Big Mak Attack!!!

[Warren Sear]

OK, little Mak, then.

Tonight, I was loading ammo for my East German Makarov in 9×18mm caliber. I used a Lee 95 grain mold to cast the bullets, then dipped the bottom of the bullet in diluted Lee alox lubricant. The pistol requires a bullet in a unique 365" size, and no typical lube/sizer die is available, so I shoot them as-cast, as they are intended. I use a powder charge 3.5 grains of Bullseye.

I have had this pistol for about 30 years. I never thought I would own one and was so happy to get it.

 

[Warren Sear]

More pictures, taken 10 years ago.

I was in East Germany immediately after the wall was breached. I knew I was taking a chance because it wasn't clear yet how everything was going to work out. Thank God, I returned safely.

I stayed for a few days at the home of a WWII Wehrmacht vet who fought in the west and was wounded, recovered, and was then sent to the Eastern Front, where he was wounded again and then captured by the Soviets. He then spent 5 years as a POW. He had some astonishing stories to tell. I am sure he has died by now.

 

[Warren Sear]

Here is my technique for lube-dipping cast bullets. These pictures show 41 Magnum bullets, but the same technique is used.

I keep just the proper amount of dilluted bullet lube in the glass jar so I can place the bullets on the bottom, and the lube goes just past the bullet lube grooves.

After dipping, I place the bullets on waxed paper to dry for a day or two.

When done, I screw the lid back on the jar. Ready to go for next time.

 

[TJm15.38]

The Makarov is one of my favorite handguns. I load 95 grain Hornady XTP HP for mine. Pictured are a Bulgarian from the late 80's and a Russian IJ-70 commercial with adjustable sights.

 

[.455_Hunter]

The Mak is definitely underated and is a great carry platform. I love the heel mag release, and it fits my hand perfectly, unlike Glunk products.

 

[David Sinko]

I was expecting to see a MAK-90. I have never owned or even seen (much less handled or shot) a Makarov. Maybe I should investigate them.

Your lubrication method is very tedious but produces nice clean results. I always coated the whole bullet with that stuff. Lately I give them to my brother and he powder coats them. The "zombie" yellow/green color doesn't need to be resized.

 

[Warren Sear]

...Your lubrication method is very tedious but produces nice clean results. I always coated the whole bullet with that stuff...

"Tedious"? No, it is actually very quick and easy. Just dip them in the liquid and set them aside to dry. It can't get much simpler than that.

As you noted, the rest of the bullet stays clean, which is why I do it this way rather than tumble lube.

 

[toad67]

Did you get fries with the lube?

 

[6string]

I can always count on Warren Sear to provide great technical AND historical information.
You always seem to come up with your own clever methods.

Can you share your lube formula?
I’ve been using a concoction with Lee tumble lube and something else (maybe mineral spirits? I have to check my notes. Hopefully!)
I have been tumbling my bullets, but I will try your dip method.

 

[Warren Sear]

I can always count on Warren Sear to provide great technical AND historical information.
You always seem to come up with your own clever methods.

Can you share your lube formula?
I’ve been using a concoction with Lee tumble lube and something else (maybe mineral spirits? I have to check my notes. Hopefully!)
I have been tumbling my bullets, but I will try your dip method.

Yes, of course! I should have included that info in my first post.

I use Lee Liquid Alox bullet lubricant, and I thin it with odorless mineral spirits. I don't have an specific ratio that I use; I just thin it out to how I like it. I keep the bottle in a sealed zip-lock bag between uses.

I have had this bottle for at least 25 years! I used to tumble lube per the directions, but I didn't like how the lube left on the nose of the bullets collected dirt, and left a build-up in the seating die that quickly got worse and worse.

Thank you for letting me know that you like my posts!

 

[S-W4EVER]

… I have never owned or even seen (much less handled or shot) a Makarov. Maybe I should investigate them…

You should, everyone needs a Makarov. Both mine are Bulgarian’s, a good design with not much to go wrong with them. Easy to CCW and to shoot.

 

[crows]

Absolutely nothing negative intended towards your choice of the Makarov, but I never warmed to it. My preference in something chambered for the 9mm Makarov would be the CZ 82/83. I have a CZ 83 in .380, the feel is perfect for me. If Dillon made dies for the SDB in 9mm Makarov, I would probably have one.

 

[TJm15.38]

Absolutely nothing negative intended towards your choice of the Makarov, but I never warmed to it. My preference in something chambered for the 9mm Makarov would be the CZ 82/83. I have a CZ 83 in .380, the feel is perfect for me. If Dillon made dies for the SDB in 9mm Makarov, I would probably have one.

You are correct; the CZ-82/83 is a much more modern and ergonomic design with 12-round capacity. Still, the PM-53 Makarov shoots good and is ultra reliable.

 

[S-W4EVER]

I’m an amateur historian so I enjoy shooting & collecting firearms in their original format. Both my Mak’s have the original red grips and they’re just fun to shoot. The only thing I replaced on them was the recoil spring with a Wolff gunspring, probably not necessary but I just trust Wolff gunsprings other than any others.

 

[desi2358]

I'm very fond of the Makarov. Have owned several of them, Bulgarian, Chinese, East German and a couple of the Russian commercial versions. My first was one of those Russian ones and I started loading for it shortly after I got it as I was concerned about ammo availability (mainly because of the political turmoil over imports back in the 90s). The first brass I got was made from 9X19 brass, opened up to the large bullet and trimmed to length, later got new commercial brass. I had an old Lyman mold for a 105gr. truncated cone bullet that cast to .365 and got started.

Currently, I have one of the Russian Maks, a CZ and an FEG chambered for the 9X18 and I enjoy shooting them all! Still load some, either with that same old cast bullet or with Hornady jacketed and all three shoot great!

 

[crows]

I'm very fond of the Makarov. Have owned several of them, Bulgarian, Chinese, East German and a couple of the Russian commercial versions. My first was one of those Russian ones and I started loading for it shortly after I got it as I was concerned about ammo availability (mainly because of the political turmoil over imports back in the 90s). The first brass I got was made from 9X19 brass, opened up to the large bullet and trimmed to length, later got new commercial brass. I had an old Lyman mold for a 105gr. truncated cone bullet that cast to .365 and got started.

Currently, I have one of the Russian Maks, a CZ and an FEG chambered for the 9X18 and I enjoy shooting them all! Still load some, either with that same old cast bullet or with Hornady jacketed and all three shoot great!

How does that cast bullet shoot in the CZ, what with it's polygonal rifling?

 

[desi2358]

How does that cast bullet shoot in the CZ, what with it's polygonal rifling?

It shoots about the same as the jacketed loads, any extra dispersion is more likely me than the bullet. I'm mainly using straight wheel weight metal for handgun bullets. I used to work for a local auto dealer before I went into the gun business and always had a good supply (and if I go in for any auto service I somehow end up with more LOL). They cast up fairly hard, no unusual fouling either.