9X18 Makarov for carry?

S

Satanta

New member
Got one based on price and 'heard' reliability. Most know but for those that don't the bullet is smaller than a 9 but larger than a .380. Since it's the only handgun I could afford that has reliability [[Jennings or something are NOT included!]] I'm limited to my options.

I also read that in Tx a CCW must be obtained using a 9mm cal minimum. Is this true and could the 9x18 be substituted if I use a 9 for the testing but carry the Mak on person?

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Satanta, the Whitebear
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My Disability petition: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/DisbHelp/petition.html
 
Don't know about Texas CCW, but I can tell you that Maks are reliable, accurate, thin and relatively comfortable for carry. When you can, invest in some Pearce grips. You can order a decent Uncle Mike's IWB holster from www.midwayusa.com

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"Get yourself a Lorcin and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol."
 
Go to makarov.com and get the newbie kit which has spare mags (buy Russian made), mag loader, Pearce grips, and a manual (don't get the one by W. Cude).
 
Just a couple of points:

1. The Makarov's "bullet" is actually larger than either the .380 or 9mm "bullet" being that it is .365 inches in diameter as opposed to the .355 inch diameter bullet in the .380 Auto and 9mm

2. The Makarov *case* is 18mm in length, whereas the .380 and 9mm are 17mm and 19mm in length respectively.

3. I have tested CCI Gold Dot, Hornaday XTP, and Fiocchi JHP in the Makarov. All fed and functioned fine *after* the initial 250-round break-in. I personally favor the Speer Gold Dot Hollow Point loads.
 
In my opinion and in the opinion of a LOT of other folks who are familiar with most pistols available... you have chosen one of the finest pistols available at any price... perhaps THE finest pistol available at any price.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!

Next; gets thousands of rounds of inexpensive military surplus ammo from Russia, China, etc. while you can. You can expect FINE FMJ ammo at about $6 per 50 round box when purchased mail order by the case -- often as little as $4.75 per box of 50.

Thin, accurate, reliable, more powerful than most police and military calibers of a few decades ago (when wars were fought by men with such pistols on the hip)... The Makarov is the first choice when I work in the gun shop and of all the others who work there too. AND we can carry anything we want.

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Talk is cheap; Free Speech is NOT.
 
Make sure you run several magazines of your carry load before you have to depend on it. My E. German Makarov didn't like Hornandy JHP, but likes Fiocchi JHP and any 9x18 fmj.

www.makarov.com has some good concealed carry rigs for the Mak. Most are European made (by Falco), reasonably priced, and very nice.
 
Hello, Santana! I'm a Texas CHL instructor.
The law was changed and you must qualify with at least a 32 caliber weapon be it revolver or semiauto. Your Makarov would do nicely.
Best.
 
I'd say you will do quite well with the Mak.
They are great guns for the money and good shooters. I have an E. German and I use mine for CCW . Can't go wrong with it ;) Hope it serves you well :)


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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
 
I also like the Makarov pistols, although, truth be told, if I were going to carry concealed I would probably opt for something like a Kel-tec P11 (more powerful cartridge, and more of them, in a smaller, lighter package).

But I do enjoy shooting my Bulgarian Mak. If you know a dealer you can order through, you can get good deals on the Bulgarian military Maks in excellent condition from J&G (where I got mine) and AIM Surplus. You get an especially good deal if you order two at a time. AIM has them with an extra mag and a holster for $113. J&G with only one mag, but with Pierce rubber grips (at least mine came with them) for $110.

Doug
 
This is another weapon I didn't want to like from the beginning of its being imported. I didn't think much of the caliber and thought the pistol was on the large size. Guess what? I was wrong! I bought an East German version and it has a great single and double action trigger. It is as accurate as you will be able buy in a stock weapon and it is reasonable. You can't go wrong. Regards, Richard.
 
The Makarov is a great gun for carry. I carry mine when I go out of state and the state I travel to allows reciprocity.
It's inexpensive carry's an adequate cartridge, is RELIABLE & accurate. The only things I do not like on the mak are the cheapo military sights and the heel mag release. Though the gun is steel aftr carrying an all steel 1911 or officers the MAK is positivly light weight.
Mr. Camp is correct, the texas minimum caliber for qualification is 32. The 9x18 is considered a 9mm cartridge

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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Satanta:


I also read that in Tx a CCW must be obtained using a 9mm cal minimum. Is this true and could the 9x18 be substituted if I use a 9 for the testing but carry the Mak on person?

[/quote]

Santana,

You can call/contact this person:

Carolyn Roepke
Supervisor
Concealed Handgun Licensing Section
Crime Records Service

5805 N. Lamar
PO Box 4143
Austin TX, 78765-4143

Office 512-424-5721
Fax 512-424-7284

She sent me a very informative booklet on Texas concealed handgun laws.



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Yeah, I got a permit to carry,it's called the friggin Constitution.---Ted Nugent

"Glock 26: 17 rounds of concealed carry DEATH comming your way from out of nowhere!!! THAT'S FIREPOWER, BABY!!!"
 
Mak's are great guns, but the 9x18 is much closer to the .380 than the 9mm Luger. It may be larger in diameter, but bullet weight is still only 95 grains in all the factory ammo I have ever seen. The 9x18 can be loaded hotter than the .380 and the Mak is certainly built for it, but if you look at the ft/lbs generated by the factory ammo it is nearly identical to the .380 - All in all though I really like mine - you can't get a more reliable gun for the money.

- Makarov
 
Makarov,

Check out the Norico ammo if you can find some. It has not been easily available for a few years but millions of rounds came into America and a few cases still show up from time to time in Shot Gun News etc.

Also check out the Russian Wolf ammo. Some that I have is 110 grain and some is 113 grain. The speeds according to others with chronos is about 1150 and 1100 respectively. However the BIG deal with the Makarov of course is accuracy and dependability -- there fore shot placement rules!!!!!

Also, fellow Makarovians, please log in to the thread I started asking Triton for Quick-Shocks and let us know what you think. Check out the full site at: [Link to invalid post]

Especially check out the Java Video of the shot into 10% Gel. Then join in to the post here: [Link to invalid postl and give us your two cents worth.

Sure I want to stack the deck. I love my Makarov more than any other pistol I've ever owned. And I love the Quick-Shock ammo better than any other ammo I've ever owned. I want them as a married couple. I'm just a match-maker I guess. ;)

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Talk is cheap; Free Speech is NOT.
 
It's been a long time since I've looked at this forum, much less posted in it, but as soon as I looked at it there was a topic right on top on what is probably my favorite handgun of all time, the inimitable Makarov, a gun that would be a steal at twice the price.

I don't have much to add to this discussion; most everyone else has said it all about the little gun. I just love to sing the praises of the pistol whenever I get the chance. My only big criticism is the crappy sights, but that can be helped (I think--I haven't gotten around to doing it myself) with a little white paint on the front sight.

You've got a great gun, Santana, one that'll allow you lots of practice without breaking the bank. Sure, the caliber may not be in the "manstopper" catergory, but with the right ammo and shot (or shots) placement...
Enjoy it!
DAL

P.S. I've read elsewhere, I think on Makarov.com, about some complaints on the Makarov rusting a bit when used for concealed carry. You may want to keep an eye out for this and pay extra attention to keeping your Mah-KAR-off (correct Russian pronunciation) clean and lubed.


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Reading "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal," by Ayn Rand, should be required of every politician and in every high school.
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Jody - are you sure there is Wolf 9X18 ammo in 110 and 113 gr? I thought Wolf/TCW used 106 gr. bullets.

Most factory Mak ammo is close to .380 in ballistics, but the stuff from Wolf/TCW (ball) and Corbon (HP of course) is much hotter. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I suspect the Wolf and Corbon loads would be similar to a .38 spl (from a 3" barrel) or maybe a little hotter.

Nearly 900 rounds through my East German Mak and the only serious malfunctions have been two misfires. Sometimes the slide doesn't lock back but I don't consider that serious.
 
Chronographed some Corbon's from my Mak the other day. I got almost 250 ft/#'s of energy on a 5 shot average. Wondered why some would question the usage of a Mak (holding 9 rounds) for defense and consider a 5 shot .38 Spcl okay. regards, birdman
 
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