To buy or not to buy a Makarov?

G

gryphon

New member
Been hearing a lot about the new shipment of Makarovs into the country and that they will be available in June. My question is this, I know nothing of them except what has been extoled here on TFL.

I'm thinking that OH might be getting their CCL soon and I might want something smaller than my 1911 for carry.

At guestimated price point, I'm thinking that I would be silly not to get one or two of the Makarovs.

What do you think?
 
I'd say buy 2. I've got one, and next time I see a reasonably priced one I'll have two. I really can't come up with enough good things to say about them.
 
Don't bother getting one. Better just go ahead and get two:D
For the money, you can't do any better. Maks are accurate, reliable, and built like a tank. My only complaint is that the sights are a bit small, but not a big deal IMO.
 
Not having one in your collection would be a mistake. I'm ready for CCW in Ohio. :) Are you coming to Tusco this weekend? I'm sure a few trips across the plates would sell you on one. CCW
 
I just got my first Makarov a few weeks ago (Russian) and I love it. It would make a good carry gun. I'm looking to buy a couple more including a Bulgarian this summer.

I'm also in OH and if CCW becomes legal, I'll probably pack the Mak until I get another specific carry gun. Mine has been 100% reliable with all ammo I've tried in it.

You're right, you'd be silly not to get one or two! Go for it!
 
I'd say the Makarov is one of those guns that belongs in everyone's collection.

Even though the Mak is smaller and lighter I still prefer to carry my Steyr because it's significantly more comfortable (got to be the smoothest handgun made) but its still a great little gun and a lot of fun to shoot.

Plus I bet it would be more comfortable with a proper holster ... its just got too many pointy bits for a bellyband (especialy that damn lanyard hoop ... but the safety and the rear sight also jab me a bit).

YMMV, and I now several guys (especialy over in the Makarov Forum that say their Maks are very comfortable for CCW (I must just be spoiled by my Steyr).

For what they cost they are hands down the best value in handguns out there.
 
I wasn't a big fan til I shot one a few yrs ago. Then, I had to have my own. They(at least my example) are reliable and fairly accurate. At the price they are going for now, you can't go wrong.

Slabside
 
I bought a Bulgarian Mak not long ago and I just LOVE it! I'll be bringing it to the plateshoot this Sunday at Tusco, and I think that 3 gun will have his there as well. If you're interested, you can give mine a try to see how you like it before you buy.

Oh, and before you ask... I'm not interested in selling it. ;)

Cost-wise, you can probably find them for $100-$175. SOG has them for $110. I've seen them go for $200+ here in Ohio in private sales. You could pay $225, I think, and not feel like you got ripped off after shooting it a little. It is well worth the money.

East German Maks are known to have the best fit and finish.
Bulgarian and Russian Maks tie for second, but the Russians have adjustable sights.

-Dave
 
To buy or Not To Buy...That is The Question

I've asked myself that very same question 5 times before.

I own 4 Maks.

Did once I say Not To Buy?

Nope - sold that one to buy something else. (I had 3 Bulgarians, so I let one go to a needy owner - needy meaning he needed a Mak!).

You won't regret buying one of these little guns.
 
I don't care for them. I read all kinds of glowing reports about them on this, as well as other, forums and decided that I should go see what all the fuss was about. I have only handled two makarovs, but both were crap. One had a broken safety and would fire regardless of the position of the safety lever. The second also had a safety that didn't work, the safety lever would jam, to the point that it wouldn't move at all, between the "safe" and "fire" positions. Now maybe I just happened to come across the only two makarovs that are crap in the whole world, but they were in two different shops at different times of the year. I just gave up.
 
Blades, I mean no disrespect, but I don't believe you had a Makarov. The gun shop where I've worked part time, done the radio ads for and helped market... has sold over 700 Makarovs and NOT ONE of them has anything even remotely like what you speak of. I've owned a couple of dozen myself, have 6 now, and they are all fine.

Sure it could happen, just like a piece of moon cheese could fall in my yard while I'm writing this... but I doubt it.

Please fill in the details of where you found these one in a million Makarovs.
 
Jody - You don't have to believe me. You can choose to believe that "a piece of moon cheese could fall in my yard" if you want. You can take your condescension and shove it. I don't care who you work for part-time or what you claim you do for them.
nono.gif


For the record, one of the makarovs, the one with the safety that jammed, was seen at the Pistol Parlour in Mesa almost two years ago. The other was seen at EAU Sales in Apache Junction around the same time.

Also for the record, I haven't seen another makarov for sale at the Pistol Parlour since. :rolleyes:
 
Maks are fine guns. I own only two autos, a Glock 23 and a Mak, and I would have a tough time if forced to choose between the two. My regular farmstead carry is the Mak. Buy the Mak. Really.
 
If I meet up with some one with a working makarov one day, I'll give it a fair shake, but I won't spend money one first.
 
I'll back up Jody on this one. I bought my first mak this summer, a bulgarian, and within a couple of weeks bought a russian mak. These guns are so simple there is almost nothing to go wrong. The amazing thing is how accurate and reliable the maks are.

I now keep one of the maks loaded with hornady xtps as my primary carry gun. I think it is as reliable and 50% more firepower (9 rounds vs 6) than a .38 revolver.

I can't believe I waited so long to buy one.
Good shooting, Weagle
 
Maks are very nice weapons. I challenge you to find a solid steel weapon with as good of quality workmanship as a Makarov for the price.

I've seen guns that cost twice as much not have half the quality of the Mak.

If you do, get one in the original 9x18. Ammo is much cheaper than .380 and available in many places. You also have domestic and foreign manufacturers that make JHP loadings.

Good SHooting
Red
 
Get one when you get a chance. I have an EG Mak and just got an unissued Bulgarian. They're great guns. All the major distributors are out now but are supposed to be getting them soon. SOG is out too even though they are still advertised on their website. They say that they expect some more in June.

If you haven't been to this site yet, this will answer most Mak questions that you have:

http://www.makarov.com/makfaq.html

Also Makarov basics link at the same site.
 
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Another pleased owner of 2 Maks here. Have been very pleased with Russian purchased some 5 years ago and recently acquired another for a good friend. Grips on one replaced with Pearce and on other with thinner, softer version ordered from Makarov web site.

Especially with some of the foreign ammo, the 9X18 Maks can feel pretty "snappy" to some (new) shooters. Lady friend and I will be doing more rapid-fire practice this Sunday afternoon with one of the Maks, including a new 19 lb. recoil spring and some Russian HP ammo (the brand of which slips me just now) not previously tested. So far, when I or students have done our parts right, both Maks have functioned flawlessly.

While not necessarily a fan of "crunch and tickers", for what the Maks are and what they cost, I too feel they they are exception values in today's market.

If I were inclined to be critical, the sights would be a starting point - but that may stiil not prevent me from obtaining another one as an option for my daughter when she gets old enough for CHL.
 
Hi. I bought my first Mak in 1993, a Russian commercial model. Now I have five. Two Russians, Two Bulgarians and an East German. You really can't go wrong.
 
I can no longer remain silent.

Pistolet Marakova is a very fine pistol in a great caliber for a blow back gun.

When you can get such a gun for $150, or less, all inclusive, with extra magazines, parts, holsters and ammo so available, it is very difficult to say no. I could not say no.

By the way, with all the talk about E. German PMs, let me say that Bulgarian PMs are wonderful pistols as well.

Discalaimer: all my experience is with military surplus PMs in 9x18. I cannot speak about the various commercial models, or .380 Maks.
 
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