Why are Russian and E.G. Makarovs so expensive?

[WonderNine]

I noticed Akron Armory has unissued Russian Maks for $375. Who pays $375 for a Mak??? And they have beat up 90% ones for $275....please...

Is it just a collector thing or because there aren't that many? Or because dealers know they're C&R...

When are Bulgarian Maks gonna be C&R???

Sure most people say that E.G. and Russian Maks are a little bit nicer, but are they really worth 2X to 3X as much???

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I guess its a collector thing. Unissued Russian Maks are rare. But I personally still don't think they're worth it.

An EG Mak is both collectible and a fine weapon. The new Bulgarian Maks are pretty good, but a fine EG Mak is exceptional.

 

[BowStreetRunner]

i think it is collectors value and the fact that they are C&R
i mean look at the Star B handguns that Southern Ohio Guns is selling
the C&R ones are much more than the non-C&R variety.....i guess people like to use those C&Rs....i would use mine if i had money
BSR

 

[Mark G.]

Economics 101 "Supply and Demand"! Supply of Russian military Maks is low so they are going to command a higher price. Supplies of EG Maks is limited, not as low as Russian, so they will not command a price as high. The Maks are appealing to collectors as well as shooters so demand is higher than normal. Gun enthusiast are paying high prices for these pistols on the auctions. Just my $0.02.

 

[Erich]

Kraut Maks are really nice. One of the stupider gun moves I made was getting rid of mine. (I didn't think I needed it anymore. What a maroon! :banghead: )

 

[berettaman]

I really hate to bring this up but I was just at the gun show.To make a long story short,a guy had a Russian grip on an E.G.Mak and didn't seem to care that it was way underpriced.I tried to explain to him what the difference was but all he was interested in was selling it.He wanted $165.00 I countered with $100.00 and he seemed to start backing up so I offered $125.00 and a license swap.
SOLD.
Pristine/Mint 62 East German Makarov,2 mags and a cheap holster,out the door for $125.00

 

[alamo]

Amazing story. Wish that would happen to me. Give you $150 for it?

 

[sadp40]

i bought a kraut mak

from an old man who said i dont want any foreign made garbage around my place and my son left this thing here when he went to prison will you give me something for it to help pay my light bill? well i am no crook but i am on a tight budget so i said is 1oo$ enough he said if my sitiuation wasnt so tight i'd give it to ya 1oo$ is plenty so i give him the c-note and skip away happy, but how happy i didnt know. i have an an old ij-7o commercial russian that i've had forever and i thought it was a fine little glovebox gun, but nothing great well i shot this e. german mak and wouldnt ya know my walther pp went in the gunsafe this mak is so fine 61 ;production with 1 matching mag for 1 bill. it is ruko marked but not billboard marked just a little import stamp. anyway she is fine and her name is helga she's a fine woman.

 

[Onmilo]

I have had and sold several Russian and a couple genuine Chinese Military Makarovs over the years.
At one time these would bring $3000.00 on the collector market and the non=import marked ones that were brought back from Viet Nam and Africa still may.
$375 is a good price for an import marked Russian Military Makarov but if you look you can find the even better commercial Baikal Makarovs that have the adjustable sights for around $125.00
East German Makarovs are much better finished than the Russian, Chinese, or Bulgarian version and are usually priced accordingly but aren't really any better shooting.
The Chinese Norinco imports were the most accurate military Makarovs have ever fired but the finish leaves a lot to be desired.
The Baikal pistols are far and away the best shooting guns of the lot.

 

[Hand_Rifle_Guy]

I got my E.G. Makarov for $249 back when the going rate for most maks was around $120 or so.

On the one hand, I was playing "support your local gunshop", as I thought the price was a little up there for "Just another Makarov," and the gun had been sitting in his glass case for a few monbths, but I bought it because it was mighty clean and shiny, and I kinda liked it when I was feeling rich, and I couldn't order anything else.

And on the other hand, this is the nicest-finish, nicest trigger, nicest shooting Makarov I've ever seen! Just as nice or better than all the commercial-grade guns by anybody that I've looked at. In hindsight, I don't regret paying the "overprice" for my gun. The E.G Makarovs really are the best of the breed, and I'm lucky to have gotten a nice one for at least a semi-decnt price. It's a prize.