Born_Hillbilly
New member
Can anyone give a ballpark figure on converting Mak .380 to 9x18? Wondering about the fixed barrel. What does a barrel puller cost? In a toss-up between a bulgarian 9x18 or converting a russian hi-cap from .380
Makarov conversion
- Thread starter Born_Hillbilly
- Start date
Check out: http://www.makarov.com
They sell every Mak part and accessory that a person could ever want. I have ordered from them several times, and have always been pleased with their service.They list barrel presses for $30, surplus Bulgarian barrels for $30, and stainless steel barrels for $50.
I am somewhat curious as to why you want to change from .380 to 9x18. Most people who do the barrel swap go the other way. There really isn't much difference ballistically between the two, and .380 ammo is usually a lot easier to find. In my neck of the woods, Russian .380s go for about $50 to $75 more than Bulgarian 9x18s, if you can find them at all.
They sell every Mak part and accessory that a person could ever want. I have ordered from them several times, and have always been pleased with their service.They list barrel presses for $30, surplus Bulgarian barrels for $30, and stainless steel barrels for $50.
I am somewhat curious as to why you want to change from .380 to 9x18. Most people who do the barrel swap go the other way. There really isn't much difference ballistically between the two, and .380 ammo is usually a lot easier to find. In my neck of the woods, Russian .380s go for about $50 to $75 more than Bulgarian 9x18s, if you can find them at all.
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Gino:
Actually, the reliability problem with the hi-cap Maks was with the cheap aftermarket mags that were sometimes sold with the pistols. Using the now easy-to-find factory Russian mags cures the problem virtually every time.
As for the adjustable sights, a few people have reported problems, but the problem does not appear to be widespread. The usual fix is to use a dab of temporary threadlock to hold the sight in place.
Reprobate:
If you lurk on the Mak Forum for bit, I think you'll find that 9x18 is the caliber of choice, although there's not a big deal made about it. 9x18M in its hottest form exceeds most .380 ammo by a slight margin, but not so much so that it makes .380 obsolete by any means. There are some fine .380 factory loads available. Also, as you mention, .380 is readily found most anywhere -- although 9x18M is pretty commonly available now too. Unless there's a real burning desire to shoot 9x18M, there's no big reason to dump the .380 barrel. On the other hand, for under $75 shipped, you can get the barrel and barrel pusher from Makarov.com.
And about the price of Russian commercial Maks to Bulgarian Maks, the main reason for the higher Rusky prices is that they are no longer imported (also, some claim that the Russians digest JHPs slightly better than other Maks). Recently, there was a glut of Bulgarians that flooded the market, helping to keep the cost of them down. But there are signs that that supply is now dwindling. From a reliability and accuracy standpoint, they'll hang with the Russians all day long. They also tend to have better bluing and less sharp edges than the Russian commercial Maks
But in any event, regardless of caliber or country of manufacture, there is not a Makarov I wouldn't recommend. My advice is to buy the one that floats your boat, or buy the one with the best price.
Take care. Marko
Actually, the reliability problem with the hi-cap Maks was with the cheap aftermarket mags that were sometimes sold with the pistols. Using the now easy-to-find factory Russian mags cures the problem virtually every time.
As for the adjustable sights, a few people have reported problems, but the problem does not appear to be widespread. The usual fix is to use a dab of temporary threadlock to hold the sight in place.
Reprobate:
If you lurk on the Mak Forum for bit, I think you'll find that 9x18 is the caliber of choice, although there's not a big deal made about it. 9x18M in its hottest form exceeds most .380 ammo by a slight margin, but not so much so that it makes .380 obsolete by any means. There are some fine .380 factory loads available. Also, as you mention, .380 is readily found most anywhere -- although 9x18M is pretty commonly available now too. Unless there's a real burning desire to shoot 9x18M, there's no big reason to dump the .380 barrel. On the other hand, for under $75 shipped, you can get the barrel and barrel pusher from Makarov.com.
And about the price of Russian commercial Maks to Bulgarian Maks, the main reason for the higher Rusky prices is that they are no longer imported (also, some claim that the Russians digest JHPs slightly better than other Maks). Recently, there was a glut of Bulgarians that flooded the market, helping to keep the cost of them down. But there are signs that that supply is now dwindling. From a reliability and accuracy standpoint, they'll hang with the Russians all day long. They also tend to have better bluing and less sharp edges than the Russian commercial Maks
But in any event, regardless of caliber or country of manufacture, there is not a Makarov I wouldn't recommend. My advice is to buy the one that floats your boat, or buy the one with the best price.
Take care. Marko
If you want a 9x18 why not just trade your Ruskie Hi Cap for an E German or another Ruskie in 9x18? Or just throw in another $100 and get a Bulgie and you can have both!
You already are going to spend at least 60 bucks for a barrel and press, plus shipping. Then whatever aggravation you may have in the conversion process.
Check out...
http://makarov.com/barrlrep.html
I suggest getting another Mak..You can't have too many guns!
Good Shooting
RED
You already are going to spend at least 60 bucks for a barrel and press, plus shipping. Then whatever aggravation you may have in the conversion process.
Check out...
http://makarov.com/barrlrep.html
I suggest getting another Mak..You can't have too many guns!
Good Shooting
RED
Born_Hillbilly
New member
I would buy a bulgarian in a heartbeat in 9x18, but havent seen any locally. Local shop has two russians in .380 at $179 (used i think---sounds high for used) Every site I have seen on internet in the $110 range for bulgie is sold out. Guess I will wait and see if the bulgies show up in stock somewhere. When I asked this shop if they ever get bularian 9x18---the guy says," sometimes...they usually go for $225."---I will deal with another gunshop.
I figure if I can find one at $109-110 price and have it transferred,
it will only be $150-160 by the time S&H and transfer fee,etc apply.
I figure if I can find one at $109-110 price and have it transferred,
it will only be $150-160 by the time S&H and transfer fee,etc apply.
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Eric Larsen
New member
The price difference between the barrel change and the price of a new gun is not enough to buy the barrel, IMO. Be patient and the
Bulg. Maks will be around again...they always seem to appear.
The feeding problems with the double stackers were usually in very dusty and sandy conditions...like deserts and such. They
are finicky about mags but you can find good mags in Shotgun news or Mak.com.
I would be patient and see what happens...If you dont like the 9x18 barrel after the swap and reinstall the .380, you are doing more to the frame than it really likes and risk damage. Again, just my opinion.
Good luck and shoot well
Bulg. Maks will be around again...they always seem to appear.
The feeding problems with the double stackers were usually in very dusty and sandy conditions...like deserts and such. They
are finicky about mags but you can find good mags in Shotgun news or Mak.com.
I would be patient and see what happens...If you dont like the 9x18 barrel after the swap and reinstall the .380, you are doing more to the frame than it really likes and risk damage. Again, just my opinion.
Good luck and shoot well
railroader
New member
I have a hi-cap russian in .380. The factory barrel was over throated from the factory. It made my cases get bulges so I chaged it out with a norinco barrel. The factory 12 round mags jam sometimes but I have a factory 10 rounder and it works perfect. The single stack 8 rounders also work perfect too. Here's another place for bulgarian maks for $120. http://www.gunsnstuff.net/html/handguns_pistols.html Mark
Born _Hillbilly.
J&G sales- Good to very good condition Bulgarian 9X18-$109.95
www.jgsales.com
SOG international-eccellent condition Bulgarian 9x18-$109.95
www.southernohiogun.com
Someone in the Jan 28 issue of Shotgun News had an ad for new Bulgies still in the cosmoline. Now I can't find the ad.
I too live in Ky, in the Cave Run Lake area. If your ever in the neighborhood give me a holler.
rsetters@mis.net
J&G sales- Good to very good condition Bulgarian 9X18-$109.95
www.jgsales.com
SOG international-eccellent condition Bulgarian 9x18-$109.95
www.southernohiogun.com
Someone in the Jan 28 issue of Shotgun News had an ad for new Bulgies still in the cosmoline. Now I can't find the ad.
I too live in Ky, in the Cave Run Lake area. If your ever in the neighborhood give me a holler.
rsetters@mis.net