This is my review on my latest air pistol, the Makarov by Umarex.
Description: (From Umarex’s website)
The Makarov Air Gun fires steel BBs at a speed of 380 feet per second from its full-metal constructed frame. This double-/single-action pistol has a moveable slide and a drop-free 16-shot BB magazine. The Makarov PM is powered by a single 12 gram CO2 capsule that is concealed in the grip frame. A great practice pistol for Makarov owners and a great price for heavy metal constructed BB Gun.
Full metal construction
Slide manually moves for added realism
Double & Single action
Drop free 16-round magazine
CO2 Powered
The Russian designed Makarov, first developed in 1948, is based on the Walther PPK. This air pistol is all metal construction with plastic grips. The slide is moveable manually, however is not a blowback and will not operate when fired. The gun can be fired in both SA and DA but must be manually cocked each shot for SA. The weight and feel is similar to the real version. The CO2 and separate removable BB magazine are housed in the grip, the CO2 is accessed by sliding the grip rearward and the BB magazine is released out the bottom of the grip. For the most part the construction is solid, there is a bit of rattle in the slide but the barrel is separate and not effected.
Performance:
The gun shoots well and is consistent but shots seem to pull to the right everytime. The trigger pull is somewhat smooth is double action with about a ¾ inch pull but seems to stiffen up in SA. The thumb release safety located on the left side of the slide just forward of the hammer is stiff right out of the box but loosens up with use. When set in “safe” position, the trigger will not pull, the hammer cannot be cocked and the slide will not operate. Once the safety is set to “fire”, the hammer can be cocked either manually or by racking the slide. The safety lever also functions to lock the slide in the open position, by placing the safety in “fire”, racking the slide all the way back and then placing the safety on “safe” the slide will remain locked in the open position. Aiming down the sights can be difficult, even in moderate light, because of the very narrow front blade sight. I would recommend painting the front blade white for better visibility. Loading of the BBs into the magazine is greatly enhanced by the use of a speed loader. I use the one that came with one of my Marksman pistols, it is a simple piece of molded rubber tube with a squeeze point to release the BBs from the storage portion of the tube into the funnel shaped nozzle.
Overall I find this gun is fairly well built but definitely needs some changes to bring it up to the same quality of some of Umarex’s other models such as the HK P30. The all steel construction is a big plus, but the rattle in the slide, uneven trigger pull and the BBs pulling to the right are the things that bring the overall end quality of this gun down. The power is good at a rated 380 fps and shots per cylinder is high at around 80-100. If you are looking for an inexpensive low end gun that you can shoot all day for fairly cheap, the Makarov would be one of the better choices.
Description: (From Umarex’s website)
The Makarov Air Gun fires steel BBs at a speed of 380 feet per second from its full-metal constructed frame. This double-/single-action pistol has a moveable slide and a drop-free 16-shot BB magazine. The Makarov PM is powered by a single 12 gram CO2 capsule that is concealed in the grip frame. A great practice pistol for Makarov owners and a great price for heavy metal constructed BB Gun.
Full metal construction
Slide manually moves for added realism
Double & Single action
Drop free 16-round magazine
CO2 Powered
The Russian designed Makarov, first developed in 1948, is based on the Walther PPK. This air pistol is all metal construction with plastic grips. The slide is moveable manually, however is not a blowback and will not operate when fired. The gun can be fired in both SA and DA but must be manually cocked each shot for SA. The weight and feel is similar to the real version. The CO2 and separate removable BB magazine are housed in the grip, the CO2 is accessed by sliding the grip rearward and the BB magazine is released out the bottom of the grip. For the most part the construction is solid, there is a bit of rattle in the slide but the barrel is separate and not effected.
Performance:
The gun shoots well and is consistent but shots seem to pull to the right everytime. The trigger pull is somewhat smooth is double action with about a ¾ inch pull but seems to stiffen up in SA. The thumb release safety located on the left side of the slide just forward of the hammer is stiff right out of the box but loosens up with use. When set in “safe” position, the trigger will not pull, the hammer cannot be cocked and the slide will not operate. Once the safety is set to “fire”, the hammer can be cocked either manually or by racking the slide. The safety lever also functions to lock the slide in the open position, by placing the safety in “fire”, racking the slide all the way back and then placing the safety on “safe” the slide will remain locked in the open position. Aiming down the sights can be difficult, even in moderate light, because of the very narrow front blade sight. I would recommend painting the front blade white for better visibility. Loading of the BBs into the magazine is greatly enhanced by the use of a speed loader. I use the one that came with one of my Marksman pistols, it is a simple piece of molded rubber tube with a squeeze point to release the BBs from the storage portion of the tube into the funnel shaped nozzle.
Overall I find this gun is fairly well built but definitely needs some changes to bring it up to the same quality of some of Umarex’s other models such as the HK P30. The all steel construction is a big plus, but the rattle in the slide, uneven trigger pull and the BBs pulling to the right are the things that bring the overall end quality of this gun down. The power is good at a rated 380 fps and shots per cylinder is high at around 80-100. If you are looking for an inexpensive low end gun that you can shoot all day for fairly cheap, the Makarov would be one of the better choices.
