Warm fuzzies over E. Germam Makarov

P

Pj0759@aol.com

New member
Ok,call me a skeptic,but I have been a little leary of all the hype on the Makarov I had been hearing,but like any gun enthusiest I had to find out for myself. I found an E. German Mak and purchased it for about 130.00. The finish was is very good shape a rub or two on the slide but otherwise in great shape. I have had it for awhile and just got a chance to go to the range this week,so I cleaned it and set out with 150 rounds of S&B 9x18. I put the bad guy target at about 30 ft and shot 2 mags through it,retrieved the target and I had about a 2" size hole in this targets head,Man! ok I am a convert..I love this gun! Shot up all my ammo without a single glitch..I shoot this thing better than some of my high dollar ones(it is disgusting)but in a good way. Just got to get me some new grips.Does anyone know if they make any wood ones with the thumb rest? Just had to jump on the bandwagon..looks like I have a xmas idea for my son now...PJ
 
Good to hear you like the little Mak.

I don't know of anyone that makes wood grip(s) for the Mak.

I have a Pearce grip on my E.German for the sole reason that it's the only way to use the Nolan high release. It thickens the grip area quite a bit.
 
What's the recoil like with the 9x18?

I've found that the blowback 9x17 (9mm Kurz/.380ACP) guns actually snap/recoil more than recoil-operated 9x19, .40S&W and .45ACP.

I imagine that the 9x18 is somewhat more powerful than the .380ACP, so the recoil would be more, no?

BTW, are there .380ACP-chambered Makarovs still around for sale in the market?

Skorzeny

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For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. Sun Tzu
 
Recoil isn't that bad at all. It's only a 95 grain bullet, and the mak is a little heavier than the average .380. I think there are .380s Maks out there, but why would you want one? The 9mmMAK is more powerful and the .380 Maks are notoriuosly unreliable.
 
I agree with BB, the Mak is a pussycat in the recoil dept. It's a pretty substantial gun, and even with the blowback, the recoil is minimal. My EG Mak has also been 100% reliable, never a stoppage.
 
Maybe it's just me, but I find both the .380 and the 9x18 Maks are a bit tart, recoilwise. It's not like a heavy .44M or .45Colt, with a big upward torque. Because the barrel is relatively low, it is a sharp snap, made moreso by the stock plastic grips. I'm still looking for Pearce or Makawrap grips locally. They are very accurate for me, almost like a Ruger .22 auto. Chase beercans at 20-30 yards, no problem.
 
Skorz, you know I am your older brother and I have never lied to you except when Mother and I left you on the side of the mountain. We told you we would come back for you but we didn't. Little brother, the East German Makarov is the best bargain out there. They do kick a little but they are well made and accurate. I don't like 380 sized cartridges but the Mak is so good I will make an exception. I bought mine early this year and wish I had bought it years ago. Regards, your older brother, Richard.
 
Actually my second Mak is on its way,got another E. German Mak from AIM for 159.00,if it is as good or better than the one I have I will be a happy camper..This C&R stuff is addicting,but I love it.PJ
 
The Russians took a very clear look at what was needed in a military pistol and came up with the Makarov. The need is not for super power. A military pistol is needed as 1) a badge of office for field grade officers and above and 2) a quick self defense handgun for troops whose duty involves something other than direct combat.

Any small pistol would serve the former role. The Makarov serves the latter role adequately. A heavier gun might well not be carried, and more power is really not needed. We are not talking about one on one gun fights, cowboy style, but about a quick defense for a cook who sees the wrong uniform in the mess line, or a guy sitting in a commo truck when an enemy soldier pulls open the door.

Jim
 
Heh, I checked out "Valery Shilin's Gun Club" website and found some nifty information about semi-auto pistols made in Izhevsk (where PM Makarovs are made).

Apparently, even the Russians think of the Makarovs as being obsolete. Some of the newer Russian pistols look like CZ-75 or Glock/SIG hybrid. They've ditched the blowback-operated pistol finally (says on the site that "Russian pistol design between 50's to 80's was stagnat" or some words to that effect.

Skorzeny

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For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. Sun Tzu
 
Skorz, forget about obsolescence. The Makarov pistols are gems, if I told you otherwise I would be lying. Regards, Richard.
 
I hate missing a chance to defend the Makarov (not that it needs any defense); they're FANTASTIC little pistols!

As much as I like the pistol, however, I must admit it does have a snappy muzzle flip. After a hundred rounds, though, I became used to it and now it's not a big deal.

For those who can't get used to the muzzle flip, a compensated barrel is made. I haven't tried one myself, but I wouldn't mind trying one if I had a couple of other Makarov's to experiment on.
DAL

[This message has been edited by DAL (edited October 02, 2000).]
 
I also find the Mak's recoil to be a bit too snappy for my tastes. I'm going to eventually get another set of grips.

I wouldn't call the Mak perfect by any means, but it is a much better deal for the money than we have a right to expect.

I've got 2 Maks now, and prob another one soon...
 
Just picked me up a beautiful EG yesterday, other then some scratches on the plastic grips it looks brand new. Nice, glossy, richly blued slide and frame, barrel looks like it was never shot. Can't wait to get to the range!!!
 
The only time I don't carry is when I'm jogging (1911 is a little heavy for jogging :) ). I figure that I have to remedy that. I'm planning on picking up a Makarov and a fannypack. I figure for under $150 if I sweat all over it I'm not going to get real upset, and I've heard so much good about them. Plus I finally got to shoot one at the Utah TFL get-together (thanks skyder) and it was a nice little gun.
 
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