Russian Makarov...

[ugaarguy]

...in good condition w/ original box on consignment at a local dealer for $180. Good buy or is there something else you think I should look at?

 

[grimjaw]

If it's the original Russian military version, I would snatch it up. If it's the commercial version with adjustable sights, I'd talk it down to $150.

jmm

 

[M2 Carbine]

At the gun shows now they are going for about $200. But sometimes they can still be found for about $180.

Like grimjaw says $150 would be good.

Another thing you have to consider is Makarov ammo is somewhat scarce and getting expensive. Wolf ammo that was $5 months ago is $8-9 now, if you can find it.
But if you reload there's no problem.

 

[P95Carry]

I paid around $200 quite a long time back for mine - it has what everything suggests is the Russian marking tho - a Bulgy actual import (getting round the hoops I guess).

It was in a box complete with the black grips which I use and like. Never regretted paying that bit more at all.

 

[ugaarguy]

But if you reload there's no problem.

A new press is on the list. One of my NCOs has recently educated me on the subject with his Dillon 550B. He also says he may have a source of free brass if I do get the Mak

 

[sdacbob]

I got mine several years ago for $110. I came with a military holster and landyard and 2 mags. Still had cosmoline all over it but it cleaned up to a nice shiney finish. I did replace the stock grips with some a Pierce wrap-around.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Heck yeah get that Mak ugaarguy.

Midway sells 9x18 lead bullets for about $15/500 and Hornady makes their XTP bullet in 9x18.

9mm brass trimmed 1mm makes good cheap Mak brass also.

I load the lead bullets down a little bit and they are the most accurate Mak ammo I've shot but the Hornady loaded hot isn't bad either.

The Mak will do better than this with younger eyes and a steadier hand.
"Test gun" means this one.
http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=294814



95 yards with a Bulgarian Mak.

 

[Bluehawk]

In todays market $180 would be a very good buy...where else can you get such a solid workhorse of a pistol so well made so cheaply??
I have one of the earlier Russian models imported by B West which has a hard chromed lower and blued upper converted to .380 Auto which functions flawlessly and accuratly.
You have two options if it's chambered in 9mm Makarov...either leave it that way or put a .380 Auto barrel on it. The mags work with both calibers.
As was mentioned, 9mm Luger brass can be used to make Makarov brass simply by running the Luger brass through a Mak resizing die and trimming it back according to the dies iinstructions. Once fired it fireforms to the chamber and you now have Makarov brass! It's cheap and easy.
One way to tell if it's Russian or from Germany, Bulgaria...etc...commercial Russian Maks have adjustable sights (except for the real military models) whereas the German and Bulgarian models have fixed sights.

 

[Teakwood]

"One way to tell if it's Russian or from Germany, Bulgaria...etc...commercial Russian Maks have adjustable sights (except for the real military models) whereas the German and Bulgarian models have fixed sights."
Not quite.
Each country of origihn has a hallmark:
http://www.makarov.com/graphics/markings.jpg
http://www.makarov.com/makfaq.html

 

[ugaarguy]

Thanks for all the replies, unfortunately it left with someone else before I could get back last week. I'm now toying with picking up either a Bersa in 380 or an FEG PJK-9HP. The Bersa is $220 NIB, the FEG is $250 used, VGC. Conviently both are in calibers that I already have which simplifies my ammo supply vs. adding 9x18 or paying to convert the Mak. to 380. I'll keep y'all updated.

 

[oops!]

A thing to remember, when looking at Bulgy Maks, many will have Russian proof marks on all the major components.