Last year's Gun Digest tested several models of Makarovs and had a lengthy article as well.
I think a lot of people have a problem with Gun Tests when they don't meet their perceptions of a particular gun. But they make their assumptions and opinions known in the articles. As far as buying only one, well, I only get to buy one and if the quality varies that much, that's an issue right there.
Gun Tests makes one assumption - that you have other choices. So their "Don't Buy" rating to me doesn't really mean no one should buy it - it means they consider there are other, better choices out there for the money or intended use. If your intended use is as a hobby or project, only you are going to be able to make the buy decision.
Here's some quotes:
"With that pricing in mind, our evaluation standards for this test were much more lax than what we subject new firearms to. If these guns ran properly, and they were fun and cheap to shoot, then we could see taking a flyer on one. If perchance one functioned and shot well enough to rise to the level of being a reliable self-defense gun, then we’d be ecstatic. "
"One feature that makes the Makarov pistol famous is its excellent ergonomics. The Mak is indeed comfortable in the hand. Our pistol offered generous cocking serrations on the rear portion of the slide and a small but effective rear sight that is drift adjustable for windage. The front blade on our Bulgarian model was too brief in our estimation, but the sight picture was adequate. The double-action trigger pull, while usable, stacks heavily. But the serrated hammer can be pulled back for single action shooting to take advantage of its pleasant SA trigger that is acceptably progressive in its take-up. "
"We didn’t collect accuracy or chronograph data because our Bulgarian Makarov threw off the safety lever and dislodged the firing pin on its very first (and last) shot. Firing a standard-pressure Federal American Eagle FMJ bullet, the Mak’s safety lever came loose during recoil and fell off. We reinstalled the lever, but because of safety reasons, we don’t continue testing guns which lose parts when the guns fire. In October 1999 we tested a Makarov from the now-defunct Miltex Company that met exactly the same fate, albeit after several more rounds — 25 to be exact. "
"In fact, the only good Makarov we have first-hand experience with is a Russian-made model. It is owned by one of our research associates. Her pistol was made by IMEZ and even has adjustable sights....and it now resides in a glove box somewhere in Louisiana, stoked with Cor-Bon ammunition, which it digests with enthusiasm. This is quite a different story from our own experience with Maks."
does anyone else consider the bulgarian makarov to be junk?
Junk? Hardly. Good, solid, reliable, and a great pistol value? Definitely. Best, J. Parker
