Who has a Makarov pistol?

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Rosco19

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Just as the topic states, who here has a Makarov pistol? What has been your experience with this firearm? Is it worth picking one up with the restricted barrel?

Thanks!
 
I got one in .380 auto.

The slide serrations on it are sharp and I've cut myself while racking the gun and fiddling around with it a few times. ( small warning )

I got a swage die so that I can squish .311 93 grain tips out to .356. This is my first batch of loaded ammo here..

IMG_5005_zps476e3ba8.jpg


20 rounds at 25 yards standing, ignore the two low flyers; I tried rapid firing a few rounds.


I've got big hands so I'm surprised the gun fits so well in my hand. I've also recently acquired a Hogue handall that might go on the gun, but for now I'm trying just a small bit of bicycle tube around the grips as it keeps them thin but adds some extra grip.


380 vs 9x18. From my searches online it would seem that 380 requires proper 380 brass, and 9x18 can use shortened 9mm luger brass. Although marstar and a few other places now have bulk ammo for both, it's something worth noting if you are reloading.


I really like mine. IIRC mine was somewhere around 400 and they can be had for less than that now.
 
Thanks for the info, Colt. Did you get a commercial model (Baikal I think it's called) or did you manage to find a surplus model?
 
I have 4, 2 of the Baikals in .380 and 9mm Mak. Love them. Function reliably, accurate, and feel great in my hands. Saftey/decocker is stiff at first, but gets smooth with time.
 
I have some Russian military ones. Proper boxer brass is available (Starline, I think). I got cast bullets (95gr) of the correct diameter (0.361") from bullet barn. the proper ammo is a bit more powerful than the 380, but it is still a blowback action, not a recoil.

It shoots accurately and is 100% reliable. very well finished, by any standard and much better than one would expect for a Russian gun.

The FEG PA-63 is a very similar gun, with an aluminum frame. When shooting factory ammo, the recoil is much more noticeable on the light gun.
 
I was very happy with my baikal 9x18. Not sure why I sold it honestly. Light recoil and very accurate at typical pistol distances. Never had any issues.
 
I have one of the Baikals in 9 x 18. Very functional, reliable gun. And with the price of Makarov ammo right now at Can Ammo, I wouldn't even think about reloading. Cheap fun.
 
I suspect that you'll be limited to the Baikal version from Interammo unless you're an old timer with your 12-6. The originals are all prohibs unless they were modified to have a longer barrel.

The ammo used in them also can't make the power factor needed for a lot of the handgun matches. So while it was a fun little gun to shoot it's limited to use as a basic plinker or for competitions where there isn't a required power factor for the ammo. This last part soured the idea for me getting one.
 
BCRider said:
I suspect that you'll be limited to the Baikal version from Interammo unless you're an old timer with your 12-6. The originals are all prohibs unless they were modified to have a longer barrel.

The ammo used in them also can't make the power factor needed for a lot of the handgun matches. So while it was a fun little gun to shoot it's limited to use as a basic plinker or for competitions where there isn't a required power factor for the ammo. This last part soured the idea for me getting one.
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I did not realize it would not make min power factor. So at $400 I have to ask if its worth it for plinking.

Only other reason I see to own one is for the novelty of having a Cold War pistol. But if all that is available are reproductions, then maybe I'd be better off with a surplus Tokarev.
 
I used Makarov at the range a few times it's quite nice gun, not too heavy, feels good in hand and has light recoil. It quite reliable but I played with Soviet military version, I'm not sure about replicas.
 
Rosco19 said:
I did not realize it would not make min power factor. So at $400 I have to ask if its worth it for plinking.

Only other reason I see to own one is for the novelty of having a Cold War pistol. But if all that is available are reproductions, then maybe I'd be better off with a surplus Tokarev.
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It's not a reproduction. The Makarov mass production started in about 1953 and was never stopped. The pistols available in Canada with 106mm barrel are from the same Izhevsk production line as the original ones.
 
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