The Walrus
New member
Being mostly Makarov ignorant, I'd appreciate any suggestions on models to choose... and the average price for a used one, in good condition?
What should I expect to pay for a used Makarov 9mm w/ hi-cap mag?
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Walrus,
The Makarov is an eight shot, single stack, blowback operated semi auto handgun, chambered in the 9x18Makarov caliber. The round is simular to the 9mm Kurtz. Indeed you can get the Mak chambered for it!!! There are no "hi-caps" for this weapon. New Makarovs still can be had in the $150- $180 range. Used models might run in the $120 range, but that is just a guess, since I have not had occasion to seek one out!!!!!
At one time Bikial made a double stack Makarov, but I have never seen one. I have no extant knowledge of the beast!!!
The makarov is a sturdy workhorse that will serve you well
The Makarov is an eight shot, single stack, blowback operated semi auto handgun, chambered in the 9x18Makarov caliber. The round is simular to the 9mm Kurtz. Indeed you can get the Mak chambered for it!!! There are no "hi-caps" for this weapon. New Makarovs still can be had in the $150- $180 range. Used models might run in the $120 range, but that is just a guess, since I have not had occasion to seek one out!!!!!
At one time Bikial made a double stack Makarov, but I have never seen one. I have no extant knowledge of the beast!!!
The makarov is a sturdy workhorse that will serve you well
As Denfoote said, most Makarovs use 8-round magazines. There are both military and commercial versions, from Russia, Bulgaria, East Germany, China, and maybe other places I don't know about. There are some Russian commercial Maks that use double-stack high capacity magazines. I don't think they are especially rare, although they aren't nearly as common as the standard 8-round versions. Up until six or eight months ago, dealer cost on Bulgarian Maks in excellent (near new) condition was about $110. East Germans cost maybe $50-$60 more (and probably not in quite as nice condition). The supply seems to have dried up, so I think prices are roughly $20-$30 more now. Of course, you have to add shipping and dealer markup to this. I would guess that Maks are now starting at around $170 or so retail.
Just to clarify one more point, the 9mm Makarov cartridge is not the same, or as powerful, or interchangeable with, the 9mm Luger (the cartridge most people think of when they hear 9mm).
Regarding the model to choose, I have only two Maks, both Bulgarian military models. I'm very happy with them. The East Germans seem to be the most sought after and have a reputation for having the best workmanship (I think the difference are very slight, however). I don't think you'll go far wrong with any Mak you find - I'd probably get the one you find a deal on (maybe at a pawn shop).
You can learn a lot more on www.makarov.com.
Doug
Just to clarify one more point, the 9mm Makarov cartridge is not the same, or as powerful, or interchangeable with, the 9mm Luger (the cartridge most people think of when they hear 9mm).
Regarding the model to choose, I have only two Maks, both Bulgarian military models. I'm very happy with them. The East Germans seem to be the most sought after and have a reputation for having the best workmanship (I think the difference are very slight, however). I don't think you'll go far wrong with any Mak you find - I'd probably get the one you find a deal on (maybe at a pawn shop).
You can learn a lot more on www.makarov.com.
Doug
Destructo6
New member
My understanding is the high capacity, 12 rnd doublestack funnel mag, Maks aren't worth the trouble of the extra rounds. These mags are much more expensive than the 8rnd versions, which seem to cost as much as $10 for the best of the best and less than half that for a perfectly serviceable mag.
I've been told that regular 8-rnd Mak mags will fit and function in the high capacity versions, but there will be a gap on either side of the mag. As I don't have a high cap Mak to verify, I'll have to leave this as heresay.
Personally, I went with a military surplus East German Mak and have been very pleased with it. You'll pay more for it and it won't look new, but you can tell that a lot of care went into making it. I've heard Bulgarian surplus is also excellent.
I've been told that regular 8-rnd Mak mags will fit and function in the high capacity versions, but there will be a gap on either side of the mag. As I don't have a high cap Mak to verify, I'll have to leave this as heresay.
Personally, I went with a military surplus East German Mak and have been very pleased with it. You'll pay more for it and it won't look new, but you can tell that a lot of care went into making it. I've heard Bulgarian surplus is also excellent.
I really like the Bulgie Military Mak. It has the standard 8rd capacity and is indeed a great workhorse. You really can't go wrong with one of the military models. I've heard mixed reviews concerning the commercialized models, but I don't like the looks of the squared trigger guard so I don't really want one at this time.
9x18 ammo is cheap and does offer a bit of ballistic advantage over the .380 auto. The ammo can be hard to find in certain places and if you live in a place like I do, they think it's some exotic foreign ammo and charge prices accordingly. I said forget them and ordered 500 for $65.00 instead of paying $10-$20 a box.
Price ranges vary depending on where you live, but around here $170 or so for a new one, perhaps $20 less for a used. Both new and used are scarce where I live.
Good Shooting
Red
9x18 ammo is cheap and does offer a bit of ballistic advantage over the .380 auto. The ammo can be hard to find in certain places and if you live in a place like I do, they think it's some exotic foreign ammo and charge prices accordingly. I said forget them and ordered 500 for $65.00 instead of paying $10-$20 a box.
Price ranges vary depending on where you live, but around here $170 or so for a new one, perhaps $20 less for a used. Both new and used are scarce where I live.
Good Shooting
Red
CDNN has hi cap (12 shot) mags for $30, and 10 shot mags for $20 they fit the Hi-cap guns only.
www.cdnninvestments.com
I haven't seen a hi-cap makarov in a few months but there is a gun show in town this weekend. Can't imagine one going for more than $250.
www.cdnninvestments.com
I haven't seen a hi-cap makarov in a few months but there is a gun show in town this weekend. Can't imagine one going for more than $250.
Unless prices have gone up recently, you should be able to find 8-round magazines for under $10 each. I ordered a bunch from J&G Sales for just under $5 each. I also bought some East German mags at a gun show for $5 each. www.makarov.com had them on sale before their recent move for something like $3.50 (unfortuately the sale is over).
Doug
Doug
The hi-cap Makarov is definitely not a mythical beast -- in fact being fairly common. It is a Russian variant chambered in both .380acp and 9x18, and utilizes a unique frame that employs a double-stack magazine. Hi-cap mags for the pistol come in both 10rd and 12rd versions, although I highly recommend staying away from any of the aftermarket versions. Sticking with the original factory mags will ensure the hi-cap performing as reliably as its single-stack counterpart. Of the four hi-caps I own or have owned, the only problem I ever encountered was with an aftermarket mag (a frequent comment of many hi-cap owners). And yes, it is possible to use single stack mags in a hi-cap Mak --- but the mag will rattle quite a bit
Additionally, many Mak owners use the Pearce aftermarket rubber grip. A little known fact is that the walls of the hi-cap version of this grip are thinner than the single stack version, resulting in an outer profile that is identical to the single stack version. So in other words, it is possible to gain four extra rounds without sacrificing any concealability when using the Pearce grip.
As for prices, a hi-cap Mak in nice condition will generally run between $175 and $200. And better bargains can certainly be had if you search a bit.
Take care. Marko
Additionally, many Mak owners use the Pearce aftermarket rubber grip. A little known fact is that the walls of the hi-cap version of this grip are thinner than the single stack version, resulting in an outer profile that is identical to the single stack version. So in other words, it is possible to gain four extra rounds without sacrificing any concealability when using the Pearce grip.
As for prices, a hi-cap Mak in nice condition will generally run between $175 and $200. And better bargains can certainly be had if you search a bit.
Take care. Marko
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railroader
New member
I have a hi cap russian .380. I usually use 8 round mags in it though. My hi caps jam once in awhile but the 8 rounders don't. Mark
railroader
New member
To view an excellent picture comparing a factory hi-cap mag to an aftermarket version, definitely check out the link to Railroader's picture. The factory mag is on top and is characterized my its zinc phosphate coating, white nylon follower, and machined flooplate. The aftermarket versions are painted gloss black and are constructed of thin and somewhat flimsy sheet metal, including the floorplate.
Railroader: Just curious --- do both of your hicap mags jam, or just the black one? In almost 20,000 rds through my Maks, I've only had three failures-to-feed. All three were with the aftermarket mag. As I mentioned earlier, many other hi-cap owners have reported the same problem: factory good, aftermarket bad.
Take care. Marko
Railroader: Just curious --- do both of your hicap mags jam, or just the black one? In almost 20,000 rds through my Maks, I've only had three failures-to-feed. All three were with the aftermarket mag. As I mentioned earlier, many other hi-cap owners have reported the same problem: factory good, aftermarket bad.
Take care. Marko
Walrus,
I was quoted $140 plus tax for a Bulgarian NIB last week in K.C. It was terrific! Great looking gun. I have Russian, it has the "adjustable" sights which most who carry consider a negative feature. I bought it from a dealer who "had" to take the "junk" along with the "cream" when he purchased an individual's collection. I got the Russian for $85.00 OTD. I had told him I needed a "tackle box gun" for snakes.
You just never know what kind of deal will turn up. The Russian I purchased had a little surface rust...but was un-fired.
Good luck.
I was quoted $140 plus tax for a Bulgarian NIB last week in K.C. It was terrific! Great looking gun. I have Russian, it has the "adjustable" sights which most who carry consider a negative feature. I bought it from a dealer who "had" to take the "junk" along with the "cream" when he purchased an individual's collection. I got the Russian for $85.00 OTD. I had told him I needed a "tackle box gun" for snakes.
You just never know what kind of deal will turn up. The Russian I purchased had a little surface rust...but was un-fired.
Good luck.