Russian Makarov
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rockquarry
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I sold all my .380s about ten years ago, but had a Makarov .380 for quite a while. It shot surprising well and was accurate, even at 25 yards using cast bullets. I'll bet the 9x18 version shoots well, particularly if you can handload for it or find good commercial ammo.
Zarr
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I have a few Makarov pistols, and have shot thousands of rounds through them combined over the past thirty years. Never had a FTF, jam or any other problem. They are ultra reliable. If you are looking for a fixed sight model, the easiest way to find one is to look for one made in East Germany. They are expensive, but they are available. The Russian fixed sight models are the military version (the adjustable sight version was made for importation into the U.S.) and are harder to find than the east Germany copy.
Twenty-five years ago, the East German copy could be purchased for approximately $160.00 to $175.00, and mags were $3.00 each. Those were the days!
Twenty-five years ago, the East German copy could be purchased for approximately $160.00 to $175.00, and mags were $3.00 each. Those were the days!
I have what I believe to be a unfired Ruskie Makarov 9x18.
Purchased when surplus guns were cheap and available. It came in cardboard along some Ruskie accessories. The box let the gun slide around in it causing some bluing wearing on the left front end of the slide.
The main reason I think it was never issued or fired is the problem I had reassembling it after field stripping it for cleaning. I fought trying to put the slide on for a good 30 minutes. When I finally got the slide on a large (1/8”) silver metal shaving came out the back of the left slide / frame rail. The most interesting thing is not did I not see it but also where it came out.
Purchased when surplus guns were cheap and available. It came in cardboard along some Ruskie accessories. The box let the gun slide around in it causing some bluing wearing on the left front end of the slide.
The main reason I think it was never issued or fired is the problem I had reassembling it after field stripping it for cleaning. I fought trying to put the slide on for a good 30 minutes. When I finally got the slide on a large (1/8”) silver metal shaving came out the back of the left slide / frame rail. The most interesting thing is not did I not see it but also where it came out.
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If you reload you can make ammo from 9mm Luger cases. I shoot a lot of those in my FEG PA63
panther
Member
Look for the Bulgarian fixed sight model. They are a little more reasonably priced.
Ammo is a problem right now but if you look around some turns up in pawn shops or gun shops.
I remember when shops had Russians, East German, and Chinese for around $150 each. I've seen the Chinese over $700 recently.
Ammo is a problem right now but if you look around some turns up in pawn shops or gun shops.
I remember when shops had Russians, East German, and Chinese for around $150 each. I've seen the Chinese over $700 recently.
Very cool guns! At one time I had one in .380acp. I think it was from an importer in Arizona; B-West maybe. I didn't like the Bomar-inspired rear sight, the finish, and all the writing on it. I bought it because it was a good deal on a durable Russian classic in an easy to find caliber. A friend of mine bought the hi-cap version; which I never would've considered.
The East Germans were supposed to be the finest, quality-wise, but the Bulgarian 9X18 sample that I had was much, much, nicer than the commercial Russian; better finished machining, better polishing, much darker bluing, and it had the original military sights and Bakelite grips. Back around 2000? I ended up buying and splitting with some guys at gunboards and falfiles, for cost plus shipping, a large "armorer's kit" from Century Arms, that contained spares for every single part of the pistol, less frame and slide, IIRC.
Sold both Maks long ago. They were eventually replaced with what I consider to be the best of the .380acp designs; a SigSauer P230, and later P232SL, a Beretta 85, and a CZ83.
I should've held on to the Bulgie, but life being what it is, money has always been limited. I think I still have a good quantity of 9X18 Starline brass, and bullets.
Thanks for the flashback!
The East Germans were supposed to be the finest, quality-wise, but the Bulgarian 9X18 sample that I had was much, much, nicer than the commercial Russian; better finished machining, better polishing, much darker bluing, and it had the original military sights and Bakelite grips. Back around 2000? I ended up buying and splitting with some guys at gunboards and falfiles, for cost plus shipping, a large "armorer's kit" from Century Arms, that contained spares for every single part of the pistol, less frame and slide, IIRC.
Sold both Maks long ago. They were eventually replaced with what I consider to be the best of the .380acp designs; a SigSauer P230, and later P232SL, a Beretta 85, and a CZ83.
I should've held on to the Bulgie, but life being what it is, money has always been limited. I think I still have a good quantity of 9X18 Starline brass, and bullets.
Thanks for the flashback!
.357magger
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Erich
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My old Soviet:
pmosley
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I had a Russian version with the adjustable sights - still have a Bulgarian and East German Models.
An often overlooked Makarov-like pistol is the Polish Radon P64 - quite the handful.
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An often overlooked Makarov-like pistol is the Polish Radon P64 - quite the handful.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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David LaPell
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I love my Makarov PM, mine is an East German version, an ex-police issue gun from what I learned. Mine came with two mags and a police issue holster. Of all the carry guns I've had over the years and that included the Glock 21 I was issued, this gun has been by far my favorite semi-auto pistol to carry. It's easy to conceal and it just works. Ammo isn't too much of a problem where I am, I ended up back over the last couple of years buying pretty much most of what every shop up here had lying around, no one seemed interested in it anyway and I snagged a couple of boxes recently about a month back, I left the other two the shop owner had in case someone else wanted some. It's not very popular here, but that's good for me.
Congrats! I had no idea the price had climbed so much on these. I wish I'd bought a pallet of them back in the 90s...
I've had an IJ-70 for 25 years or so. I don't think it has ever malfunctioned, and that gun shoots like a dang laserbeam. It is far more accurate than I am.
Whenever I shoot it, I'm always amazed by the trigger. Unlike other Mak-ish guns like the PA-63 and (from what I have read) the P64, the Makarov trigger is very well designed and the single action is remarkable IMO.
However, I'm one of those guys who doesn't like to shoot blowback guns. They tear my hand up worse than a magnum revolver. Snappy!
I've had an IJ-70 for 25 years or so. I don't think it has ever malfunctioned, and that gun shoots like a dang laserbeam. It is far more accurate than I am.
Whenever I shoot it, I'm always amazed by the trigger. Unlike other Mak-ish guns like the PA-63 and (from what I have read) the P64, the Makarov trigger is very well designed and the single action is remarkable IMO.
However, I'm one of those guys who doesn't like to shoot blowback guns. They tear my hand up worse than a magnum revolver. Snappy!
RobertJ.
Member
I have the same model you have but in .380 acp. It's one of the few autos I've owned that has never once malfunctioned in any way, shape, or form. And it's accurate!
I'd never part with mine.
I'd never part with mine.
An often overlooked Makarov-like pistol is the Polish Radon P64 - quite the handful.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The P64 is junk. I should know as I have had two of them (slow learner).
The finish of my first one was thin and the slide collected rust easily so I eventually sold it.
Then later I brought one with a better finish but not as nice as yours. It is overweight and hurts my hand to shoot. I have kept it as part of my meager collection of 9x18 pistols and as a example that even the Ruskies can build a piece of junk.
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Miami_JBT
US Veteran
My East German Surplus 9x18mm Mak and Commercial Russian .380.
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