Bulgarian or E. German Makarov?

B

bronco61

New member
I have an opportunity to buy a Bulgarian made Makarov for $180. The quality is "Factory New". It comes with 4 mags, holster, lanyard and cleaning rod.

My question is:

1. Is this a fair deal? What would be a "High" and "Low" price for this?

2. I've read that the E. German Makarov is a better gun. Is it so much better that I should wait till I find one and skip on the Bulgarian made gun?

Thanks.
 
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The east german guns are nicer finished but the Bulgarian shoots just as good. Nothing wrong with the bulgy but if you do buy it, two thing I would do to it. First polish the feed ramp mirror smooth and put a 19lb wolf spring in it. I like the red star grips but other like the pearce. East german guns are very hard to locate and cost a bit more. Nothing wrong with an unfired like new Bulgy. I own two bulgies and a east german all three shoot great.
 
Thanks you guys. I went to Southern Ohio Guns earlier but the lady on the phone told me that the next shipment of them in would be between 2mos and a year! Too bad. 2 of them for $99 is a GREAT deal.

cocojo, I'll definately do those things to it. Thanks!
 
florida ammo trader has east germans

if you are willing to spend 275. about right for eg's. C&R elidgible.
Carl
 
I bought an East German one just because the Stasi bastards who searched my room in East Berlin and stole my Bible probably had one. It's my little revenge. Maybe it's they very one they were carrying!
 
If you're purchasing for the purpose of a shooter, then I would go with the Bulgarian. The East German is a fine collectable and the finish work is superior, but won't shoot any better than the Bulgy (once it's broke in).
With that in mind, I love my EG! :)
 
The SOG's were used. I looked at two that were in poor shape. If you can find a new in the box for 180.00 or one from an individual who bought it new in the box and it has not been used much, I say go for it.

Here's what bugs me about Maks and I have one that was bought NIB a year ago: the Mak supply is drying up fast and no one else in bringing any new 9X18's into the country. Remember, the CZ83 is actually meant for the 9X18 but this market only gets the .380.

I wonder if this means we will see support for the 9 x 18 dwindle meaning higher ammo prices? By the way, you can thank Bill Clinton for this since he banned any new Russian Maks from hitting the market and now the Bulgarian Surplus supply is waining.
 
Over the summer I had an East German Mak that was an absolute nightmare: FTFs, slide not staying open after the last shot, hammer not staying back, etc. I traded it for a Bulgarian Mak that has been nearly flawless, with the problems being magazine caused. Perhaps my EG Mak was a lemon, but I know that the Bulgarian is great and the German was scheisse.
 
GET IT NOW! I have an E. German and carry it daily. Love it! My friend has a newer Bulgarian. Both have been flawless. My EG's Mags don't like barnaul HP's but, the Bulgy eats um up.

Mak prices aren't gonna fall.

Good Luck.
 
At gunshows in Portand Oregon the Bulgies (Military New) well for about $145. East German (used) sell for about $190. Russian military stamped as Bulgies sell for the same price as the Bulgies. While not as available as last year you can still find a great selection. Its true the East German Maks are of the highest quality however all Maks shoot the same...great. Good luck.
 
Is the Bulgarian Mak a mil-surp or commercial gun? The easiest wat to tell is the commercial gun will have the word "ARSENAL" on the slide. The mil-surp gun will not be so identified.

Other than that they are just about identical, except the mil-surp guns are generally thought to have a better fit & finish. Both my Bulgarians were purchased as unissued mil-surp pieces & I am very happy with the quality of the one I cleaned up for use. (The other gun is still in the wrapper, coated with the factory preservative.)

Any EG gun you buy will be used; the condition you get is just luck. It is true that they are considered to be the best in fit & finish (assuming you get one that has minimal wear). They are also considered to have the best trigger pulls, however this is probably due in large part to the fact they have been shot & broke in. A few hundred double action & single action trigger pulls will do wonders to a factory new Bulgarian action.

As mentioned, as far as function & relaibility goes the EG has nothing over any Bulgarian.
 
EG Maks are C&R, so they are legal in Kalifornia. Bulgies are FFL, so they are not legal in CA. EG hav a big "history" that surrounds them, Bulgies do not. I think Bulgies rule, but a collector or CA resident might prefer the EG variety.
 
Marteny,

Your California info is a little dated. It was true up to about a month ago when Bulgarian Maks were added to the California "Approved" list. That means some importer submitted three pistols and paid the substantial cost of having them tested and listed. Since this happened very recently (after most distributors were out of the Bulgarian Maks), it leads me to believe that more will be imported. I hope so. I have to Bulgarians and like them a lot.

Doug
 
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