Bulgarian Makarov pistols usually can be dated by adding 1960 to the two digits following the Cyrillic letters. Therefore, your pistol was made in, (1960+24,) 1984. I don't know exactly why 1960 but I suspect it was that the factory name was changed from "Factory 10" to the "Ernst Thalmann Machine Building Plant." As to the 9X18MM, at 5 meters mil spec ammo it will penetrate the old steel M-1 helmet front to back. That was the standard body armor for most of the Cold War.
I may be wrong, but I always thought that with Bulgarian Makarovs, you just added 60 to the 2 digit number on the frame. If this is right, then your Makarov was made in 1984. Also, I have had issues with the magazines with a "hump". This is a metal hump that covers up the sharp metal tab on the magazine (when fully loaded). This was supposed to prevent the mags from shredding any pistol mag pouches. Has anyone else had issues with these mags?
None at all. I prefer that style of makarov mag and have used them in my carry pistol for the past 25 years. Not only don't they shred mag pouches, they don't shred the inside of your pants pocket.
Great video!! I've been all about my buddies baikal Mak for many years now and finally started looking (of course they're pricey now). Well I may have overpaid but I don't care, I finally have a Baikal Makarov in my collection and it will be to my ffl in the coming days. I am super stoked!! I was super particular about finding one with ИЖ-70 on the right side of the slide and managed to do so! Super excited!
I got a ij 70, my dad got two back in the 80s before I was born and when I moved out and into my own house with my wife he gave me one of them, he said the guy he got them from had a massive collection of all kinds of guns, but he told my dad they where sister pistols, basically one was made and then the other right after, the cereal numbers are all most the same except for one number, but I OC and CC mine, I’ll never sell it because he gave it to me and he said when he passes I’ll bring the sister later back together. I hope that never happens tbh lol.
I love my Bulgarian Mak!! Such a cool, simple design. I have a buddy in the Czech Rep. and he said that when he was in basic training they were in a classroom learning how to manipulate their Maks and his buddy negligently discharged 1 round through the chair in the row in front of them. ooops!!
They dont carry it with a round in the chamber though. Its pretty much illegal in Russia and most countries of the former USSR for a civilian to own a pistol (they can have pistols that only shoot rubber bullets for self defense) and as for military and police, they can't carry with a round in the chamber.
The Nagant pistol is caliber 7.62mm x 38R... the “R” stands for “Recessed”, not rimmed. This is center fired cartridge, not a rim fire. Recessed means that the actual bullet sits recessed in the cartridge to allow the case to seal on the cylinder drum.
Dude that's awesome. Brand new mags cost me 19 usd each for the commercial baikal marked grip makarov I just picked up to have an inexpensive yet reliable vehicle gun so I always have quality protection without worrying about someone robbing me of a high dollar pistol. I had my front door of my home pried open and the bastards got the only unsecured weapons bc they were in process of being cleaned and upgraded. I lost a decent wasr 7.62 and 9mm Sig limited edition titanium blue frame nitron slide p229 9mm limited edition with factory custom shop upgrades. Always remember to deadbolt your doors no matter where you live. I told the cops as soon as I figured out I had not put them up but my front door was jimmied open. They treated me like it was my fault for being burglarized. My state does NOT require secure storage but had they not been in process of being worked on they wouldn't have been easily stolen. It was a brutal lesson to learn. I only hope the person who ended up with them hurts nobody and possibly knows nothing of their stolen status. I learned a hard lesson and it sucks getting nice guns stolen.
In many former comblock countries, In rural oblasts, small villages Police and even some military units (mostly home guard) still use the Makarov, it is cheap as easy to make. Very reliable.
Where can I get more info on the Bulgarian Mag. ? I have one that does not have the Circle 10 stamp. It has a square trigger guard. It is stamped as being made by the "Arsenal" company. Serial # BD391408. Is there anything you can tell me about this piece or refer me to a book/article with more info?
which version of makarov is the best the russian,chinese or bulgarian? iam sensing the russian is the preffered version cause they know the ins and outs of this gun
I'd buy silverbear for mine, but no one has it except on-line, and their minimum unit count is 1000 rounds. I wish I could even shoot enough to justify buying that much ammo at once. Man I wish I had a house way out in the country.
I personally will take it to a nice candlelit dinner. We’ll sit down, have a couple hot bowls of borscht, and wash her down with some glasses of medovuha; all the while listening to some of my favorite classics played on a balalaika.
My apologies to any polish viewers for not being able to remember the name of the p64
We forgive you.
Could that be the "Radom"?
I own a 1985 Bulgarian Makarov. I own a few more modern pistols, but I still love my Mak!
I love my 76 USSR Makarov. I use it as both a concealed carry and a backup gun at work. Reliable always.
Fantastic little pistol. A must have in any milsurp collection.
Bulgarian Makarov pistols usually can be dated by adding 1960 to the two digits following the Cyrillic letters. Therefore, your pistol was made in, (1960+24,) 1984. I don't know exactly why 1960 but I suspect it was that the factory name was changed from "Factory 10" to the "Ernst Thalmann Machine Building Plant." As to the 9X18MM, at 5 meters mil spec ammo it will penetrate the old steel M-1 helmet front to back. That was the standard body armor for most of the Cold War.
It's a lot number system. I believe the plant started making them in 1960 that was lot 0, 1961 was lot 1
..etc.
Thanks for the tid bit man
Little known fact of the Nagant revolver, the gas seal system makes it one of the only revolvers that can run suppressed.
A suppressed all revolve is my favorite thing on earth.
I may be wrong, but I always thought that with Bulgarian Makarovs, you just added 60 to the 2 digit number on the frame. If this is right, then your Makarov was made in 1984. Also, I have had issues with the magazines with a "hump". This is a metal hump that covers up the sharp metal tab on the magazine (when fully loaded). This was supposed to prevent the mags from shredding any pistol mag pouches. Has anyone else had issues with these mags?
None at all. I prefer that style of makarov mag and have used them in my carry pistol for the past 25 years. Not only don't they shred mag pouches, they don't shred the inside of your pants pocket.
Great video. When these were first imported, they sold for $57. Now they are $500 and up. Pretty good investment I would say.
Great video!! I've been all about my buddies baikal Mak for many years now and finally started looking (of course they're pricey now). Well I may have overpaid but I don't care, I finally have a Baikal Makarov in my collection and it will be to my ffl in the coming days. I am super stoked!! I was super particular about finding one with ИЖ-70 on the right side of the slide and managed to do so! Super excited!
Great video! Interesting the whole way through. It’s pretty cool that your dad actually carries that pistol.
I got a ij 70, my dad got two back in the 80s before I was born and when I moved out and into my own house with my wife he gave me one of them, he said the guy he got them from had a massive collection of all kinds of guns, but he told my dad they where sister pistols, basically one was made and then the other right after, the cereal numbers are all most the same except for one number, but I OC and CC mine, I’ll never sell it because he gave it to me and he said when he passes I’ll bring the sister later back together. I hope that never happens tbh lol.
very informational. love learning about unique weapons from people who seem to know what theyre talking about
I love my Bulgarian Mak!! Such a cool, simple design. I have a buddy in the Czech Rep. and he said that when he was in basic training they were in a classroom learning how to manipulate their Maks and his buddy negligently discharged 1 round through the chair in the row in front of them. ooops!!
They dont carry it with a round in the chamber though. Its pretty much illegal in Russia and most countries of the former USSR for a civilian to own a pistol (they can have pistols that only shoot rubber bullets for self defense) and as for military and police, they can't carry with a round in the chamber.
I own 2 maks
Vz82 surplus
IJ-70 Commercial
Both shoot great very accurate great combloc pistols
Great video
The Nagant pistol is caliber 7.62mm x 38R... the “R” stands for “Recessed”, not rimmed. This is center fired cartridge, not a rim fire. Recessed means that the actual bullet sits recessed in the cartridge to allow the case to seal on the cylinder drum.
Pretty sure the open mag design was just to easily see at a glance how many rounds were loaded.
I just picked up the Russian makorov made by Baikal , excellent gun , got all the goodies in original box and 3 mags for a steal of a deal 😉
Very nice! How much did that cost?
Dude that's awesome. Brand new mags cost me 19 usd each for the commercial baikal marked grip makarov I just picked up to have an inexpensive yet reliable vehicle gun so I always have quality protection without worrying about someone robbing me of a high dollar pistol. I had my front door of my home pried open and the bastards got the only unsecured weapons bc they were in process of being cleaned and upgraded. I lost a decent wasr 7.62 and 9mm Sig limited edition titanium blue frame nitron slide p229 9mm limited edition with factory custom shop upgrades. Always remember to deadbolt your doors no matter where you live. I told the cops as soon as I figured out I had not put them up but my front door was jimmied open. They treated me like it was my fault for being burglarized. My state does NOT require secure storage but had they not been in process of being worked on they wouldn't have been easily stolen. It was a brutal lesson to learn. I only hope the person who ended up with them hurts nobody and possibly knows nothing of their stolen status. I learned a hard lesson and it sucks getting nice guns stolen.
In many former comblock countries, In rural oblasts, small villages Police and even some military units (mostly home guard) still use the Makarov, it is cheap as easy to make. Very reliable.
Also closing the cylinder gap makes the Nagant revolver suppressor friendly, which is cool. Too bad it's a weak cartridge
Where can I get more info on the Bulgarian Mag. ? I have one that does not have the Circle 10 stamp. It has a square trigger guard. It is stamped as being made by the "Arsenal" company. Serial # BD391408. Is there anything you can tell me about this piece or refer me to a book/article with more info?
which version of makarov is the best the russian,chinese or bulgarian? iam sensing the russian is the preffered version cause they know the ins and outs of this gun
نعم بكل تاكيد
I'm lucky to have been able to purchase 2 Bulgarian made Makarov Pistols years ago back when they where still on the Surplus Market.
Love this video. Very informative. Thank you
I'd buy silverbear for mine, but no one has it except on-line, and their minimum unit count is 1000 rounds. I wish I could even shoot enough to justify buying that much ammo at once. Man I wish I had a house way out in the country.
Theese windows in the magasine was made for ammo control AND lightening the magasine itself.
Dont buy classic firearms mags for this i got burned on them
Great gun but don't feet my hand
How do you date your Makarov?
I personally will take it to a nice candlelit dinner. We’ll sit down, have a couple hot bowls of borscht, and wash her down with some glasses of medovuha; all the while listening to some of my favorite classics played on a balalaika.
Add the first two numbers of the serial number to 60 and you have the year. The pistol is this video in from 1984
looking hella hot
Great thanks to the name above 👆👆👆 for the gud damn gun I got from him thanks man
It's just a Walter ppk copy .
But it's better
Great thanks to the name above 👆👆👆 for the gud damn gun I got from him thanks man