Bulgarian Makarov

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snuzzo29

New member
I found a Bulgarian Makarov locally for $350. It looks to be in good to very good condition. I didnt see any rust or pitting and the bluing looked to be in very good shape. Is this a fair price? I checked online and seems a few places have them for $300. It comes with 1 magazine, black target grips and red bakelite grips. It is being sold on consignment by a LGS.
 
$275-$325 at the most. $300 is a fair price. They are rare as hens teeth in my area and they run in the $275-$325 range and they do not last long in the showcase. Offer $300 cash and see if they bite.
 
Yes offer them $300 in cash. Wave it around at them, they should bite. If not walk away. These are not at all rare pistols and many thousands have been recently imported into the country. I own four of them with all accessories, numerous spare parts, 20 magazines, and lots of ammo. They are fun and certainly worth buying, but $350 is not a fair price.
 
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The seller is probably trying to flip the gun (at $350) for a profit, or expects somebody to negotiate.

Have you seen the price increases for magazines over the last two years?
 
Definitely haggle a bit and don't cave in at a higher price.

While visiting in Arizona in January I was at a small gun show and saw a Polish P-64 in vg -exc condition for $450. Kinda crazy as I had just picked one up a month earlier in the same condition for $265.

Don't rush and wait for a deal.
 
Yes the mags have nearly doubled in price in time. I have 20 of them with some spare springs that should last a good while.
 
Like M12, I started Makarov shooting/carrying when, IMHO, they were the best deal in the history of firearms.

Not just the pistols but very low cost magazines, etc.....this doesn't help you much, many who purchased them when they were, by todays standards,
"dirt cheap" look at it in that perspective. "well, I only paid, etc."

I would say that they are worth $350, maybe more, compared to other handguns in that category available today IF in very good condition. The days are over when they could be had pristine and nearly new for less than half that but thats true of a lot of firearms...

I have several hand guns that cost a lot more but I have yet to find one that's as accurate or more reliable in that type of self defense class of handguns. I have been shooting and carrying them CC more and more...If I didn't have any guns I would pay $350 for a good Mak and maybe even more.
 
While visiting in Arizona in January I was at a small gun show and saw a Polish P-64 in vg -exc condition for $450.
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Don't wanna sound like a "one-upper" but I bought a bunch of P-64 Makarovs (9) for $200-250 in 2015. Each with 2 mags. I refurbished them. New springs, clean, polish, transfer fee for the FFL, shipping and 1 box of ammo was around $380. (Labor wasn't included as I did it as a hobby.)

I bought an Italian Police trade-in Beretta 92S last WEEK for $299 w/15 rd mag. With FFL transfer and shipping I got a BEAUTIFUL (almost non-existent wear) black Beretta 9mm pistol for around $350!!!
 
Like M12, I started Makarov shooting/carrying when, IMHO, they were the best deal in the history of firearms.

Not just the pistols but very low cost magazines, etc.....this doesn't help you much, many who purchased them when they were, by todays standards,
"dirt cheap" look at it in that perspective. "well, I only paid, etc."

I would say that they are worth $350, maybe more, compared to other handguns in that category available today IF in very good condition. The days are over when they could be had pristine and nearly new for less than half that but thats true of a lot of firearms...
Click to expand...

Alas, those days are gone. I've had 3 different Bulgarian Maks go through my hands. Still have a .380 Baikal, but it's seldom shot.

Right now I mostly carry and shoot an XDS. Same size, better sights, modern gun, 9x19.
 
lee n field...I also have an XD that I sometimes CC but it is an XDm Compact 3.8. 9x19. Not as compact as the XDs....Never a malfunction but I have not shot it as much as I shoot Makarovs.

13 round mags with optional 19 round mag

It has better sights than the Makarov for sure, but I still shoot the Makarov better than I can shoot striker pistols.

About the same size weight wise but Mak is flatter and conceals just a bit better.
 
How did we start on XDs? Someone said they're better than a Makarov? Well that doesn't mean you shouldn't own one. They are nifty guns, no XDs required to enjoy one for what it is.
 
Right M12, inevitable comparisons, but that's the fun of the forum.

Like the 1911, you can compare and critique. The design is 100+ years old. You would think during that time a "better" hand gun would be designed but a lot of shooters say no it is still the best.

The PM Makarov is what it is. Cold war relic maybe but as reliable, dependable, accurate and easy to maintain as any in that class of pistol.

Also, there is something cool about carrying an East German pistol that was employed by the EG secret police, etc., etc.....hope you know what I mean :)
 
Polish P-64's are not Makarov even though they are in the same caliber. I, like many others, bought the Pistolet Makarov (PM) when it was widely available, and a lot less expensive. I started with a Russian Commercial model in .380 oddly enough, then picked up a few Bulgarian military surplus pistols, that look unissued, then a very nice East German. I unfortunately missed getting a Chinese.

My latest, and favorite pistol in 9x18 is the excellent Polish P-83 Vanad. No it is NOT a Makarov, but a fine pistol none the less, and in my carry rotation.
 
I know P64s are not Makarov, that's why I own 4 Bulgy Maks and one P64, plus a CZ-82. :) I do sort of want a PA-63 Hungarian and while some say the P83 Wanad is cool, seems to much like a Makarov.
 
Is there a good place to order from if I have to go the online route? I dont plan on carrying this, just want a fun and cool firearm. Also figure I better grab one before the price goes even higher.
 
If you got the P64 route order a set of Wolff springs and change them out asap. They make the P64 much easier to shoot. I did a spring change out on a friend of mines P64 and it made a world of difference. That being said I still didn't like the recoil from this pistol and I like shooting large calibers. Two magazines were enough for me on the P64. That being said I love shooting my Bulgie Mak.
 
Me too, my Bulgy Maks don't kick too hard, very enjoyable to shoot and highly accurate and reliable. I have shot a P64 and the recoil was worse by quite a bit, but I still wanted one due to the historical significance and I'm a sucker for milsurp pistols.
 
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