Which is standard and hot loads for a Makarov

N

napg19

New member
Alittle confused as to what is factory standard load and factory hot load. I've looked up Hornady, Federal and Silver Bear and they are 1000fps in 95gr.is the lowest and Buffalo Bore +P 115gr. at 1000fps. and Fiocchi 100gr. is 1065fps. Looking at other sites about the Mak it's said not to shoot hot loads alot like Hornady XTP. But their load is 95gr. at 1000fps. These sites also say if you do shoot hot loads put a Wolf 19# recoil spring in gun, vs. the factory 17# spring. When my pistol comes in from J&G sales I'd like to know what I'm doing here before I shoot it for the first time. Would a 19# spring be good to put in anyways cause this pistol will be used for CCW and I was going to use a mixture of Federal 95gr. FMJ at 1000fps and the Hornady XTP in the mag. for carry. Is my OCD working overtime again or is this not worrying about? Any info is always appreciated. Thanks guys.:D:D:D
 
You didn't specify the gun - most important piece to the answer, I'll assume it is Makarov from your question. Generally steel framed service pistols like Makarov or CZ82 have no problem with the hot loads but stronger spring is good way to refresh these surplus guns. Smaller P64 or aluminum alloy PA63 will need stronger spring with hotter load and P64 will be downright uncomfortable to shoot due to its small size.
 
The cheap blow-back Makarov is designed to take relatively light rounds that are rather fast for the cartridge size. Wolf Military Classic is getting close but still downloaded (or a little weak as cheaper Russian ammo tends to be). Hornady has a reputation of failing. Cor-Bon used to make a respected hollow point.

Buffalo Bore basically makes the Cor-Bon round today. They also make a heavier flat round nose, hard lead, cartridge that is amazing and the one to get for self defense IMO.

Beware a forum with a sticky on Makarov ammo. The forum there is run by hillbillys who sell Makarovs and parts (gee, no conflict of interest THERE!) and if you read the threads you find the ammo guy has been caught repeatedly lying including about being in the military and testing ammo he never had. This moron actually shot his Wal-Mart chronograph!
 
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There is really no hot factory 9x18 ammo because of the direct blowback system which would cause excessive battering of the slide to the frame. Fiocchi 9x18 ammo has been a little more powerful than the rest through the years however. The Makarov is the simplest and most dependable semi-auto pistol ever made and built for many lifetimes of shooting. They are great.

For much more Mak info look at the Makarov Forum on Gunboards.com.
 
Parasite is right in that there are no truely hot loads, but there are some rounds still floating around with a bullet heavier than the standard 95 grn. If I remember correctly, they are 115grn but don't hold me to that. A real Makarov will shoot those OK. However, the smaller framed 9x18 pistols like the P-64 and PA63 don't do well at all with the heavier bullets (even with the recoil springs replaced with heavier springs).
 
A bit new with the makarov models. This one is a Bulgarian Makarov. I think I'll stick with the 95gr. and go from there if I need a stiffer spring. Thanks again.
 
I think I'll stick with the 95gr. and go from there if I need a stiffer spring.
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I've put one step up stiffer springs on both of my Maks (as well as my P-64). It isn't so much for the sake of the gun as it is to make it a tad more pleasant to shoot.
 
Ordered a 19# spring. Sounds like the right way to go, Thanks. Picked up my Bulgarian Mak today. Fast service from J&G Sales, ordered it sunday online. Their ad said very good mechanical condition. I was either lucky or they got a really good batch to sell. With the exception of some minor holster wear this looks new and feels tight. It came with black grips on it and red grips in the box. Red ones showed some wear around the edges. The screw holding the black grip on was not factory unless they went to a machine head screw. It was made in 1989 according to the Makarov.com site.
 
With the exception of some minor holster wear this looks new and feels tight.
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There is something you need to remember about all those eastern European pistols that were owned by either military or police. Over there, pistols are seen more as a "badge of authority" rather than a functinal weapon. When they need to actually use a weapon, they typically reach for something with more firepower (i.e. police like those small Uzi-style automatics). Couple that with VERY limited training budgets and it all boils down to a pistol that gets years of carry time with almost no actual shooting.

There are many Maks, P-64s, CZ-82's, Vanads, and PA63's comming over here with holster wear that may have never seen a single round outside of factor testing.
 
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