Makarov Questions...

S

Stephen A. Camp

Staff In Memoriam
Hello all. Even though I do not normally care for DA/SA autopistols, I did make an exception with my CZ-75s, although I normally carry in condition one when using one of those. I keep reading about the inexpensive Makarovs and keep hearing that they are utterly reliable and possess decent accuracy.
I'm told that sights could be better and such does appear to be the case from what I've observed at www.makarov.com and other places.
My questions concerning this go to those who've actually owned, shot, and carried Maks. 1.) Do you get slide-bite as is common to the Walther PP series of pistols from the Makorov? 2.) How is the fit and finish of the metal work as well as where the stocks meet the frame? 3.) Are these pistols as simple internally as they appear to be? (Detail stripping appears to be very easy.)
4.) What niche would this pistol serve that my Kahr K9 does not already? 5.) Are the sights well-regulated such that POA = POI?
6.) Are any particular parts prone to breakage? I know that is quite a lot of questions and thank any who choose to answer one or all or any number in between. Best to all.
 
They are very reliable. Simple inside and out. It is a fixed barrel so frame/slide fit isn't critical, but it is pretty good. No, I never get slide bite like some do on Walthers. Don't know about how it compares to a Kahr, don't own one. The Mak is very, very reliable and you won't regret the purchase (they are inexpensive). They are also accurate, mine has adjustable sights, but if you were going to carry one you may want the fixed sights. I have also seen a custom one with the sights removed altogether. I suppose if you were only planning on short range shooting it would be OK.
 
Were that my Gold Cup had the fit and finish of my E.G. Mak.

No slide bite.

Glock Simple, Glock Easy (not the extractor, though)

Extractors may break. Safety detent spring may wear (BFD type of replacement). Wear on ejector/stop lever a possiblity (again, BFD).

POI ~ = POA at 10 yds.

I don't own a Kahr, but you've got a less powerful round in a gun of similar weight, albeit one with nearly 50 years of track record and millions made.
 
Actually there are only 27 parts to the entire gun. I wholeheartedly recomend them. They are without a doubt the very best value for your money avalible on the market today. I would reccomend getting one of the unissued Bulgarian surplus ones. Fit/finish is very nice, and the barrel is chromed as well. The sights are small and fixed, and would probably be helped greatly by the addition of a little white paint. Accuracy on most are quite good, definately good enough for carry. As Makarov posted, slide bite is not a problem. I have posted here many times extolling the virtues of these little pistols. Just FYI, they are relatively heavy, 27oz unloaded if I remember correctly. The addition of pearce grips hepls with the "snap" recoil, however the downside to them is they thicken the grip of the pistol. With the pearce grips on the butt of the gun is slightly wider than my CZ-75, however they still make great inexpensive carry guns. Search some of the back posts and you will find that almost all comments about them are positive.
 
What I have to say applies to my E German Mak:

Utterly reliable, with the only exception being with wide mouthed hollowpoints, like Hornandy XTP. I didn't want to polish the chamber mouth, so I switched to Fiocchi JHP and haven't had any troubles since.

Accuracy is pretty good. It's not as accurate and easy to shoot as my CZ-75 or Sig 226, but I think it has a lot to do with the size of my hands vs the size of the grip. Pearce grips make shooting a bit easier, but they also make the grip wider and harder to conceal. For me and my Mak, POA = POI. The trigger reset is pretty short, so I find doubletaps easy.

It is very simple. There are about 27 parts to get a firing gun, including magazine and grips. You can check out www.makarov.com 's detail strip procedure and see for yourself at: http://www.makarov.com/tech/assembly.html

S_makarov_exploded.jpg


Fit and finish (after 40 years, it still has upward of 80% blueing) are very good. Everything fits and nothing rattles. The Pearce grip doesn't flow into the frame as well as the standard grips.
 
Mr. Camp, Sorry for the long reply.

1)I have large hands and have only been bit by the hi-cap Russian Mak with original grips. After replacing the grips with the Pierce product the problem no longer exists. The standard 8rd. Maks have never given me a problem with slide-bite.

2)I would recommend a East German, Russian milsurp and Bulgarian milsurp in regards to fit and finish (I have not had much of a chance to really look over the Bulgarian Special Edition Maks to recommend them) The finish appears fine on all my Maks where the grip meets the frame.

3)The Mak breaks down like the Walther PP series and is simple internally, having only 27 parts versus the Walthers 37+

4)The Mak vs the K9? This will depend on personal taste. Whichever you feel is more reliable being the most important feature in my book.

5)The sights have been fine in my experience, but are small and hard to pick up against dark backgrounds, but then I haven't shot one outdoors in the sunlight to compare.

6)The only parts breakage I am aware of has been the safety on two maybe three Maks. These may have been poor quality control or just fatigue on a 30 something year old part, the jury is still out. I have owned a Mak since 1995 and the only thing I have replaced has been a 19# recoil spring (for the standard 17# spring) and the Pierce grip for the original.
 
I have strong, positive feelings for my East German Makarov. I think all the replies hit the nail on the head, so I won't add much. What can a Mak do that a Kahr K9 can't? Nothing I can think of. My Mak is for fun (hey, surplus ammo is cheap!). For personal protection I carry my Glock 26.
 
I read so much about them that I had to have one. I got a Russkie and am totally impressed. I agree that it seems to be the best buy in a long time. I am tempted to get at least one more.
I could have resold it the same day for $30 more.Get 'em while you can!

------------------
Better days to be,

Ed
 
Thank you all very, very much for your informative replies. I'll likely pick one up as a "fun gun" or a "car gun." Best and thank you all again.
 
The Mak is like the CZ 75, both are great guns for little money. Where else could you get a $150 gun that is GUARANTEED to be flawless?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top