IMHO, you just cannot go wrong with a Makarov. I have a few, but only shoot one - a Bulgarian milsurp. I have added Pearce grips and had a set of <b><A HREF=http://www.mmcsight.com/>MMC</A></b> Combat night sights installed on the slide, and it serves as one of my carry guns. It will digest anything I feed it, and has never experianced a FTF or FTE. For range practice, the Russian ammo being imported is available for about $0.10 per round. <font color=green>COR-BON & Hornady</font> both manufacture personal protection HP ammo, but it is expensive - figure about $12 for 20 rounds. However, <b><A HREF=http://www.dansammo.com>Dan Tobin of Dans' Sporting Goods</A></b> will sell you 500 rounds of <b><font color=red>Barnaul 9X18 HP</font></b> for $60 or 1000 for $115. At $0.115 to $0.12 per round, it is easy to practice with your carry round. I have tried the <b><font color=red>Barnaul</font></b> and found it accurate & reliable. Dan has a sample or 2 that was fired into media for expansion testing. It displays a mushroom as you would expect to see on the high end <font color=green>COR-BON or Hornady.</font><br>
Oh yes - size. A quick check against my 3" Kimber: not including the Kimber's beavertail, they are about equal in length. The grip on the Kimber is about 1.3" wide, about 2.05" front-to-back at the grip safety; 1.1" & 2.07" for the Mak (both wearing factory grips). Bottom of grip to top of slide for the Kimber is about 4.9", Mak is 4.8" (mags inserted).<br>
A word about <b>Dan Tobin</b>. If you are shooting the calibers or buying the guns he has to offer but not dealing with him, you are missing the boat. I am fortunate in that I live near his warehouse & am able to deal over the counter. His customer service is second to none, and his prices are fantastic. He ships east of the Mississippi for free, to the west for $10. He is <i>extremely</i> well stocked. Try him out, & you won't be sorry.
Kevin