Which would be the better sidearm for an AK-47?

[Roc_Kor]

A M1911 or a Makarov in .380 ACP? If it's the Makarov then I might get an 'American' rifle to go with the 1911.

Give me the plus sides and down sides of each. I.E, Mak is smaller and can be concealed easily, 1911 more powerful round.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

What about a CZ-52?

Too bad Kalashnikov didn't design a pistol to accompany his rifle.

 

[lee n. field]

Are you going for authenticity?

Makarov. The only downsides compared to the 1911 are power and the less nice stock sights.

 

[wally]

7.62x25 Tokarov. Most impressive muzzle blast and flash.

To go American: M14 (M1A) and 1911.

--wally.

 

[PBIR]

I'm with wally on this one.

 

[NMshooter]

Well, the CZ-75 saw some use by the more "special" folks over there. I think you need several more pistols and rifles, however, so you can properly research this subject.

 

[Roc_Kor]

The thing is I have a Makarov and am getting a 1911. I just wanted to know which would make the better sidearm for my WASR-10. And I can't afford an M1A...

 

[otomik]

Too bad Kalashnikov didn't design a pistol to accompany his rifle.

maybe he did, but these are more of PDWs than sidearms.
http://kalashnikov.guns.ru/models/ka26.html
http://kalashnikov.guns.ru/models/ka28.html

historical authenticity could mean a Tokarev, Makarov or you could stretch it into any pistol any combloc nation grunt would happen to find in an invaded country (CZ-52s, Beretta 951, Helwans, various european .32s).

a conceptual match would be a weapon that fires a relatively high-powered cartridge for it's class and is simple and with loose tolerances for reliability in adverse conditions. CZ-52, Tokarev, 1911, most Glocks in .40, 10mm .45 and .357

Asthetic matches rule out glocks and anything not all steel and or too modern.

maybe a CZ75 in .40 or a CZ97 in .45
Tokarev or CZ-52
1911s

 

[Roc_Kor]

No, please don't bring in other pistols. Just compare the 1911 and the Makarov as a sidearm. Thanks. I am planning on getting a 1911 either way and already have a Makarov. I don't want anything else at the moment.

Please compare the .380 Makarov and the .45 [Springfield Armory Mil-Spec] 1911A1 [clone].

 

[Marshall]

otomik, those are just too cool!

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

maybe he did, but these are more of PDWs than sidearms.

Cool...

 

[otomik]

Please compare the .380 Makarov and the .45 [Springfield Armory Mil-Spec] 1911A1 [clone].

Makarov is good, .380 will make it overpriced and underpowered. if you go the Makarov route go with the traditional 9mm/9.2mm chambering and get the heaviest bullets you can find for it (over 100 grains).

Springfield MilSpec? sure, better yet get the GI version. but i don't see it as a companion to the Kalashnikov, it feels so American. get an equally handsome american rifle with a wooden stock for that, maybe a Savage Scout Rifle. http://www.savagearms.com/10gxp3.htm

 

[Zardoz]

People please,,, try to keep it simple.

Rinco theme.

Or Mac theme.

 

[Marshall]

Here's the classic match-up, IMO.


Springfield MIA

Springfield GI

And Zardos, where did you get a Mak that looks so nice? The ones I see for sale look like sh*t.

 

[rbernie]

This is easy - the 1911 is a fine companion sidearm to ANY long arm.

 

[JohnKSa]

From a practical standpoint: I'd be sorely tempted to forget about a pistol and just carry more mags for the AK...

From a collector standpoint: Mak, Tok or CZ

 

[Roc_Kor]

Ok. Please don't bring the Tok, CZ or any other gun. Just compare the 1911 to the MAK. That's all. I just want to know which to carry with my AK.

 

[jc2]

If you going to go Soviet, go Soviet--the Mak in 9x18.

Advantages--try to buy a 1000 rounds .45 ACP for $100-- or try to buy a 1911 for $179

Overall, there's not a lot to really compare--both are reliable with ball (Mak might have an edge), both easy to fieldstrip/clean (Mak might have an edge), both are easy to detail strip (Mak does have the edge), both are tough, durable and can handle abuse, parts are equally available (but no MIM for the Mak), both are accurate, both are handy pistols (Mak might have the edge due to its smaller size), both are authentic (but the Mak is authentic with the AK47.

I'd buy the Mak for an AK47 and the 1911 for DCM M1 Garand.

 

[wally]

Advantages--try to buy a 1000 rounds .45 ACP for $100

I can buy 1000 rounds of Wolf 45ACP for $110 from www.sportsmansguide.com

45ACP is much better choice if you reload. I bought a Norinco 45 for $225 and an East German Mak for $165 more than a few years back. Its politics that's made the change in prices. If Bush had the balls to recind Clinton's executive order ......

--wally.

 

[jc2]

Yep, it's a shame "it's not a few years back," isn't it. I'd have me EG Mak or two and three and half inch M27 if it were.

I can buy 1000 rounds of Wolf 45ACP for $110 from www.sportsmansguide.com

You can buy 1000 round of Wolf 9x18 at $90 from them. Of course, the shipping and handling on the .45 ACP is $29 and only $13 on the 9x18 so still the 9x19 comes in about $36 cheaper (but then not everybody wants to shoot Wolf either--I know I don't).

 

[Roc_Kor]

I already HAVE a Makarov. It's not in 9x18, though, it's in .380 (9x17).

And I'm GOING to get the 1911 regardless. I just want to know which one would statiscally be better when paired with an AK-47.

 

[45 Fu]

Honestly, it really doesn't matter.

If you are ever in a situation where you must have both weapons at he same time some form of excrement has hit the fan and you have larger problems than this. If you must go from a long gun to a pistol you should ask yourself why you got into such a crappy situation to begin with. If it hasn't hit the fan then you will probably never have the occasion to use both weapons in a single engagment, other than for a match or fun. So, again, it really doesn't matter.

My advice, for what it's worth, would be to carry the 1911. Why not carry the most gun you can? If you can hit with it (especially with ball) it will perform worlds better than the 9x18 mm.

 

[bud45]

Maadi-Misr & .380 Makarov...

...and shooting Golden Sabers in the Makarov, which, incidentally, was retro'd with an extended, ported barrel when I got it. It LOVES the Golden Sabers & is VERY accurate. It'll digest anything else, too.

 

[Ivy Mike]

for authenticity, you should carry the Mak. The Soviets designed several other pistols to equip soldiers (whom carried AK's) with. These pistols were usually chambered in 7.62Tok or 9x19. Some could even handle the Soviet 7N21 round which is a 9x19 loaded VERY hot ( hotter than +P+ supposedly)

Being practical, carry the 1911. .45ACP is a bigger round with more oomph beind it. It gives you a better chance at stopping someone should you have to go to the pistol. They carry the same amount of ammo (which is their biggest drawbacks IMHO)

Practicality says 1911
Authenticity says Makarov

 

[Rival]

With all due respect AK-47 does not care what sidearm you couple it with. Neither should you. I have both 1911 and Makarov, and I would trust either with my life. For me Makarov is more concealable weapon, and I treat it as such. If you are already carrying a rifle, such as AK, you might as well open carry a bigger handgun with a larger bore - I would go with 1911 in such a case.

If you look at it from authentical or collector point of view, you can forget about coupling your .380 Makarov with anything at all. If it's not chambered for 9x18mm Makarov round, it's not a real Makarov from authentical or collector point of view.