makarov question

S

snappy

New member
I asked in a earlier post about a good $200 gun and got some replies and thumbs up for the mak. Now here's another question...Any thing to look for in particular on a mak? Any manufacturer better than another? And what would YOU get, the 9x18 or the .380 ? Is 19x18 ammo hard to come by? I have had absolutely no dealings with 9x18 ammo or the mak is the reason I'm asking, thanks guys:)
 
Makarov

Snappy, I'm sure you'll be happy with any of them because you can't beat them for the money. I'm sure if you do a search there have been numerous topics here on these. I think you'll find that the best one for your money will be the E.German Mak. They are suppose to be the best. I have an E.German and love it.
As far as which caliber, Mine is the 9x18 and ammo is readily available.
Hope this helps ;)
 
A surplus E. German in 9x18 would be hard to beat. Some of the surplus Bulgarian Maks are supposed to be excellent also.

Most of the local gunshops carry 9x18, so availability isn't much of an issue. If that fails, mail order houses carry it for cheap.
 
I currently own 2 very nice bulgarian Makarovs. I have $270 tied up in the pair. At the time the cheaper price i could find on a german made Mak was $250. Since I am into shooters and not actually collecting I went for the two Bulgies.

Very strong, very accurate, very cheap (price only), very easy to shoot and maintain. 9x18M ammo is easy to find espacially mail order. Don't you beleive all the stories about it recoiling hard.
It just ain't so. It is a little stouter than my full sized CZ-75B.
It is also much less than my 5" 1911 with 45 acp hardball.

It is a subjective thing. I recommend the unissued bulgarians.
I really like mine.
 
Any of the surplus maks should do just fine and I would pretty much echo the above comments about the Mak.

The only Maks that I have heard of that had an unfavorable review were the Bulgarian commercial "Miltex" makarovs. You can tell them apart by the distinct squared trigger guard.

Because I have no experience with the Miltex maks I can't say whether or not they are a good buy. Perhaps some folks here can give some input.

Good Shooting
RED
 
East German or Bulgarian are the nicest. Russian models have adjustable target sights and VERY sharp edges.

They make replacement barrels and a barrel press for the 9mmk if you want to go to the trouble. The 9mm Mak is as good if not better for a smaller caliber defense gun than the 9mmK.
 
I have a cuple of Bulgarians and like them a lot. I almost bought an East German before I got my second Bulgarian (based on all the talk about how they ae the best), but when I handled several of them in a local store (they had at least 30 in the rack, and more out back), I didn't find any that were as nice as my Bulgarian, and they cost more, so I just ordered another Bulgarian. I don't regret it. I'm sure the East German's are good, and probably worth a little more (based on reputation/demand). I just ordered some Makawrap grips for one of mine, and I think they said that it wouldn't fit an East German due to them having a differrent grip screw from the other Maks. East German magazines are also slightly different - though they work in my Bulgarians.

I'd go with the 9x18 - slightly more powerful, readily available by mail order and in most gun stores, very cheap, and the original cartridge for the gun.

Doug
 
Get an East German if you can find one ($225-250 in my area). If not, go with the Bulgarian for about $150.00. 9x18 ammo can be purchased by the train load pretty cheap over the net and at gun shows but gets more expensive and a bit harder to find in local shops and you will not see it at Wal Mart. I got a commercial Russian with the adjustable sights for a hundred bucks even and although it may not be the most desireable, the finish on it is good, I like the adjustable sights (watch out they are fragile) and it is one of the most accurate guns I own. You can't go wrong with a Mak. Barn.
 
Snappy,

I have to agree with the others and recommend an unissued Bulgarian Mak. Mine came in a plain cardboard box, wrapped in waxed paper, caked in cosmoline with 2 serial numbered mags. Didn't look like much at first until I took it home and cleaned off the cosmo and found a very nice blued finish, especially considering the $160 price!

I've heard that the E. Germans have better finishes, but they can only be found used, compared to brand new unissued Bulgies. They're also supposed to have better triggers, but again, I think it's because they're more broken in.

It seems that even the unissued Bulgies are starting to dry up, but look around, they're worth it. There's a show coming up and I'll probably try to find another, just to put away. They're that nice.:)
 
I love my E. German Makarov. I've got a Russian Mak on the way. Great pistols. Very reliable and accurate. I prefer 9X18 but either caliber will do. I've been carrying my E. G. mak daily since I bought it a month ago. 500 + rounds without a problem.
 
The Bulgarian Maks are apparently pretty good, but note: NONE of them are military surplus. These are all NEW PRODUCTION guns, most of them made in the last year or two. (None of them qualify for Curio & Relic status, while most of the other Maks do.)

The East German ones are typically better with regard to fit and finish, and the trigger is generally a little nicer -- but since they tend to sell for almost twice as much, they're probably not worth it if you're not a collector.

The other nice little gun is the CZ-83 in the same calibers as the Mak. A little larger, but a lot easier to shoot, and a very well made gun. Aim Surplus is selling them for way under $200.

Http://www.aimsurplus.com

For the price, I think I'd get one of these over an EG Mak.
 
I am completely satisfied with my unissued Bulgarian Makarov, chambered in 9x18. Ammo is readily available at most any gun shop. You can't go wrong with this one.
Jim Hall
 
I'll throw in another vote for the Bulgarian Mak.

I'd highly recommend getting rubber Pearce grips to soften the recoil and an 18# Wolf recoil spring. If you have problems with it feeding JHP, very carefully use a Dremel to LIGHTLY polish the feedramp.

My Mak with Hornaday XTP's is a potent camp gun.
 
Walt,

You state that: "The Bulgarian Maks are apparently pretty good, but note: NONE of them are military surplus. These are all NEW PRODUCTION guns, most of them made in the last year or two. (None of them qualify for Curio & Relic status, while most of the other Maks do.)"

This is contrary to my understanding. I believe that there were both military surplus and commercial Bulgarian Maks being sold - with the former being somewhat more desirable. I can't prove this, but your comment surprised me (I thought/think I have two military surplus Bulgarian Maks).

Empire Arms, which seems to have a good reputation for knowing what they are doing and being honest, has the following description:

" BULGARIAN military Makarov semiautomatic pistol (9x18) mfg. 1966-1980 in Sofia. All-matching numbers, excellent (slightly-used) condition with minimal holster-wear but perfect bore and functioning."

What makes you think ALL Bulgarian Maks are of recent commercial manufacture? I'm more curious than concerned, because mine are both well made and work perfectly, so I don't really care. But I am curious. I don't think their exclusion from the Curio & Relic list necessarily says anything about their age or origin (most Maks couldn't make the list based on age). I assumed the Bulgarians are not included because they have been imported more recently, when it is perhaps more difficult to get guns classified as C&R. But that's just a guess.

Doug
 
What makes you think ALL Bulgarian Maks are of recent commercial manufacture? I'm more curious than concerned, because mine are both well made and work perfectly, so I don't really care. But I am curious. I don't think their exclusion from the Curio & Relic list necessarily says anything about their age or origin (most Maks couldn't make the list based on age). I assumed the Bulgarians are not included because they have been imported more recently, when it is perhaps more difficult to get guns classified as C&R. But that's just a guess.
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1) The fact that I've never seen one that wasn't new, 2) that the guys on the Curio & Relics list have not talked about any that were truly MILSURP, etc. 3) I've never seen one that qualified as a Curio & Relic, whereas all of the other ex-military Maks seem to be C&R. -- and 4) its NOT when they were imported that makes them C&R. It supposed to be when they were made.

I've got a relatively new Yugo Mauser, unissued. Looks like a new gun. Hell, it IS a new gun. It certainly isn't 50 years old, but it is a 90-100 year old design. It is C&R. (These were probably put together in the 70's or 80's from old parts, which may be part of the loop hole.)

All that said, it may be that you're right and I'm just misinformed. (It won't be the first time...)
 
Walt,

Just to clarify one point: I didn't mean that C&R status depended on the date of import - my thought was that, because I think these are fairly recent imports, no one had considered them for C&R status until the last few years (I'm guessing that there is some process for requesting that a particluar type of gun be added to the list - especially if it is less than 50 years old). My thinking was that it may have been easier to get on the list back when the Russian and EG Makarovs were added. I assume that there are still some obscure old military guns in storage somewhere that no one has ever imported in quantity into the U.S. If they are found and imported, I assume someone will determine if they will be added to the C&R list. But I don't know the process and I'm making a lot of guesses and assumptions here :)

By the way, I've helped put together several group orders for Bulgarian Maks (purported to be surplus, I think), and, while they were generally in excellent condition, some did show some wear.

Regarding your Yugoslav Mauser, if it is an M48, then I have a couple of them as well. I think they were made in the late 40's (hence the "48") or early 50s, so they could be 50 years old or close to it. Mine are also like new. I don't think they are from older surplus parts (the action is a little shorter than other Mausers) but I'm not sure.

I hope some Makarov expert will get on here and provide a little history on the Bulgarian Maks - I'm still curious about what I have.

Doug
 
Doug, this M48 Mauser - it has a bent bolt handle?I know very little about Mausers, so would like to confirm///
 
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