Question about Makarov?

[soup]

Is it worth picking one of these up. Local place has one for $200. I've heard good things about reliability etc. What do you all think? Anyone own one who can offer some insight? It would really be a range gun to start but I've started looking into getting a LTCF. Is it something that can be worthwhile for that as well?

Thanks

Tj

[mpi]

mak's are great little guns, not the fanciest, but very reliable and extremely durable. pretty accurate too. i have several and the price you mention is pretty decent depending on the model and condition. some models are a little pricier than others.

[Kaos]

I have an original Ruskie makarov sitting in my safe now. They were designed from what I can remember to be a close range defensive style pistol.

The safety is also a decocker. Mine is super accurate (due to the fixed barrel I would guess, but I can hit what Im aiming at with ease.

I would'nt hesitate to carry it if my mind were trained for the action of flicking the safety off if cocked or hitting the extra trigger weight of the double action pull, that's something YOU are going to decide if you're comfortable with.

Ammo is not something you're going to find a lot of in stores, especially defense loads.

I have an XD which (for me) is a better carry handgun. If you're in need of a carry gun, I would save up for a bit and maybe check with CDNN for some costs on 9mm or .40 police trade ins for a good price.

[Karl/PA]

I have five 9 x 18 eaters. If you're looking to carry a Mak I wouldn't get the civilian version. That large adjustable rear sight is just begging to hang up on clothing when you need it the most. Go with a militrary one. Russian or East German are best.


Military version


Civilian version



If you like Maks then you should look closely at the CZ-82. It is a 13 shot double stack and highly accurate. It is truly ambidexterous and the safety pushes DOWN like American weapons and not UP like most Europeans. It might sound picky but once you try one....

[BenningBoy]

+1 for the cz-82. About $200 if you look around, the only thing I don't like is magazines are a pain to find. Beyond that, excellent choice.

[Karl/PA]

+1 for the cz-82. About $200 if you look around, the only thing I don't like is magazines are a pain to find. Beyond that, excellent choice.

They're a bit of a pain to load too. J&G Sales had some mags. You might check w/ them.

[JayBell]

I pooh-poohed Maks for a long time, but ended up buying a mint Bulgarian Mak about 2 years ago.

I was shocked at how fun it was to shoot, i was knockin steel plates at 25yds with every round in the mag.

its a keeper, and well worth the purchase.

I've also shot the hicap CZ version, also very nice!

[MikeB0]

I have a Mak. The 9x18 round is decent, but also not particularly common and more expensive than 9mm.

Would I recommend buying one, Yes. Would I recommend carrying one, Possibly, but I have better options.

It's a fun little gun and even in it's modern incarnation is still an example of a historic firearm.

[PA Rifleman]

Two thoughts:

Both the Makarov and the CZ-82 are blowback, so they have a snappier recoil than the short-recoil designs (M1911s, Glocks, etc).

Also the Makarov's magazine release is at the heel of the butt like older auto designs. The mag release on the CZ82 & 83 is on the side of the grip like modern auto pistols.

I've been shooting 9x18 Makarov* for years, it's long been accepted in the US.

*Not to be confused with 9x18 Ultra, designed for the Walther PPS

[soup]

Well after reading all of the good things about the pistol on here as well as locally I picked one up tonight





Came with a case and 2 magazines. Picked up a box of cheapo range ammo as well

I'll take it out tomorrow weather pending to get a feel for it.

I'm kind of excited :-)