Accurate, dependable, sturdy, robust & simple design, DA/SA with safety & decock, 8+1 capacity, low-cost ammunition easily available, most parts are available at very reasonable prices, and the initial purchase can set you back as little as $140 or so.
What's not to like? Well, I think it is a little heavy for its size - a product of an all-steel construction. The DA trigger is heavy & rough, but the roughness smoothes out considerably after a few hundred pulls and is lighter than a Walther, which loosely patterned its design. The sights leave something to be desired - as does my Colt Mustang which cost over twice as much. Of course sights can be replaced although it will require machining. Then there are the grips which I find are uncomfortable for range work. The aftermarket pays little attention to the Mak, there are very few options available in grips. Fortunately, the Pearce offering is very comfortable for extended shooting. However, it might be a little large for smaller hands and it compromises concealability in CCW applications.
So...a lot of positives & a few negatives which would be considered minor and most can be remedied to suit the owner.
I'm not into cults, but I like my Maks!