Author Topic: Makarov pistols, anyone still own and shoot theirs? (Read 10386 times)

His lordship. · « **on:** January 28, 2011, 10:58:34 AM »

I was field stripping my Bulgarian Makarov pistol that I bought in the mid-90's and decided to check the Graybeard website and it seems that there is no activity the last 5 years on these, seems like interest has dropped off the planet.

I have owned 2 of these, the other a Russian Baikal. They never jam, but the recoil is fierce, the trigger is spongy and the accuracy is mediocre. They seem hard on magazines as the blue finish is worn on my Bulgie's clip, almost like the thing was dropped alot, even though the gun is low mileage. The wear on the frame in the rear seems more noticable than it should be, I wonder if they were made to be more disposable compared to a Western nation design? At least ammo is still available.

Anybody still shoot theirs and how has the experience been the last 20 years that we have been fortunate to get these once rare guns into the country?

Docsmith45 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2011, 01:14:08 PM »

I still own the one I bought about 1998 and it still looks and shoots as it did when I bought it.

torpedoman · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2011, 02:40:42 PM »

I still shoot mine occasionally but for the most part the CZ82 has replaced it.

tmccray45 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2011, 03:09:29 PM »

Yes - I've had mine for four years and really enjoy shooting it. (Russian Makarov) It doesn't tear my hand off and is very accurate at 7-10 yards. I got mine for $200 and it's in great shape.

One of my co-workers, in his past life, was a Russian officer - a captain. Because he carried crypto codes, he had to carry his Makarov for the entire time he was in the Russian Army. He referred to his Makarov in very disparaging terms, but that's part of his nature.

I like mine.

Ex 49'er · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2011, 09:39:44 PM »

I've still got my German Mak. I put a rubber grip on it to help control the whip of recoil. Great little pistola. I love shooting it. Very accurate at 25 yards.

darkgael · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2011, 12:37:39 AM »

I have had a Russian Makarov for about ten years. I still use use/carry it occasionally. It is a great shooter - has never failed to fire, never jammed.
It is as accurate as I need it to be out to 25 yards.
Great little pistol.
Pete

cybin · « **Reply #6 on:** January 29, 2011, 04:59:58 PM »

I have owned a IMEZ Makarov in .380 for about 7 years now--shoots great, never jams. Sitting here with in a arms reach of me as I type this. One of the best shooting .380's I have ever shot.
Mine is nickel plated--I don't believe its stainless--don't have a magnet close by to check on that--may have to sometime.

cybin

blackpowderbill · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2011, 07:18:37 AM »

Still have a DDR Mak. Got it about 1998. I quit shooting it recreationaly when surplus ammo dried up and factory ammo got too pricey. I won't let wolf touch any of my guns, so that is out of the question. I carried it for many years untill I got my P64 set up with a set of Marschal grips. I carry that almost exclusilley now.

guzzijohn · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2011, 01:46:51 AM »

I have a 9x18 Bulgarian that I bought in near new condition a couple of years ago for $115 at a pawn shop. I think it is a great gun, especially for the price. It has never jammed, yes, I notice the recoil but it is not at all bad. Accuracy is very good only limited by the small sites and my 55 year old eyes. It is the only pistol that I have owned that I can field strip in under five seconds!.
GuzziJohn

skarke · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2011, 02:42:23 AM »

Sold mine to an aquaintence who really likes it. The hungarian version.

1911crazy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2011, 01:59:07 PM »

I never purchased one yet. But i do have a few CZ82's and CZ83's in 9mm mak. I like the 12rd mags and the double action first shot feature. Plus the $189 cost at the time on the CZ82 was hard to beat. One of the mak pistols was just made a C&R but it sold out fast. I been into the smaller C&R pistols lately too. The maks are kind of scarce here too. I did get a P64 and a CZ50. Bill

S.S. · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2011, 12:51:18 PM »

Own, shoot, and sometimes carry..

Avyctes · « **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2011, 09:42:46 AM »

The Bulgarian Makarov only made the C&R list last year (2010) if I recall. Other than that, only the original, early Soviet Makarovs were C&R. Sooo, it's not so much lack of interest but lack of being able to use our C&R licenses that have kept many of us from purchasing a Makarov. As stated earlier, we've been buying Cz82s like popcorn and cokes. I'd love to have an original Makarov though. I'll get one of these Bulgarians eventually.

MGMorden · « **Reply #13 on:** February 07, 2011, 05:56:26 PM »

Quote from: Avyctes on February 07, 2011, 09:42:46 AM

The Bulgarian Makarov only made the C&R list last year (2010) if I recall. Other than that, only the original, early Soviet Makarovs were C&R. Sooo, it's not so much lack of interest but lack of being able to use our C&R licenses that have kept many of us from purchasing a Makarov. As stated earlier, we've been buying Cz82s like popcorn and cokes. I'd love to have an original Makarov though. I'll get one of these Bulgarians eventually.

That's the problem I always had. I got a CZ-82 in 9mm Mak because it was made C&R, but I never could get anything but the Russian Makarov with my license, and by the time I had started collecting (~2004) they were expensive.

If I could get one at a decent price they look like good guns.

Jal5 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2011, 02:12:24 AM »

I love my CZ82- great gun for the money. If I could find a Bulgarian Mak in a decent price range I would probably pick it up too.

Use mine for CC and don't feel undergunned at all.

Joe

His lordship. · « **Reply #15 on:** February 15, 2011, 03:58:11 AM »

I took my Bulgarian Mak to the range last week, shot really well, beat my Ruger P-89 in accuracy, never jams. I must say it is the best $150.00 new in the box gun I ever bought. The Bulgarians and Russians should re-introduce new models of this gun again into the US. I regret not buying one of the rare types, like the Chinese and the East German ones.

1911crazy · « **Reply #16 on:** March 15, 2011, 01:45:12 PM »

I regret not buying them too. the mak's sell out like hot cakes when they are offered. I don't have a mak yet. I do want something for an ankle holster next. CZY

skiforce · « **Reply #17 on:** March 16, 2011, 07:47:26 PM »

Quote from: Avyctes on February 07, 2011, 09:42:46 AM

The Bulgarian Makarov only made the C&R list last year (2010) if I recall. Other than that, only the original, early Soviet Makarovs were C&R.

I have been looking at where the Bulgarian Makarov is listed as C&R. can you please direct me to the source of this info? The last listing I see on the BATF website is Jan 09 - Jun 10 and it is not on there. Thanks in advance.

cheapshooter · « **Reply #18 on:** March 17, 2011, 02:21:27 PM »

Quote

I have been looking at where the Bulgarian Makarov is listed as C&R. can you please direct me to the source of this info? The last listing I see on the BATF website is Jan 09 - Jun 10 and it is not on there. Thanks in advance.

+1
Me to! I checked J&G's website. They do not list them as C&R. I haven't called to confirm it though.
Please say it isn't so!!! I've just about replenished my discretionary fund from the P1. I'm trying to build it up for something else, but these darn C&Rs keep depleting it!!!

OP, I have an East German Mak, CZ 82, and a P-64. All a lot of fun to shoot, and all still take a turn at the range along with the rest of the residents in the safe.

torpedoman · « **Reply #19 on:** March 17, 2011, 04:28:02 PM »

last I knew the Russian and German were C&R but not Bulgarian.

cheapshooter · « **Reply #20 on:** March 17, 2011, 06:29:02 PM »

Quote

The Bulgarian Makarov only made the C&R list last year (2010) if I recall. Other than that, only the original, early Soviet Makarovs were C&R.

Not to to put your knowledge to question, but we are waiting to hear where you heard the Bulgarian Maks were C&R. Secondly, although not available in numbers from the distributors anymore, the East German Maks are C&R. I bought mine from Cole's at the Knob Creek MG shoot 5 years ago on my C&R license.

skiforce · « **Reply #21 on:** March 18, 2011, 09:44:06 AM »

Wideners has them listed as 03 C&R eligible too. $:-\$

MGMorden · « **Reply #22 on:** March 18, 2011, 09:58:28 AM »

Quote from: skiforce on March 18, 2011, 09:44:06 AM

Wideners has them listed as 03 C&R eligible too. $:-\$

From what I gathered from the FFL that I have transfer most of my non-C&R stuff, Wideners has been goofing up a lot lately. He had one case where he was supposed to be transferring a gun for another person around here and they shipped the package to the customer rather than the FFL.

1911crazy · « **Reply #23 on:** March 18, 2011, 10:22:35 PM »

Why do we C&R guys get ripped off price wise when it comes to C&R handguns? Some handguns are under $200 before they become C&R's then the prices go up when they get the C&R status? Have you guys noticed this or is it my imagination? Weren't the maks going for just $159 a while back? I like wideners and there awesome doing business with but the $225 price tag for the bulgy mak is kind of high to me vs. its condition. Look at the pics, its not very good or a good minus if that. I'm going to have to think about this one. I'd rather go for another CZ82 or a CZ70 next.

MGMorden · « **Reply #24 on:** March 19, 2011, 06:37:44 PM »

Quote from: 1911crazy on March 18, 2011, 10:22:35 PM

Why do we C&R guys get ripped off price wise when it comes to C&R handguns? Some handguns are under $200 before they become C&R's then the prices go up when they get the C&R status? Have you guys noticed this or is it my imagination? Weren't the maks going for just $159 a while back?

Supply and demand. Supply is the same but after they hit C&R status demand goes up, and so the price does too. It's frustrating, but it's the way the market works. Of course after they've been on the market a while and the initial run subsides demand my drop and the price may come back down. We certainly saw that with the CZ-82's. When they first were C&R they were $225 or so (which is about what I bought mine at), but now after having not run out they're apparently down near $160.

I think I'd still be willing to pay $225 for a Bulgarian Makarov though. Just wish my stupid C&R would come in. I should have never let it expire in the first place, but oh well. Been close to a month now. If it makes it in time I'm grabbing a Walther P1 and one of these Bulgy Maks immediately. MAYBE a Tokarev too . . . . .

skiforce · « **Reply #25 on:** March 19, 2011, 09:27:06 PM »

Quote from: MGMorden on March 19, 2011, 06:37:44 PM

Just wish my stupid C&R would come in. Been close to a month now.

I am right there with you. I called yesterday and was told that it will probably take 60 days for them to finish it and finally issue it. It has been 35 days so far. This is one of the crappiest waits EVER!!!!

Airsporter · « **Reply #26 on:** March 21, 2011, 11:19:56 AM »

I called Wideners today and they confirmed that the Bulgarian Maks are C&R - it's not a mistake. Also emailed ATF, but I'm not holding my breath on the reply.

cheapshooter · « **Reply #27 on:** March 21, 2011, 12:06:03 PM »

Quote

I called Wideners today and they confirmed that the Bulgarian Maks are C&R - it's not a mistake. Also emailed ATF, but I'm not holding my breath on the reply.

Interesting, I just got the most recent flyer from SOG. They have them, but are not shown as C&R. I also just checked J&G's website. Again, they have them, but not listed as C&R.
Might have to do some callin' myself. Or maybe send a copy of my FFL that Wideners place. Do they do on-line sales?

Airsporter · « **Reply #28 on:** March 21, 2011, 12:17:21 PM »

Quote from: cheapshooter on March 21, 2011, 12:06:03 PM

Do they do on-line sales?

Absolutely. I have bought stuff from them online for years. Never a problem. Always check them first for best price on ammo. They run a lot of specials on other stuff too.

http://www.wideners.com/

skiforce · « **Reply #29 on:** March 21, 2011, 07:47:11 PM »

They either pull them off the sight or sold out of them because they are not listed anymore.