I've been a big fan of surplus rifles for a long time (Swedish mauser, SKS, Mosin, etc) and learned a lot at THR about rifles I'd never heard about before. I'm looking for a surplus handgun now. I need something that's relatively inexpensive (not looking to spend more than around $300). Hopefully something that is easy to find ammo for (piles of cheap surplus would be great). It would be just for fun, so shootable condition is a must. Doesn't need to be a tack driver, or a magnum for defense. Anything that falls into that category? Approx. price for gun & ammo?
Military surplus handguns?
- Thread starter Odnar
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"Makarov?"
Bear with me, I don't know anything at all about military handguns (other than the US ones). Are there some countries that the Makarov is more desirable from? How does that affect price? Gunbroker shows them from ~$100-$600. I assume that 9x18 is different from standard US 9mm parabellum? (For lack of a better description)
Bear with me, I don't know anything at all about military handguns (other than the US ones). Are there some countries that the Makarov is more desirable from? How does that affect price? Gunbroker shows them from ~$100-$600. I assume that 9x18 is different from standard US 9mm parabellum? (For lack of a better description)
hrgrisso
Member
Mil Surplus
I recommend that any gun enthusiast who is into Mil. Surplus check out the following stores website.
www.jgsales.com
They are here in Arizona. Because of distance a buddy and I drive up every couple of months for bulk buys. I bought my Enfield and Mosin Nagant there. Ammo cheap, surplus guns cheap etc. Take a look, since they also ship!
I recommend that any gun enthusiast who is into Mil. Surplus check out the following stores website.
www.jgsales.com
They are here in Arizona. Because of distance a buddy and I drive up every couple of months for bulk buys. I bought my Enfield and Mosin Nagant there. Ammo cheap, surplus guns cheap etc. Take a look, since they also ship!
Prince Yamato
Member
Definately a Makarov (or any 9x18 pistol).
modifiedbrowning
Member
Walther P1.
rellascout
member
CZ 52
nwilliams
Member
+1 on CZ 52! Its a great mil-surp handgun and about as cheap as you can get, roughly $129-$139 where I live. The ammo is readily avalible, from around $15 a box for non-corrosive 50rd boxes, to 800rd corrosive bulk packs for $80.
I also suggest checking out J&G like hrgrisso suggested above, I live just a couple miles away and go there every week, never bought anything over the phone or internet from them because I live so close, but they do a lot of business that way so theyre very easy to deal with.
I also suggest checking out J&G like hrgrisso suggested above, I live just a couple miles away and go there every week, never bought anything over the phone or internet from them because I live so close, but they do a lot of business that way so theyre very easy to deal with.
GigaBuist
Member
East German and Russian pistols have a higher collector value, and from what I gather they're a little better built (aesthetics wise) than the Bulgarian variants. They all go boom, though.
A Bulgarian Makarov (cheap as you're going to find) should run you about $150 at any gunshow.
You are correct, sir. 9mm Parabellum is 9x19mm.
There's really no "surplus" ammo that I know of, but the commercial stuff coming out of Russia (Wolf and Silver Bear) aren't horribly priced. I snagged a case of 1,000 rounds when I got my Makarov for $80 out the door if I remember right. It is a military caliber, after all. They tend to be fairly affordable, and unlike the rifle rounds, it doesn't look like there's any shortages right now.
(GigaBuist goes and fiddles around with the web for a minute.)
Okay, scratch that. Ammoman.com has a case of Wolf 9x18 listed as $179 shipped to your door. I guess the price of THAT went up too. Crikey!
A word of "caution": The PA-63 is sometimes called a "Polish Makarov" when it's not a Makarov. It just shoots the same caliber. Still not a bad pistol, but it's not a Makarov.
With that said, if your budget is $300 then you can get a Bulgarian Makarov AND a CZ-52, which realascout mentioned.
The CZ-52 is perhaps a bit less useful (fragile firing pin and a big 'ole hunk of metal) but it's an interesting piece and can be had for $130-$150 at gun shows around here. It's chambered in 7.62x25mm* and uses a delayed roller-locking blowback mechanism like you'd see in a CETME or H&K G3 rifle. Odd little critter.
*: 7.62 Tokarov and 7.62x25mm, I gather, are different beasts but dimensionally identical and I'm not sure if the CZ-52 can actually handle the "full house" 7.62x25mm rounds intended for sub-guns.
ugaarguy
Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2006
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A Few More
The CZ-82s that are on the market now are good guns as well, chambered in 9x18. There are also some German surplus P1 pistols - post WWII allot framed P-38 - still available. These are in the standard 9x19/9mm Luger/9mm NATO, but will only handle standard loads and not +P. Still they're a light 9x19 is much hotter than any 9x18, which is pretty much an Eastern Bloc copy of the .380 ACP. Staying with German surplus, though a litttle more than the stated price range, there are still P6 pistols out there. These are SIG P225 single stack 9x19 pistols for under $400. Lastly there are the mini 1911 looking Star BM pistols in 9x19 from Spain, available for under $200.
www.aimsurplus.com
www.kyimports.com
The CZ-82s that are on the market now are good guns as well, chambered in 9x18. There are also some German surplus P1 pistols - post WWII allot framed P-38 - still available. These are in the standard 9x19/9mm Luger/9mm NATO, but will only handle standard loads and not +P. Still they're a light 9x19 is much hotter than any 9x18, which is pretty much an Eastern Bloc copy of the .380 ACP. Staying with German surplus, though a litttle more than the stated price range, there are still P6 pistols out there. These are SIG P225 single stack 9x19 pistols for under $400. Lastly there are the mini 1911 looking Star BM pistols in 9x19 from Spain, available for under $200.
www.aimsurplus.com
www.kyimports.com
browningguy
Member
I've got one of the nearly new CZ52's and it is a blast to shoot. $129, cheap surplus ammo currently available.
Odnar, I'm by no means a Makarov expert. Best place to start is www.makarov.com. Yes, certain Makarovs are more desirable than others. Yes, the 9x18 is different than 9mm Para (9x19). Many on this forum own and lover their Maks.
Actually the PA-63 is a Hungarian pistol with a aluminum alloy frame. GigaBuist is thinking of the P-64 which is the Polish pistol. There are also a small number of Polish Radoms in 9mm Makarov but those are pricey.
The Bulgarian Makarovs have dried up at the shows and I have not seen one for less than $225 on a dealers table in six months. The Russian, East German and early Chinese z models are bringing much much more. The Special Edition Arsenal guns made in Bulgaria imported by Miltex are in the mid $400 range right now.
As of late CZ 52 pistols are running around $160 at the shows around Ohio and are a good value for the money.
Another good surplus pistol are the Star B and BM pistol in 9mm. However with the Bs you have to watch the chambering carefully. Many were brought in chambered in 9mm Largo, not real easy to find.
I think the Walther P38 and P1 are also a good value for the current asking prices. Great shooters, though the alloy frames have shorter lives.
Good hunting.
ZeSpectre
Member
Another +1 on the CZ-52. The first time I fired one I knew I had to get one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vz_52_(pistol)
http://www.makarov.com/cz52/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vz_52_(pistol)
http://www.makarov.com/cz52/
Here's a link to the cheaper one: http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7855511 He always has some neat stuff up on there. I actually went to his shop to buy ammo once. Amazing place! Unfortunately, he's doing most of his business online now.
In my opinion the BEST Mil Surp handgun out now is still the Makarov. Amother favorite of mine is the Star Model BM. It is a really nice shooting gun and both of these guns can be acquired for well under 300 smackers each. The MAK ammo is cheap and the BM is a 9mm.
I also have a CZ52 which is a BLAST to shoot (literally) and its is SUPER accurate. I have also been looking at the Zastava Model 70s. Just for curiosity purposes.
I also have a CZ52 which is a BLAST to shoot (literally) and its is SUPER accurate. I have also been looking at the Zastava Model 70s. Just for curiosity purposes.
tinygnat219
Member
Don't forget the lowly little 1895 Nagant Revolver.
El Tejon
Member
Sounds like you need a CZ-52. Aren't you on the southside of Indy? Call Bradis over in Camby. Bob carries a lot of them. Plenty of gun stores in Indy. Call around and see who has them.
Odnar, or hit the Indy 1500 gun show in March. You will find a bunch of surplus pistols and revolvers. I've picked up more than a fewD) surplus pistols at the Indianapolis gun shows over the years.
Odnar, or hit the Indy 1500 gun show in March. You will find a bunch of surplus pistols and revolvers. I've picked up more than a few
D) surplus pistols at the Indianapolis gun shows over the years.
Thanks for all the suggestions, at least I have some ideas to look for that aren't notorious in a bad way.
Tejon: Actually, it's the north side, but Indy's not that big. I'll check it out. Thanks for the heads up, I don't know of anywhere up on this side that sells surplus. Went to the 1500 in January, bought 1000 7.62x39, probably spent more than a Makarov would have cost me!
Tejon: Actually, it's the north side, but Indy's not that big. I'll check it out. Thanks for the heads up, I don't know of anywhere up on this side that sells surplus. Went to the 1500 in January, bought 1000 7.62x39, probably spent more than a Makarov would have cost me!
El Tejon
Member
Indy's not that big? Mmmm, well, Indianapolis is the 12 or 13th largest city in the nation, but it is easy to get around in. Just take 465 South to Camby for Bradis or Southport for Albro's and you should find surplus handguns.
Let your fingers do the walking in the yellow pages, you should be able to scare up a bunch. If not, see you at the show in March.
Let your fingers do the walking in the yellow pages, you should be able to scare up a bunch. If not, see you at the show in March.
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