At the range: Makarov and Springfield Armory .45

Adventurer_96

New member
I went to the range today with a friend who also has a Makarov, although his is unlike any I've ever seen and I'm in love.

He bought a Russian commercial (as did I) although his is in .380, not 9mmMak. Here's the thing: His is nickel plated! I have never seen that on a Mak. I would seriously consider that gun as a carry piece because of the finish. Have I just been uninformed? Is this a common finish on the gun?

A guy was there shooting his Springfield Armory .45. He knew my friend, and apparently he bought it a few months ago and couldn't hit the paper with it and sent it to the factory. Today, he was shooting S&B ball ammo and he was having no luck. He had the target at 25 yards and didn't even hit the target paper from benchrest. My friend moved the target to 15 yards and suggested he try again. The first shot, he had the safety engaged and I noticed a significant flinch. He aimed high and hit low on the paper, then left, then right. He had my friend shoot it, and he fared better, with about a 2" group. At this point, I was just watching but my friend insisted I shoot to see what it did.

I kneeled down and with the bench as my support, I shot three rounds. We walked out and they were 1 or 2" left of the X ring, all touching. Well, I about fell over because I couldn't do it again if the devil himself were behind me. That's the kind of BS story that makes me laugh when I hear them at the range and I just pulled it off!

This is the nice part: The owner was very thankful! He said over and over it just proves it was the shooter and not the gun. On the way home I laughed and though I should have offered to take it off his hands! It did have rosewood grips...

An interesting day, and one I won't soon forget! I was leaning more towards the Auto-Ordnance Parkerized GI model, but maybe a Springfield wouldn't be too bad! I'd just have to find one without "BRAZIL" stamped on it.

Check Six
 
Sounds like a cool Mak!!! According to my source, the Soviets did produce some chrome plated Makarovs as presentation models. (Castro has one!!! Boy, would I like to get my hands in it!!!!) These were just regular standard issue except for the plating. No word of any produced with nickel plating. I bet it's chrome!!!! I wonder if his was a presentation grade that was never given out, and found it's way to the import market. Can you post some pics showing the serial number????
 
Denfoote: Actually, I bet it looks exactly like the attached file. It's my .380 Baikal (commercial Russian) brushed satin Mak. These were imported in very small quantities by B-West. It has the crispest trigger of any of my Maks.

I believe the finish is nickel, not chrome. But I could be wrong. It is definitely not stainless.

Take care, Marko

P.S.: I forgot to welcome you to Waffenfoto. I put in a good word to BRS for you.
 

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I had my cc mak nickled by Fusilier Plating in Texas. Now I don't worry so much about rusting the finish. Looks pretty darn good with walnut grips.
 
denfoote - Thanks for posting the link to the chrome plated Mak photo! That's the first Russian military Mak I've ever seen with a chrome finish. Didn't even know they existed, of course whose to say it wasn't done by bubba! Do you have any more info on the one shown in the photo? Any documentation as to whether or not the Soviets actually produced some?

Regards - Pussball
 
That's the one!

HS:

That looks like the one, the markings on the slide are the same. I believe I saw something to the effect of "Tucson" on the right side of the slide.

Nickel seems to be a popular finish for carry, I may consider it.


Check Six
 
Guys,
The photo I posted is from the most authoritative tome on Makarovs that I have found: " Soviet postwar military pistols and cartridges" By Fred Datig. Sadly it is out of print.:(

The finish is chrome, not nickel!!!!!!
 
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