The Makarov PM

[JayFramer]

Guys, here is my 9mm x 18 Makarov PM:

The PM is used all around the world by military and police. I love mine and carry it often.

-Smokey

 

[Breakaway500]

Ive got a few Maks myself and like the little guns that shoot it.A P64 rides with me a lot.

 

[Maddog 521]

Your Bulgarian Circle 10 Makarov is a very nice pistol. If I remember right it was made in 1989 with the 29 number. I've also carried one similar to yours for several years. Great guns indeed.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

I used to own a Mak many years ago. It was the style that was imported in the 1990s that came with adjustable rear sights. I sold it many years back, and actually made some money on it too!

I now have a Radam P-64, like pictured above, and a CZ 82 that I really like. The P-64 is a thumper on the hand though, but the CZ is a great shooter.

 

[Warren Sear]

Here is my East German Makarov...

 

[robertrwalsh]

I own two, a bulgarian and a chinese. I altered a couple of magzines so they will seat with the slide closed for the occasions when I used to carry it.

 

[robvious]

I too like the 9x18 round... have yet to get a PM... ended up with a PA-63 many years ago and still carry it occasionally... I find the PA-63 to be a love or hate gun for many people... I love it and am able to keep a can skipping until the mag is empty... for me it is love...lol

 

[DWalt]

I've never owned one, but have regretted not getting one back when they were selling for around $100 including holster and a spare magazine. I do have several friends having 9x18 Maks. Some years back I tried firing .380 ammunition in one of them, it seemed to work OK. I remember that .380 Mak barrels were available at one time.

 

[Echo40]

The Makarov PM is an excellent pistol. I still regret missing out on buying one for about $140 when I had the chance, and then again with an FEG PA-63 for $150.

 

[VictorLouis]

When you extract a chambered round to SAFE the gun, check the round's primer. You'll probably see it dimpled from the inertial firing-pin. No firing-pin spring is what gave me the heebie-jeebies. Of course, with Com-Bloc ammo, likely no need to worry.

 

[LostintheOzone]

My neighbor had an E. German Mak. I tried for years to buy it from him but he wouldn't budge. He eventually passed and it went to his son who wouldn't sell it, and I don't blame him. They kept all of the firearms in the family. He had some nice stuff that will end up in a safe and never see the light of day again.

 

[AManWearingAHat]

They're great little guns and a hoot to shoot. I love mine. Surprisingly accurate too for such a small package.

 

[JayFramer]

When you extract a chambered round to SAFE the gun, check the round's primer. You'll probably see it dimpled from the inertial firing-pin. No firing-pin spring is what gave me the heebie-jeebies. Of course, with Com-Bloc ammo, likely no need to worry.

My military issued M4 did the same thing lol.

 

[Indigo]

I bought a Chinese Type 59 back in the late 80's for $90 and a bunch of ammo for 4 bucks a box. Fun little Gun so when the EastGermans came along I grabbed 4/of them. They were so much nicer than the Type 59 that I traded it off for a nice Sistema Colt. Today that Chinese model is probably worth twice what the EGs are.

 

[Mike0251]

Nice guns! My Russian Mak that I've owned for many years.

 

[sheppard]

I have one marked "made in Bulgaria" except it was actually made in the Soviet Union in 1976 based on hallmarks. A number of these Russian made guns so marked came into the country when the Bulgarians first stated coming in.

 

[GyMac]

I have several and carry one. I love them!

 

[American1776]

Those are one of the most reliable pistols ever made.

 

[Gene L]

I wish I'd bought one years ago, when they were first imported. The ammo was pretty cheap, too, if I remember. I've heard nothing but good reports on them, and I'd get one now, but have a couple of .380s that are reliable as well.

 

[PALADIN85020]

My hat's off to comrade Makarov - he designed an easy-to-manufacture gun with sufficient power for self defense that was reliable to fire and fairly concealable.

I devoted a chapter to it in my book 101 Classic Firearms, and I do think it is a classic design. It's often compared to the German PP-PPK-PPK/S series, but it's different, and the ammo is a bit more powerful than the .380.

I tried to get one of each - here's my bunch.

John