Why not a Ruger LCP / Kel-Tec P-3AT type pistol in 9x18 Makarov?

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soonerboomer

soonerboomer

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I love my East German Makarov, but its no 10oz. pocket pistol.
So... why don't the gun manufacturers make a pocket pistol similar to the Ruger LCP or Kel-Tec P-3AT in 9x18 Makarov?
I see some advantages to such an option:
- more available ammo
- cheaper ammo
- slightly more power than .380
- yet small enough and mild enough to fit into a pocket pistol (so it seems)
 
They would have to be at least slightly bigger to strong enough, and you'd end up back here asking why the now-bigger guns weren't available in 9x19mm (in which case you'd be directed to the PF-9.) :p
 
MedWheeler said:
They would have to be at least slightly bigger to strong enough, and you'd end up back here asking why the now-bigger guns weren't available in 9x19mm (in which case you'd be directed to the PF-9.) :p
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That was going to be my question. It is only a matter of time. Just look at the Rohrbaugh
 
The Magnum Research Inc Micro Desert Eagle is a licensed copy of the ZVI Keivn.
The Czech made ZVI Kevin is offered in .380ACP and 9x18mm.

So, why doesn't Magnum Research Inc offer the Micro Desert Eagle in 9x18mm?
 
I've asked myself that question many times. I emailed Magnum Research a couple of months ago about it too. They said that they didn't have any plans to offer the Micro-Eagle in 9x18- which I thought was stupid- given the fact that the company builds itself on a "most-powerful-handgun" marketing scheme.
 
The smallest 9x18 I know of is the P-64.
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I love my Makarov, my P-64, my P-82, and my PA-63....but....my P-64 is about the same size as my Kel-Tec PF-9. The P-64 is a bit wider, heavier, and less potent though. Seems pointless to make a 9x18 version of a 9x19 gun (PF-9), which is already small. ;)
I wonder if steel cased ammo use is factored into pocket .380 designs? Much of (not all) the 9x18 ammo we all shoot out of our (well, I do anyway) Maks and such is cheap steel cased stuff like Wolf, Brown Bear,Tula, etc.
.
 
I'm just curious... one can purchase 9x18 barrels for the Kevin online. Since the barrel in the Micro-Eagle is removable, couldn't someone just pop in the 9x18 barrel and be good to go?
 
I know that the caliber switch is a simple barrel replacement on Makarovs... why not try it on the micro eagle? Anyone know if the recoil springs are different strengths?
 
I'd like a LCP in 9x19.
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Yikes! That makes one of us!

They don't make it in 9x18 because there is not a market demand. Why should they when their .380s are flying off the shelf?
 
Ben86 said:
Yikes! That makes one of us!

They don't make it in 9x18 because there is not a market demand. Why should they when their .380s are flying off the shelf?
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Oh, come on now it couldn't be as bad the BIG revolvers(500/460S&W/.454). Or 2 shot 45LC derrenger.

You do have a point with the market potential. One flew off the shelf and into my safe....
 
I had both a Makarov 380 and and a Makarov 9X18 and the 9X18 had a lot more felt recoil than the 380 did.

I expect making one of the light and very small pocket pistols in 9X18 would be a real handful for most people.
 
Recoil in my relatively heavy P-64 is sharp. Any lighter, and you'd need a short lanyard so it wouldn't fly over your shoulder. I use a Handall Junior Grip to avoid lift-off...
 
Oh, come on now it couldn't be as bad the BIG revolvers(500/460S&W/.454). Or 2 shot 45LC derrenger.
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Probably not, but I would doubt my ability to hold onto the little beast, especially in rapid fire. It would be like the noisy cricket from men and black. A 45LC derrenger? Seriously? Some people are truly masochistic, whether or not they realize it! :D
 
I really don't care what others say, my TCP is very accurate and reliable. 100 shots to the head of UMC ammo (all hit) without a hiccup.
 
The 9x18 barely makes more power than a good .380 load. There are .380 factory rounds that develop 250-270 ft/lbs. The Mak round is right at 300 ft/lbs. Why bother?
 
I expect making one of the light and very small pocket pistols in 9X18 would be a real handful for most people.
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Yeah, it's too bad that "most people" have to be included in this gun's market for it to be viable. I'd certainly like one.

The 9x18 barely makes more power than a good .380 load. There are .380 factory rounds that develop 250-270 ft/lbs. The Mak round is right at 300 ft/lbs. Why bother?
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I think a great many admirers of the 9x18 like the fact that ammo is abundantly available and a heck of a lot cheaper than .380 ACP.

I say "why bother" buying a gun in .380 ACP at all, with today's ammo prices, when it is just a more expensive, weaker round, compared to its commie cousin. Only reason for me would be that it's not avail in 9x18... hence, some people would like to see it done for the LCP!
 
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9x18. 237 ft. lbs. in theory for the military load.

.380 -- I'd bet if you don't KNOW what you are buying it is likely to be weaker than the planned 9x18 load and more likely the same as what is commercially available in 9x18 on average...

It is understandable the .380 is the focus. Tho a fine caliber there really wasn't anything superior about the 9x18 when the Soviets borrowed the design and made it not to fit in the West's weapons...

Al
 
.356 vs .365
90gr vs 100 gr

then you have the difference in power
I don't think I would like the MDE with Mak, hell it has a rep with .380 for being snappy
 
The hottest .380 ammo is hotter than the hottest 9x18, I believe. At least, the Buffalo Bore ammo is. Don't those little pistols generally handle .380+P OK?
 
Doc Glock said:
I don't think there is anything that is +p in 380 other than hype. Besides the Mak is 9.20 mm not 9 mm. If you ever shoot a P 64 or a Mak you will know the recoil is stout indeed. That would really rough up a plastic pistol over its limits I think.

I don't believe in Buffalo Bore or hollow point bullets in any caliber either. It is FMJ for me all the time.
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I know there is not an official +P in 380 but if you look at for example the LCP test by Jeff Quinn he has chrono figures of different ammo from the LCP and the Remington and Federal 90gr rounds clocked 827 fps and 849 fps.

The Buffalo Bore 100gr HC clocked 1110 fps from the LCP. That sounds pretty darn close to +P to me.

I have fired and carry Buffalo Bore in my Micro, but only the first (chambered) round.
I don't think it's a good practice to shoot too much if BB in the pocket pistols because it's just too hot.
 
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