Shooting the Bulgarian Makarov

[duelist1954]

In preparation for an article on military surplus pistols for Harris Publications "Pocket Pistols" magazine, I pulled out my Bulgarian 9mm Makarov pistol for a little fun at the range.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzS3t3VVp-0

 

[Pilot]

Nice review. I've had Makarov pistols since the early 90's, and have always been impressed by their accuracy and reliability to the point that I sometimes carry one of my Bulgarians. I don't feel under-armed.

 

[kokapelli]

I have a Bulgy and don't carry it anymore, but it is one of those guns I will never sell, because it is so reliable and accurate.

 

[bdb benzino]

A buddy aked to see my E. German Makarov a few days ago. After getting it out and showing him, I had an instant urge to carry it again.
So I have been carrying my lovely E. German companion around the last few days and enjoying it.
I picked up a comfortable "Stoner Holsters" black leather IWB holster at a gun show last year, and together the gun / holster combo is great. I keep one mag loaded with Buffalo Bore 9x18 115gr +p lead ammo, and the spare mag with classic Silver Bear 95gr hollow points.
Can't say enough about how great this pistol is!!

 

[M2 Carbine]

Good review.

I'm a Makarov fan. I liked the first one I bought, a East German, and continued to buy them over the years.

Here's a few of them.



I bought this East German Mak from a FFL dealer who had the gun refinished for his personal gun. He hadn't fired it and I probably won't.



Bulgarian 22 conversion on a Bulgarian Mak.



The Makarov compared to the P-64.



Makarov and S&W Mod 60 J Frame.



I change the recoil springs in all my Makarovs, including the .380 to 21 pound Wolff springs. Then the gun will handle and is reliable with my light loads to the heavy loads.


.

 

[kokapelli]

Fantastic collection!

 

[duelist1954]

That is a really nice collection of Makarovs.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Since the Makarov is so reliable, a while back I got the idea of trying to make the Makarov malfunction.
I started out with 1,000 rounds of Barnaul FMJ and JHP and a new Bulgarian Makarov.
The idea was to see if the gun might malfunction during "normal" problems.
For instance,
You draw your cocked gun to fire but drop it in the mud.


You only have time to pick up the gun shake it one time and shoot.
Actually this was the only gun malfunction during the test.
On the first (SA) trigger pull the mud blocked the hammer from hitting the firing pin.
Then on the double action trigger pull the gun fired and fired until the magazine was empty.



Another test was heavily greasing the loaded gun and leaving it in the freezer. This to simulate your Makarov car gun in winter.
The only problem was it was cold holding the gun while shooting.



Everyone is concerned about getting pocket lint in their carry gun.
I loaded the inside of the Makarov with a bunch of "pocket lint".
Again, no problem shooting the magazine dry.



I did a number of other things like leaving the loaded gun in water, firing the gun on it's sides and upside down, limp wristing, etc.
The gun just kept firing every time the trigger was pulled. There was one dud primer.


Finally I shot it for accuracy. You can figure at least 50% if the group spread is the shooters fault.



Good guns those Makarovs.