Makarovs? Good? Bad? Ugly? Any knowledge?

If Nikolay Fyedorovich copied the PP he did away with 17 parts, the Walther has 42 parts, the Makarov only 25 even though they are both blowbacks. Although they look similar, the PM Makarov is a breed of it's own. All those other pistols are chambered for the 9X18 but they are not "Maks"

The 9X18 was designed to be as powerful as possible without requiring a locked breech. The cartridge is not really a 9mm. The 9X19 has a bullet diameter of.356-.357, where as the Makarov bore is larger at .363-.365. Absolutely not interchangeable.

The Ultra cartridge was updated to a round called the Police for the W German police in the 70s but didn't last long....undoubtedly, the Mak was inspired by a lot of design and engineering techniques but it and it's ammunition are unique.
 
The Hornady Critical Defense line of ammo can give you about 11" of penetration
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From the tests online. The XTP bullet either loaded by Hornady or other ammo companies outperforms the FTX bullet in both the 9X18 and .380. Heck in one test the cheap ole Silver Bear out performed the Critical defense, the jacket separated right at the end but the penetration was there.
 
Thanks gang, frankly none of the JHP loads warm my cockles. I think I'll use ball for defense. I mainly am in rural areas so overpenetration isn't a huge concern of mine.
 
The Ultra cartridge was updated to a round called the Police for the W German police in the 70s but didn't last long....
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From what I have read, the original development of the 9x18 Ultra was started in the 1930s for the Luftwaffe. It was revived briefly in the 70s, only to fizzle and become a collector's item. The German round is a rebated rim cartridge, which the 9x18 Makarov is not.
 
Guns chambered in 9x18 might not penetrate to 12", but Makarovs, Polish P-83s and CZ-82s (with thin grips) are more concealable than numerous types in 9mm Luger.

My brother's "turn-in" German (Polizei) Sig in 9mm is much harder to conceal.

Makarovs are often considered to be the most reliable semi-autos ever manufactured, but maybe penetration is more important.
 
I think modern subcompact 9mm's tend to be more concealable. Consider the S&W Shield, Ruger LC9/S, Kahr everything, Beretta Nano, Glock 43, Springfield XDS, etc etc.
 
The design is 66 years old and the 1911 is over 100...there SHOULD be better pistols after all....but there are still those that make them their first choice and most of all the 1911....interesting that the Super Power contestants fielded sidearms that were so different in the nearly half century of the Cold War.
 
I think modern subcompact 9mm's tend to be more concealable. Consider the S&W Shield, Ruger LC9/S, Kahr everything, Beretta Nano, Glock 43, Springfield XDS, etc etc.
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Plastic junk that won't be around in 100 years.
 
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