Russian Makarov

Status
Not open for further replies.
1

191145fan

Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2009
Messages
39
Several years ago I had a couple of Bulgarian Makarov's and I stupidly sold them. Finally I have been able to find a replacement. I found it at a local pawn shop.

A Russian Mak with a case, aftermarket grip and extra magazine. Probably paid too much for it but I couldn't resist it.

I dont here much about Mak's anymore. Are there any other Makarov lovers?
 
I paid $299

I thought it might be a tad high but they are hard to find around this area and I thought I had better get it.

Even if it was a little high I am please with it.
 
Mine was $200. Want to add a larger safety as it is hard to move. My bud has one that has a safety nearly 1/4 inch high. Mine is nearly flush and difficult to move easily. wc
 
I paid $180 brand spankin' new including tax. That was in 1999. I paid $160 for my TT-33 in 2004.

They are nice but I refuse to pay $300 for those guns now. If I want cheap I go with the Polish P64 for $150 and put new springs in. For $300 I would go with the Kel-Tec or for even less, a Bersa.
 
I paid less than any of the above claims when I bought my Russian Mak, and shoot it regularly; it's a good, solid & reliable firearm. I like it very much.

Having said that, I wouldn't pay $350 or more for one. It's definitely a 20th Century firearm, considering size and weight. This is the 21st Century, and more comfortable .380 pistols are available for that price.
 
Comparing Makarov prices of a few years ago to todays prices are apples to oranges.
There hasn't been a Makarov imported into this country in a few years.
 
Comparing Makarov prices of a few years ago to todays prices are apples to oranges.
There hasn't been a Makarov imported into this country in a few years.
Click to expand...


Bingo. Makarovs are moving from a widely available gun that's a good value and inexpensive yet robust pistol for self defense and plinking to a collectors item. When I walked into a local gun shop that also does brisk national internet sales and saw a typical, blued, used Russian commercial Mak listed at $399, I knew things had really changed. The current political climate is also to blame.
 
They are nice but I refuse to pay $300 for those guns now. If I want cheap I go with the Polish P64 for $150 and put new springs in.
Click to expand...

I own one of each and the P-64 (with new springs) isn't in the same league as a Makarov, not even close. The P-64 works but the Makarov works well. One's a functional gun while the other one's a great gun.

Even at $350 for a used Mak, it's still a great gun. Folks merely got spoiled by surplus prices and now poo-poo the current prices. If Makarovs were built by Ruger, S&W, Beretta, or any other big name, people would be snapping them up without complaints about the price.
 
I own a Russian Mak, but got it for $175 back in about 03. Then it was an OK price, but on the rise. My regret is not picking up a perfect Mak for the same price a year later. BUT - IMHO, they are a BIT overpriced now. A brand new Bersa CC is a more attractive buy at about $320-350 than a Mak at the same price. The Bersa is more refined, and likely has a better trigger (maybe not). It is lighter, and in the case of the CC, smaller and a better carry. With the Mak, you get a little history, but again, they're a bit overboard on the price now. Granted, if you get a nice deeply blued EG or even a nice Bulgy for $300-350, it is still a decent buy by TODAY's inflated standards.
 
There are advantages to living in a part of the country where people are mostly patriotic rednecks.

I bought a Russian Mak last year that was like new for $95 at a local pawn shop. A month ago I picked up a Bulgy Mak that showed a lot of holster wear, but hardly any shooting wear for $129 at the same shop.

I got a like new EG at another shop about a year and a half ago for $195. It is a safe queen though. It doesn't even have wear on the rails...
 
Saw an East German at the local gun show Sat.....Super clean, asking $345......arrrrrrrrg, temptation.....I left it behind. :(
 
Want to add a larger safety as it is hard to move.
Click to expand...

You may be able to "spring" the spring a bit to make it easier, looks like it's staked into place, but maybe you can grab it with needle nosed pliers and pull it out, then bend it a tiny bit so it's a tad lighter in the detents.
 
Actually you have joined a forum full of dyed-in-the-wool Makarov lovers! I personally have not had the pleasure but you sir are not alone here at THR.

Buddyof mine has an East German Makarov and it is one of his go-to guns.
 
100B0510.jpg

I LOVE my makarov, Its really my pride and joy. I do not have a Huge collection of firearms but from the few select pistols and rifles I have, it has been a constant companion and been 100% reliable and accurate. Best 300$ Investment I have ever made.
 
I paid $135 for my first Bulgarian Makarov in late 2004 / early 2005, plus shipping and transfer fee (which weren't that much). Got it from J&G Sales in Arizona.

I feel anything more than I've paid since is too much.

That being said, I still think they're solid pistols.

jm
 
If the bore is clean and looks good (little to no wear or pitting), the finish is good, and it has been thoroughly cleaned, you picked up a good one.

Word of advice, find out if the model you purchased was a remanufacture by the armory or if it's old issue. Some armories mark the firearms that are remans. The CZ-52 for example, has a divot on the top of the slide, usually just forward of the breech. One diviot meets specs and accuracy on the first reman...thus 2, 3, 4 dots illustrate how many times it was remanned to meet specs and accuracy.

I've parted with 2 of my CZ's and regret it. The buyer actually let his dad shoot it...his dad laid claim to it after the first shooting session. Lost forever like my 1911 Champion.

I actually had my hands on 6 Russian Makarov's while I was deployed. Traded 4 NIB mini-mag lights for them w/ ammo, belt, and holsters. Wish we could have brought them home!

Just make sure you shoot S&B ammo through it, don't use the milsurp stuff since it's a pain to clean after shooting corrosive or semi-corrosive ammo.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
makarov
2
Replies
44
Views
2K
jcwit
J
T
  • Locked
Makarov V. CZ-83
Replies
8
Views
1K
PCRCCW
P
G
  • Locked
Russian Baikal IJ-70 Makarov price check
Replies
11
Views
4K
loop
L
B
  • Locked
Russian Mak in .380?
Replies
7
Views
601
Ivy Mike
Ivy Mike
B
  • Locked
Customized Makarov's??
Replies
0
Views
357
bdb benzino
B
Back
Top