The other Russian, review of my Bulgarian Makarov from Classic firearms

[silverstring]

This little PPK look a like came from Classic Firearms as a surplus. I also ordered a second magazine, for a cost of about $270 after shipping and transfer. This model is chambered in 9X18 Makarov,

This Mak weighs in at 28.2 oz's with a full magazine. It is 6&1/4 inches long & 5 inches high. The slide is 1 inch wide and the rubber grip is 1 & 1/3 inch wide. The gun came from Classic dry, no lube anywhere, and no cosmoline...yippee!!! So a quick strip, clean and lube and this little Russian is ready for duty.

Initially I had multiple kinds of feed issues with the original mag and fail to lock back occasionally. The feed lips had been spread too wide and slightly bent out of parallel. So I spent some time using the oval cutout on my bench block to lightly press the feed lips back into the correct geometry and those problems were resolved.

The finish on the frame and slide is in good condition as stated by Classic. Very little wear , and no scratches or dings. I did replace the plastic target grip with a rubber grip which did help mitigate the somewhat snappy recoil. Once the magazine issue was resolved it has run over 200 rounds of S&B and Fiocchi 95 grain brass range ammo with no failures. There is a slide mounted safety/decocker. The DA trigger pull comes in at 11.4 lbs with a 1 inch long somewhat gritty travel until a hard wall. The SA trigger pull measures 4 lbs with a short 1/4 inch reset to a crisp wall. Running the pistol is a pleasure and it shoots to POA.

I did put a dab of white nail polish on the front sight blade to help these old eyes. This sticky was shot at 15 yards. The Makarov is an excellent pistol, it feels perfect in my hands and shoots accurately. The slide stop/release works like a dream. There are no rough edges to contend with either. The Bulgarian version of the venerable Makarov seems to be a great representation of Nickolay's design. Thanks for taking a few minutes to read the review.

[Czechbikr]

Nice report and pistol. I have been attracted to them, but really don't want another caliber. If I found one chambered in 9mm Luger I might be a buyer. Just researched and not such a good idea, but .380 Auto is a good possibility.

[Qwiks draw]

This little PPK look a like came from Classic Firearms as a surplus. I also ordered a second magazine, for a cost of about $270 after shipping and transfer. This model is chambered in 9X18 Makarov,

This Mak weighs in at 28.2 oz's with a full magazine. It is 6&1/4 inches long & 5 inches high. The slide is 1 inch wide and the rubber grip is 1 & 1/3 inch wide. The gun came from Classic dry, no lube anywhere, and no cosmoline...yippee!!! So a quick strip, clean and lube and this little Russian is ready for duty.

Initially I had multiple kinds of feed issues with the original mag and fail to lock back occasionally. The feed lips had been spread too wide and slightly bent out of parallel. So I spent some time using the oval cutout on my bench block to lightly press the feed lips back into the correct geometry and those problems were resolved.

The finish on the frame and slide is in good condition as stated by Classic. Very little wear , and no scratches or dings. I did replace the plastic target grip with a rubber grip which did help mitigate the somewhat snappy recoil. Once the magazine issue was resolved it has run over 200 rounds of S&B and Fiocchi 95 grain brass range ammo with no failures. There is a slide mounted safety/decocker. The DA trigger pull comes in at 11.4 lbs with a 1 inch long somewhat gritty travel until a hard wall. The SA trigger pull measures 4 lbs with a short 1/4 inch reset to a crisp wall. Running the pistol is a pleasure and it shoots to POA.

I did put a dab of white nail polish on the front sight blade to help these old eyes. This sticky was shot at 15 yards. The Makarov is an excellent pistol, it feels perfect in my hands and shoots accurately. The slide stop/release works like a dream. There are no rough edges to contend with either. The Bulgarian version of the venerable Makarov seems to be a great representation of Nickolay's design. Thanks for taking a few minutes to read the review.

Excellent report and pistola you have there.

I've got a Bulgarian model myself. The only change made was putting a pair of rubber grips on that puppy back 6 or 7 years ago.

Yours looks like a winner.

[Qwiks draw]

I forgot to add that there are defense rounds ( Hornady and such) that are good picks.

[Bellows1]

You beat me to it, I just picked one up this weekend.

Great review, these are a nice slice of history. Range day tomorrow. Now it's got me wanting the Polish p64 I think it is.

A lot of gun, for very little money. If anyone is looking for a fun little range gun, these Mak's and the Star BM9's are awesome. Good starter guns too, or those with smaller hands.

[Aggie]

My CZ83 is the only .380 that I own. It is accurate and reliable. It was Israeli police surplus. I got it for $200.

[Tuco_Ramírez]

Very nice.

I'm very fond of the Walther PP Series and it's derivatives. I still kick myself to this day for failing to pick up a pristine FEG PA-63 for $150 a couple years ago.

That being said, if I were going to buy a Makarov PM, then I would seek out the Baikal IJ-73 in .380 ACP, simply because .380 ACP is more widely available that 9x18 Makarov and .380 ACP +P loads are equal to 9x18 anyway, which the Baikal IJ-73 could easily handle since it's just a Makarov PM chambered for .380 ACP.

[Buckeye!]

A Bulgarian Makarov was my first semiauto carry pistol ... At the time I really couldn't afford much more ... Later I replaced it with a Ruger P93 9X19 as my primary.. But I still caught myself carrying the Mak. .. I ending up trading it for somthing or another ...Dang great pistols !!!

[silverback13]

It would be nice to see one in poly frame.... Great little pistols. Used to have an East German model back in the day. Tons of fun and easy to take down. Liked the fixed barrel.

Sent from my 9024W using Tapatalk

[glenwolde]

I have a High Standard magazine adjustment tool that I find handy for all magazines. No doubt fairly easy to make one id need be. But they are sold on eBay/Amazon.

Not quite like my original but it works...