Makarov Opinions?

foogoo · December 18, 2004, 01:39 AM

I've been looking around for a 9mm first handgun but many of them are either too expensive or have had bad reviews. The Makarov caught my eye because it has a nice compact size and is reasonably priced. How does it perform? Is the ammo widely available?

**JohnKSa** · December 18, 2004, 01:43 AM

Never heard of such a thing.

Where did you see the name? ...it couldn't have been around here--not recently, anyway.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...hlight=makarov

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...hlight=makarov

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...hlight=makarov

foogoo · December 18, 2004, 02:02 AM

Thanks, I should know better before posting next time

9x19 · December 18, 2004, 04:57 AM

Excellent pistols, excellent values, ammo widely available from internet sellers, may not be as easy to find in local shops.

I now have 9 of the little beasts, though 3 are destined as Christmas presents for my 3 sons.

Jim Watson · December 18, 2004, 07:41 AM

Pro: A good solid light service pistol.
Con: Kicks like a SOB, a plastic locked breech 9mm like G26 or Kahr P9 has much less felt recoil. Just God-awful heavy trigger pull.

Another thread somebody had one expertly gunsmithed which brought the trigger pulls down from 18 lb DA, 9 lb SA to about half that. A great improvement... for only $165 on a $140 gun.

Hal · December 18, 2004, 07:58 AM

Simple - small- crude - communist military arm.
What's not to like about it?

Kinda like a Russian great-coat only smaller and metal...

BTW - it isn't a "real" 9mm if by 9mm you mean the 9mm Luger round. Original chambering is between a .380 and a 9mmLuger in power/pressure.

DT Guy · December 18, 2004, 09:01 AM

Good pistol-itty, bitty sights.

The trigger pull can be smoothed up quite nicely with only a little work.

Certainly one of the best values around...

Larry

RUT · December 18, 2004, 09:33 AM

>>Good pistol-itty, bitty sights.<<

That's why I sent mine out and had Novak sights installed!

coyote2 · December 18, 2004, 09:33 AM

Makarov's are one of the best deals on the market next to CZ's. so far i have just one Mak, but plan on buying a couple more soon. i just put a CZ83 chambered in 9x18 makarov on layaway yesterday. the CZ comes with 2 12rd mags. depending on were your mak is made, it could be single stack 8rd. or double stack 12rd. 9x19 would no better then I. Makarov ammo is getting more available in some areas and you can order it on-line for around 5.00 a box. more ammo manufactures are making the makarov rd. now, so there is more to chose from.

Antikristuseke · December 18, 2004, 09:45 AM

Horrid sights but as reliable as a sledgehammer

Jehzsa · December 18, 2004, 09:54 AM

Only 27 parts. Including the 4 parts of the mag. It's like a 3-5 yr. old jigsaw puzzle.

Everything can be tuned with patience and not a lot of work. Parts readily available in case someone messes up. And definitely not expensive.

alamo · December 18, 2004, 10:03 AM

Here's how to lighten the DA trigger pull on a Makarov. Most aren't too bad but some, like my unissued Bulgarian are fairly stout. My EG Mak's DA trigger pull was absolutely perfect and I used it as a guide to tune the Bulgarian's mainspring.

You just need a dremel and a grinding wheel and a bit of sandpaper to smooth it out. Re-blue it if you'd like when done. In the unlikely event you get carried away, mainsprings are cheap. It absolutely works, I've done it. Anyone can do it. Tested with 125 rounds of 2 different types of ammo, no light strikes. Haven't seen a report of anyone who has done it having light strikes either.

See the postings and pictures by "CB3":

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/topi...une,mainspring

DT Guy · December 18, 2004, 04:36 PM

Yep, that'll work.

Those Bulgies are pretty 'oversprung' as delivered.

Larry

**JohnKSa** · December 18, 2004, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Thanks, I should know better before posting next time

Well, in my defense, there have been at least 2 or 3 Mak related threads active in the last couple of days. But you're right, my response wasn't very nice. I was irritated about something else entirely and took it out on you.

foogoo · December 19, 2004, 12:46 AM

JohnKSa: No worries! You did get me the info I was looking for!

Bob F. · December 19, 2004, 09:13 AM

Sold a nice East German Mak cause I wanted something else (found a used .357 Blackhawk-very rare around here). I like the BH but kick myself for parting with an EG Mak. Super guns!!

Stay safe.
Bob

PS Check out makarov.com if it wasn't in the above links!

old_ironsights · December 19, 2004, 11:13 AM

Makarovs are well-made handguns. "Inexpensive" doesn't always indicate "cheap." They were made for the military, by the military with little regard for anything other than absolute dependability. While the machining isn't crude, refinements are possible.

They're easily disassembled and modified to each shooter's individual needs.

Equipped with only a Dremel you can widen the rear sights, soften the trigger or smooth the action. They're the perfect weapon on which to learn basic gunsmithing skills, and if you screw the pooch, replacement parts are readily available and inexpensive. There's always someone around to advise you

.

The 9x18 round was obviously powerful enough for the Russian military, and the mag capacity is sufficient, unless you're planning on getting in a running firefight.

care-less · December 19, 2004, 03:31 PM

I have three Bulgarians. They are all absolutly reliable, adequatly powerful, and while some complain about the triggers; mine are absolutly great! Really some of the best double action triggers I have ever felt; smooth and light.

Mister_Dinky · December 19, 2004, 03:34 PM

Great pistol at a decent price. Makes a great car gun. Some triggers are better than others but none are awful.
FWIW
YMMV
DFB

Pharley · December 19, 2004, 05:14 PM

Maks are the bet value out there.
Solid, reliable and accurate. 100% dependable.
Makarov.com has every part needed, and they are cheap.
Ammo is dirt cheap ($6 per 50)
Buy a 19lb or 21lb recoil spring, and it shoots like a 22....it is a tame baby
I carry E.G. Mak, and the trigger pull is sooooo smooth....polish trigger up

The sights do suck, but I put fluorescent orange model paint and super glue on my front sight post, and that made the sights plenty easy to acquire. Doesn't really matter to me....if I have to use my Mak, it will be an instinctive point shoot from 30' or less.

Hope this helps....you will NOT be disappointed with a Mak.
R-

Danindetroit · December 19, 2004, 06:10 PM

I am just curious, my dad bought a .380 walther ppk/s for SD in the 60's. Looking at the ballistics for the 9x18, seems to be almost identical to the 9 kurz. Is it the pistol itself that is sought after, more than the caliber? Does it come in any other calibers? I am thinking that this could be a gun for a family member. Are the guns going to be used, or can new ones be had? It seems that from posted info, that "rebuilding a used one, would not be that hard. Thanks for the help. I am not finding much on the net besides peoples webpages of picks for the guns, I thought I could find an importer, like eaa has info on the saiga, and some vepr models a while ago. TIA

Ps I just looked in the WTS handguns forum, and saw a polish mak, it looks like a ppk\s, it says p-64, are the bulgarians, the ones to get, are some made with OEM hi-cap mags, or are the just longer aftermarket mags.

railroader · December 19, 2004, 06:45 PM

The polish maks aren't makarovs. They are just both chambered in 9x18. Mark

DarkKnight01 · December 19, 2004, 07:05 PM

another vote for the East German Mak... great weapons.... very reasonably priced and quite nice to conceal... the draw back is the already mentioned horrible sights... im thinking the orange model paint on the front sight is a good idea... the funny part of it is my lady owns it not me... she went to a local gun shop looking for something dependable affordable and effective for home defence after her divorce... they recommended the Mak... i need to visit that store as it seems to be more the type of dealer im looking for...

versus the a$$ i bought my taurus from... he was nothing but rude and ignorant... maybe its because im a young punk that had more knowledge than he did about guns... *sigh* ill never set foot in his store again... only went thru him because he was the only taurus dealer in the area... and had him order my PT145... the guy wouldnt even throw in a 10$ cleaning kit after i spent almost 400$ in his store... rude ignorant and stupid... bad combination for a firearms dealer.

P.S. the reason i knew he wasnt so bright was due to the fact that he had 2 kel-tecs in his case, one a .32 and the other the new .380 i asked to see the .380 and fiddled with it for a moment while taking to him about how kel-tec really pulled it off with this potent little package etc. and said the only draw back is the fact that it doesnt have a slide catch... he said no it does... if you pull it back right now itll stay open... i said really? thats not what ive read and heard... i read they did it to save room which is worth the sacrifice for such a small package and relatively big round for its size... i then pulled the action back and of course it didnt stay open as i knew from looking at the gun as he handed it to me that it didnt have a slide catch... i just wanted to justify my comment... i then handed it to him and said see for yourself... he then worked the slide a few times, took the magazine out and put it back in firmly with a dumfounded look on his face... put on his spectacles and held the action open to look inside as if you really need to go that far to know there isnt one... and says nope there isnt a slide catch on it hmmmm.... i said yes... it doesnt have one, the .32 does but not the .380 he then picked up the .32 and tried it and of course it stayed open when he pulled back the slide.

reasons like this is why ill also never bring a weapon to him for repair... who knows what he will do to my gun !!

Jehzsa · December 19, 2004, 08:54 PM

http://www.makarov.com/makfaq.html

Probably will answer most questions about the Makarov.

Lawyer Daggit · December 19, 2004, 09:24 PM

Never owned one, but I understand it is the Soviet response to the Walther PPC- not as sophisticated or well made as the latter, but nevertheless a very serviceable pistol.

Biggest concern is its calibre- as most western experts would rate is as very marginal for self defence- it is certainly no where near as powerful as the 9mm para.

December 18, 2004, 01:39 AM	#1
foogoo Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Posts: 120	Makarov Opinions? I've been looking around for a 9mm first handgun but many of them are either too expensive or have had bad reviews. The Makarov caught my eye because it has a nice compact size and is reasonably priced. How does it perform? Is the ammo widely available?

December 18, 2004, 01:43 AM	#2
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,989	Makarov you say? Never heard of such a thing. Where did you see the name? ...it couldn't have been around here--not recently, anyway. http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...hlight=makarov http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...hlight=makarov http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...hlight=makarov

December 18, 2004, 04:57 AM	#4
9x19 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Sherman, TX USA Posts: 3,750	Excellent pistols, excellent values, ammo widely available from internet sellers, may not be as easy to find in local shops. I now have 9 of the little beasts, though 3 are destined as Christmas presents for my 3 sons. __________________ Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!

December 18, 2004, 09:01 AM	#7
DT Guy Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Posts: 959	Good pistol-itty, bitty sights. The trigger pull can be smoothed up quite nicely with only a little work. Certainly one of the best values around... Larry __________________ He who fights and runs away had better run pretty damn fast. Government, Anarchy and Chaos

December 18, 2004, 09:33 AM	#9
coyote2 Member Join Date: December 13, 2004 Location: Posts: 28	Makarov's are one of the best deals on the market next to CZ's. so far i have just one Mak, but plan on buying a couple more soon. i just put a CZ83 chambered in 9x18 makarov on layaway yesterday. the CZ comes with 2 12rd mags. depending on were your mak is made, it could be single stack 8rd. or double stack 12rd. 9x19 would no better then I. Makarov ammo is getting more available in some areas and you can order it on-line for around 5.00 a box. more ammo manufactures are making the makarov rd. now, so there is more to chose from. __________________ the right to self protection is more then a legal right, it is a human right

December 18, 2004, 02:02 AM	#3
foogoo Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Posts: 120	Thanks, I should know better before posting next time

December 18, 2004, 07:41 AM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	Pro: A good solid light service pistol. Con: Kicks like a SOB, a plastic locked breech 9mm like G26 or Kahr P9 has much less felt recoil. Just God-awful heavy trigger pull. Another thread somebody had one expertly gunsmithed which brought the trigger pulls down from 18 lb DA, 9 lb SA to about half that. A great improvement... for only $165 on a $140 gun.

December 18, 2004, 07:58 AM	#6
Hal Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 8,563	Simple - small- crude - communist military arm. What's not to like about it? Kinda like a Russian great-coat only smaller and metal... BTW - it isn't a "real" 9mm if by 9mm you mean the 9mm Luger round. Original chambering is between a .380 and a 9mmLuger in power/pressure.

December 18, 2004, 09:33 AM	#8
RUT Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2004 Location: NH, USA Posts: 812	>>Good pistol-itty, bitty sights.<< That's why I sent mine out and had Novak sights installed!

December 18, 2004, 09:45 AM	#10
Antikristuseke Member Join Date: September 16, 2004 Location: Estonia Posts: 45	Horrid sights but as reliable as a sledgehammer

December 18, 2004, 09:54 AM	#11
Jehzsa Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2004 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 756	Only 27 parts. Including the 4 parts of the mag. It's like a 3-5 yr. old jigsaw puzzle. Everything can be tuned with patience and not a lot of work. Parts readily available in case someone messes up. And definitely not expensive.

December 18, 2004, 10:03 AM	#12
alamo Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2000 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,060	Here's how to lighten the DA trigger pull on a Makarov. Most aren't too bad but some, like my unissued Bulgarian are fairly stout. My EG Mak's DA trigger pull was absolutely perfect and I used it as a guide to tune the Bulgarian's mainspring. You just need a dremel and a grinding wheel and a bit of sandpaper to smooth it out. Re-blue it if you'd like when done. In the unlikely event you get carried away, mainsprings are cheap. It absolutely works, I've done it. Anyone can do it. Tested with 125 rounds of 2 different types of ammo, no light strikes. Haven't seen a report of anyone who has done it having light strikes either. See the postings and pictures by "CB3": http://www.gunboards.com/forums/topi...une,mainspring

December 18, 2004, 04:36 PM	#13
DT Guy Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Posts: 959	Yep, that'll work. Those Bulgies are pretty 'oversprung' as delivered. Larry __________________ He who fights and runs away had better run pretty damn fast. Government, Anarchy and Chaos

December 19, 2004, 12:46 AM	#15
foogoo Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Posts: 120	JohnKSa: No worries! You did get me the info I was looking for!

December 19, 2004, 09:13 AM	#16
Bob F. Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2004 Location: Southeastern WV (left out "north") Posts: 195	Sold a nice East German Mak cause I wanted something else (found a used .357 Blackhawk-very rare around here). I like the BH but kick myself for parting with an EG Mak. Super guns!! Stay safe. Bob PS Check out makarov.com if it wasn't in the above links!

December 19, 2004, 11:13 AM	#17
old_ironsights Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2004 Location: ~ OKLAHOMA CITY ~ Posts: 380	Why a Mak? Makarovs are well-made handguns. "Inexpensive" doesn't always indicate "cheap." They were made for the military, by the military with little regard for anything other than absolute dependability. While the machining isn't crude, refinements are possible. They're easily disassembled and modified to each shooter's individual needs. Equipped with only a Dremel you can widen the rear sights, soften the trigger or smooth the action. They're the perfect weapon on which to learn basic gunsmithing skills, and if you screw the pooch, replacement parts are readily available and inexpensive. There's always someone around to advise you . The 9x18 round was obviously powerful enough for the Russian military, and the mag capacity is sufficient, unless you're planning on getting in a running firefight. __________________ The truth at its worst is superior to lies at their best.

December 19, 2004, 03:31 PM	#18
care-less Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2004 Posts: 127	I have three Bulgarians. They are all absolutly reliable, adequatly powerful, and while some complain about the triggers; mine are absolutly great! Really some of the best double action triggers I have ever felt; smooth and light.

December 19, 2004, 03:34 PM	#19
Mister_Dinky Junior member Join Date: July 18, 2002 Location: In one of the 50 Posts: 191	Great pistol at a decent price. Makes a great car gun. Some triggers are better than others but none are awful. FWIW YMMV DFB

December 19, 2004, 05:14 PM	#20
Pharley Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 116	Maks are the bet value out there. Solid, reliable and accurate. 100% dependable. Makarov.com has every part needed, and they are cheap. Ammo is dirt cheap ($6 per 50) Buy a 19lb or 21lb recoil spring, and it shoots like a 22....it is a tame baby I carry E.G. Mak, and the trigger pull is sooooo smooth....polish trigger up The sights do suck, but I put fluorescent orange model paint and super glue on my front sight post, and that made the sights plenty easy to acquire. Doesn't really matter to me....if I have to use my Mak, it will be an instinctive point shoot from 30' or less. Hope this helps....you will NOT be disappointed with a Mak. R- __________________ "Out of every ONE HUNDRED men, TEN should not be here, EIGHTY are nothing but targets, NINE are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they the battle make. Ah, but the ONE, ONE of them is a WARRIOR, and he will bring the others back."

December 19, 2004, 06:10 PM	#21
Danindetroit Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2004 Location: Detroit Posts: 757	I am just curious, my dad bought a .380 walther ppk/s for SD in the 60's. Looking at the ballistics for the 9x18, seems to be almost identical to the 9 kurz. Is it the pistol itself that is sought after, more than the caliber? Does it come in any other calibers? I am thinking that this could be a gun for a family member. Are the guns going to be used, or can new ones be had? It seems that from posted info, that "rebuilding a used one, would not be that hard. Thanks for the help. I am not finding much on the net besides peoples webpages of picks for the guns, I thought I could find an importer, like eaa has info on the saiga, and some vepr models a while ago. TIA Ps I just looked in the WTS handguns forum, and saw a polish mak, it looks like a ppk\s, it says p-64, are the bulgarians, the ones to get, are some made with OEM hi-cap mags, or are the just longer aftermarket mags.

December 19, 2004, 06:45 PM	#22
railroader Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2000 Location: Tucson Arizona Posts: 1,756	The polish maks aren't makarovs. They are just both chambered in 9x18. Mark

December 19, 2004, 07:05 PM	#23
DarkKnight01 Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2004 Posts: 173	another vote for the East German Mak... great weapons.... very reasonably priced and quite nice to conceal... the draw back is the already mentioned horrible sights... im thinking the orange model paint on the front sight is a good idea... the funny part of it is my lady owns it not me... she went to a local gun shop looking for something dependable affordable and effective for home defence after her divorce... they recommended the Mak... i need to visit that store as it seems to be more the type of dealer im looking for... versus the a$$ i bought my taurus from... he was nothing but rude and ignorant... maybe its because im a young punk that had more knowledge than he did about guns... sigh ill never set foot in his store again... only went thru him because he was the only taurus dealer in the area... and had him order my PT145... the guy wouldnt even throw in a 10$ cleaning kit after i spent almost 400$ in his store... rude ignorant and stupid... bad combination for a firearms dealer. P.S. the reason i knew he wasnt so bright was due to the fact that he had 2 kel-tecs in his case, one a .32 and the other the new .380 i asked to see the .380 and fiddled with it for a moment while taking to him about how kel-tec really pulled it off with this potent little package etc. and said the only draw back is the fact that it doesnt have a slide catch... he said no it does... if you pull it back right now itll stay open... i said really? thats not what ive read and heard... i read they did it to save room which is worth the sacrifice for such a small package and relatively big round for its size... i then pulled the action back and of course it didnt stay open as i knew from looking at the gun as he handed it to me that it didnt have a slide catch... i just wanted to justify my comment... i then handed it to him and said see for yourself... he then worked the slide a few times, took the magazine out and put it back in firmly with a dumfounded look on his face... put on his spectacles and held the action open to look inside as if you really need to go that far to know there isnt one... and says nope there isnt a slide catch on it hmmmm.... i said yes... it doesnt have one, the .32 does but not the .380 he then picked up the .32 and tried it and of course it stayed open when he pulled back the slide. reasons like this is why ill also never bring a weapon to him for repair... who knows what he will do to my gun !! __________________ MOLON LABE!!

December 19, 2004, 08:54 PM	#24
Jehzsa Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2004 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 756	http://www.makarov.com/makfaq.html Probably will answer most questions about the Makarov.

December 19, 2004, 09:24 PM	#25
Lawyer Daggit Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Posts: 1,181	Makarov Never owned one, but I understand it is the Soviet response to the Walther PPC- not as sophisticated or well made as the latter, but nevertheless a very serviceable pistol. Biggest concern is its calibre- as most western experts would rate is as very marginal for self defence- it is certainly no where near as powerful as the 9mm para.