Surplus Sidearms

[Ohio Rifleman]

I've thought about getting a Makarov as a first handgun for plinking/CCW, though the only thing stopping me is the ammo. It's kind of an odd caliber I'd have to order online or something. I'd rather my first handgun be in 9mm, .40S&W, .45, .38 or .357.

I really wouldn't have any problems with a surplus sidearm as long as it's reliable and can do the job.

 

[garyhan]

My Nagant is wonderfully accurate and would be a very usefull small game gun (I have take squirrels with it). I bought my Makarov when they were
$100 and it is one of the best buys I have ever made. Though the power is marginal I have used it for CCW with Hornaday soft points. I have carried it due to its great accuracy (one hole at 50 ft) and 100% reliability with any load I have put through it. My CZ52 is fun to shoot too, and I consider them abargain. Someone mentioned a 1918 vintage 1911 as a great defense gun, which it certainly is; but at $1000 plus, with no surplus availabilty, and with no reasonable expectation of any: I don't quite see it in this category.

gary

 

[C96]

I bought a surplus 1911 from the DCM back in 61. Paid $17.50 for it. Still have it. Still one of my favorites, goes to the range most every time.

 

[DMK]

I have a few. All have been great! Aside from those pictured, I also have a CZ-82, and an S&W British Service Revolver. These are not safe queens. Not by a long shot. My favorite shooters are the CZ-82, Makarov and Manhurin PPs. The British revolver is fun too (38 S&W, a light recoiling predecessor to 38 Special).

Polish Tokarev

Czech Army CZ-52s

Bulgarian Star-B (9mm)

Argentine Sistema

Manhurin/Walther PPs (22LR and 32ACP), East German Makarov, and CZ-70 (refinished)

 

[Limeyfellow]

I have no worries about the Webley MkVI in .455, the Walther P38, CZ52 etc. All excellent weapons and nothing makes me feel more patriotically British than the Webley and an enemy of old water melons that are clearly threatening my life and need dispatching.

 

[LAK]

Fat Boy

I owned a CZ52 and it was a great shooter- I decided to move on to something else and when I went to trade it in at a major sporting goods store the store employee checking it out promptly dry-fired it, and re-cocked the hammer, upon which the back of the firing pin fell out...

'52s have brittle firing pins. I think makarov.com had replacements available at one time.

 

[moooose102]

A SURPLUS GUN , YES. one that is chambered in a normal american cartridge anyway. i would not buy something that i would have to hunt and search for "surplus ammunition" form a soviet or eastern block however. i would want it to be a shooter, not a dust collector.

 

[xjchief]

I've got three.

M1895 Nagant. Ammo is spendy so it's more of a toy than a everyday shooter. Three boxes of ammo are more than the gun.

CZ82. Ammo isn't that cheap but it's a great gun. I really enjoy shooting it.

Sig P6 (225) Ammo is cheap, gun is amazingly accurate. Well built too. For about 270 bucks it is one of the best deals you can get. I'm thinking about grabbing another one!

 

[Red Tornado]

A bulgie Mak is my carry gun. I like steel, lots of steel, in my guns. I also like them simple and over engineered. It's one of two pistols I have that have never had any kind of failure. Never failed to feed, fire, eject, chamber, nothing. Haven't even had ammo or magazine related failures. That's a winner in my book.
Even my Sig P226 (ammo) and my 1911 (magazine) have had a few fail to feeds. The only other gun with no failures of any kind? The CZ-52. Again, steel, lots of steel.
RT

 

[ilbob]

I like guns that are older than me. So my answer was yes.

 

[OFT]

I've owned surplus arms for many years now. Usually I don't carry one but occasionaly you may find me with a P-38, Radom or a mix-master Remington Rand.

 

[cracked butt]

I'd buy a Systema or Ballerina Molestor without thinking twice.

 

[Don Lu]

in the past month I've purchased an EG Makarov and a CZ-52. these will not be shot much..I purchased one box of ammo for each just to run through it. but they are both in great condition and will be put way, only to be taken out for cleaning and to be admired.

 

[chris in va]

I had a CZ 52 and SKS. Both worked, but nothing to really impress me with.

I'd love to have a Tokarev though. The 7.62x25 cartridge is kick donkey.

 

[Pilot]

Three of my Maks are surplus Bulgie and EG. Got a surplus Luger, P-38, Enfield Rifle, Mauser K98K. Love 'em!

 

[AZAndy]

I sometimes carry my Romanian TTC Tokarev. Wolf makes a nice hollowpoint for it. The TTC is the most accurate of my dozen or so handguns, oddly enough.

 

[Gordon Fink]

I would, and I have. Argentine m1927s can still be had for under $500, which compares very favorably to the MSRP of certain m1911 reproductions.

~G. Fink

 

[TankerCadaver]

Yes, if I could find one in a caliber like .45acp, 9mm Luger, .22lr, 40sw or the like.

Any ideas?

 

[freakshow10mm]

I'd like to get a Makarov or two. Those are just plain cool.

 

[Gordon Fink]

Any ideas?

Here’s one.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=102500547

Current bid is still under $300. Don’t expect that to last.

~G. Fink

 

[goon]

I owned and used a Bulgarian Mak for awhile.
I sold it because I had a Kahr P-9 that did the same job with a little more power and better ammo availability.
Still, nothing wrong with them and I wouldn't feel underarmed if a Mak was my CCW handgun.

I've also considered a Tokarev as a shooter with some light HD use since the ammo is so cheap.

Overall, if you know what you're looking for you can get a great gun with lots of life in it for only a couple hundred bucks.

Also, check out the used SIG P6's at AIM. Eventhough I'm mad at SIG right now, I still think they are a great deal.

 

[Wheeler44]

I think that a "victory model" in .38 special makes a dandy little revolver for plinkin' or social use.

 

[Kind of Blued]

With all due respect, your question was basically "Would you buy a ________ gun?".

Put any word you want in there and I'll answer "yes". Depends on the price and how much money I have.

 

[CajunBass]

I had a Makarov that was a great shooter. I traded it off recently because locally ammo for it cost an arm and a leg, and I hate to order 500-1000 rounds off the 'net to get a decent price. YMMV.

But the gun itself was a well made, accurate little shooter.

 

[gopguy]

One of my favorite carry guns is a Israeli surplus Browning Hi Power Mark III. Lacks the firing pin safety. Shoots dead on. The only draw back is it still has the tiny safety.

I also own some 1911s that were customized by previous owners, prior to the military 1911A1 having much collector value. They shoot quite well and I would not feel in the slightest worried about using them for defense.

The CZ 82 and the Makarov both in 9mm Makarov, make nice warm weather carry pieces and offer a bit more punch than a .380 acp.

Fat Boy, your salesman learned you just don't dry fire the CZ 52, it won't tolerate it. I bought a couple extra firing pins for mine just in case, but it is strictly used for paper and can punching.