would you buy a Makarov ?

I :gangster: don't think I've ever seen any Federal Hydra Shoks in 9x18 Makarov

[SPOCAHP ANAR]

own two myself

[toolman]

I've been tempted several times but I can't stand those stupid heel-release mags. Might buy one anyway but the prices are creeping up. I remember seeing them for $99.00 several years ago and they are near double that around here now.

[Copper]

I've never shot anything but ball ammo through it, but I would assume that it would digest nearly anything. I've actually heard of people shooting .380 through it, but I'm too much of a sissie to try. I've gotten attached to my shooting hand over the years.

[BattleRifleG3]

Shooting 380 in a Makarov requires a barrel conversion. DO NOT shoot 380 in the original barrel. They are just close enough that a rebarreling works without reengineering.

[29er savoy]

i bought a russian IJ70-17A in 380 last year with adjustable sights shoots great no malfunctions ; all steel double action $100. can't beat it,

[Copper]

Isnt' the .380 auto also refered to as a 9mm Kurz in Europe???

[Dennis]

Yes that is correct
the 380 acp is 9mmx17mm
the 9mm Makerov is 9mmx18mm
the 9mm luger (parabellum) is 9mmx19mm
it is possible to load a 380 acp in a 9mm mak barrel and it Can fire it but it will not cycle reliably.
rebarreling to 380 is completly possible since the issue between the two is only case length
the cartrige indexes on the front of the case just like most automatic pistols when you take a whole millimeter off that it causes light firing pin hits.
ya can not shoot 9mm mak ammo in a 380
even if ya have a 380 that has a loose chamber I would not do it because of the powder charge difference.
The 380 Maks are fine shooters I like the original caliber but both are just fine.

bullet sizing widths are different..9mm Makarov is .363...
.380ACP is between .354-356:target:

[Dennis]

Bulletproof is right I remember something about that

I saw an East German Makarov in the Shotgun News for $295 :jaw:

[K75RT]

"I saw an East German Makarov in the Shotgun News for $295"

Although this is a good deal, I love the fact that I paid 169.00 for an excellent one several years ago....gotta love the return on the investment!

Pistolet Makarova (or PM) - Soviet Makarov combat pistol.
You can sum up the Pistolet Makarova in three little words - "simple and reliable."
It has served the armed forces of the (defunct) USSR for something like 40 years now - that is a testimonial that is worth something. The (former) Soviets had their problems, but they didn't scrimp on their weapon systems.

Nikolai Fedorovich Makarov was 31 at the end of World War II when the Soviet Union called for the design of a new combat service pistol in 7.62 or 9mm. Rather than using the .380ACP or 9mmParabellum, Makarov designed a new round, the 9x18mmMakarov. This round is cylindrical like the .380ACP but has the same head diameter as the tapered 9mmParabellum, necessitating a larger 9.25mm bullet with a standard weight of 6 grams (92.5gr)

The 9x18mmMakarov cartridge was developed to be up to 50% more powerful than the .380ACP. As such, it is about as powerful a round as can be used in a small pistol firing from a simple unlocked breech. Anything stronger would require so strong a spring to delay the slide's opening that the slide could not be pulled back my many people to load the pistol. Suggestion: look around and find an ASTRA 400 and try to cock it, you'll see what I mean.

Production started in Russia in 1951 (or slightly earlier?), with China and East Germany following in the late 1950s. These guns are substantially identical except for markings.

The Baikal IJ-70 is reliable as !!!! with the surplus GI ammo currently flooding the marketplace (95gr TMJ made at the famous TULA Ammunitions Factory, Russia), absolutely outstanding practice ammo. Best 'carry' ammo, IMHO, is the Hornady Custom 95gr XTP-HP. There's only one drawback with Ruskie GI ammo, it uses corrosive primer requiring cleaning of the weapon after each firing session. No big deal, it promotes good weapons familiarization.

The Pistolet Makarova is widely available in the U.S.A. in both the original 9x18mmMakarov caliber and .380ACP. Speaking for myself I'm partial to the 9x18mm, however there are very good defensive commercial loads available for both calibers, Remington Golden Saber HPJ in .380ACP comes to mind. Some might find the recoil from the less-powerful .380ACP more to their liking. The .380ACP can be fired in the 9x18 chamber, in a survival situation only!

The East German and Bulgarian Makarovs have the best reputation for fit and finish, though the newer Ruskie production models seem fine to me.

The standard model uses 8-round straight-stack magazines, and the high-capacity model uses 12-round stagger-stack magazines. The 8-round magazine will fit in the high-capacity model. The magazines are identical for both calibers. The East German magazines are rumored to be best? All magazines are rumored to be more reliable with one less round than capacity loaded? There is soon to be a 10 round magazine for the high capacity available?

This is a compact, blowback operation, double-action trigger and external hammer design similar to a Walther PP. The DA trigger pull is long and about 13 to 14 pounds. The SA trigger pull is *MUCH* better!

The safety is of the de-cocking, hammer-block type and is moved up to the safe position and down to fire. The slide will not move when the safety is on. The hammer cannot contact the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled, even with the safety off.

The accuracy is quite comparable to the Walther PP at less than half the cost. Some have reported 1.5" groups at 25 yards. The sights can be painted with white nail polish for better visability as night sights would cost as much as the original price.

I just got a new Shotgun News in the mail and I've noticed that I haven't seen any Makarovs advertised in it in quite awhile..have they dried up ?

[Dennis]

They are around go pawn shopping......

[denfoote]

East Deutsch.



Bulgarian



Arsenal (Bulgarian Commerical).




Baikal IJ70-17A (Russian Commericial).

nah..I'll just keep saving up for something else

[.22>.45]

I tried different ammo and could not hit *hit, Maybe it was "Shot out". I put my 1st dent in my bullet trap door with it
Paul aka Sporty

[Dennis]

Shot Out?
Maks have crome lined barrels,.....I doubt it would be possible to shoot one out.
.22>.45 I would just go practice some more.
Maks are not going to print dime sized groups but they will keep everything in the "coke bottle" on a siluette at 25 feet which is Waaaayyy acceptable combat accuracy.
I can keep a group in side a 8 inch circle if I am trying hard.

I would go get about 300 rounds (six boxes) and go fire them up.
wait a coupla weeks and do that again.
your proficiency and familuarization with your pistol will improve dramatically.
Your makerov Pistol is only half of the weapon system
You are the other half.
with Practice I know you will suprise your self.
Try this excercise.
Go and get a 2 standard bullseye targets
fire 8 rounds in to the first one.
stop, score it date it and put it away.
shoot up the rest of the 300 rounds.
Go home and Clean the !!!! out of your pistola.
next month with another 300 rounds on hand.
Go again, take the second target fire 8 rounds again at the same range
score again date again, put it away and fire up the rest of the 300 rounds again.
by the third or fourth time you do this your scores will get better.
see the true test of how good you are is those first shots when you are cold with no practice
that skill is called "muscle memory"
after so many years I Still need to practice because accurately shooting a firearm is a perishable skill. It is NOT like rideing a bike
in order for me to be able to KNOW I can hit my target under stress at a moments notice I have to practice.
once a month is ok but the more the better.
getting good with your makerov is easy and a good confidence builder.
you have the tool now you need to get good at useing it.

Good Luck

[Dennis]

I re read and had missed the Sold it part......