Finaly got to shoot my Mak today

Z

Zundfolge

New member
Well I got a chance to sneak away to the range today and put a couple hundred rounds through my Bulgarian Mak. :)

Was a fun little gun, but I have the following thoughts.
Must get Pearce Grip ... Stock one is uncomfortable after about 50 rounds (and that damn lanyard hoop is reason enough to take one of the designers out and shoot him :mad: ).

Heavier recoil spring might be a good idea ... if it lessens recoil that would be good, but I was also tossing brass about 3-4 lanes over.

Gun has not had fluff & buff but trigger is fine and I had only 1 FTE in over 200 rounds (including 25 rounds of Hornady JHPs which fed just fine ... the FTE was with a Wolf FMJ and was close to the end so I imagine it was due to that Wolf ammo fouling the extractor or could have been a fluke).

I think some of you guys are overstating the accuracy of this weapon ... sure it's more accurate then any .380 I've fired, but against my Steyr M40 it's nowhere near as accurate (I bring this up only because a couple of people have claimed their Maks out shoot their Glocks). At 15 yards it's so so (8" groups ... not counting flyers), but at the 25 yard line I was lucky to get all my shots on the paper (using B24 targets printed on 11x17 paper). I think combination of short sight radius and those boarderline worthless sights could be the problem. Also the thing tends to shoot left and high. But at self defense range I think it would do fine.


Overall it was a good trip to the range ... and the little commie gun attracted a bit of attention with several people asking what it was and upon finding out saying something like "So that's that Makarov I've been reading about". Most where impressed by the fit and finish of the gun.

I'll keep it ... and it will go to the range with me most of the time, but my Steyr will remain my carry peice (until I get a Kahr MK40) :)
 
Yep, I had the same impressions. I added a 19# Wolff spring and the Pearce grip. That made it much more pleasant to shoot! My favorite ammo for it is the Hornaday JHP. Less recoil than the Wolf, cleaner and more accurate.

If the sights didn't suck so bad it would be a nice little pistol. As it is, it's definitely only for close in stuff.

Polish the feed ramp and it'll swallow everything you throw at it!
 
I got a #19 recoil spring from Karl at Makarov.com. If I'm not mistaken a stronger spring won't throw brass as far. Karl's little write up about recoil springs says that weak recoil springs throw brass further. See what he has to say about it, go to "accessories" and then to the recoil spring link.


http://www.makarov.com
 
Regarding the sights - what is so bad about them? I read over and over how terrible Makarov sights are. To me, it seems like they are some of the better fixed sights I've seen on pocket pistols like this (certainly better than on my PA-63s, FEG .22, or Mauser HSc .380). Granted, they aren't quite as good as the sights on most newer, larger pistols, but I don't see why they seem to be so universally criticized. It would be nice if they were easily adjustable, but for fixed sights, I find them pretty decent. I'm really curious about what people dislike so much about them - and what other SIMILAR PISTOLS have significantly better sights (that means .380s and 9x18s, not full-sized 9mms). Not being argumentative - just genuinely curious.

Doug
 
for me the problem is twofold

1. the front sight is just too tiny ... I can't hardly see it

2. my sights need some kind of adjustment ... I think the rear sight needs to move to the left a bit.


If I had some extra cash to blow I'd probably have the sights redone like these ...

S_finished_slide3.jpg
 
Makarov sights

Zund,
I must be one of those misfits that don't have a problem with the Mak sights or grips. :D Granted, the sights are small, but I can still hit quite well with them. I do not like the Pearce spongy abominations because they defeat the very purpose for which I carry the Makarov for: Mouse Gun!!! I have a Kydex IWB holster that works quite well. Also, I can just slip it into my pocket if need be. With the addition of the Pearce grips, all that blows out the window!!! No thanks, I'll keep my Maks stock!!!!
 
I dunno....

fdf7f7a9.jpg


This is a target I shot indoors, offhand, from about 10 yards out. I loaded the magazine with 5 rounds & shot 3 strings.

Granted, I had MMC sights installed on this gun which I find much more "user" friendly, but the Makarov is capable of much better than 8" at 15 yards.
 
Honestly I think part of the accuracy problem is the ammo I was using.

Wolf feeds nicely, but I noticed when looking at the target posted by Kevinch that his made nice neat round holes ... mine made ragged round holes with a horizontal tear on either side of them (like the bullet was tumbling or something). Several people I've talked to recommend S&B if I want accuracy out of my Mak.

I shot a magazine full of Hornady JHPs and in looking back at my targets, they where much closer to the center of the paper (still to the left ... which is either a sight adjustment issue or I'm doing something wrong).

Oh well, this just makes for a good excuse to go to the range more often :D
 
Yep; kinda in the same boat.

The first range session I was just blissfully happy to have a new toy.
At the second, I discovered the "high and left" problem. And I'm a southpaw! Maybe the rear sight can be drifted a bit?
Also seems a good idea to get a 19# spring.....faster 2nd shot acquisition. I'll try one more session before experimenting.....
 
AC's & 45's said:
That's a slick little Mak you got there.
First on e Ive seen with MMC's on it.
Click to expand...

:) Thanks AC's, it should look a little better if I ever stop spending $$ on new acquisitions (without selling anything, of course) & decide to spend a few $$ on the guns that I already have!

I was really worried that the MMC adjustable would be way too bulky for the Mak slide, but I took a chance & I'm glad I did. Since they don't manufacture anything specific for the Mak, MMC had to look at what was already cataloged & work up a set from there. I believe that is a rear sight for a Smth & Wesson 9MM, the front a Colt unit.

What you can't see from the pic is the Tritium vials in the sights, the rear dots are red & the front is green.

MMC did the installation, including machining the slide & did a top notch job.

I'd still like to have that gun refinished - possibly a two-tone, refit the Commander-type hammer that Makarov.com sells, & do something with the grips but I don't yet know what. The Pearce grips on that gun are great for the range, & required to use the Nolan Hi-Drop (which isn't visible in that pic either but is installed), but suck for concealed carry. Makarov.com is selling some type of an adhesive backed grip cover that is cut (or you cut) to go over the checkered parts of the stock grips, but we'll see.
 
Kevinch, if I may ask, what did the sights set you back?

does installation require refinishing the entire slide?


I've decided I'm going to order the Pearce grips and a heavier recoil spring (can't decide on 19# or 21#). all that and 2 more magazines will only be $41 :D
 
Zundfolge,

When my IJ-70 started throwing brass all the way across the range, I decided to ordered a range of springs from Karl at makarov.com. Got a new stock spring, a 19#, and a 21#.

Not being the timid type that has to stick a toe in the water before jumping in, I went immediately to the 21# spring, and then tried all of my ammo for function.

What a surprise! Everything fed perfectly! :D

Also, I don't have to pack a lunch anymore, when I leave to pick up my brass! :D

The lightest load was 3.2gr of 231, behind an NBC 100gr JHP, which clocked 840fps. The hottest was the white box TCW, some of which I've clocked at over 1100fps.

The springs are cheap enough, but I don't think I'd go any lighter than 19#, and be sure to try a 21#, or even the heavy 23# if you shoot hot reloads.

Would you please let me know your results? I have a couple of new Bulgarians to try, when the stock springs start to weaken. :)

Bill
 
Zundfolge asked:

Kevinch, if I may ask, what did the sights set you back?

does installation require refinishing the entire slide?
Click to expand...

No problem at all, but get ready for sticker shock:

The sights are Tritium Night Sights, I opted for the 3-Dot setup with 2 red rear dots & a green front.
Price: $147.90

The slide must be machined. In the front, the factory integral sight must be removed & a dovetail machined to accept the new front sight. In the back, the factory rear sight needs to be drifted out & a new dovetail machined to accept the new rear sight.
Price: $85.00

Total Cost: $232.90

A lot of $$ to be sure - more than I paid for the gun (an un-issued Bulgarian milsurp). But, I feel that the gun is an absolute steal at the $135 I paid for it. It's not like installing the sights on a Jennings or Lorcin. The installation gave the gun a completely different personality, and the sight picture is light years ahead of the factory set up.

I don't think they refinished my entire slide; they may have simply reblued the machined areas but I'm not sure.

An added plus: when I had mine done, an employee of MMC owned a Makarov. Since the slides can be swapped from gun to gun, I only had to send my slide in & not the whole gun. MMC mounted my slide to the employee's gun & test fired it to check for alignment; I only had to send the slide in & saved on the shipping costs. Good Customer Service, in my opinion.

By the way, the sights are very robust. Mine hasn't moved in about 18 months of being tossed in a glovebox, under a seat, in a drawer, etc. The rear sight elevation is close to the center of adjustment for POA hits at about 10 yards.

You can save over $52 by going with an all black sight set, bringing the price down to just under $181. I am assuming their price for the installation hasn't changed since I did mine.

You can read about the sights at MMC
 
I read a lengthy review of Makerovs in, I think, the 2002 Gun Digest. They have a history of development and details of the various manufacturers, plus holsters, etc. After initial testing, they used an East German model for accuracy testing with different ammunition.

I don't recall seeing Wolf tested, but they tested some other Russian ammo and Norinco. Both "Commie" brands shot 5-6" groups at 25 yards, compared to about 4.5" groups for some of the American brands.
This was only about an inch bigger than some of the more expensive pistols tested. They shot just over 2" groups at shorter distances, good enough, I guess.
 
The Makarov I owned was accurate IF the owner did not flinch. At 7 yards, I would get either a single 1" hole or a 1.5" group, depending on the ammunition. That was slow fire, 8+1 load. Interestingly, S&B ball ammo and Blazer JHP tended to peform best.

Sold the gun as my Kahr P9 filled the same niche better. But Maks are on my list of favorite designs.
 
I also do not mind the stock sites. I have an EG that shoots slightly high and right. Accuracy in mine seems to be pretty ammo sensitive. It seems to like Barnaul the best for accuracy.

If it were more reliable, I'd carry it. I've had stovepipes and FTF's with several different mags (usually 1-2 out of 50 rounds), so I don't trust it with my life. :(
 
I just got a call 5 minutes ago from my FFL that my Makarov has arrived!!!

I'm giddy :) One more hour and I'm off work and can go pick it up.

I will be buying the 19 lb Wolf Springs but I think I'm going to go with the Makawrap grips instead of the Pearce Grip.

Has anyone used the Makawrap grips yet or compared them to the Pearce?
 
I have a Makawrap

Bronco61: I have a Makawrap that I will sell you if you want it. It is brand new. I bought it from Makarov.com for $20 but I will sell it to you for $15 plus shipping if you want it. It's nice but I sort of prefer the Pearce a little more. Let me know if you are interested.

Regarding the other posters: I love my Mak. It's an East German and it is in great shape. It came with the black Bakelite grips and they killed my hand, however. A switch of grips fixed that immediately.

Re: Spring: The recoil spring was getting pretty boingy, throwing brass like a champ so I ordered one from Makarov.com and switched it out. It is MUCH harder to rack the slide now, yikes, but I'll get used to it.

Re: Trigger: I had the trigger polished up today both inside and out. It looks pretty with the whole gun being blued and the trigger all shiny silver. The trigger is at about 4 pounds now, the smith told me.

Re: Sites: The front side blade is teeny, admittedly, so I'm gonna brighten it up with some bright yellow paint and see if that helps.

RE:accuracy: I have been shooting S&B FMJ at just over 8 yards out and getting 1 - 2 inch groups consistently.

The more I shoot this gun, the more I like it.

Shoeless:D
 
The sight job I posted above costs $180 from Makarov.com (not sure if that includes the refinish or not) ... I think I'm just going to try to get used to the stock ones for now :)

I'm going to go ahead and brave the 21# spring and get a pearce grip (and a couple of more magazines ... can never have too many and they are only $6 ea).

I'm not worried about the Pearce grip making the gun too fat for CCW since I don't plan on carrying the Mak (My Steyr is just so comfortable to carry I don't feel I need to carry the Mak).

Part of the reason I bought the Mak was to have something for a newbie to shoot when I take them to the range.I was showing the gun to my nephew (12) and he had problems racking the slide (with the stock 17# spring and an empty magazine) so he came up with the brilliant idea of cocking the hammer first, then racking is easy ... I imagine if you're having difficulty pulling against that 21# spring you could try that.
 
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