MCM Margolin info tread

sillymike

sillymike

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Ok,

There's not that much information available on the web for this pistol... unless you happen to read Finish/Swedish or Russian :confused:
mcm1.jpg


So here's what I found out... It was used by the Russian shooting team in the 1950's and 1960's. In 1955, a modified version (The gun was basically upside down) was used to win the world championship... The following year the ISSF came up with all kind of new rules restricting the position of the barrel, overall lenght of the pistol...

The picture used tobe available on the Tula firearms website... If you were smart enough to save a copy of it please let me know (I wasn't).

The design of the gun is pretty simple... and if you ever had to take down a Ruger Mk2 for cleaning, you'll laugh at this one.

1- Underneat the barrel, you will find the recoil spring guide. Pull the nod out a little bit and do 1/4 turn. It should look something like this.
MCM2.jpg


2- Pull out the cocking lever to the left.
MCM3.jpg


3- You can now remove the recoil spring assemble.
MCM4.jpg


4- Pull the slide to the rear... and that's it :) You have unrestricted access to the barrel for cleaning.
mcm5.jpg


As you can see, the barrel is fixed to the frame and the rear sight is mounted on a bridge. (Kind of like the older High Standart). For some reasons the Russian's are worried about the sight wearing out. To minimize the chances of play between the parts. The rear sight only moves from left to right and the front sight is used for elevation.
MCM6.jpg

Turning toward the "B" will lower your point of impact. Once you are satisfied with your adjustments, the sights can be locked in place with set screws.

I have seen two types of magazines for the MCM.
MCM7.jpg

The one on the left is what usually comes with the pistol's. It is the exact same design as the older guns. The one on the right is the "new" factory replacement magazines. The owners manual list the magazine capacity as been five rounds... But I can fit in 8 and 9 respectively.

There used to be an Australian company "WOODS" that made barrel weight for this gun... But I have yet to find one for sale anywhere!

Anybody has more information on these guns?

Safe shooting,
Mike.
 
Excellent write up.

There is definitely a scarcity of info on these guns. I spent a lot of time searching through, and translating web pages in an effort to find what I could on the Margolin. I never found anything in regard to the 9 shot magazine though - so that is something new to me, and something I will be looking for. You have done a super job of presenting much needed info on a very nice target pistol. Thanks.
 
Here's a few differences between the current production MCM and the older one's (1970's-80's).

Front sight
MCM_frontsight.jpg


MCM_7.jpg


1. Serial number.
On the older gun, it is on the slide and the barrel.
Newer gun, only on the frame.

2. Rear sight bridge.
On the older gun, somewhat rounded off
Newer gun, square with right angle edge.

3. Different slide serration patern.

4. Beaver tail grip. The angle is not as pronouce on the newer gun. Some shooter found that it used to dig in their hand :rolleyes: I've got long skinny hand... so it's not an issue.

5. The older gun had a lever to lock the slide open... the newer gun have a stainless trigger and hammer.

MCM_Mag.jpg


The old magazine had reference mark on the body...
Also, the base plat is different. If you want to use the "new" magazine in a older gun, you will need to build up the rear section.

Safe shooting,
Mike.
 
The "MARGO" pistol is a compact version of the MARGOLIN MCM.

margo22017xu.gif


The IZH-77 is a gas pistol for self defense based on the Margolin. this one has wood grip.

izh77013ly.jpg
 
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I think the Russians took us to be smarter than we were. They thought that with such a simple take-down, surely we would have figured it out for ourselves. As for parts diagrams; I've never seen one. If you have an old manual, the names of the parts are listed. You have to get a Russian speaker with some technical knowledge to help you decide what is what. This gun is about the equivalent of the Colt Woodsman. There were (ans still are) a lot made. They are reliable and accurate, and they will digest just about any .22 ammo. The original design dates back to 1949, and it was for an Olympic rapid fire pistol. Men don't shoot standard pistol. The .22 lr version (MCM) began production about 1962. This gun was shot by juniors and women. It is an outstanding training gun. You may need to adjust the firing point by carving up the contact betreen the trigger bar and the sear. In the old days, a gunsmith adjusted the guns to fit the shooter (just as in the case of the Colt Woodsman). If you want a barrel weight (you don't need one) you can measure the barrel and draw up plans for one. They are pretty straight forward for a machinist to make. The light weight of the gun allows a shooter to train for longer periods of time without tiring. Also, if you know anything about the ladies match, you will know that it is not neccessary to fire two (or more) quick shots. But, just for the record, although the muzzle jumps high upon firing, it also recovers very quickly, so with practice, you can become quite a good shot with the gun even in a standard pistol match. I've shot one of these guns since 1978. They look like a toy to a first time shooter. They are seriously underpriced by our standards. They are popular among those who have gained some familiarity with them. Nowadays, adjustable guns can be bought off the shelf, so lots of time is saved over modifying MCM's (or any mother old model). Any 6 inch barrel which is made well can win matches, and these guns are still competitive for those who train to shoot well. I would not put the Ruger in the same class. It is simply too top-heavy. Also, there was no Russian fear of wearing out the sights. If the sights are locked on the frame, the fit of the slide does not need to be perfect. Also, you don't need tools to adjust the sights during competition. That is why the front and rear sights move. Just try to adjust the sights on a Smith and Wesson revolver using your fingernails, and you will understand. That was the only way to make them adjustable without tools, without going to greater expense. It seems to have worked. The Margolin pistol is one of the finest designs ever invented. That is why there are millions of them around today.
 
nice looking pistol. I think I've handled one before because the take down twigs a memory from long ago. Gonna have to think where I played with it and when.
 
Mrgolin mu

I have the older style margolin mu. It has the muzzle break attached by a pin to the barrel with a single slot cut in the top of it to reduce muzzle jump. It came with a fitted case containing a screwdriver, palm shelf that attaches by loosening the screws on the left grip and sliding it under the grip untill it fits your hand size,two barrel weights 50 gram and a 100 gram,2 magazines,1cleaning rod 1 drift for pins,1 oiler. 1 instruction book, 1 breakdown diagram,And included a copied instruction paper in English.
Pistol will digest about anyammo but prefers the slower stuff. My best group of five rounds is 1/2 inch vertical and strung 2inches horizontal at 25yds from a rest to try and figure out the sights. I have maybe put 200 rnds threw the old girl.
 
Just my 2 cents-the the reason for the extra rear site blades is that they have different width of slots .
I sold a few of these, a great pistol that never where
taken serious unless you shot one.
They also had a model with a front weighted barrel
and round weights , but I can't remember the mobel
number-
 
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