Unissued Bulgarian Maks - should I get one?
- Thread starter Rival
- Start date
- Status
Richard
Member
WonderNine, Maks are reasonable in price not cheap. I own two EGs and one Bulgie and all three are great carry guns. Maks shoot as is and better when gussied up. I personally don't see the big deal with the EG Maks as my Bulgie will hold it own with them on the range. Regards, Richard 
This is my #1 EG Mak with Pearce Grips.
This is my #1 EG Mak with Pearce Grips.
XavierBreath
Member
"Unissued Bulgarian Maks - should I get one?"
Do NOT buy one unless you are ready for the best little pistol that will never fail you, at a price you can afford. If you can tolerate that, then buy two.
Do NOT buy one unless you are ready for the best little pistol that will never fail you, at a price you can afford. If you can tolerate that, then buy two.
thefitzvh
Member
I've discovered that the answer to all "Should i get XXX" questions is invariably YES
All guns are beautiful, get as many as you can.
I will be adding another XD (this time in 9mm) and an Armscor 1911 to my cabinet soon, followed by an SKS of some kind and probably one of those gosh darn bulgarian maks :-D
James
All guns are beautiful, get as many as you can.
I will be adding another XD (this time in 9mm) and an Armscor 1911 to my cabinet soon, followed by an SKS of some kind and probably one of those gosh darn bulgarian maks :-D
James
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
This too - as I posted recently ......
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BULGARIAN MAKAROV 9X18
Item#Mak-Bulg Includes original Grips, and 4 Magazines!
Like New Condition: $149.95ea
Lightly Used Condition: $119.95ea
"Lightly Used" (Expect finish wear on the sharp edges, mechanically in
Excellent Condition.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://aimsurplus.com
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BULGARIAN MAKAROV 9X18
Item#Mak-Bulg Includes original Grips, and 4 Magazines!
Like New Condition: $149.95ea
Lightly Used Condition: $119.95ea
"Lightly Used" (Expect finish wear on the sharp edges, mechanically in
Excellent Condition.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://aimsurplus.com
Rival, you won't be disappointed. Dan's has some really nice Maks. Change the recoil spring to a 19 or 21 lber from Wolffs. Anybody else looking for one, AIM surplus also has brand spanking new, unissued Bulgarians. 149.95 including two sets of grips, cleaning tool, and four mags. They also have slightly used for 119.95 with same package; hand select for extra 10.00. These are 95% or better, and are a great buy. Hell, all Maks are a good buy! Where else can you get such an ultra reliable, tough as nails, all steel pistol for 150.00?
aug e. dog
Member
Just to add, I have had problems with my Bulgarian Mak when I load the magazines with 8 rounds. Invariably, the slide will stovepipe? (Is that the term you use when the slide remains open after firing?) after the first round. However, when I've only loaded the magazine with 7 rounds this problem has never happened.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Maybe this is a silly question, but I have to ask anyway - other than cost, why would I want to buy a Makarov instead of a CZ82/CZ83?
"other than cost, why would I want to buy a Makarov instead of a CZ82/CZ83?"
Having never held a CZ83, I might be 100% wrong here, but I think that the Mak is considerably smaller (and thinner). So if you were going to carry it, the Mak would be the way to go...
aug e. dog:
I had a similar issue one time at the range, turned out to be bad ammo(it was my fault, they were my handloads), so I don't count that aginst the gun. The ammo was too short, so the end of the bullet wouldn't touch the feeding ramp and go up into the barrel. The case mouth would get stuck on the edge of the mag and lock the slide. Try a different kind of ammo and see if that helps...
Having never held a CZ83, I might be 100% wrong here, but I think that the Mak is considerably smaller (and thinner). So if you were going to carry it, the Mak would be the way to go...
aug e. dog:
I had a similar issue one time at the range, turned out to be bad ammo(it was my fault, they were my handloads), so I don't count that aginst the gun. The ammo was too short, so the end of the bullet wouldn't touch the feeding ramp and go up into the barrel. The case mouth would get stuck on the edge of the mag and lock the slide. Try a different kind of ammo and see if that helps...
OP
OP
Rival
Member
I am sorry to say it was taking for freaking ever to get the gun from dansammo.com... Maybe it is because of all this FFL transfer deal. Anyway I waited 10 days and there was no status on the order, and then this add at Turner's kicks in...
Well, I was going to pay way more with transfer fees and the UPS next day air shipping, so I just called dans ammo in the morning and cancelled the order. Then I went to the Turner's and bought the unissued Mak paying $202 for everything, taxes and all. My 10 day waiting period is over on 31st!
Well, I was going to pay way more with transfer fees and the UPS next day air shipping, so I just called dans ammo in the morning and cancelled the order. Then I went to the Turner's and bought the unissued Mak paying $202 for everything, taxes and all. My 10 day waiting period is over on 31st!
The CZ-83 like the rest of the CZ line of firearms are greatly underestimated and overlooked. IMO it has a better fit and finish as it's a commercial and not a military surplus pistol, but in function and size they match up fine against the Mak. The Mak gets the nod in the price tag issue, but that's probably the only place. I think the CZ-83 has the better ergonomics and balances better, but that's reflected in the pricing differences.
I wish I could find a CZ-83 in the $150 to $175 price range, but if money was no issue I would choose the CZ-83 over the Mak.
I wish I could find a CZ-83 in the $150 to $175 price range, but if money was no issue I would choose the CZ-83 over the Mak.
OP
OP
Rival
Member
CZ-83 is a great little pistol. It does compare with Mak as far as size of it and the caliber.
I do, however, like Makarov more. Mak's biggest advantage is it's simplicity. Mak has 27 parts, CZ-83 has 56 parts.
I also like the fact that Mak was designed from scratch around that specific 9x18mm carthridge, like Luger for 9mm, and 1911 for .45ACP...
CZ-83 was rechambered for 9x18mm.
I do, however, like Makarov more. Mak's biggest advantage is it's simplicity. Mak has 27 parts, CZ-83 has 56 parts.
I also like the fact that Mak was designed from scratch around that specific 9x18mm carthridge, like Luger for 9mm, and 1911 for .45ACP...
CZ-83 was rechambered for 9x18mm.
Has anyone gotten one of the like new ones from aimsurplus? How like new are they? Is it worth $150 for a like new or should I wait for a new one, or are the new ones pretty much dried up? I never considered a Makarov before this thread, now I have to have one for some reason.
aug e. dog
Member
Majic, thanks for the correction on the term. Yes, I've had my Mak slide lock, but again, only when I've loaded the mag with 8 rounds.
David4516, I don't remember what ammo I was using, but I'll try to duplicate the problem, and then if successful, try with different ammo.
David4516, I don't remember what ammo I was using, but I'll try to duplicate the problem, and then if successful, try with different ammo.
aug e. dog
Member
Majic, thanks for the correction on the term. Yes, I've had my Mak slide lock, but again, only when I've loaded the mag with 8 rounds.
David4516, I don't remember what ammo I was using, but I'll try to duplicate the problem, and then if successful, try with different ammo.
David4516, I don't remember what ammo I was using, but I'll try to duplicate the problem, and then if successful, try with different ammo.
ECVMatt
Member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2004
- Messages
- 2,874
YOu guys are a bad influence....
I just went to turners and bought a Mak.. I have never bought this type of gun before ( I like Glocks, 1911's, and BB Single actions) but I couldn't resist with all the good comments. I hope the gun works as well as you all say.
Matt
I just went to turners and bought a Mak.. I have never bought this type of gun before ( I like Glocks, 1911's, and BB Single actions) but I couldn't resist with all the good comments. I hope the gun works as well as you all say.
Matt
OP
OP
Rival
Member
Congruts, ECVMatt!
You have to keep in mind a thing or two. The sights on this gun are small army sights, they are good for shooting something at 25 yards and beyond - you then get to appreciate the sight picture. At 10 yards you are just going to have to get used to them... Second - the trigger needs some time to break in and get smooth, so don't become upset if the action is not as smooth as you want, OK?
You have to keep in mind a thing or two. The sights on this gun are small army sights, they are good for shooting something at 25 yards and beyond - you then get to appreciate the sight picture. At 10 yards you are just going to have to get used to them... Second - the trigger needs some time to break in and get smooth, so don't become upset if the action is not as smooth as you want, OK?
- Status