Best Surplus Ammo for Makarov

Technically, most of the stuff out there isn't surplus. The english words on the russian box give it away. I don't trust the Chinese when they say "non-corrosive." The east german stuff, which I suppose really is surplus, is usually labelled corrosive. Shooting corrosive ammo is no big deal but I would rather not bother. I've shot LVE/Novosibirsk and Bernaul and been happy with both. Bernaul hollowpoints are becoming very popular and you can get them cheap from Dan's. Wolf is pretty hot. All the russian ammo is filthy and smells funny. It's part of the appeal. I guess I'm saying it really doesn't matter what kind of cheap former Soviet-bloc ammo you choose.

Here's how to order from Dan's http://www.makarovpistol.com/orderammo.html
 
A friend of mine and I ran about 1000 rounds each of Norinco through our Russian Maks when we first got them and never had any problems with it. I've never had any problems with any ammo I've fed either my Russian or EG. Lately I've been using Russian ammo from Dan's Sporting Goods in PA. You can order it from www.makarov.com or give him a call at 724-727-2648.
 
No Chinese ammo has been imported for several years due to our former president. It is good ammo and if you see any around grab it if you can if it's being sold at a good price. Shot at least a thousand rounds through my Maks with no problems. Cleaned with Hoppe's #9 and Breakfree, no corrosion problems. Don't forget the Maks have chrome lined bores to protect them from lack of cleaning due to battlefield conditions.
 
I've shot nothing but the LVE/Novosibirsk "green box" in my Mak so far, with good results. You can usually find it for little more than $5/box online.
 
I have never shot any of the Chinese stuff, but I usually shoot LVE, or Wolf 9x18 in my maks. I have tried a few boxes of the S&B 9x18 but figured it wasn't worth the money. For the prices of S&B 9x18, I could be buying .40 S&W ammo easily. I tested the Wolf, LVE, Barnual JHP, and S&B one day at the range and have found that the Wolf has the most recoil (most likely due to the heavier bullet and hotter loading) and the S&B is the lowest recoil and lightest loaded 9x18 round. The LVE has more recoil than the S&B, and produces more sparks. The Barnual is almost identical in recoil and sound to the LVE, except it doesn't seem to produce as much sparks. The LVE produces tons of soot (as mentioned above.) Most of the brands tested were about the same in accuracy (which was very good) from 25 yards, except the Wolf is harder to control due to the high recoil. I usually buy the cheapest non-corrosive ammo I can find on the internet. Hope This helps.
 
I stick with Wolf, because I can get it semi locally at J&G Sales for a great price. It is commericial Russian ammo.
 
FWIW, the .380 Novisibirsk/LVE is quite accurate in my FEG PPK clone. Maybe the most accurate ammo I've found for that pistol.
 
Gewehrmutter is right on the money. My ammo testing mirrors his findings exactly.

One other thing, the Hornady XTP is my defence round and it is a very mild shooting and "clean" round, I highly recommend it.

Found the Wolf ammo to be very unpleasant in recoil and flash, avoid it.

Mike H
 
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