OK,OK I am considering a Makarov.. A few questions..

[Safety First]

1- What Makarov is the best one for the money ??
2- What is the best source to find one? preferably new but if not new what manufacturer would you choose.. I really know very little about the maks,but it seems several people have said the East German ones are the best..So anything you can tell me about a Mak is more than I know now, so please give me your opinions. Also your pick of ammo for SD...

 

[PCRCCW]

Ok..the condensed version.
Bulgys are the best guy..run like a clock and are the most reasonable in cost.
EG's are more collectable as they have a better finish and very nice triggers.
Russians are cool because they usually have better sights...but the sights usually come loose.

Those are the most common ones........
Get a Bulgy and shoot Barnaul JHP's through it....you cant loose.

Shoot well

 

[JERRY]

the bulgie is the best allround gun, you dont have to pamper it and lay it behind glass. it is meant to be used.

there are a few good loads for the 9x18mm and its a bit more stout than the .380acp.

 

[Bob F.]

I have an East German, just lucked into it, don't see that many in the local shops. Hard gun to beat for the money! Carry Hornady ammo for serious social occassions, shoot Russian junk for fun. My PA-63 wasnt reliable witht he lacquered steel Russian stuff but the Mak gobbles it up. Drops our steel plates @ 25 yds, too. Get ya' a Dillon Master holster for concealment.

www.makarov.com is excellent web site-everything you need to know!

 

[alamo]

First do a little reading up about Maks:

http://www.makarovpistol.com/makfaq.html

http://www.makarovpistol.com/makbasics.html


1 - Bulgarians are the best value today.

2 - East Germans are generally considered the best fit & finish, however they are much harder to find these days and more expensive. If I were getting one today (I already have an EG and an unissued Bulgarian), I would get one of the unissued Bulgarians from Dan's ammo. These pistols were made by the Arsenal factory in Bulgaria for the Bulgarian army or police and were never issued. They are around 15-20+ years old but are "new". They were packed in cosmoline and sat in an armory unused. The ones that Dan's Ammo has were recently imported by P.W. Arms.

http://www.dansammo.com/firearms.asp

Another source is SOG, a little bit cheaper. You might get one that was unissued and you might get one that has seen some use. Hit or miss. The ones that are used are generally in good condition though.

http://www.southernohiogun.com/surplus_hand.html

Also available at some gunshows. Price will be higher but you must take into account what you'd spend on shipping and transfer fee if you order from Dan's or SOG.

 

[Bren]

To me the best is the E German with Novak rear and MMC front.

EG's have nice markings good fit and finnish, and triggers. You can't go wrong with a Bulgy or russian either though.

Check the pawn shops and ask around. Both my EG's were $150 which is a Bulgy price.

I don't know what Jerry's talking about, I shoot the hell out of mine and Maks are too cheap to be a real collector unless it's a Norinco or unfired EG. (LOL! finding one) Bren

 

[alamo]

I think you read Jerry's post too quickly Bren - he agrees with you.

The DA trigger on my EG was much better than my Bulgarian - lighter & smoother. The EG was used, of course, but in great condition. I did a mod on the Bulgarian mainspring to lighten it and now the DA trigger is almost as light as my EG.

 

[Zundfolge]

I agree that the best would be an East German with Novak sights ... however I wouldn't suggest you hack up an East German.

Go for a Bulgie, yank the slide off and ship it to the guys at www.makarov.com and have them put on a set of Novak sights.

But keep your eyes open for that good East German deal (I have yet to find one ... but that doesn't mean they're not out there).

 

[Siggyboy]

IMO Bulgarians are the best for the money. There are two types of Bulgarians: Military or police issue and arsenal commercial. They are both pretty much the same quality, markings are different.

 

[CZ52GUY]

Another vote for...

... Bulgy as best value

... Barnaul as best ammo' value (although I'm giving the PS Grand - Slovakian - a try next time out)

... www.makarov.com as best source of information and best top to bottom source for Mak' supplies

...you really have a hard time going wrong with any true Makarov. I've heard mixed reviews of the similar models in Mak' caliber (other than the CZ-83 which seems to be universally loved, but at a price premium).

...I'm lucky that one of my favorite local gun shops (more of a hunting outfitter) gets them in fairly regularly...doesn't seem to know what they have, and offers them at a price which meets or beats a long-distance ship and transfer scenario.

Good luck,

CZ52'

 

[BowStreetRunner]

all that needs to be said about a bulgy Mak
get one!
all that needs to be said about Barnaul HP ammo
get some!

 

[PCRCCW]

I thought I did say that....hmmmmmmm?

Shoot well

 

[Safety First]

Thanks for the good input...If I can not get the Bersa 380 nickel before the end of the year from my dealer, then I will probably try and locate a Mak. I really want the Bersa but not being able to get the one I want at a decent price has got me thinking about a different gun and the Mak does seem like a good possibility ...

 

[JERRY]

the bersa .380's are good guns too! usually about $75.00 more than your basic makarov.

either will serve you well. however, there is just nothing else built like a makarov, except a WWII panzer IV maybe.

as long as descent 9x18mm ammo is readily available at good prices, i would pick the mak over the bersa based on the mak being a more robustly built gun.

you can pick up bulgarian makarovs in the $165.00 range all day long on most auction boards. after tranx fee and ffl fee you may have spent as much as a bersa will cost. so in essence, the cost is the same but the mak is a better gun in my opinion.


good luck with what ever you choose.

 

[Safety First]

Seems like the Bulgarian is the most popular one by far. So I will try to find one of those NIB if my dadgum Bersa does'nt get here soon..Thanks again for sharing