Summer time is here...would you carry a Mak for self defense?

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orangeninja

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I've been saying I'm going to get a backup weapon for some time now, but now that Temps in the 100's are just around the corner, it's high time for something smaller. My picks are:

1.) Kel Tec 9mm....small, but not a lot of fun to shoot, I like it though.

2.) Taurus PT145...not REAL small but it's a 10+1 .45 and I like big bores.

3.) Mak....I've always been fascinated with these...would you carry one for self defense?

4.) Snubbie J frame in .44 special. I don't trust .38 spec. and the .357 is WAY too powerful for such a light framed weapon.

The 9x18 Mak stopping power and reliability is what I am most concerned about. A pistol that jams is out....period.
 
I might use one as a house gun. It's a good value. For summer carry the keltec P3AT gets top nod followed by th kahr PM9.

I travel lite.
 
Alduro,
I have carried a Mak every day now for the last 2 years in a Milt Sparks VMII. I never feel under gunned and for the most part I forget I am wearing it. I have never had a non magazine related failure and very few of those. Some people decry the 9x18 round as somewhat anemic but I dont find it so. I shoot in the woods using a tree as a backstop usually a cedar. I have gotten very good penetration into the trees and outstanding expansion on Barnaul HP's(not very scientific I know). Good luck with your quest.

Mike
 
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I carry a Mak when I need something small, flat and concealable. It is reliable and packs enough punch for self defense. I load it with either Corbon hollowpoints (Corbon discontinued its Mak ammo a few yrs ago) or Barnaul hollowpoints.
 
Mak - yes and no

Based on my experience with a Makarov, I would recommend it because : I have never had a failure of any kind with my Makarov, using mostly Barnaul hollow points. I generally carried mine in a pocket with 2 extra mags in the opposite pocket. It is a reliable pistol, and more accurate than most pistols its size. It's also relatively cheap to shoot, so you can shoot it for fun, thus shooting it better.

I would not recommend it because it's just too small a round.

The smallest cartridge I feel good about carrying is a 9mm JHP.

This is just my opinion, and your decision is your own.

Mark
 
I carry mine quite often. It shares time about 50/50 with my P-01. I have no problems with doing so. It is one of my guns that I am most accurate with.
 
Always been tempted because they're cheap to buy and cheap to shoot. Wouldn't carry for defense, though. I prefer a larger caliber for self defense and, side-by-side, my .45 Micro-Compact is not appreciably bigger, heavier or less "carryable'.
 
alduro,
I'm a fan of the Makarov.

I don't carry one because I have several small Kimbers, so for the same size and weight I can carry a 45.

BUT, it wouldn't bother me at all to carry a Mak for defense. I usually carry one or two in my cars for backup and for the times I only have a Kel Tec 380 in my pocket.

Not only is it cheap and reliable, it's a shooter.

I posted this picture the other day but if you haven't seen it, the Mak will hold all nine shots on a 8x11 inch paper at 48 yards.
(no doubt the group would be tighter with a better shooter)

Today I was shooting a Polish P64 9x18 at the same distance and target.
15 out of 18 shots on the target using Barnaul ammo.
Those Barnaul hollowpoints are very accurate.

BTW, this target was shot with my lead RN reloads.
48_yds_Bul_Arsenal_Mak.gif
 
I don't have a problem with Mak's they're reliable, accurate, and look kinda neat too, but I would not carry one since so many other better calibers exist and there's lots of 9mm's, .38 specials and even a couple .45's that can be found in the unissued Bulg. Mak's (the cheapest one) price range which is about $200 after transfer fee and shipping.

However in my case AIM would ship to my FFL through USPS or UPS ground which should be only about $10 and then the $15 transfer fee, so it's more like $175, but it's just not my thing anyways.
 
I've never owned a Makarov. I've never heard anyone say they are unreliable. They seem to be darn near 100% reliable. If you can conceal a Makarov when you're dressed for 100+ degree weather then I say it'll work for self defense. I feel .380 ACP and 9X18 and .38 special are same power level. I personally ain't sure that a .44 special snub is better than a .38 special snub. Since you don't trust .38 special then I'd go with a 9mm or .45 ACP.
 
There are some very nice .38 special loads out there in the 300-400 fpe range. I wouldn't discount a good .38 special like a model 10 Smith.
 
I too encourage you to reconsider a small 38 Special. A small S&W J frame just about disppears in concealment......there are number of reliable and effective +p loads available...and a used M36 or M60 won't cost an arm and a leg. As well you will be assured of a decent resale value if need be.....and EVERYONE should own at least one S&W J frame......the COOL factor !:cool:
 
I like the Mak but you can carry a much more powerful gun if you can conceal the Mak's size and weight.

The P3AT rocks for summer carry -- very small and light, and is about as powerful as the Mak.

This time of year for me it amoung my Kahr PM40, S&W SC360 .357, and Kel-Tec P3AT. With the P3AT being a distant third choice but sometimes its the best I can hide.

--wally.
 
The 9x18 Mak stopping power and reliability is what I am most concerned about. A pistol that jams is out....period.
Click to expand...

Makarov's don't jam, so don't worry about it. I would carry it, if that were an option in this benighted state.

They will rust, though. Something plastic or stainless might be the ticket for your 100 degree days.
 
Right now I am trying to trade a revolver for either a Mak or a Bersa Thunder. A 380 in the hand is much bettter than a 1911 in the glove box.

I really like Maks. You gotta love a gun that you can shovel dirt into the ejection port and have it keep firing,

ZM
 
Hey alduro,

I bought my Mak for the summer time carry reason.
Yes, the 9x18 is not a powerhouse by any stretch; but is slightly better than .380. Figure when it's 100 degrees + the bad guys are'nt going to be wearing much layered clothing.

Reliability is the key word. Had mine since Christmas w/ about 1000 rounds through her so for. Not one single problem. That is even using the new conical shape Wolf ammo. (BTW that wolf stuff is seriously dirty)

I'll alternate between my 40B and Mak. The Mak is much more comfortable to carry because of the size. (yes, I know it is not supposed to be comfortable; but comforting) :D

Bonuses:
Reliable beyond what a $140.00 should be. (actually $137.00 OTD)
Accurate. (fixed barrel)
Natural pointer.
Beautifully simplistic in design.
It's a Makarov.

I assume you've shot 'em before. But, I'll bring mine on the 23rd if you want to run a few rounds or see how it feels w/ a pancake holster or fist kydex IWB Tuckable.
You were able to change your schedule for the class, right?
 
what guns do you already have?


lets look at what you have now before you spend money on another gun.

though another gun is nice, dont do it because you feel your current crop is insufficient.

p.s. the mak is a good gun, it is also battel prooven in toughness, marginal round, like a +p .380, but shot placement is what really counts and the mak can do its part easily.
 
CZSteve, yeah, I'll be there....it's my wifes birthday though, and I go right from there to work.:uhoh:

Fortunantly I have permission from my chief to take her on the road with me that week to handle a little business. So that kind of makes up for it.

Okay guys,

my current bad guy repellant is

2x Sig 2340 Sig Pro .40 Cals. Light but bulky.

2x Sig 229 .40 cal. Small and heavy.

Thats it. I believe a +P .380 will do at 10 feet anything a 9mm will do given proper shot placement. I also believe 100% reliability in any defensive weapon is a MUST. You'll look REALLY dumb dead on the ground with a 1500 dollar 1911 when you were shot with a 200 dollar ruger, because of a jam. Lastly, 2nd chance bullet proof vest company makes a vest that does not cover the sides of the body fully. This is so that the officer is more comfortable wearing it. Research showed that officers did not wear their vests SIMPLY BECAUSE they were too bulky and hot. A partial vest on is better than none at all. I firmly agree with this philosophy, therefore a 9x18 in the pocket beats a .40 in the car anyday.
 
J frame is the lowest I would go on the food chain. Maks are fine for that one perfect shot behind the ear, when your target is kneeling, hands tied behind his/her back. As far as a fight stopper though, they are sadly lacking.
 
So I guess in the 45 or so years that the Mak was the military and police issue handgun in the Soviet Union/Russia and the many years of service it had in East Germany, Bulgaria, China, etc. its bullets were bouncing off those shot with it unless at point blank range right behind the ear? I guess the Mak never saw military battle or police action? Don't make it sound like its a BB gun because a Mak hollowpoint will definately do some damage.
 
J frame is the lowest I would go on the food chain. Maks are fine for that one perfect shot behind the ear, when your target is kneeling, hands tied behind his/her back. As far as a fight stopper though, they are sadly lacking.
Click to expand...
About all you can count on from J-frame is five .36 calibre holes. About all you can count from a Mak is nine .37 calibre holes. You can place those holes more accurately with the Mak than you can with the J-frame.
 
Quote
"Mannlicher
J frame is the lowest I would go on the food chain. Maks are fine for that one perfect shot behind the ear, when your target is kneeling, hands tied behind his/her back. As far as a fight stopper though, they are sadly lacking. "
___________________________________________________________

Documentation please on folks that have taken a solid hit or two from a Makarov and have continued to fight.
 
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Slowhand
My $3000 1911 doesn't jam. My $1500 1911s don't jam. My $700 1911s don't jam. My $400 SA WWII Mil-Spec doesn't jam.
_________________________________________________________


And for the same price you could get 38 Makarovs that wouldn't jam and have money left over for ammo.:D


Well, I have to admit my $17 Remington Government 1911A1 doesn't jam on hardball but everything else isn't a sure bet.
 
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