Any Makarov afficianados out there? Need advice

[David LaPell]

I ran across a gun yesterday that I would normally not consider, but once I started handling it, I found how much I liked it. It's an East German Makarov, and the fit and finish is excellent, I would put the condition at 95% or so and it doesn't appear to have ever been refinished. It has two mags, an older style police flap holster, and does have import markings on it. The shop wants $350 for it, but I know very little about the Makarov pistols other than they are very reliable, is the price inline with what they go for?

Thanks in advance.

 

[shell627]

Probably good for e German makarov.They are the best of the makarov s.I have a Bulgarian and A Russian have not been able to find a E German at a price I am willing to pay.I would pay that for one in good shape with the extras.aThey are a very accurate rugged handgun.

 

[Arik]

German ones are typically considered better finish. They also go for more than $350 so the price is good. I've been out of the Makarov game for a while and don't know where the prices stand but typical Russian and Bulgarian are around $300 +/-. Otherwise they are all the same as far as parts and function. All mags interchange...etc...etc. All E. German are 9x18 Makarov

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[DWalt]

Does anyone make/sell .380 replacement barrels for the Mak?

 

[crazyphil]

I had a Russian Makarov that I paid $150 for in a pawn shop. My son in
law liked it so he found a Bulgarian Makarov in a pawn shop. They were
asking more, but he offered $150 and they took it. They used to be
advertised in Shotgun News for around $150. This was all about 10-15
years ago, so maybe inflation set in.
P. S. I had a Russian student a while back who told me how to pronounce Makarov.
It is not Mack a rov with emphasis on Mack.
It is Ma Care ov with emphasis on Care.

 

[Trooperdan]

David, that price is about $150 under market for a E.G. Mak, I'd jump on it!

 

[David LaPell]

Went and put a deposit on it today, I was able to get it with the holster which is for the East German police and a box of ammo thrown in for $350.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Bullzaye]

Went and put a deposit on it today, I was able to get it with the holster which is for the East German police and a box of ammo thrown in for $350.

Thanks everyone.

Excellent deal, for a great little pistol! You did good!

Tim

 

[loknload]

Ahhhh you got it!, good deal! I have one and love it!
The East Germans were suppose to be the best of the lot!
Good luck with it ,,,,enjoy!

 

[growr]

While not an East German Makarov, I really like my CZ 82 in 9x18 Mak. Actually a rather formidable cartridge from what i have seen thus far!

Randy

 

[Bullzaye]

The Eastern Bloc pistols chambered for 9x18mm are all pretty decent pistols. I have 5 or 6 Makarovs, 2 CZ-82s, 3 P-64s & a PA-63. They're kinda addicting...but especially the Makarov.

The E. German are definitely some of the smoothest and slickest Maks. I have a pair of them, a nice Bulgarian, a decent Russian, and possibly my favorite, and one that you don't hear quite so much about...an early Chinese.

I believe there were some Chinese Maks that came in later, which were a bit rough (as were quite a few of the Russian commercial models, the Baikal IJ-70), but the earlier Chinese examples were nearly the equal of the E.G. Maks...nicely blued, with actions as smooth as glass. I picked mine up around 1988, it was the first Makarov I'd ever seen in the flesh.

They're very accurate pistols. I'm sure you'll enjoy yours!

Tim

 

[Mike0251]

I have the Russian variant with adjustable sights. As mentioned above it is very accurate and is also my carry piece. Added aftermarket wider grips on it of a softer material and use a Fobus holster for carry purposes. No complaints whatsoever bought it many years ago. KBI import marks.

 

[scoobysnacker]

That's not a bad price for an East German, they are really nice. I landed mine a few years back for $300, with a holster, cleaning rod, and extra magazine. Really nicely made and finished gun for that price point.

Also got a few others in that caliber- a CZ 82, which is a very nice pistol but has that black polycoat on it; a PA 63 with a black anodized frame, and a rather rough looking P64, as well as a doublestack Russian commercial Mak (magwell is thicker, but the grip design makes it hard to notice; mags are rare though). The 9x18 Mak has a little more bite than the .380, and costs less usually, so I wouldn't swap barrels.
Re the 9x18: two complaints are that is usually FMJ and steel cased.
These are non-factors; the guns are designed for steel cases, just like the AK is, you won't hurt anything. And regarding the FMJ, I've seen a lot of ballistic tests online that state for self defense, you're better off running ball ammo out of 9 maks and 380s due to risk of under-penetration. That being the case, the 9x18 is loaded hotter than 380, perhaps like a 380 +P.

The one thing all 9x18 pistols share in common (besides the round): they're all just stupidly reliable, in my experience. These guns, as a rule, don't have FTF, FTE, accurate pointers, and they're heavily built so they really don't tend to break parts either. Something to be said for that.

 

[gman51]

That is a good price. Nice thing about Makarov is the ammo often can be found for under $10 for a 50 ct box. I had a CZ-82 and it was a nice shooting gun. I sold it for $350 with a box of ammo.