Makarov magazine interchangeable?

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snowman748

New member
I recently picked up a Bulgarian Makarov that only came with one magazine. I didn't think finding extra mags would be an issue but apparently everyone is sold out. I did find a supplier that has East German and Russian mags for sale but I wasn't sure if they would be interchangeable with my Bulgarian. What is the difference and what's the deal with "with hump" and "without hump" magazines?
 
I don't know about any humps, but I use East German milsurp mags in my Russian Makarov, without issues.

It's one of those Baikels imported in .380acp.
 
FWIW I've read in multiple forums that all single-stack Mak magazines are functionally interchangeable regardless of caliber - .380 mags work in the 9x18 pistols, and the reverse. I have not, however, personally tried it.

Double-stack Makarov mags will not fit in the single-stack pistols, although most folks who know much of anything about handguns would probably have already assumed that. :) However, the single-stack mags supposedly WILL (surprisingly) fit and function in the double-stack guns! :cool:
 
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I've gathered the same info from what I've read about the single and double stacks and was confident that the Russian and East German mags would work in a Bulgarian gun (all three are single stack 9x18) but while I was looking to buy I saw some mags marketed as "with hump" and "without hump" and that through me off. No where else have I been able to find ANYTHING about Mak mags having a hump or not and the difference between them. It just got me worried, why would they distinguish between them if there is no difference in fit and price. Just hate to drop $30 plus on Mak mags and them not fit.
 
I recently picked up a Bulgarian Makarov that only came with one magazine. I didn't think finding extra mags would be an issue but apparently everyone is sold out. I did find a supplier that has East German and Russian mags for sale but I wasn't sure if they would be interchangeable with my Bulgarian. What is the difference and what's the deal with "with hump" and "without hump" magazines?
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All the single stack magazines are interchangable. The "hump" is not an issue.
 
The follower has a tab that sticks well out the side of the magazine to engage the slide release.

The tab is sharp, so it tends to cut up magazine pouches over time.

The hump covers the tab when the magazine is fully loaded as to decrease mag pouch wear.

All single stack Makarov magazines are interchangeable, regardless of hump.

However, hump magazines are generally considered more desirable if you have the option.
 
The Union of Soviet Socialist People's Republics didn't play around with magazines. They made sure they would all work, or else.
 
5thShock said:
The Union of Soviet Socialist People's Republics didn't play around with magazines. They made sure they would all work, or else.
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Although I'm aware your post may be a bit facetious, there is truth to this philosophy. For instance, most Soviet military aircraft used the exact same batteries; differing power requirements were accommodated by varying the number of cells and wiring the aircraft differently. Hence, if a fighter jet wouldn't power up because the batteries were dead, troops could pull batteries from a helicopter elsewhere on the ramp and solve the problem.

Due to the number of countries involved, NATO has never standardized quite to this extent, and there are examples of pervasive non-standardization in the U.S. military, even within the same service branch.
 
Makarov magazines

Im using Russian Makarov magazines in my East German Mak

I save my original matching numbered EG magazines and use the Russian mags as my range mags.
 
Thank you kozak that was the info I was looking for. I know understand why they differ.

I finally picked up the Mak from my local dealer and was shocked at the extent of cosmoline on the firearm. I knew there would be cosmoline and I don't have a problem cleaning it off but DAMN! They really caked that stuff in there. I also got a cleaning rod, holster, leather lanyard and maintenance log. I think I'm impressed by the maintenance log more then anything else about the gun. Pretty cool little piece. When I get home tonight I'm going to bust out the boiling water, dawn dish soap and elbow grease to get this thing cleaned so I can shoot it this weekend.
 
Take note that the Polish P64 and the P84 and the Hungarian FEG AP-63 / PA-63 magazines will not fit in a Makarove, even though they accept 9X18 cartridges.
 
ANY Makarov PM magazine should work in ANY Makarov PM. Keep in mind the .380 magazines are the exact same as the 9x18mm mags as well.

That is one fly in the ointment about Makarovs. Lots of spare parts, the guns are inexpensive now, reasonable ammo, but a shortage of magazines. Several months ago a few of the importers had a good supply going and were selling them for a nice price. Now they're dried up and the prices on mags have gone up at least 50%. I've got about a dozen altogether and hopefully they last. One might be wise to buy some of the cheap replacement mag springs while they're still available, that is the part that's going to wear out the fastest in the mags.
 
Yes.

On Makarov Forums (Gunboards) they verified this.
I've used .380 Russian single-stack and 9x18 hump/non-hump mags in all of my Maks. And None of them are even Designated as .380, whether 'hump' etc.

By now, there is no way to determine at all which mags originally came with which of my five Maks, and function has been 100% perfect.

Along with the .380 Russian, have two EGs and two Bulgys.
 
^^^^^^

I.O.,

I have Makarovs from Russia, East Germany, and Bulgaria. The only "hump" magazines that I know of come from East Germany, and yes they are all interchangeable.

The only .380 Mak I have is a B-West imported, Satin Nickel, with matching mags. The mags work in all my other Maks, with 9x18.
 
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