim at with them, but then again I have 20/10 vision and tend to forget that others don't. And yes, I like the three dot sights on my HK P7 better, especially for range work, but in a self defense situation I doubt I'd notice the difference.

 

[yayarx7]

Alduro, last time I was at military gun supply they had bulgy maks for 169 or so. Good deal and good people. I have one I bought in Abilene I will let you shoot if you need any further convincing.

I am @ NAS Fort Worth JRB during the week and some weekends

 

[orangeninja]

I think I'm gonna run by Military Gun Supply and paw a couple of theirs. The MAK has a strong appeal to me, but I am also considering a .38 snub titanium. About to post a poll on it in fact.

 

[vwfool]

I think the Mak would be fine. My dad and I swap carry guns with each other every once in a while, and he just got one. I liked it a lot at the range the other day, and it has nice smoth lines and low, snag-free sights.


M2 Carbine...

Dang you have good taste! I also carry a Kimber Ultra Carry, a Kel-Tec P3AT, and a Bond Arms .357 (haven't got any other barrels yet). Of course I knew you had to be a pretty good person, you are from Texas after all. I'm really just an Okie implant; I lived in Amarillo almost all my life.