Mak as a present for a non-shooter

A

AndABeer

New member
My brother has yet to supply me with his list of birthday suggestions (number 30 for him). I am guessing it will be mostly boating junk for his new boat. Though he has gone with me to the range once or twice, he is not an enthusiast and does not own a single firearm. I was thinking I might pick up a couple the JC Armory Maks, one for me and one for him as a gift. Discounting any legal ramifications of giving a firearm as a gift, would this be a good gun for a beginner? I have no experience with Maks myself.

Yes, a .22 would prolly be better, but I doubt I could find a quality new .22 quite so inexpensive.

[This message has been edited by AndABeer (edited June 16, 2000).]
 
Except for the "not quite yet plentiful" ammo supply, the Makarov is an excellent handgun for a beginner. Sort of between a .380 and a 9mm Parabellum (closer to the .380) in recoil.

Yes, a .22 would be better for a beginner. He should be pleased.
 
The recoil might be a bit tart for a novice. Mine stings a bit with the factory grips (I know I'm a wimp). Yessss!!! I just thunk it. Give him a Mak! He might well just give it back to you. Then you'd have 1 for each hand.
 
Good choice. Inexpensive, easy recoil, and reliable if he ever needs it for defense. Ammo is not that hard to locate and usually cheap.
 
I love the hell out of my little bulgie Mak. However, I believe if haunt gunshows and pawnshops you should be able to find a used .38, 4" barrel in good condition. IMVHO, that would be even better than the .22 for a beginner.

Hutch, you're no wimp. Same thing with me. I can shoot 50-100 rounds of fullhouse .357 through my little Model 60 but have to rest when I shoot 3 or 4 magsful through the Mak because of recoil. Gotta get those fat grips from the Makarov website sooner or later.
 
I wouldn't say that 9x18 is "not-quite-yet-plentiful". Granted, I can't find it at wal-mart, however almost every other gun store in town has 9x18 on the shelf, in several different varities, not to mention that a 1000 rounds can be had mail order for approx $100. Dan's Sporting Goods sells his for $105, shipped.
 
The Mak is a terrific little gun. As to the recoil, I too am a whimp if that makes one a whimp. I have found, however, that I can put a piece of Dr Scholl's Moleskin on the web of my hand that I can shoot it all I want without it hurting me. Get the thickest. I keep it in my shooting bag. I also have to use a magazine loader if I want to have a thumb that works after a shooting session, so I may be a double whimp.
Buying two is a good idea. I recently did the same and one is for a gift. I saved money. In fact I have bought several guns recently at good savings. With all the money I am saving why am I so broke?
As to giving a Mak to a new shooter I would say that unless he is going to get very familiar with it a revolver would be better. It is so easy to bring the gun down after a couple of rounds and ignore the fact that it is ready to fire with a light pull of the trigger. If he will get very familiar with it you can't do much better than the Mak. On the subject of Maks, I have Russian, East German and a Bulgarian. The Bul doesn't handle HP. The EG is by far the nicest in every way. If I didn't have one and was going to buy a Mak I would get the EG. The difference in price isn't that great. With a buddy I bought two from SOG for $149 each and they appeared new. Jerry

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Ecclesiastes 12:13  ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
 
The Mak has some good features for a novice: reliability, simplicity, and it can take abuse. The thing you'd have to drill into his mind is that 9mm Mak is not standard 9mm Para, nor is it .380 acp (or 9mm Kurz) and can't be interchanged. Lots of stories about even not so novice shooters putting the wrong ammo through a pistol.
 
As much as I love my Mak... Look around for a used Ruger MKII target pistol. It is much cheaper to shoot a .22 and he will become much more proficient with it. You should be able to find one for under $200. With shipping and transfer you are probably looking at $175 for a Bulgarian Makarov. If you want a larger caliber you might also look for a used .38 or .357 I just bought a used Ruger Security Six 4" barrel for $180. Not a great price, but OK. The gun is tight with some wear marks on it. Should be a good shooter. If you do decide to get the Maks, buy some Pearce rubber grips to go with them and mail order a bunch of ammo.
 
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