Manurhin PP vs Makarov (Bulg)

G

gsl

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Both guns seem to have their own followings. Both seem to be good guns. Can't compare them in stopping power as the Manurhin is a 32 ACP and the Makarov is a 9x18Mak.

Not for carry or stopping power, but for just for shooting pleasure, which would you buy? I will use simply at the range to target shooting and such. Also, considering the availability of "stuff/parts" for each. Recoil, ease of cleaning, trigger pull, stuff like that.

I have found both, and must decide which to buy. (If the dang tree in the back yard would start growing those dollar bills, I would probably buy both!!!!:D )

Thanks (and my wife thanks you too!! She is tired of me thinking about this!)
 
Personally I wouldn't own a (cough cough) French PPK. I would get the Makarov. (Hey, that's a real surprise, ain't it!!! :D ) However, if you are set on the PPK, I would get a nice Deutsch model. Stay away from the American made ones too!!!!:rolleyes:
 
denfoote,

I could have bet money you would reply!!!! Thanks!

My understanding is that the French and the Germany PPs are IDENTICAL. As a matter of fact, lots of ones stamped "made in germany" were actually made in france, just assembled in germany.

Anyway, just trying to decide. The local shop won't come down from the $189 on the unissued Makarov, but from looking around, that is a fair deal since they, the gun shop, need to make a profit.


Ahh, decisions decisions.
 
No contest, Mak....easy to work on, parts available,accurate, fun, quality....
J&G has stock coming in $109.00, arrive in oct.
 
FWIW, I used to have a Manurhin PP .32, a German police trade-in. I'd call it a classic. It was a very well made pistol, with good materials, fit, and finish. Reliable, too. The trigger was excellent for a gun of its type.

(I traded it away for something I wanted more at the time, but since then have often wished I still had it.)
 
Makarov all the way. The commercial Russian ones with the adjustable sights are just as nice as any other Mak. I like the sights for range work and I don't find them uncomfortable for CCW. They are excellent quality guns. I have two of them as well as two Bulgies and an E.G. My carry Mak is a Russian Commercial with Pearce grips or a Bulgie Mil with Pearce grips. Nothing wrong with the Manhurin PP's except the caliber. .32 ACP (7.62) is a pretty weak round in a large frame like the PP, however, the European police used them for years.
 
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Either would be a decent choice for the range. I have a Manurhin PP, and I'll dispute the claim they're somehow "sub-standard" when compared to the German guns. I have a couple of EG Maks, and they're also a good choice. I think this one comes down to personal preference and price, either will serve you well.

East German Mak

67846_East_German_Mak_516small7.jpg


Manurhin PP

97557_Manhurin_PP_.32ACP.jpg
 
Hmm... Well, I could argue for either one. Both guns have their merits. The Walther is to me more of a right-brain choice, and the Makarov is a left-brain choice. I currently own Bulgie Mak, and am considering buying a second one and having some night-sites fitted to them. Had a Walther PP in .22LR once and just never could warm up to it and get it to shoot well for me.


The Walther is stylish and has a sort of an 'old-school cool' about it. It probably would kick a little less, which would be nice for extended shooting at the range. Parts and magazines would be rather expensive though, and harder to find in the future. Still, lots of charm to the old gun, and lots of leather, grips, etc. available for it.

The Makarov is cheap to feed, probably just as accurate, has a slightly larger grip (nice too the way the tang is done so the slide rails don't slice my hand) and is much more powerful with the right ammo. Parts and magazines are cheap and plentiful and since the gun is

.32 acp ammo, even purchased in bulk, will normally run $2 - $3 a box more per box than the cheapest Mak ammo. The cheapest mail order that I could find for the .32fmj was $7.90 a box delivered, versus $5 a box delivered for 9x18mm. Price goes up dramatically ($4 - $5) for .32 JHPs, but only another $1 -$2 for 9x18mm JHPs.
 
J&G is backordering now for the shipment of
Bulgarians.
I have never purchased from them rather in the past I bought from JC Armory which has Bulgie's
but is have ffl (license problems).
 
Well, I bought a Russian Makarov today. I was against it at first, but I had never seen it. It was better than I thought. And I was worried about the rear adjustable sights. But since I am not going to carry it, I thought it should be ok.

Went IMMEDIATELY to the range to shoot it. Definitely a little "peppy" (stock grips). I will be ordering some Pearce grips soon. And a little off at first. Adjusted the sight and WOW!

What a fun gun. Glad I chose this one first.

Thanks for all the input. See you at the range!
 
I think you made the correct decision. What I ment about a nice Deutsch model is a pre-war, or wartime PPK. IMHO they are the only PPK's worth their salt!!!:D
 
Get the Mak the 9x18 is far superior to the 32. Plus there is no slide bite with the Mak. I have three maks and love them all.
I do like my PPK in 32 as backup gun. I would buy the mak first.
 
Pros for the Manurhin are you will never lose money on a PP series pistol (if you do shame on you), cost of reloading 32acps with lead bullets is probably about $2.50 per 50 and very easy to reload. The 32acp is a great plinking round and with the better loads a descent defensive round. Negative is hammer bite. Yes , the PPs are known to bite the hand that feeds them. My East German Makarov (PM) is a better made pistol than my German PP, packs more punch, doesn't bite the hand..., is very accurate, and has a great trigger. Negative is that it is larger than a PP and recoils more. Hope this helps. Regards, Richard
 
Maks and Manhurins

I have a commercial Russian Makarov in 9x18 that I have found to be an excellent gun, I even bought reloading dies for it! I'm hesitant to make it my carry gun because of the sights, but that's what a PA-63 or E. German Mak was made for, if I decide that 9x18 Makarov is going to be my "carry caliber."

Instead of the Pearce grips, I bought a Hogue wraparound which as I recall is the generic Glock model, and it slipped on without a problem, even over the lanyard ring. It made shooting it for extended periods a very easy proposition.

Since J&G is a whopping 100 miles give or take from my house, I'm as excited as I've been in a while for the Bulgarian Makarovs, maybe I can get a PA-63 at the same time!

I almost bought a Manhurin PP a few months ago, but I came into a Hi Power instead. Between a Makarov and a Manhurin, the Manhurin would make a nice addition to the collection, but the Makarov is likely to start its own collection. Of Makarovs!

Best of luck.


Check Six.
 
Well, I think I am going to get the Manurhin TOO! Can't have my SIG 226 and Russian Makarov sitting about by themselves! :)

BUT.... In Virginia, you can only buy one handgun every 30 days, unless you show up at the State Police and apply for a multiple gun permit. Don't think I want to be on the radar that badly. I guess I will have to just shoot the other guns for a month before I buy the Manurhin.:mad:

Gee, I wonder what will be next?!?!?!?!?!?!? Besides my wife making me sleep on the couch!!:p
 
I'm amused how far off the target many stray when asked a simple question. Many people are pointing out that the Mak is more "powerful" than the PP in .32. No kidding! However, the original post clearly stated he wanted it for plinking at the range, and wasn't looking for a SD pistol. As such, it comes down to a choice of shootability and cosmetics, not power.
 
Johnwill,

Nice tirade. :)

Given a choice between anything and a Makarov, you know what my answer is going to be. I don't care what the use for it is.:D
 
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