So what magazine did I buy?

B

BitterTait

New member
I stopped by gander mountain to see if there was anything worthwhile at 90% off. I picked up some cutting boards, a predator call and what I thought at the time was a Makarov magazine.

It should have been obvious, but I was blinded by the prospect of a $5 makarov mag that I grabbed it as quick as I could. It's got several features of the mak, the openings on the sides, the protruding slide stop tab, but it's square in the front. A 9mm makarov bullet fits perfectly. Bit of googling hasn't found anything.

Mystery mag on the left, makarov on the right.
 

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They have been making Mak mags since about 1949/50...the "hump" is generally thought to be found only on DDR mags but can also be found on early Russian and some Chinese mags.

Are there any stampings or electro-pencil etchings?...I have mags from different countries and there seems to be a myriad of different styles of markings, the only ones that may be definitive are Chinese. Or it's possibly after market.

Does it work in your weapon?
 
That is a Polish P83 Wanad magazine. The P83 is a Warsaw Pact era 9x18 Makarov chambered service handgun used by Polish military and police in the '80s.
 
Thanks, that looks exactly like it. Thought it was some ComBlock Mak equivalent, never heard of the Wanad before.

Since return really isn't an option, now I just need to figure out what to do with it, since it doesn't fit the mak but it looks close enough I know I'll keep grabbing it on accident.
 
Those P83 Wanads have been coming into the country the last couple of years. They are neat and solidly built pistols. Unique in their construction (stamped metal). They are not expensive. May just have a justification to buy one :)
 
See, now I'm conflicted. On one hand, I've got a new kid so money is tighter, on the other hand I could justify it as "It's something to put aside for his 18th birthday".

I'm afraid that I'lI get into the mindset of "Well, I have a few 9x18 comblock pistols, I should fill out the rest of the collection" and I'm at the gunstore saying "Just gimme the CZ-82" with the counter guy saying "I think you've had enough sir".
 
In all seriousness, it would be cool to round out the collection. But a P83 is so similar to the Mak that I can't even convince myself to get one since I have a Mak.
 
I'm not sure how you say that a CZ 82/83 is similar to a Mak? In my opinion the CZ 82 / 83 is far superior
 
I said a P83. As in the Polish P83 that he bought the magazine for.

I also believe the CZ82/83 is superior to the Mak in practicality due to being double stack, yet I prefer the Mak for history and simplicity.
 
Since return really isn't an option, now I just need to figure out what to do with it, since it doesn't fit the mak but it looks close enough I know I'll keep grabbing it on accident.
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Just add a P83 to your collection. :)


I'm not sure how you say that a CZ 82/83 is similar to a Mak? In my opinion the CZ 82 / 83 is far superior
Click to expand...

They are similar only in respect to caliber, general form factor, and intended use. While the CZ 82 is a more modern pistol (and one of my favorite military service pistols), there are some features in which the Makarov is clearly superior.

Namely the presence of a decocker versus the CZ 82 (which is surprising for a service pistol from the 80s that was presumably meant to be carried with a round in the chamber) and the finish (never been a big fan of the cruddy CZ paint finish or the surprisingly slippery black plastic grips).
 
I love this place.
You can get answers to even the most ridiculous questions.



(Not a ridiculous question, for the record. Just a ridiculously obscure magazine, almost instantly identified.)
 
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