My makarov arrived

B

BTR

New member
My makarov from JC Armory arrived a couple of days ago. I'd like to thank everyone who answered my posts about this gun, you were a great help; if it wasn't for TFL I would have never known these guns existed. After cleaning it up, I got to take it to the range this morning.

It fired 50 rounds of Barnaul FMJ without a hitch, and I'm very happy with the purchase- especially since this is the only gun I've bought and paid for.

The safety switch is extremely stiff, and the military plastic grip beat up the web of my hand- I wrapped the grip in a rag, which helped a lot. I probably will get one of those soft rubber grips. Is there anything that can be done about the saftey switch, or will it loosen up with use?
 
I only use the safety/decocker as a decocker. The double action pull is about like a revolver and as safe. The safety is too small for me to operate quickly. The MAK is the best gun going for the price.
A Pierce Grip will take the sting out of firing the MAK.
Jerry
 
Mak safety

Look at the part of the frame where the safety slides up and down. If this area is rough(most seem to be except for East Germans) you can remove the safety and firing pin, and smooth this area out using a stone or emery paper. When you get it smooth, reblue using one of the cold blues on the market. That worked fine for my Russian.

IMO do not use a dremel tool or other power equipment for this job.
 
Congratulations, BTR....

on your new Mak. How long ago did you order from JCA? I ordered one of their unissued Bulgies a couple of weeks ago and they e-mailed me shortly thereafter saying that they were in the process of moving their shop and identity to PA. They will now be known as Lackawaxen Armory. They stated that it would be a little while before they got things straightened out with the BATF and that my gun would be delayed until then. I'm chomping at the bit to get mine. BTW, did you get the holster, extra mag, cleaning rod, and lanyard with yours? Also, did you get the red or black grips?

As for the plastic grip and such, you might want to think about the "newbie" package from Makarov.com, in which you get a new grip of your choice (Pearce or Makawrap), two extra magazines (choice of EG or Russian), a mag loader, and the Ultimate Makarov Guide, for the princely sum of $45. Or you can purchase these items separately.
 
KEWL!!!! :cool: Welcome to the Makarov Collective. I prefer Wolf to the Barnaul. If you intend to do the next right thing, and carry your new prize, you will need a holster. www.predatorholsters.com make an excellent Kydex IWB for the Makarov. However, I do not think they have it listed on their web site. E-mail them, and ask for the order number. I carry my Mak in one. Very comfortable!!!! In addition to the hardball of choice, you will need a good HP round. I recommend the 90gr Federal Hi-Shok. Hornady also makes a loading for the Makarov, but I have never used it. Cor-Bon used to make Makarov ammo, but have recently discontinued it. You will need about 200-300 rounds to break it in. It will loosen up. Now go shoot that Makarov!!!!:D
 
Logansdad, I think I ordered it about three weeks ago, so he must have shipped before he started the move. I got the model with the red star grips, and the holster, cleaning rod, but no lanyard.

To clean, I boiled the thing for about 20 minutes, and soaked in simple green, and scrubbed. Be careful, the hammer and and safty switch were dyed an interesting shade of red, and my cleaning process almost completely eradicated it. Boiling also removed the dot of red paint on the saftey when I wiped it while still hot and wet.

I've been using the tab that sticks out of the side of the magazine to push down the spring for loading. Will this damage the magazine?
 
Welcome to the Mak Club!

In regards to Mak JHP's for defense, the Hornady JHP is a good load, but rather anemic when compared to the milsurp type loads. You will definitely notice a reduction in recoil with the Hornady loads.

Still, I keep mine stoked with the Hornady's because my wife can also handle the loads. The "full power" loads can be a bit snappy.

Good Shooting
RED
 
That's what I figured...

but I'll wait patiently for mine to arrive. The auction I won for mine specified the gun, two matching mags, new holster, cleaning rod, and lanyard. After having to wait like this, I will be wanting the full package.

I've been looking for ways to de-cosmoline mine when it arrives and the two preferred methods seem to be solvent soaking or boiling. But I did hear about some folks baking or blow-drying theirs.

As for the tab on the mag follower, it's OK use it - I think that's what it's there for. It won't hurt your mags. HOWEVER, you will ruin your thumb - or at least get a HUGE callous (sp?) on it.
 
Cleaning out new Mak

You guys are going to too much trouble to remove the preservative grease. Mine was not dried or caked, so I field stripped, wiped out what excess I could get with a paper napkin, and took it to the range. Now the fun part. I oiled the rub points with gun oil and shot it 150 rounds (Barnaul, no failures) By then it was hot enough the extra grease was melting out of the nooks & crannies & running on my hand. Cleaned out ! Oil liberally the first few hundred rounds to float away the metal particles produced. You are actually lapping it in.
The Mak is the best buy in fun shooters. Go to Makarov.com for all kinds of cool goodies.
 
I have been using the Barnaul HP's for both carry and practice. Very consistant ammo with penetration and expansion comparable to the Gold Dot.
 
BTR,

You won't hurt the magazine by using the tab to load it, but if that tab ever gets away, it can put a nice slice in your finger! Get the plastic mag loader from www.makarov.com, it's just a little gizmo that fits over the mag and holds down the tab.
 
While it's tempting to just give cosmoline-coated milsurp Maks a quick sponge bath before heading to the range, it is imperative that you make sure the cosmoline has been completely removed from the firing pin channel. This is a two-minute job that pays off in spades when it comes to safety. One of the few problems you're apt to encounter with a Mak is for cosmoline to remain in that channel due to lack of initial cleaning. The result can be a slam-fire. You know the old adage, "An ounce of prevention..."

Take care. Marko
 
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