So I have a Question?

[RevRay]

OK, so I have a question. While visiting a friend in Staunton, VA, he showed me some of of his gun collection, and I had a chance to shoot his 9mm Makarov. I really liked that little gun. I shot very well with it, and I liked its look and feel, so I need some of you all to help me out ...

Besides the fact that it's not a Kahr, and that it's a Commie gun, give me some other reasons why I shouldn't begin searching for one of my very own. And if any of you are an expert, which should I look for and which should I stay away from ... Russian, Polish, East German, Bulgarian, Chinese, etc.?

[jocko]

the east german is simply the best one of what u mentioned. The chinese v ersions are at the bottom of thgat scale, BUT THEY all worked. IMO they are great guns. I had the east german model which came high gloss finish. Just was a super well made gun with most all parts marked with matching numbers Years back when they flooded the market with these guns, we sold um for a $100 . I had no coic of what maker it was when I ordered and we did get alot of the east german high grade models. simply a super gun.

[Bawanna]

What he said^^^ much as it pains me. I was doing a on the job training program at a gun shop after getting squished. Must have been when they hit the market. We sold them for 100 bucks a copy too.

I don't recall now all the different ones they got in but they didn't vary much.

Many bought them as a leave in the truck gun, if it got lost or took no great loss.

They did work. Don't try to feed your 9mm thru it, it won't like it and your 9 won't like the 9mak either. Be careful with that.

[TheTman]

I hear the CZ-82 is a nice Makarov.

[jocko]

Many of ours expecially the east german versions came with their original holster with the flap over the gun and a spare magazine. I had one for a long time and like a fool sold it back a few years ago, as I just never shot it. All were blow back guns in case ur wondering Rev. which is not a bad thing

[O'Dell]

I preferred the Tokarev Myself. It was the Russian equivalent of the 1911 and was standard issue for many years before the Makarov came along. The Tokarev used a "Browning" action and was quite potent with the 7.62x25 round, but also came in 9x18 and 9x19 parabellum. Mine was a 9x19 and I would still have it if it hadn't been one of the stolen pistols.

[gb6491]

I hear the CZ-82 is a nice Makarov.
The CZ82 is chambered in 9x18 Makarov, but it's not a Makarov clone.
Regards,
Greg

[Dino]

If it fit your hand, you shoot it well and hit the target were you aim, why not.

[Alfonse]

Variety in guns is wonderful. No guilt necessary.

[Popeye]

The CZ82 is chambered in 9x18 Makarov, but it's not a Makarov clone.
Regards,
Greg

^^^ This is very true. Both the CZ 82 and the Makarov are chambered in the 9X18 Makarov rounds but similarities pretty much stop there. I own a 1987 CZ82 that to the best of my knowledge was never issued and was in some ones private collection for years and shot very little. It's pretty unique as the serial number reads the same forward and backwards. IMO it is a very fine straight blow back designed pistol with a Polygonal rifled barrel that's built like a tank.
9320
I have been searching for a Makarov pistol also, to go along with the CZ, but so far have been able to locate one in decent shape. Hornaday makes some pretty impressive JHP's in the 9X18 round which the CZ 82 seems to not have any problems chambering. So I expect the Mak would not either. In the meantime the search goes on, preferably for an East German Mak, but if in good condition I'd take anyone of them except for maybe the Chinese. Commie pistol they might be but it's the best $200 I ever spent on a pistol.

[johnh]

I had a couple Makarovs back when they were affordable. The Russian was my favorite. Should not have sold it. Live and learn.

CZ82s are great guns! I had a couple, and again wish I had not sold the last one. Fantastic triggers, great ergos, and quite accurate. Unfortunately 9x18 is hard to find in bulk at good prices. When I had mine it was very economical.

I also am a fan of the Tokarev. If you like that option, brand new commercial Zastavas are coming in the country at very reasonable prices. I could not resist and picked one up. They do have a longer grip to provide one more round capacity. I always felt the Tokarev grip was too short anyway. I hear you can easily modify CZ-52 magazines to work. I found a good deal on some Zastava mags in any event. My local dealer then scored me around 700 rounds of Norinco steel core ammo for well under $100. :) Lucky I know. That goes into the stash just in case I ever find the need for that level of penetration. ;)

[Popeye]

Agree John. They used to be a little cheaper to shoot but now the 9X18 cost about the same as a 9mm 9x19 round. Still a fun gun to own and shoot though, and they never seem to level off in what there worth. I think you be hard pressed to pick up a CZ82 in GC that I paid $200 for last year, today. It's probably one of the few pistols I own that have gone up in price over the last year. The only other firearms I own that have gone up in price in the last year are the M1Garand, Mini 14, Mosin Nagant 91/30,and Yugo SKS. All my other firearms have probably gone down in what I could get for them Vs what I paid. Funny 3 out of the 5 are Com Bloc Firearms who prices have gone up in the last year approx. 30 to 35% and maybe more in some cases.:D I wish all my other investments did so well.:cool: I'd definitely snap up a Makarov if I could find one as it's a fun to shoot no loose investment..

[ltxi]

Just understand, RevRay, the Makarov's native cartridge is 9x18 Makarov....not 9mm Kurz/.380 nor 9x19
Russian and East German are, or at least were, preferred. I had couple/three back in the $100 days but sold them off a long time ago.

[AIRret]

Is the 9x18 Makarov round just as effective as a 9mm?

[Bawanna]

Slightly less I think, more than a tickle, less than a pinch.



Sincerely
45's rule!

[ltxi]

Is the 9x18 Makarov round just as effective as a 9mm?

if you mean 9x19, the answer is NO. Remember, this is a compact blow back design, not locked breech. It compares well to .380 with modern ammunition. Back in the $100 days 9mm Mak was less effective than .380 'cause all you could get was surplus ball ammunition.

[AIRret]

Thanks Bawanna, and Itxi

[jocko]

Is the 9x18 Makarov round just as effective as a 9mm?

a 380, so the 9mm will trump it all the time. still the gun itself is a darn niuce well made gun. not a pocket gun IMO:amflag:

[wyntrout]

I think that the .380 will kick the milder 9x18's a$$. You can get a .380 drop-in barrel and be better off with a superior cartridge. There are hotter military loads, though! I'm not sure about the blowback design shooting the hotter stuff, though.

http://www.ask.com/wiki/9%C3%9718mm_Makarov?o=2801&qsrc=999&ad=doubleDown&an=apn&ap=ask.com

And У меня есть вопрос is I have a question. the lower case "b" thing is a "V" sound. the "Б" is a lower case B. :boink:

I studied русский (Russki) a few quarters in college, but I sure don't speak it! I couldn't remember the simplest words or phrases when going through the Russian border stations going through East Germany to West Berlin.:rolleyes:

I took German at the same time and had three quarters, but DID go to Germany for 3 years.

Wynn:)

[wyntrout]

Ballistics by the Inch has the Hornady 95 gr. XTP and the 70 gr. Powerball listed:

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/9makarov.html

With a muzzle energy chart if you click on the link there.

Wynn:)

[RevRay]

I took Русскии my first year of college back in 1964 ... but I flunked it. I didn't study very hard my freshman year. But I did study it on my own in the late 80's & early 90's in preparation for a trip to Russia that I eventually made. The interesting thing is that when I finally got to actually go ... I arrived in Russia the day of the coup in August 1991. Over the next 10 years I made 4 more trips & took my 16 year old daughter with me once. Later on, she actually went by herself & spent a year there working on a masters degree. In addition to all that, my first assignment as a young Infantry lieutenant was in the Berlin Brigade in West Berlin where I got to see a lot of Русскии soldiers up close & personal. So owning a Makarov would be a nostalgic sort of thing.

[wyntrout]

Driving through the partitioned countryside to get West Berlin was kind of scary. Our visits to East Berlin required us by treaty to wear our uniforms... kind of awkward, but an interesting trip. You have to wonder what the poor people trapped there felt when they saw us... envy... hate?

We had a nice visit and some very cheap meals. The US dollar was worth more than 3 DM and though the "official" rate was even for Marks, the bank in the West gave us 4 to 1 DM to East DM... about 12 to 1US. The German guard at Checkpoint Charlie told us to exchange our money first. He took our picture, too, future Wifey and me.:D

I need to go through our pictures and scan a bunch.

Wynn:)

[Popeye]

I certainly would not want to shoot a larger caliber round than a 9x18 Mak out of a pistol with a straight blow back design. Especially todays modern ammo. They are a little less forgiving and can sting you pretty good. They will make you appreciate a lock breech designed pistol.
Still having said that I still like them and CC it at times with no fear.

[b4uqzme]

Seems the prices on these have skyrocketed recently. I saw some polish versions at a Gander Mountain a few months ago priced at $169. They still have them but they've raised the price to $369.

Would have been a good investment? But then again I can never get myself to cash in and sell a pistol.

[b4uqzme]

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=UF102537794&uf=true

I saw 4 of these in the case today.

[O'Dell]

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=UF102537794&uf=true

I saw 4 of these in the case today.

I see absolutely nothing to recommend these pistols. You can get a CM9 or 40 with twice the power, two thirds the weight, and 500% more looks for the same price new.

[wyntrout]

Indeed!

Wynn:)

[b4uqzme]

agreed -- seemed kinda neat when they were only $169. Not so much now at twice that price.

[Cougar8000]

it is funny to read about Makarov's. My customers those who are from Russian block (remember there used to be 15 states in it) who have had to carry them all hate them and only buy them as a memory tokens.

I personally have never fired one as when I was there in school we only used AK47 for training. But holding one in my hand I can certified that you can break someones head by trowing it at them :)

To me personally it goes in the same category as russian URAL motorcycle. I would never buy one as I grew up in one, but I understand why people buy them.

For the price it is not something you will loose sleep about and a great conversation starter.

[RevRay]

I think this is a great looking gun ... do I hear an amen, or am I alone on this one?

http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=117&pictureid=755

[Bawanna]

Amen from me. Not drop dead gorgeous but nice.

[jocko]

a fokking men!!!

the adjustable site models we seen very few of themback in our dealer days. Even forgot about it even. I often wonder if that was an after market thing that the off the wall chinese makers were doing to get them exported into our cntry...

[jocko]

Amen from me. Not drop dead gorgeous but nice.

ain't a damn 1911, so it can't be drop dead georgous. Just sayin:amflag:

[muggsy]

Purdy. Kinda PPK-ish.

[Popeye]

I think this is a great looking gun ... do I hear an amen, or am I alone on this one?

http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=117&pictureid=755

Ray if you can find one like that for decent money I'd be allover that like white on rice. That is old school cool, and like I mentioned the price never seems to level off. Amen and pass the 9x18's:yo:

[ripley16]

The original finish on the German Makarovs is very nice, rivals anything from Walther.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i186/ripley16/Gone/Mak002.jpg (http://s72.photobucket.com/user/ripley16/media/Gone/Mak002.jpg.html)

The Russian ammo always left a cloud of acrid smoke. Wonder what crap I breathed in shooting it. The Makawrap grips are great... if you can find them.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i186/ripley16/Gone/maksale001.jpg (http://s72.photobucket.com/user/ripley16/media/Gone/maksale001.jpg.html)

[wyntrout]

It took me about a decade to shoot up a half-case of Wolf 230-gr .45 FMJ. Clouds of stinking smoke weren't much fun indoors, but it did shoot and punch holes in the targets. I stay away from steel-cased stuff for anything now, but I wouldn't be adverse to putting away a supply of sealed tins of the stuff for "prepping".

I have "enough" "regular" ammo. though. I didn't wait until the shortage to load up at regular prices.

Wynn:D

[RevRay]

I had been following one particular Makarov on Gunbroker, and then this one showed up this morning, so I decided to take the bait. I imagine that some of you might question why I decided to go for a .380, rather than a 9x18, but there's actually a method to my madness. Now I just have to wait for a couple of weeks to see how the auction ends up playing out.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=375292039

[wyntrout]

Nice looking pistol and better than the non-rust-free, non-.380 models, but you must be a glutton for pain getting into a two-week bidding war! Too bad there isn't a Buy Now price!

Good luck, Ray!

Wynn:)

[RevRay]

I had been following one particular Makarov on Gunbroker, and then this one showed up this morning, so I decided to take the bait. I imagine that some of you might question why I decided to go for a .380, rather than a 9x18, but there's actually a method to my madness. Now I just have to wait for a couple of weeks to see how the auction ends up playing out.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=375292039

I didn't end up winning the one above, because I think I showed my hand too soon. I need to be more patient. Ah well, there's always next time.

[RevRay]

About 6 weeks ago I put a WTB listing on Armslist looking for one of these satin finish 380 Makarovs. Not one response to it in all that time until just the other day. Now I'm in email discussions with a guy out in the Midwest who has one that he seems to be willing to sell. I won't get it for a song, but if I am able to end up with one for a fair price, then I'll be satisfied. If it does happen it will take a while to play out, but if and when it does I'll post some pics of my own.

http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=117&pictureid=762

[RevRay]

I was able to agree on a price for the Makarov above with the guy in Nebraska, so hopefully it shall be in my hands in a couple of weeks. With the holiday weekend, it probably won't be able to get shipped to my local FFL until sometime next week. With the Bersa Thunder I just bought, and now this Makarov, I am done with buying guns for a while. I'll post pictures when it comes in and I've got it all nice and polished up.

[RevRay]

So I was finally able to take possession of my very own Makarov yesterday. I brought it home and cleaned it inside and out, and took it for a test drive today. I liked it when I shot my friend's (a 9mm), and I like this one (a 380). It's a little heavier than I remember, but not bad. It's very accurate, which is always a good thing ... and I like the look of the Satin finish.

I've been to Russia 5 times, we had an exchange student from Russia, and my daughter studied in St. Petersberg for a year, so having a Russian gun is a nostalgic sort of thing.

http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=117&pictureid=771

http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=117&pictureid=772

[wyntrout]

Congratulations, Ray. I'm glad that you found some ammo.

Wynn:)

[certified106]

Very nice!! Always wanted to give one a spin. Congrats on the new gun!

[ltxi]

That looks like a very nice example of the breed....congrats!

[RevRay]

For anyone who might be interested, there's another one of these stainless model Makarovs on Gunbroker right now with no reserve.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=382245785

[Bawanna]

Looks nice. Adjustable sights, nice effort on a small gun and they don't seem bulky and out of place neither.

[wyntrout]

Hey! For a few more bucks you can get a CW380!:amflag:

Wynn:D