Should I get it?

T

Tedecho

New member
I have a chance to get what looks like a Ruko East German Makarov. I don't know a ton about Maks but I know the East German ones are supposed to be better than most. This one looks kinda strange especially the grips. Not sure why they look so crappy. What would you say it's worth? Thanks
 

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Almost every Mak thread seems to confirm that the E. German and Bulgarian Maks are often the best made. That doesn't mean an E German Mak can't be ruined and indeed those grips are odd and seemingly ill-fitting and odd. Perhaps a previous owner had very small hands.

If the rest of the gun is sound and the price takes the grips into account and you like it, then sure, get it...

It shouldn't be too hard to find original grips to put on it.
 
I literally looked at a couple hndred Makarov pictures and couldn't find what is on that gun. Best I can come up with is a possible aftermarket Century version as there were a couple mentions of the R mark.
 
Something just doesn't seem right about that pistol. It's not just the grips.
I can't place it. I don't know what it is. But it doesn't feel right.


Given the "heebie-jeebies" feeling... I'd have a hard time offering more than $75 -- based on the approach that I must assume that it is a decent collection of parts that may have a chance of being turned into an operable firearm, but is not currently.
 
Something just doesn't seem right about that pistol. It's not just the grips.
I can't place it.
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I think it is the grips.

If you compare to a standard Mak, the palm swell on the standard bakerlite grip arches out from the grip, whereas this one is dead straight all the way down.

That and the fact the grips are also black means the lack of contrast makes the dimensions seem off, almost as if the trigger guard was over-grown!
 
the bluing looks a bit tired, but if you can swap the grips using the normal screw,then the weird grip isn't a show stopper.
 
The following lengthy, three-line marking is found on the right side of the slide of some of the pistols: Mod Makarov Cal 9mm Makarov Made in Germany by Fahrzeug-u Jagdwaffenwerke Ernst- Thalmann, Suhl Imported by RUKO Products Inc., Buffalo, NY Other Ruko-imported pistols have the following marking on the right side of the slide: Makarov Cal 9 x 18 Ruko Products Made by Ernst Thalmann Buffalo, NY Suhl Germany.
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http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2015/7/24/east-german-makarov-a-cold-war-classic/

Other than the funky grips, and Rugerish novel of information on the slide, it's still an East German Mak. A little worn, and funky, I would certainly think it's worth more than seventy five bucks. But I wouldn't go over $150 myself. Then too, I already have an excellent, almost like new E. German Mak, so I'm not too interested in another one.
 
Here is picture of my East German MAK. I have this over15 years. I think it was $200.00 back then. I can't remember if this were the grips that came with it.
 
I have a chance to get what looks like a Ruko East German Makarov. I don't know a ton about Maks but I know the East German ones are supposed to be better than most. This one looks kinda strange especially the grips. Not sure why they look so crappy. What would you say it's worth? Thanks
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Grips are definitely not stock. (They're hideous.) Replace with real E.G. grips, Bulgarian milsurp or Pearce rubber grip.

Here is picture of my East German MAK. I have this over15 years. I think it was $200.00 back then. I can't remember if this were the grips that came with it.
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That looks like a Pearce grip. OK, but softer and bulkier than milsurp.
 
Grips are definitely not stock.
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That looks like a Pearce grip. OK, but softer and bulkier than milsurp.
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Thinking with all the added wording on the slide obviously having been done by the importer Ruko, and the big R in the middle of the grips they are "original" kinda, sorta.
Something the importer put on "their" Makarov pistols.
 
That's a beautiful gun AVG.:D It's an auction and someone hiked it up to 275.00 now so I'm out. I think new grips would make it so much better but not three hundred bucks better. Maybe if it had a spare mag and better finish. I've wanted a mak forever but I'll continue to wait it out. Here's a few more pics too.
 

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Mod Makarov Cal 9mm Makarov Made in Germany by Fahrzeug-u Jagdwaffenwerke Ernst- Thalmann
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I've never seen a Mak marked like this. Were any E. German guns produced in a united Germany? I'd walk away from this one. Too many odd things in play.

My E.G. is a lot cleaner in markings for sure.
 
That is a 1962 E. German Mak and it is in darn nice shape. The grips are cheap after market and can be replaced very easily by buying original black E. German grips found on the bay for $15 to $20. IMO that Makarov is worth $400 easily, even with the crap grips on it.

The import markings on the right side of the slide were not original and probably done by the import company and that explains the just plain Germany on the made by. The gun is clearly 1962. My 1962 E. German Mak was imported by Century and they also only put Germany engraved above the trigger on the left side of the frame.
 
If you don't have to have an East German, you can find Bulgarians in practically unissued condition in quite a few places now. classicfirearms.com, jgsales.com, southernohiogun.com. Possibly more places, all around $300-330. Well worth the price.
 
Eightydeuce you think it is nice enough? I actually wouldn't mind a Bulgarian but I like the historical part of the E. German ones.
 
Its a pretty good one, better than mine. Mine has more holster wear. The grips can be found at apexgunparts.com for $10. You will also need to buy the unfluted grip screw for it depending on the type of screw you already have.
 
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