I got my East German Makarov yesterday, this one came with a East German black police holster with a faint name written inside of it, and two magazines. It was made in 1961 and is in great shape for it's age. I got it with a box of ammo as well. Can't wait to get it out to the range, hopefully next week.

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Vaya con Dios

Nce PM! I'd take some leather dye to the holster.

I have an Russian Commercial IJ70 w/adjustable sights, an unissued Bulgarian, and a 1960 vintage East German. The EG is the best of the three, although also the most worn. I replaced the recoil spring. I think you should find a pair of the original finely checkered black synthetic grips which are available from several sources. Be sure that you have the correct grip screw, which should have a broad flat head with slot.

The consensus I have heard is that the East German versions were the best of the bunch in terms of fit and finish. I have two Bulgarian Maks and while they are fine utilitarian examples they are nothing to look at, finish wise.

Yeah, leather dye and Kiwi polish for the holster.


What do Russian military holsters look like? Can anyone post a photo?

How heavy is the trigger?

I don't have a trigger pull gauge here, but the D/A trigger is very crisp and not that bad, I would say no more than 12 pounds or so but it's smooth all the way through. The S/A trigger is very nice, I would say no more than 5-6 pounds on that, much better than I would have thought a military issue pistol from the 60's would be. I know the safety/decocker is one of the most positive I have ever seen, I was very shocked at easy that is to work.

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Vaya con Dios

My EG Mak DA average pull is just over 10 pounds and the SA is just under 5. The Bulgarian DA is over 12 (max on my gauge), SA averages 6. Russian IJ-70 DA averages right at 10, SA is 6. EG is the smoothest, then the Russian, then Bulgarian. The safety/decock is easiest on the Russian (probably because I carry and shoot it the most), then the EG although it's stiff going into the safe position. The Bulgarian is the newest and stiffest to operate.

I got one too, same vintage. you can tell there's some pride in making those, Communism be damned! Nice, robust guns, easy shooters.

I have one and love it! Great little gun and well built, fit and finish is excellent!
No regrets with mine!

I agree, the East German Mak is the best of the bunch.

I "had " a Norinco brand Mak , The sights were pretty poorly made . It was stolen out of my truck . I contacted local police dept , gave them all the info , description , serial #'s etc . I would only buy an EG mak if looking to buy another .

The early Chinese Makarovs that were imported into this country, I believe around 1987 or 1988, exhibited a level of fit and finish that was the equal of the EG Mak, except they were brand new, so they didn't have the relatively common holster wear that many of the EG have. Also, the Chinese version may not have had quite as smooth of a trigger...again, because they were brand new, and the EG guns had a lot of use, which smoothed them up.

Apparently, the Chinese were made to jump through some hoop that other nations were not...because these early Chinese pistols came with rather fragile, but usable, adjustable sights. Included in the box were the standard sights...I imagine the idea was to make a cheap adjustable sight to satisfy import requirements, and the end-user can swap it out for the original sight.

Back around 1996 or so, I worked in a gunshop, and we were selling tons of the Russian IJ-70 for between $99 & $125, for a year or more. They were brand new, but some examples were VERY rough. I remember one of the other sales guys was demonstrating the Mak for a customer, flicked the safety on (or off, who remembers?) and tore a big chunk out of his thumb. That safety lever was like a tin can lid, serrated & sharp! Anyway...some customers were talking about other Maks, well...EG mostly, as I don't believe the Bulgys had become available yet. Anyway, one customer mentioned having an early Chinese Mak, and how beautifully it was built. I chimed in that I had one also, and he mentioned how he wished he'd kept the original sights instead of swapping with the standard fixed sight. When I asked him why, he replied that it was next to impossible to find a Chinese Mak with those original sights, and they were much sought after. When I told him my Mak still wore the original adjustable sights, and they were in perfect shape, he offered me $50 right on the spot. When I said no thanks, he kept raising his offer. I can't recall now whether his top offer was $100 or $150! I was tempted...but I didn't need the money that badly, and preferred having the gun in its original form. Now...whether he was right, or not...I have no idea. I've not heard anyone saying that since then...so I guess that, at least to some extent, he may have been full of it.

But, FWIW, while the EG Maks are definitely excellent guns, and the best Makarov that one can find without TOO much trouble...there is at least one other Mak that was sold in the US that was its equal. Also, I've seen a few pics of Russian Maks, that were made for use within the USSR, during the Cold War...and those pistols looked gorgeous! And especially with the lack of gobs of markings on the slide. Almost impossible to find in the US, I'd imagine. Not sure if the pics I saw were special models for officers, or higher ranking party members, or were just standard Maks.

Tim

All Makarov's with the exception of the 380 and the double stack are/were made for use in the Soviet Union. Upon export they needed to have all that stuff stamped on them. Many of the Bulgarian ones are second hand Russian

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