These were the first handguns I ever seen being sold for $80. At "Small Arms of Colorado" in the 90s, from a seller named Terri Kern. He was an amazing man who taught me so much about firearms, as a teen.
Love my Bulgarian Makarov, I have done some customization, a gunsmith friend of mine replaced the barrel with one in .380 caliber, as the ammo is easier to find, (The rounds fit and feed perfectly, both ball and hollow point), also I changed the slightly slippery composite grips for a set of rubber ones. It's still my concealed carry, as it tucks beautifully and comfortably into my hip.
By the way, there are two aftermarket grips that relocate the mag release to our more traditional location. One from FAB Defense and one from Russia just labled the PM Dozor grip. I prefer the Russian grips out of the two. No permanent modifications need to be made to use these grips.
If you swap out to a FAB Defense or Dozier grip the Mak fits perfect in the hand and they have a side mounted mag release built in. Also there are + 2 extensions you can get for the mags that work well. Its a fun round at the range and is viable for self defense. They are known as the AK47 of pistols for a reason.
Thank you Matt for the history. I have a Makarov that I absolutely love. I had a custom leather holster made for mine so that I can carry it. It is definitely on the heavier side but that has its benefits too. I actually took the ccw class years back with mine. All around a fun little pistol to have.
The Makarov is very fast it will fire 8+1 in three tenths of a second. 9 rounds in less than a third of a second from a semiautomatic handgun is not slow. The lanyard can be used to eject the Makarov from the PM holster for quick drawing. These are cheap good conceal carry handguns. These are very fast shooters.
They are extremely heavy for what they are. The commercial and double stack ij70 models can use the double stack mags and the original single stack mags without issue
@@M81_WOODLAND Yeah. Also I'm gonna go off topic for a bit okay? I say ONE of the MANY reasons why these surplus has gone up is due to political reasons. When political reasons are floating around the market in general use the political drama as an excuses to create FOMO and FUD. If enough people get FOMO and FUD they rush in to get their piece ---> dry up the market = price goes up ---> the snowball roll downhill. Today is 11/21/2024. We all know who is going to take office soon but guess what? That doesn't stop the market and OTHER YTUBERS from constantly creating FOMO and FUD.
I did have one of those a few years ago and I loved it. Unfortunately a guy made an offer I couldn’t refuse. To this day I regret it,that thing was fun!
Some Bulgarian makarov come in with a Russian factory stamp instead of a circle ten because Russia sold them some- they are known as “Russian sneaks” by collectors- they may have Bulgaria stamped on them when imported but you can tell by the factory stamp in a circle where it originated
Many years ago I owned a Chinese Mak that sadly, I sold. For the last 17 years Ive owned a Russian Makarov that still gets carried from time to time. The Bulgarian examples are fine but the controls are always a bit stiff compared to other examples. Of course they would probably break in with time.
Was thinking about getting 19x18 barrel for my Glock 42. Anybody know how much more power/ velocity it'll throw out versus the 380? Would it be worth doing? I saw Hornady has defense rounds for it.
I've always enjoyed the Makarov. Basically, the Russians wanted a reliable, easy use, and maintain handgun that was cheap to manufacture. They dissembled the Walther factory in Ulm, Germany apart and moved all the machinery back to Russia. They looked at guns made by Walther and decided they liked the PPK. But it had too many parts and too much machining was required. The engineer, Nikolai Fyodorovich Makarov designed his pistol around the Walther PPK concept by reducing the 40 plus parts in a typical Walther PPK down to 30 parts for the Makarov pistol. They also used an experimental cartridge under development to utilize blowback operation (simplifying design) without losing the power of the cartridge by reducing the velocity too much. The bullet diameter was larger than a typical 9x19mm but with less power, but still more powerful than the typical 9x17mm Kurz (short or 380 ACP) of the era. It was a good comprise for their level of manufacturing in the time and a successful and reliable design that lasted longer than its predecessor, the Tokarev pistol in 7.62x25mm. I carried one for years due to its simplicity, reliability (I've never had a jam or malfunction on my two Makarovs) improved hollow point ammo availability, and it was comfortable to conceal carry due to its compact size.
Carried a E. German Makarov in a Desnatis IWB holster as my CCW for a few years. Very capable pistol for conceal carry.
Just picked up a Bulgarian Makarov made in 1972. I really like it. Shoots well for me and takes apart just like a PPK for cleaning. Great gun!
Its simplicity, reliability, and compact design make it a true classic.
@@AllAboutSurvival Also the power of the calibre.
The first firearm I ever purchased when I was 21 back in 1992.
These were the first handguns I ever seen being sold for $80. At "Small Arms of Colorado" in the 90s, from a seller named Terri Kern. He was an amazing man who taught me so much about firearms, as a teen.
Love my Bulgarian Makarov, I have done some customization, a gunsmith friend of mine replaced the barrel with one in .380 caliber, as the ammo is easier to find, (The rounds fit and feed perfectly, both ball and hollow point), also I changed the slightly slippery composite grips for a set of rubber ones. It's still my concealed carry, as it tucks beautifully and comfortably into my hip.
I have an East German Makarov..
One of my favorite pistols in my collection.
By the way, there are two aftermarket grips that relocate the mag release to our more traditional location. One from FAB Defense and one from Russia just labled the PM Dozor grip. I prefer the Russian grips out of the two. No permanent modifications need to be made to use these grips.
If you swap out to a FAB Defense or Dozier grip the Mak fits perfect in the hand and they have a side mounted mag release built in. Also there are + 2 extensions you can get for the mags that work well. Its a fun round at the range and is viable for self defense. They are known as the AK47 of pistols for a reason.
Good to see you, Matt
Love these guns. I have a Bulgarian one.
Thank you Matt for the history. I have a Makarov that I absolutely love. I had a custom leather holster made for mine so that I can carry it. It is definitely on the heavier side but that has its benefits too. I actually took the ccw class years back with mine. All around a fun little pistol to have.
The Makarov is very fast it will fire 8+1 in three tenths of a second. 9 rounds in less than a third of a second from a semiautomatic handgun is not slow. The lanyard can be used to eject the Makarov from the PM holster for quick drawing. These are cheap good conceal carry handguns. These are very fast shooters.
They are extremely heavy for what they are. The commercial and double stack ij70 models can use the double stack mags and the original single stack mags without issue
It’s made from 27 parts. The Walther PPK has 42. I can see the Russian directive- Walther PPK, take off 15 parts.
The Makarov is the first gun that I ever fired.
This should be $250 at most, considering all limitations. For the asking $400, get a surplus SIG P229 or used CZ-75 compact instead.
Agreed. Milslurp market has lost its everloving mind. I wouldn't pay more than $300 for one of these.
@@M81_WOODLAND Yeah. Also I'm gonna go off topic for a bit okay? I say ONE of the MANY reasons why these surplus has gone up is due to political reasons. When political reasons are floating around the market in general use the political drama as an excuses to create FOMO and FUD. If enough people get FOMO and FUD they rush in to get their piece ---> dry up the market = price goes up ---> the snowball roll downhill. Today is 11/21/2024. We all know who is going to take office soon but guess what? That doesn't stop the market and OTHER YTUBERS from constantly creating FOMO and FUD.
I only ever see these when I'm broke or deep into other projects... sad.
I did have one of those a few years ago and I loved it. Unfortunately a guy made an offer I couldn’t refuse. To this day I regret it,that thing was fun!
Can you guys talk about affordable/ best red dots
I’m quite sure that there are plenty of Stasi and FSB / KGB personnel that had no problem with the capacity.
Some Bulgarian makarov come in with a Russian factory stamp instead of a circle ten because Russia sold them some- they are known as “Russian sneaks” by collectors- they may have Bulgaria stamped on them when imported but you can tell by the factory stamp in a circle where it originated
Many years ago I owned a Chinese Mak that sadly, I sold. For the last 17 years Ive owned a Russian Makarov that still gets carried from time to time. The Bulgarian examples are fine but the controls are always a bit stiff compared to other examples. Of course they would probably break in with time.
It's a good gun but since the surplus and better ammo has dried up, it's a so so buy now.
Thanks Matt, absolutely super-intresting video. BTW i'm not a fan of 9x18 (9mm Makarov).
I prefer the Polish P64s. :)
Kick like a mule but accurate asf!
Was thinking about getting 19x18 barrel for my Glock 42. Anybody know how much more power/ velocity it'll throw out versus the 380? Would it be worth doing? I saw Hornady has defense rounds for it.
I own a circle 11 mirror polished stainless steel polish p83. Dont shoot it no more but shes nice. Always wanted a bulgy mak tho
One of the best military sidearms ever, rugged reliable,accurate and of course deadly
I have a Bulgarian, fires well, there is a kick but manageable. However the ammo is $$$.
I always thought it odd how it "smokes" around the hammer after firing.
No thanks about Makarov pistol from Bulgaria. But 2011 handguns.
Seems like a step down from the tokarev.
Emeğinize sağlık İyi yayınlar
The Tokarev over the Makarov.
Makarov!
Cz-82 then.
Cock out Glock out
@@ASPushkin51 No.
@@Kawaiijihad Crude.
You dont get to see this guy much
I've always enjoyed the Makarov. Basically, the Russians wanted a reliable, easy use, and maintain handgun that was cheap to manufacture. They dissembled the Walther factory in Ulm, Germany apart and moved all the machinery back to Russia. They looked at guns made by Walther and decided they liked the PPK. But it had too many parts and too much machining was required. The engineer, Nikolai Fyodorovich Makarov designed his pistol around the Walther PPK concept by reducing the 40 plus parts in a typical Walther PPK down to 30 parts for the Makarov pistol. They also used an experimental cartridge under development to utilize blowback operation (simplifying design) without losing the power of the cartridge by reducing the velocity too much. The bullet diameter was larger than a typical 9x19mm but with less power, but still more powerful than the typical 9x17mm Kurz (short or 380 ACP) of the era. It was a good comprise for their level of manufacturing in the time and a successful and reliable design that lasted longer than its predecessor, the Tokarev pistol in 7.62x25mm. I carried one for years due to its simplicity, reliability (I've never had a jam or malfunction on my two Makarovs) improved hollow point ammo availability, and it was comfortable to conceal carry due to its compact size.
👍
Moscovian sht. I'ts a copy of Walther.
Makarov is so sh....y.
It's so imprecise.
Ppk knockoff
first