Purchase tips for first time Makarov buyer?

[PropellerHead]

I'm getting ready to buy my first Mak this weekend. From the research I've done they sound like a good value for a CCW pistol.

As a carry pistol, I'll be looking for reliablity and accuracy over appearence.

What should I be looking for? What, if anything, should I avoid?

I've posted a similar question on the board at makarov.com, and it was suggested that I look for an un-issued Bulgarian.

From what I've read, it appears that the East German guns are a little better quality. Any opinions on this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bud Helms]

By all accounts, the East Germans are a little better quality, but the Bulgarian is a probably a better value.

 

[jlflegal]

Tips:

East German Maks will all be surplus. They have the best fit and finish and smoothest actions.

Bulgarian Maks can either be used or unissued. They are second in quality, some say their accuracy is a little better. Try to find one still in cosmoline.

Russian military-rare and expensive. If you find one GRAB IT!

Russian commercial. This is the one with the adjustable sights. Warning tho, the large rear sight adjustment screw is known to break, mine just stripped itself out from shooting and went flying one day! This part is the only part you cannot replace.

The German and Russian can be found with either red star grips, with or without left thumbrest, or black grips. The Russian commercial black grips will say Baikal at the bottom. Military Bulgarians have red star grips.

Bulgarian Arsenal. Becoming hard to find. This is the commercial Bulgarian, will have the word "Arsenal" on the slide and normally curved ergonomic black grips.

Really, any Mak is a really nice gun to have, especially for CCW. What you choose depends mainly on your preference and availability in your area.

Go back to Makarov.com and STUDY the different markings so you can spot the types at a glance, i.e. double circle ten,
arrow in a circle, diamond in a circle and so on.

 

[oweno]

Either the E. German or the Bulgarian, you'll do fine BUT, surf on over to makarov.com and buy one of those $4 magazine loaders. I swear, elves sharpen Makarov magazine lips before they're shipped and this loader will keep you from getting blood all over your magazines and ammo.

Trust me on this... I'm talking from experience

Owen

 

[cocojo]

No question that the finish work is much much better on my east german mak than my bulgy. The bulgy has alot of tooling marks inside and I had to polish the feed ramp. The east german was smooth as glass thoughout and no polishing is needed. My bulgy is brand new the east german is used and the grips show it, but the gun is in very good condition.
I ordered a new set of grips for the east german gun this week. If you can find an east german go for it, if you buy the bulgy try and find one in unissued condition and polish the feed ramp.

 

[oktagon]

Soviet Makarov (Russian military): Very good machinning, some tool marks in the safety well, red star bakalite grip, milled slide release lever, fixed sights, fairly expenssive ($400).All parts are numbered and hand fitted. Collectors piece and C&R elligeble. Probably not a good carry piece due to collectors value (esp with no import marks)

Russian Makarov (a.k.a. Baikal, IJ70): Pretty good machinning, many tool marks inside and outside, black commercial grip, stamped slide release lever, adjustable sights, starting to be scarce and price is going up ($200-250). Has *some* collectors value, but not a C&R gun. Not the best choice for carry due to rear sights that can catch on clothes/holster. Very reliable.

Bulgarian military: Identicall to Rusian military in every aspect, exept for proof marks. Some people confuse Russian military for Bulgarian ones. Has no collectors value (now) and costs little ($140). Exellent carry piece. Trigger will get better with use. Very reliable.

Bulgarian commercial: Same as military, but has polymer finish and commercial marks on the gun. Prices vary.

East German Makarov: Very high quality machining in and out (think pre-war Walthers PP). Exeptional finish quality and luster (only Germans would do that on standard military pistol). All of them were made in the early-mid 60's (1961-1965).All parts are milled, hand fitted and numbered. Condition vary from gun to gun, but with some effort, one in unissued condotion can be found (I found 2).
Trigger is very good in both modes and slide is slightly thinner then on other Maks. Typically has black bakelite grips that, which are very comfortable. They are also somewhat thinner then others. Some EGMs are refinished, so you have to be carefull. Original serial numbers are acid etched, so if the gun has stamped numbers, it has been refinished. EGMs are exellent carry guns and very reliable. Prices vary greatly depending on source and condition generally in the $150-300 range.


Chineese Makarov: Only miilitary guns were made. Quality is not as good as other Makarovs, but still OK. They are very rare and expenssive. Mostly good as collectors piece.



********shoose wisely*************

 

[Lee M.]

I've had experience with both the East German and Bulgarian makarovs. IMHO, the East German has a better fit and finish as well as a smoother trigger, but the Bulgies do just fine. Although I never had this problem, I have heard of the East German makarovs being a little bit more picky on the ammo that they digest (ie hollowpoints). Again, I never had this problem with my East German. Both the EG and Bulgy that I owned have performed flawlessly. The Russian milsurp is getting rare as well as the Chinese makarov. The Baikal makarovs(Russian Commercial) are still abundant, but I don't like what I hear about the adjustable sights. They're pretty fragile.

You will be satisfied with the Bulgarian or East German. They are good accurate, reliable guns.

 

[Mal H]

Moving to Semiauto forum...