Makarov 9x18

[rogerwilco]

I've just ran across a good deal on a Makarov 9x18 ($150). Does anyone own one that can comment on the durability and quality? And what is your opinion on the 9x18 caliber.

[Jehzsa]

I have a Bulgie and an EG. Had the Bulgie black chromed and the EG brush chromed. So they are keepers and "heirlooms". Bulgie for my daughter, EG for my son.

Extremely durable, reliable and efficient guns. The cartridge is more than sufficient for stopping humans. It has a .364 diameter bullet that is propelled in excess of 1k fps.

Let me put it this way. I sold my HK USP 9mm. Kept the Maks. So yes, I'm partial to them. And to my son and daughter.

[rogerwilco]

So what you are saying is ...The 9x18 is a smaller caliber than the standard .380? I thought it was in between the 9mm and the .380.

[alamo]

I have an EG and Bulgarian as well. Ditto what Jehzsa said - extremely reliable & durable. I would not part with mine. The 9x18 is a little bit better than a .380.

http://www.goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/9x18/gel9x18.htm

[rogerwilco]

Here's a quick run-down of the popular 9mm cartridges:


9x17 = 9mm Kurz = 9mm Short = .380 ACP. Bullet diameter = .356"
9x18Ultra = 9mm Police. Bullet diameter = .356" (used in some Walther pistols...do not shoot this in your Makarov).
9x18M = 9mm Makarov. Bullet diameter = .364"
9x19 = 9mm = 9mm Parabellum = 9mm Luger. Bullet diameter = .356

[alamo]

I believe the .380 has a .355 bullet diameter. The 9x18 is slightly larger.

[rogerwilco]

My next question is ..Why is this handgun not more popular? It seems to great quality, reliability,low cost, easy to find parts and a small enough to conceal. Also affordable to shoot.

[alamo]

I think they are very popular with those that know about them and have tried one. They are not a brand name like Glock, S&W, etc. and there's not as many out there as the only supply of them are those being imported from Bulgaria. Some won't consider any pistol less than 9MM, .40, etc.

[strange246]

I have an East German and a Bulgarian, both shoot great, very accurate and reliable as it gets...

Check out http://www.gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=3 for all the Makarov info you could ever want...

[iwovet]

The Maks have a good reputation and for good reasons. As stated they are reliable and make a good carry weapon. There is just one thing that is negative that being the sighting system; small cut in rear and narrow front. A lot of Macs have gone thru my hands as an ex-dealer including the Chinese. which lacked quality. The East German had the best quality IMHO. There was another handgun made by Hungary called the PA-63 which also shot the 9x18 cartridge. This had an aluminum frame unlike steel in the true Macs. I find this is also reliable for a carry weapon. You can't go wrong with the one you are considering. Luck to you.

[DT Guy]

The Makarov is like the sweet, happy girl who can cook great-she's just a little homely.

A little work can really smooth up the trigger, too.


Larry

[donkee]

My Blugie has been a great reliable shooter. I think the thing about it is the fact that it's com bloc manufactured and they are inexpensive. Remember, anything inexpensive must not be any good. I have had some comments about my Mak. I just keep quite, and out shoot the commenters. That will usually shut them up. They are great and if you pick one up, you'll not be disappointed!

[rogerwilco]

Let me get this right..9x18 (.364) is a bigger caliber than the 9mm (.356). But comes in a smaller shell. Which means less charge? Sorta like the .357 and the .38. The same caliber but the .38 has less stopping power?

[Jehzsa]

9x17/9mm kurz/.380= .355 bullet diameter
9x18 Ultra(Police)= .355 bullet diameter (my personal favorite)
9x18 Makarov= .364 bullet diameter
9x19 Luger= .355 bullet diameter

Confusing enough? It is.

The term caliber merely denotes a classification. Yes, probably to confuse people.

[Geoff Timm]

From: http://www.fiocchiusa.com/centerfire.htm

Caliber Bullet Weight Bullet Type Muzzle Vel fps. Muzzle energy ft-lbs.

9 Makarov 95 Metal Case 1100 265
380 Auto 95 Metal Case 1000 215
9mm Luger 115 Metal Case 1250 400
38 Special 158 Metal Case 960 320

You pays your money and you takes your choice.

Geoff
Who notes he prefers .45 ACP

[rogerwilco]

I guess that answers that..lol Nice

[JohnKSa]

rogerwilco,

Don't get hung up on the bullet diameter difference. You're only talking about 8 THOUSANDTHS of an inch difference--that's about two and a half times the thickness of a sheet of typing paper. Bullet weight, bullet style and muzzle velocity are the key issues here.

For a very general rule of thumb you can assume that the 9x18Makarov and the .380ACP are FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES identical. American ammo makers tend to load these two calibers with identical bullet weights & styles and to the same velocity.

It turns out that with full power European ammo, the 9mmMakarov can actually be something like a half-step between the 9mm Luger and the .380ACP, both in terms of bullet weight and muzzle velocity. There are some issues with the really hot Mak ammo, so it's probably better to stick with the more conservative stuff.

Fiocchi makes great ammo--and it's usually fairly inexpensive too.

[rogerwilco]

Thats kinda what I thought. A tweener...lol.Either Or...I think It will make a good carry piece.

[Jehzsa]

Mostly disagree, JohnSKa. Exception made to the Federal Mak round which is pretty lame, the other American rounds are so called "specialty" rounds. Extreme shock, Corbon, RBCD, etc. Fast by any standard.

Russian 9x18M ammo, for one, is closer to 9mmL specs than .380 to 9x18M specs. Silver Bear, for instance.

Btw, I use Fiocchi. $12.00/50. Not necessarily inexpensive. The sound of the Kachinn and the Kaboom disturb my concentration.
Kind of goes like this, "Ooops, there goes another quarter!".

[abelew]

I would buy one if it shot conventional 9x19, as finding 9x18 seems to be kinda hard, unless one uses the internet for purchasing ammo.

[Jehzsa]

I know what you are saying, abelew. I'd kill for a Walther PP Super chambered for 9x19. Practical impossibility though. Recoil, blowback.

[ajamesp51]

rogerwilco
try aim surplus they have like new maks for 139, and slightly used for 119.00, the 119 is in the printed catologue they send to dealers. I just ordered one of each for my self and one of my customers and they sent two like news, both look vary nice. My mak at first had a heavy gritty trigger, but after about 300 rnds and dryfiring the trigger has smoothed out and has lightned. The accuracy is good and vary surprising. For 119 they are vary worth the price.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/L...n_Makarov.html

[rogerwilco]

Here is an article I found on the 9mm Mak

The 9x18 Makarov case is a "silly millimeter" shorter than the 9mm Luger and one millimeter longer than the .380 Auto. It also sports a larger 9mm bullet. Rather than sharing the common .355" bullet diameter of other nines, the Mak bullet runs a full .364" in diameter.

How does the Makarov round stack up ballistically? Here are the five most commonly catalogued Makarov loadings: Federal's 95-grain FMJ at 990 fps; Fiocchi's 95-grain FMJ at 1,100 fps; Hornady's 95-grain JHP at 1,000 fps; Sellier & Bellot's 95-grain FMJ at 1,017 fps and Wolf's 109-grain FMJ at 1,033 fps. In performance, the Makarov cartridge is closer to the .380 ACP than it is to the 9mm Luger. When loaded with equivalent weight 95-grain bullets, the Makarov generates about 50 fps more than the shorter .380 Auto. Not exactly earth shaking, but the Makarov round does provide a bit more punch for something about the same size as u .380.

Does anyone believe that?

[Jehzsa]

For instance, Silver Bear 115 gr HP from Russia, 1126 fps.

And others. Do I believe the article? Not really. There are also some truly amazing handloads out there.

BTW, JG Sales is selling good condition Bulgies for $100.00.

[coyote2]

I studied the 9x18 makarov round for some time before buying a mak. rodgerwillco is right as far as the length goes. the makarov is right in the middle between .380 and 9mm. most of the major ammo makers are making ammo for the 9x18 now. average bullet wht. is 95gr. to 115gr. the preferred wht. seems to be 100gr. to 110gr. average muzzle energy is 230ftlb to 260 ftlb. it comes out past the top end .380 loads and at the bottom of the 9mm luger loads. basically a standard pressure .38spl in a auto format. CZ is chambering there CZ83 for 9x18 and several others are reported to be getting ready to make a gun cambered in this round. i even heard that Sig might do the 232 in 9x18. all in all a .38spl in a auto that is small and easy to carry and shoot.