East German Makarov

[JayFramer]

Picked this up today:

A 1962 dated East German Makarov PM 9x18mm. Made at the Ernst Thaelmann factory. Exquisite specimen in like-new condition inside and out. Looks barely handled or fired. 9x18mm is one of the few ammos still on store shelves. I use a Bulgarian Makarov for defense, these are great guns. This one’s a bit too pretty for daily use.

-Jay

 

[storyman]

I have one very similar. Great shooters, simple and reliable. I bought it from my late brother in laws estate. He paid $115 for it back in the day. It came with a threaded 380 barrel also. I bought a barrel press and changed the barrel because 380 has been more available, I might have to rethink that strategy.

 

[RobertJ.]

Nice! Those East German models are definitely the best of the bunch.

 

[LVSteve]

Nice! Your FFL is open?

 

[Buick]

Very classy. I did carry a Bulgarian for quite a while, but moved to a Bersa .380 for the alloy frame.

 

[opaul]

Very nice! I have the CZ and love to shoot it.

 

[SC_Mike]

Careful of the safety. IIRC its backwards from a 1911 or BHP. A buddy shot himself in the thigh with one.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have both a Bulgarian and a Chinese. If I could get a German one at a reasonable price I would jump on it. The Chinese one turned out to be OK once I put a set of German springs in it.

 

[JayFramer]

Careful of the safety. IIRC its backwards from a 1911 or BHP. A buddy shot himself in the thigh with one.

Nope, as you can see it is down for fire, just like a 1911.

The gun is a DA/SA design and is extremely safe. These have passed the brutal California state drop tests with flying colors.

You’d really not have to know what your were doing or just demonstrate gross negligence to accidentally shoot yourself with a Makarov PM.

There are a plethora of guns chambered in 9x18mm Makarov from the Warsaw Pact and Soviet sphere of influence. There may well be some that operate like that or have safety issues. But not all such guns are true “Makarov PMs”. Many get confused and will call a pistol a “Polish Makarov” or “Hungarian Makarov”, but in reality none of those countries ever really made a Makarov PM.

A bit confusing! But think of it like this, we have the .45 ACP with the “C” meaning “Colt”. But, that doesn’t mean every gun that fires .45 ACP is a Colt. Over there, they have the 9x18mm Makarov, but that doesn’t mean all guns firing that cartridge are a Makarov PM.

 

[Echo40]

Beautiful. To this very day I regret passing on an opportunity to purchase a very nice Makarov PM for $150, as well as an FEG PA-63.

At the time I was dead set on getting a Walther PPK/S and thus didn't want to set myself back $150, not even for an excellent firearm of derivative design, but little did I know at the time that it would be over a year before I found a good PPK/S for sale, so I could have bought both and still had enough to buy the PPK/S the next year.

Lesson Learned: Don't hold off on buying a great firearm at an excellent price just because you're looking to buy something else.

 

[Tex1001]

There may well be some that operate like that or have safety issues.
Many get confused and will call a pistol a “Polish Makarov” or “Hungarian Makarov”, but in reality none of those countries ever really made a Makarov PM.

I have 3 of the P64 Radoms (Polish Pounders). They do operate identically to the Walther manual of arms. The difference is that single action hammer fall comes when the trigger is only halfway to the rear. Walthers, S&Ws, and PA63s fall with the trigger fully to the rear. This is a potential danger for P64s and can cause an ND if you're not familiar.

 

[loknload]

I have an East German as well, great handgun and it shoots well!
Looks like you picked a winner with that one!

 

[Absalom]

A 1962 dated East German Makarov PM 9x18mm. Made at the Ernst Thaelmann factory....

The East Germans first imported Russian pistols and then started production of their own licensed copy in 1958.

The “Ernst-Thälmann“ gun factory was the old Haenel factory in Suhl, renamed after the Communist take-over.

The official East German name for the gun was Pistole M. They did not use PM as an abbreviation. Below the cover of the official manual from the Ministry of National Defense.

 

[Engine49guy]

Had a Chinese Makarov and a Russian one, both were quite rough with many sharp edges, also even the nickel one turned a white rag orange when wiping it down.
The East German version has the reputation of being the best fit n finish but..
I have never handled a Makarov that came near the fit n finish of my Polish P63 Makarov....btw my Polish Radom made Tokorov is also excellent fit n finish.
Them Poles make good guns n Perogis.

 

[JayFramer]

Had a Chinese Makarov and a Russian one, both were quite rough with many sharp edges, also even the nickel one turned a white rag orange when wiping it down.
The East German version has the reputation of being the best fit n finish but..
I have never handled a Makarov that came near the fit n finish of my Polish P63 Makarov....btw my Polish Radom made Tokorov is also excellent fit n finish.
Them Poles make good guns n Perogis.

I assume you mean P64. Nice guns! They are unfortunately not drop safe, though, so not ideal for carry. Pretty little things though, and snappy! Their perogis and vodka are great from Poland!

 

[Rudi]

The Germans have always been great gun makers. That is a beautiful Mak.

 

[diyj98]

Great little guns. I had a Chinese, Russian, Bulgarian, and East German. The East German was the nicest finished by far.

 

[serger]

I got my C&R license to get an. EG mak.
Ended up with Bulgarians and a Russian
IJ-70. Still want the German.

 

[Gene L]

Wish I'd bought one back when they were cheap, excellent pistols by all accounts. Another opportunity missed. The OP's is as nice one as I've seen. I don't remember if E German ones were being imported at that time.

 

[dr. mordo]

Beautiful gun!

I've had an IJ-70 since the 90s, and I have to say it's a heck of a gun. The trigger is outstanding, and it's easily the best shooting blowback gun I have owned, to include my PPK/S.

I always hoped I'd find a German version for a good price, but no luck.

The P64 was always very tempting, but I've tried to stay away from blowback guns because I hate to shoot them and won't own a gun I don't shoot.