thoughts on a commercial russian makarov

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libiglou

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Hey Guys

I was about to order a Bulgarian makarov from classic but decided to check my lgs first. They had a commercial mak in nice shape except that the lanyard ring looked like it was either rewelded or glued. Price was real good at $259. It only came with one mag and nothing else. Looking for mostly a shooter but these babies have gone up in price and I dont want a reweld or whatever to interfere with future value. Owner told me they all look like that. I know maks are not pretty but should I bite or move on. Its a single stack in 9mm mak . Thanks for all the feedback
 
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Don't mean to insult but you do know that it does not use the common 9mm Luger round. It uses the bit shorter Makarov 9x18. This would make it a non starter for me.
 
no insult taken. I know. will reload this round down the road. I think it will round out my eastern European aks I have
 
Russian Commercial Maks are good. If it is in excellent condition I would say go for it. That is a good price. Save and buy the Bulgy Mak later.
 
I would not buy if in 9x18mm. That is a hard to find round that takes weird diameter bullets. It is totally obsolete as no new guns are chambered I'm it. I predict it will be dead in 10-20 years.
 
9X18 can be found easily. Many sporting goods stores carry it. Very good defensive rounds are being made for it by various manufacturers these days. It is here to stay.
 
I would not sell my commercial Mak for that price so I would echo "go for it". I do not understand why you think the lanyard loop is welded on, it is actually connected to the grip and easily changed if damaged.
 
I would not buy if in 9x18mm. That is a hard to find round that takes weird diameter bullets. It is totally obsolete as no new guns are chambered I'm it. I predict it will be dead in 10-20 years.
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This is complete nonsense. 9x18mm Makarov is a very easy-to-find round. I can walk in any Academy or Sportsman's Warehouse and find it sitting on the shelves.

While I'm not aware of any new-production 9x18mm pistols sold in the US, it is still a widely-used caliber around the work. While the PYa was technically adopted way back in 2003 to replace the PM pistol, only a few thousand have ever been produced. And the PB (integrally-suppressed variant was recently re-adopted by Russian military forces.

The Makarov round will be around for a long time.

To answer the OP's question, I personally prefer the military-issued PM pistols to the commercial variants. But that's because I appreciate their historical value.

I recently purchased on of the $275 Bulgarian pistols from Classic and it came in brand-new unissued condition (there wasn't even a scratch on the slide from operation of the safety), despite it's 1984 year code.
 
Back when these things were almost being given away, I bought three Makarovs; one of which was a commercial model with adjustable sights.

All of them were great shooters and knowing what I do now, I would buy another one without hesitation. At the risk of beating a dead horse, let me say again that mine are great shooters. I own a lot of handguns and have put truck loads of ammo down range over the years and I was really surprised at just how well these things shoot. Much better than the average handgun and MUCH better than anything else I ever shot in that price range. The first time I shot my Bulgarian Mak, I just sort of pulled my pickup over in the desert, tacked up a piece of paper at about 15 yards and fired a magazine worth of ammo into one ragged hole. Of course the icing on the cake was that I had a buddy with me and he tried to talk me out of buying the gun at the store saying that it was a cheap piece of junk.
 
libiglou said:
Hey Guys

I was about to order a Bulgarian makarov from classic but decided to check my lgs first. They had a commercial mak in nice shape except that the lanyard ring looked like it was either rewelded or glued. Price was real good at $259. It only came with one mag and nothing else. Looking for mostly a shooter but these babies have gone up in price and I dont want a reweld or whatever to interfere with future value. Owner told me they all look like that. I know maks are not pretty but should I bite or move on. Its a single stack in 9mm mak . Thanks for all the feedback
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Commercial Maks aren't (IMHO) that valuble. And (as someone already pointed out), the lanyard loop is part of the grip. Swap out the grip, if it's really a problem.

(I prefer the East German grip, which doesn't have an external lanyward loop.)

9x18 Makarov ammo is not a big deal. Brass can be made from cut down 9x19, bullets can be cast, if necessary.

I haven't shot mine in a bunch of years. By the time CCW came to this benighted state, I had better guns the same size. And Makarovs aren't the great deal now that they were a decade and a half ago. Life goes on.
 
OP if you are interested in this style of blowback, I highly recommend you look at the BERSA THUNDER.

Looks very similar but has a stainless slide for better corrosion resistance, much better sights, lighter aluminum aircraft alloy frame, and can be had brand new for a very affordable price. Just as reliable and well built as any commie gun, if not more so. Chambered in .380 which is cheaper and tremendously easier to find and reload for than 9 Mak.
 
I did not know the lanyard was part of the grip. The area surrounding was shiner and I assumed a reweld or glue job. The barrel was is in real nice shape. I tell you it felt good in my hands, very ergonomic. My purchase is mostly for historic reasons plus I hear they are good shooters. Ammo is a little more than 9mm so its not a big deal. If I really like it and shoot it alot then I will reload this round in the future. Wow now to decide between the bulgi or the russian. I'm going to think it over this weekend and buy something Monday.
 
If you just want to own one Makarov for historic reasons, get the Bulgi. It is an actual military Makarov that was in the Bulgarian Military arsenal. The Commercial Russian Maks were built specifically to sell here in the states, and do not have the historical attachment other than that it is a real Makarov. The adjustable sights were required to get it imported here as a target/sporting arm. The Russian Commercial maks can be found chambered in .380 ACP as well as the 9x18.
 
Any Mak is a good Mak...I don't know for sure but I surmise that commercial Maks are made from military parts and regardless, parts are interchangeable between the two...all the Makarovs I have are stock military acquired "back in the day"

9X18 is easy to find and although I do reload, I prefer factory Russian ammo...the thing is, this ammo is no longer as cheap as it once was and is priced comparable to 9X19
 
JJ45 said:
Any Mak is a good Mak...I don't know for sure but I surmise that commercial Maks are made from military parts and regardless, parts are interchangeable between the two...all the Makarovs I have are stock military acquired "back in the day"

9X18 is easy to find and although I do reload, I prefer factory Russian ammo...the thing is, this ammo is no longer as cheap as it once was and is priced comparable to 9X19
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^^^^^This. I have a commercial Russian Mak I bought new in 1994. It has been great. While I prefer my Bulgarians, and EG, the Russian commercial guns are fine.
 
I have decided to with the bulgi for now due to historical reasons and collector value. If I like the platform than I'll pick up a few more. Classic arms has always treated me well(mosin's, aks) so will see what I get. I'll post when I get it. Thanks all for the great feedback as usual
 
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