I am thinking I want a Makarov. I've heard that the East German and early Russian models are the best.

Comments? I don't know much about these beasts.

Thanks!

Tim

the east german ones are very good but i never had a russian one. i sold my east german one since they are so heavy you can carry a bigger caliber for the weight.i think i have an extra mag for the east german one that i did not let go with the gun.

I had a Russian-made Mak ("Baikal" trademark) and liked it very much. It came with a spare magazine and a leather military-style holster (of dubious quality). Its only real shortcoming was the adjustable rear sight, which was bulky and looked ridiculous on this fighting handgun. I'd have much preferred the fixed Red Army sight.

They're inexpensive, extremely strong and although not finished like a Rolex, they don't look as rough as you'd expect. The trigger was pretty reasonable; fairly smooth and not too heavy or creepy. The only ammo I could ever find for it in those days was CCI "Blazer" ball, with which it was more reliable and no less accurate than my .380 PPK. I never experienced a failure of any kind.

Why did I get rid of it? As I see it, there are not many reasons to own a Makarov:

-collecting
-fun close range plinking with something bigger than a .22
-inexpensive and will go BANG

...and that's about it. I left off "carry gun" for a reason-- it's too heavy for its size. The design criterion behind the Mak was, as I understand it, to create the most powerful pistol+cartridge combination feasible for a blowback design. This was accomplished, in part, by making the slide pretty darn heavy.

If shopping for a carry gun, you can find lighter, more compact pistols offered in the more potent 9mm. For this purpose, the Mak is outmoded.

I thought this thread was about an AK clone...

If you are not looking for something to collect why not buy a PA 63? IF you are good at working on guns these things are very cheap,lighter than a Makarov and still shoot the same round.Mine shoots fine but I did have to do some sear work and spring work on the gun.

quote:

Originally posted by G-Mac:
I thought this thread was about an AK clone...

+1- I don't mean to be excessively picky, but IMHO this thread would garner more meaningful responses with a longer and more descriptive title.

Unless you're wanting one for a collection why not buy a CZ83?

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg26-e.htm

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RonJ,

I, too, thought this was going to be about the MAK-90. I love mine, and was going to tell you so. However, I don't have a Makarov pistol. Always wanted one, but the right opportunity has never presented itself. I do have a PA 63. It's fun and different (and cheap). The blowback pistols can leave a sting in the web between your thumb and finger if you're going to fire more than a box of ammo through them.

If you do get a Makarov, let us know how you like it. I have a strange fasination with Eastern Bloc military weapons.

I have an E. German Makarov and it is a good shooting pistol. You are right, the E.G. ones have a better fit and finish. The others are not as refined but are good guns also. They are accurate because of the fixed barrel and they are easy to dis-assemble and clean. I would recommend it over the PA63. The CZ 83 is another gun to consider in 9mm Mak.

I have bought (4) Mac's in 380. I still have two. I gave the others to each of my sons. I have owned a lot of pistols. I've never had any kind of problem with a Mac. Mine are all Russian.

For the money, I don't think they can be beat

Over the years I've owned a Russian Mak, a PA63 and a CZ83. I still have the CZ but kind of miss the PA63. It's fairly easy to reload for 9x18.

I too though this would be a thread about the MAK-90 AK. + 1 for the CZ 82/83. I've always liked the 9x18mm Makarov round. Anyone on the forum have one of the CZ 83s?

I bought one of the .380 commercial Russian Makarov imports in the mid-1990s. Bought it for a "truck gun" - paid $120 (new) for it back then. Used it for concealed carry range qualification twice. Shot 246 out of a possible 250 - both times.

Still lives in my truck.

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