Any makarov love out there

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libiglou

New member
Hey everyone

I've been on a buying rampage lately. Maybe its my old age(53). With that I'm starting to think about my next purchase and the makarov is looking interesting for several reasons, one is price, two is cool factor(own several aks and mosin nagants) and they are going up in price. Almost pulled the trigger on a Russian one 10 years ago. If I remember it was less than $200. However my concern is if it shoots like my ppk clone than I'm out. I have heard the maks are comfortable to shoot. So the question is which one, russian,bulgi,east german or polish. I know they are approaching the $300 and beyond mark but still a bargain in this day an age.
 
I have an East German and love it! Bought it several years ago and no regrets!
They are great shooters.
I was always told the EG's were the best to get because of fit and finish and it is a beautiful little handgun. Don't know it that's true or not?
Good luck with your decision.
 
My son bought one years ago, chech I think. Shoots very well, never had any issues with it.
He actually uses it to slaughter his pigs every year.
 
So the question is which one, russian,bulgi,east german or polish.
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Poland never made a Makarov. They made a P-64 and P-83 which shoot 9x18 but they never made a Makarov pistol.
 
Have two EGs and two Bulgarians...I ccw them often. I also have a lot of 9x18 and 20 some magazines...

I got on the Mak band wagon when they were the best deal in firearms.... They are reliable, simple and amazingly easy to shoot accurately even with the military sights.
 
For the price and quality of the Bulgy Maks, I'd pick one of them up. Can be had anywhere from $250-350 these days, and well worth it. I grabbed mine a couple years ago, and gotta say I love the thing.
 
libiglou wrote:
Any makarov love out there
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Yes, but you'll probably want to see a doctor afterwards.

Seriously, I love the look, feel and build quality of the pistols. What I don't like is that 9x18 brass is expensive and hard to get so the temptation is to make your own out of 9x19 but then you're left with the task of sorting it out if you also shoot 9mm Luger.
 
The next CZ 82 in 9X18 Makarov that I come across in decent shape & price is mine!
 
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No Mak love here.

I don't hate it, just don't love it. Does nothing for me but complicate my life.

I have several 9mm Luger pistols, and components.

The Makraov 9x18 not only needs its own brass, it needs non standard 9mm bullets. No benefit it me, and even a cheap (inexpensive not quality) pistol doesn't generate any love in me, if there's nothing useful to me, about it.

I know its not what you want to hear, but you did ask, ..:rolleyes:
 
You are a bit late in the Mak surplus market, the only pistols that are reasonably priced today are the Bulgarian. Bulgarian Makarov's are well built pistols that will last a lifetime of shooting, East German pistols are in great demand and often sell in the $500 range....Russian military the same. One can often find a buy on a civilian Russian pistol but some parts and the finish are poorer quality.
Good luck finding a good one for reasonable money, SOG is offering unissued Maks for around three hundred right now.
 
I bought a Russian commercial Mak in 380acp in 1988 or so. It has been a great pistol for me. I would recommend them.
 
My Dad has a commercial Russian 9x18 with adjustable rear sights that he really likes. He got it in the early 90's from some guy he knew.

It's a very accurate gun for what it is. I took my CCW test with it twice so no problem there. I'm not sure I'd pay $300 for one though.

Maybe $200-250
 
I couldn't say enough good about the four Bulgarian military Makarovs I've bought in the past year. Yes, I enjoyed them enough to have gotten four of them, and I am not a collector. Mine have been flawlessly reliable, are comfortable to shoot, amazingly accurate for what they are, and just extremely satisfying to own and take to the range. I trust them with my life and have carried them a number of times.

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I personally find them to be comfortable shooters, much softer than many other blowback centerfire pistols. Excellent pistols. These Bulgarian military ones can still be had in unissued condition for $300. The ammo is available and inexpensive online, and can be found at most larger sporting goods stores like Cabelas and many gun shops stock it.

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GET ONE. They will not be around forever, and at this price, it's a no brainer. You will be sorry if you miss out on these, and if anything, they will go up in value over time if by chance you would want to sell it off in the future. I will not be selling any one of mine.
 
I have two Russian and one E. German. The E.G. is almost as nice as a ppk. The Russians go boon when you eventually get the gritty trigger to break.
 
I too ended up with four of the "unissued" Maks, ordered one and when my dealer saw it he ordered three more....I took all three upon arrival:D. So much for his resale plans. The attractive prices on Bulgarian Maks means the supply will run out just that much sooner.
For those who are waiting for additional reductions in price will find themselves:
1. Out in the cold because all are gone --or--
2. Will get the "bottom of the barrel" as the supply is exhausted
These are great pistols for shooting fun.
 
Mak's are OK, but at the prices they're getting today.....No thanks. If you're into collecting all the variants, that's a different story. They don't make them anymore so go for it.

Yes, they are very(extremely) reliable, pretty accurate for a small pistol, and shoot a respectable defensive round. At $150-200, everyone should own at least one. BUT, the ammo (and reloading) choices are limited, and they are much heavier and larger than comparable powered pistols today.

For daily carry I quickly realized that I could carry an Officers model 1911 in 45ACP or a Smith .357Mag J frame much more easily.
 
I love mine; DDR, Russian military, and 2 CZ82s. If the Bulgarians were C&R I would have one of those too.
 
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