School me on makarovs

[Tomahawkman]

INGO,


Tell me about makarovs,

I know theres some guys on here who have a decent amount of them.

If I were looking into them, what are things to look for, whats a reasonable price?

Magazines? are they available and what should you buy.

Ive been obsessed with my AK lately and commie guns in general. Maybe ill pick one up sometime this year.

Regardless I like to learn.

 

[indiucky]

That when a Russian woman pronounces it in the correct fashion it sounds sexy, borderline pornographic......She says "Ma-Kar-Ov" and you hear "You have been a bad little capitalist boy haven't you?"

At least that's how I heard it when Andy Levy on "Red-Eye" had a female Russian Army Veteran guest say it in her accent five times in a row.....I know every guy on the panel wanted one after that and Andy looked like he had a gungasm....

Plan on spending between $275-$500 and remember in Makarovs expensive does not always mean better....In my opinion the Bulgarian Mak's are every bit as good, if not better, than the others...Due to there being no restrictions on them being imported they remain reasonably priced at around $300...The East Germans and Chinese Mak's are approaching a good used Smith and Wesson revolver range due to scarcity...

The folks I know that are into them are really into them...Once they have one then they want to get the ones from other countries as well....

Just giving you a fair warning...They are a lot of gun for the money and have a neat historical past as well....

 

[Tomahawkman]

That when a Russian woman pronounces it in the correct fashion it sound sexy, borderline pornographic......She says "Ma-Kar-Ov" and you here "You have been a bad little capitalist boy haven't you?"

Thats great!

 

[T.Lex]

Love mine. Don't shoot it nearly enough, partly because the ammo seems to have gotten in shorter supply, and thus more expensive, since I got it. Which was more than 20 years ago, now. (Man, I'm old.)

 

[Tactically Fat]

They're fantastic guns. Most are built like tanks. The cartridge is kind of "between" the .380 and the 9mm in the "power" department.

Don't be fooled into thinking that the Polish P-64 is a real Mak. They're not. Essentially those are copies of the PPK pistols - though the designers denied it (hah!)

Russians may be the most common. The ones with the adjustable rear sights were made for export to the US. The ones with the small fixed rear blade are Mil. Surp.

Next up would probably be the Bulgarian pistols.

If you can find a nice East German - you've got a real honey pie on your hands. Seriously.

 

[Tomahawkman]

Is there a significant price difference and availability of the milsurp russians vs the exports?

 

[Birds Away]

There are actual PMs (Pistolet Makarova) and guns chambered in 9x18 Makarov. Calling one of the latter a Makarov will get some Makarov guys in a huff. But, the Polish P-64 and P-83 as well as the CZ 82 are all very good guns in their own right.

 

[Tomc1947]

You can't go wrong with a Mak, I currently have 4, 3 Bulgarian's and a E German. The Bulgy's shoot as good as the German. They are 110%reliable and ammo is not that hard to get. I don't have the link, but go to the Military Arms Channel and check out there Mak torture test, says lots about the pistol.

 

[Tomc1947]

Is there a significant price difference and availability of the milsurp russians vs the exports?

True Russian Military Mak's are rare(and expensive). Most of the Russians on the market are the IMEZ commercial variety., which have adjustable sights, and , in my opinion are not as good as a mil surplus Bulgarian.

 

[Tactically Fat]

True Russian Military Mak's are rare(and expensive). Most of the Russians on the market are the IMEZ commercial variety., which have adjustable sights, and , in my opinion are not as good as a mil surplus Bulgarian.

is IMEZ the same as Baikal?

 

[snorko]

Great pistols, simple and accurate. Best deal now are the excellent condition Bulgarian Maks that came in not long ago and run around $300 (JG Sales Bulgarian Makarov Semi Auto Pistol, 9x18, Red Star Grips, Holster, Excellent Condition, Used. )

quality wise, the Bulgys and commercial Russian ones are great. East German models are highly collectable. Mags can be found for +/-$20. Like a lot of surplus stuff though, availability waxes and wanes so if you want one I would get it now.

ETA: Looks like top Gun Supply has unissued/excellent with TWO mags and holster for the same price:

http://www.topgunsupply.com/bulgarian-makarov-pm-pistol-9x18.html

 

[Leo]

I had a new production Russian made one that came factory chambered for .380acp. $150.00 Brand new with an extra magazine. Fantastic little pistol. The .380 models worked fine with standard 9 X 18mm magazines. I also put conversion barrels in a few. Very dependable, mine was also accurate.

 

[snorko]

A few years ago some conversion kits were available to change over to .22LR. Would love to have one of those.

Oh, and in before the "these used to cost $125 blah blah

 

[jinks]

A few years ago some conversion kits were available to change over to .22LR. Would love to have one of those.

Oh, and in before the "these used to cost $125 blah blah

I purchased the 22 conversion kit when they became available. It was never 100% reliable. The problem was probably the 22 barrel liner.

 

[JettaKnight]

True Russian Military Mak's are rare(and expensive). Most of the Russians on the market are the IMEZ commercial variety., which have adjustable sights, and , in my opinion are not as good as a mil surplus Bulgarian.

THIS.

I have one of the Russian commercial one, double stack mag. The finish on it is rather rough.

 

[Tomc1947]

is IMEZ the same as Baikal?

Yup

 

[bloodandgutsmurphy]

I own an East German Makarov, traded it, and got it back. It is never going to leave my collection. I think it will be rare to find any Mak for under $300. Reliability is superb for all of them, even the Russian commercial ones I believe. Ammo can be found online or at gun shows sometimes. They are really fun to shoot

 

[crispy]

You've been schooled...

Makarov.com

 

[Hop]

I've also got a couple and have waffled on selling them, actually listed them on here once. They are so reliable it's hard to think about getting rid of them. The Bulgy shoots slightly more accurate than the commercial Russian but both do fine. AIM had some freshly imported ones soaked in cosmoline for $300. I'm not sure if they are still available.

 

[AmmoManAaron]

Love mine. Don't shoot it nearly enough, partly because the ammo seems to have gotten in shorter supply, and thus more expensive, since I got it. Which was more than 20 years ago, now. (Man, I'm old.)

Easy-peasy, lots of choices in stock at these two places:

9x18 Makarov

9x18mm Pistol Ammo | 9x18 Handgun Ammo | 9x18mm Ammo | Sportsman's Guide