Com Block Range Day - Shield vs Makarov

Rich_357

New member
Well it was Com-Block day at the range. I took out the Yugo 59/66, the Makarov and the M&P 9mm Shield. The Shield and Makarov are comparable in size and rounds though they differ greatly.

Weight goes to the Shield.

Report/Recoil…that’s a tie but they are different. The Mak wants to come straight back but it is a heavier gun with a milder round than the 9mm Luger. The Shield definitely hits you harder due to a more powerful round and a lighter gun but some of that is redirected due to the unfixed barrel.

First shot accuracy - tie

Follow up accuracy - Mak due to the straight blow back.

Field Stripping & cleaning - Mak. The Shield is pretty easy to break down but it requires a screw driver or some tool to hit a lever below the chamber to properly release the slide. The Mak is a very easy breakdown but it is a heavy gun for it’s size and putting the slide back in place can be cumbersome if you haven’t done it numerous times. I would call it a tie but the fact that the Mak's firing pin can be easily removed and cleaned gives it the bump.

Ammo - Shield. The price is about the same but 9mm Makarov is not on every gun store shelf and the defense rounds would probably need to be ordered.

Safety and carry - The Mak has a floating firing pin that can be dangerous if treated wrong. It can be fired in Single action or double action and it has a safety/decocker. The Shield is double action only with a optional safety but the firing pin has a spring release and is less prone to accidental discharges.

Fun to shoot - Tie

25 year reliability - I'd say Mak

Coolness factor - Mak because it is just cool

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Oh yeah. I put 20 rounds through the Yugo today. That was fun as hell!!!! And yes…Soviet Ammo is DIRTY!!!!
 
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Thanks, it's a 1971 that was part of the current batch coming out of Slovenia, as was the Makarov. The Mak was unissued. I'm not sure about the Yugo; it could have been re-arsenaled but I can't say for sure.

I forgot to mention above that for carry, I prefer the Shield due to it's weight, safety features, more powerful round and ammo availability. However, I can definitely understand why some would choose to carry the Mak.
 
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Thanks, it's a 1971 that was part of the current batch coming out of Slovenia, as was the Makarov.


Say whaaaaat?

That is so unfair. I live way closer to Slovenia than you do: where's our share?!

Typical....:rolleyes:

I like Mak's. Passed my licence exam with one. If condition 3 carry were not compulsory on semi-auto's, it would have been a close fight between an Astra A60 .380 and the Mak in 9x18 to be my carry choice...
 
Well, I'll be damned; you're right! +1 for the Shield.
The instructions that I followed were to pop that little lever on the lower, left hand side of the firing pin with the action opened. It relieves the need to dry fire of the weapon. Good to know. :cool:
 
Pond, we have to buy refurbished Com-blocks at about 100% higher price than the rest of the world. Welcome to America! LOL

I really do like the Mak though. It is a very well designed gun and it's just freaking simple.
 
I shot a shield 9mm once and I do not know why but I shot it extremely poorly, compared to anything else ivd shot. I would love to have a makarov but the ammo is almost online order only
 
The Mak isn't made out of recycled soda bottles! :D Seriously. Real good point about 9X18 ammo. Its almost online only. I occasionally see it at my local PSA but not often. And whats going to happen when they ban online ammo sales (not opening a political discussion). That has me leaning toward moving the guns I have chambered in that round and replacing them with 9X19 chambered guns. Nice looking guns you have there also.
 
And whats going to happen when they ban online ammo sales (not opening a political discussion).

I have a mold. Brass can be made from once fired 9x19 brass. It can be done. It's just not terribly convenient.
 
I've had Combloc firearms since the early 90's when they were coming in en masse at good prices. Russian SKS's, AK's, Makarovs from four different countries, etc. When looking for a slim CCW pistol to augment my CZ-75D PCR, I looked at the Shield, XDs, etc. I chose a Polish P-83 in 9x18. Just look at the build quality, and robustness of these pistols, including the Bulgie Mak which I also carry from time to time. The modern plastic pistols can't touch them.
 
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