Russian, E. German or Bulgarian 9X18 Makarovs: Ever had an unreliable one?

[Chipperman]

Thanks for the offer, woad_yurt, but I'll keep it. I like the gun, and I'm sure I could make it reliable with some work.

FWIW, I've only used Russian FMJ and JHP ammo with it, so that's not the problem.

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

East German .. it's been perfect

 

[jjohnson]

No Failures, Accurate, Inexpensive.

+1 with most of you gents. I have a Russian Mak that has never malfunctioned. I always loved the M1911, but sometimes it's just not exactly concealable enough. I bought the Mak to replace a Kel-tec P40 which decided to come unglued (broke the slide release) after 300-400 rounds. While it's not quite as powerful as a pocket .40, I give it very high marks for reliability - but what astonished me was the accuracy. My Mak's more accurate than most of my full sized handguns, and while the smaller cartridge doesn't engender a lot more faith than a .38 Special, I figure carrying a Mak loaded with premium HP ammo is way better than being unarmed.

 

[RebelKangaroo]

It seems to me that most people just like the newer designs better. They're about the same weight and hold more rounds, but they're also thicker. To me, that thickness is the ticker and why I'm currently looking for a Mak until the Walther PPS (also thin) becomes more available and I don't call the gunshop 20 minutes too late to find one or pay through the nose on-line. Plus, like the PPS it has a fixed barrel and I just don't like the ones like a Glock that move.

 

[DMK]

It seems to me that most people just like the newer designs better. They're about the same weight and hold more rounds, but they're also thicker.

Not necessarily. The Kahr and Keltecs are thinner. S&W also makes some small and thin single stack autos. The Rohrbaugh 9mm is much smaller. In fact, I don't think the CZ RAMI is even any thicket than a Mak.

My Colt CCO 1911 is just as thin, if not thinner.

The thickness is one of the reasons I do not like the Mak (plus it has the safety on the slide, a heavy DA trigger and the mag release is on the heel of the grip).

Poke around here:

http://www.mouseguns.com/semis.htm

 

[woad_yurt]

Is the safety really an issue? The hammer still can't hit the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled, whether it's on safe or fire. In addition, I like the safety on the slide because I hook my finger around it when I rack the slide; it makes it easier to grasp.

 

[Trempel]

The only problem with my EG Makarov is that I don't have another one, or three, to keep it company.

 

[dogngun]

Had 2 a few years ago. Never had a reliability problem with either, and they turned out to be very accurate as well.

mark

BTW, both mine were Bulgarians.

 

[RebelKangaroo]

Not necessarily. The Kahr and Keltecs are thinner. S&W also makes some small and thin single stack autos. The Rohrbaugh 9mm is much smaller. In fact, I don't think the CZ RAMI is even any thicket than a Mak.

You're right on all of those, but I forgot to mention that the others just don't fit big hands that well IMO. With the exception of maybe the S&W (which one are you talking about btw?) none of those fit my hand very well whereas the Mak is just big enough to be comfortable.

 

[berkbw]

looking for a c&r MAK.

b-

 

[sigma 40ve]

I have an EG and a Bulgie. The EG has been perfect. The Bulgie has one issue. When the slide is locked back sometimes it will release on its own, for no reason. I figured it had to be with the hold open ejector lever. I have replaced the original. It still does it on a rare occasion, not darn near everytime now.

 

[woad_yurt]

I just figured out why I like them so much. Aside from the dependability, it's so easy to get very good with one of these.

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

Speaking of safeties, for any interested..

The lever safety decocks the weapon to DA, locks the hammer in-place and blocks the hammer from striking the firing pin.

When in DA, with the safety off, they are sprung to keep the sear resting in the safety (half-cock) notch in the hammer; the hammer is held away from the firing pin, similiar to Sig pistols.

In SA, if the pistol were to have the sear knocked away from the hammer (very unlikely), there is the safety notch to catch the hammer, keeping it from striking the firing pin.

The Makarov has passed the California safety certification test in which the pistol is dropped from 3ft with the hammer cocked, safety off. They are subsequently fired for function.

 

[tinygnat219]

Woad_yurt:

tinygnat219: Recently, I paid $173 OTD in a local pawn shop for one and $145 delivered for another at AuctionArms. When I mentioned price, I was talking about the Baikal guns. They can be had cheaply. I still think that, for a couple of hundred dollars, it's a tremendous value.

You did damn good if you don't mind my saying so. I completely agree.

 

[woad_yurt]

Well, one needed a firing pin and the other, a magazine.

 

[wnycollector]

My russian mak has had one or two ftf's in ~2500 rounds...and that was with silver bear HP's! I cleaned up the feed ramp and fired the rest of the case w/o incident. With ball ammo it has been 100% reliable.