Are the Maks all gone?

NOTPARS

On another great forum, I asked if all the Makarovs were gone. It seems I have dilly dallied too much and the once plentiful supply of Bulgarians is gone. Several posters sent me to some links with superb Maks. They were East German and I would love to get one but they start at $325. I was wondering if anyone knows of any importers. Also, why is the Polish P-94 not considered a Mak? Is it because like the FEG P-63 its a different design altogether?

TWalker

While they aren't advertised everywhere any more, there are still some around for sale, mostly on the secondary/used market. I normally see a few at every major gun show and often in pawn shops. Retail prices seem to be around $179-$199 in my area of NC. Keep looking and I'm sure you'll find a nice one. The Polish Makarov...isn't. It only fires the 9x18 Makarov cartridge. Still, they are nice little pistols well worth the money.

NOTPARS

For TWALKER:

Thanks for the information. I checked out some Polish P-64's this weekend at a gun show. I couldn't pull the trigger on double action. The seller, and acquaintance, let me try his personal P-64 that had a $25 dollar trigger job. It worked fine. I asked him would he rely on one of these for self defense (being in the same league as the .380 auto I was referring more to reliability than anything else). He kind of hemmed and hawed. What do you think? Thanks.

Fatstrat

The 9x18 is more powrfull than the .380 . I haven't read any wound ballistics on it, but in general the Russians have proven to be pretty no-nonesense" on thier firearms designs. Since the Mak is a Russian Military design, I would expect it has something going for it in terms of stopping power.

zipperzap

Maks are great! They are 'drying' up out there
as more folks learn about them and learn to love
them! The only true Maks are based on the Russian
PM designed. The Russian, East German, Bulgarian
(and the MilTex made by Bulgaria in '97 for an
American company), The Simson Suhl (post-unification)
and Chinese old style Maks are the only 'true Maks'
in my 'purist eye!' ... there are the double stackers
that came along later, but those (to me) aren't 'true
Maks,'either.

The 'Russian 9,' can be loaded up to the equivalent
to a .38! The CorBon (bottlenecked 9x18) is a very
impressive round!

I suggest you go out and buy one ... and I'll bet
you'll buy more!

gunguy30_06

I bought a bulbarian mak and an Poilish P-64. i like to P64 better. Mine just happens to be exact point of impact, not high or low, and very accurate. The tigger pull or terrible at first but it does get better! i would definetly recomend one. Oh yea, you can't shoot very many rounds through it because that little think really bits your hand with that 9X18 round

PX15

Do yourself and just buy a Bersa Thunder 380 for around $200. You will wind up with a new firearm with a lifetime warranty, and most folks who have them seem to love them. I don't have one, but I do have a Bersa Thunder 9 (Ultra Compact) and it's a very good pistol.

You might go over to www.BersaTalk.com and check the Bersa Thunder 380 forum.

I'm NOT a MAK basher. I held and fired one several years ago and just didn't care for it personally. It was my friends and he still has it and is very pleased with it.

I don't think the difference between the 9X18 mak rd and the 380rd with the Bersa is a big deal.

I DO have a Firestorm FS22, which is the same pistol as the 380, only in 22cal. It is a wonderful little trail/plinker..

Best Wishes,
JP [:D]

NOTPARS

For Fatstrat: What you say makes a lot of sense. I appreciate the input. I haven't decided on whether to "settle" for a P-64 that shoots the Makarov round (I know a gunsmith who can smooth it up) or hold out for a "true" Makarov like a Russian, East German, Bulgarian (assuming I have the money).

NOTPARS

For Zipperzap: I wish I had not read your post...because I know in my heart you are right. I do believe you have pushed me off my fence post and now, and now, I must find one. I found a site with East German Maks but they are $325 plus shipping, handling, taxes, transfer fees...Would I be accepted if I acquire a Bulgarian? I really want the Russian one but am afraid to even guess what they must sell for. Again, thanks for help. I am sure you have started me on a Mak-quest. I have to talk a friend or two into this as well.

NOTPARS

For Gunguy_30 06:

Thanks for the advice. My FEG PA-63 bites my hand a bit but actually shoots well. I wear a small glove and it helps. So you like the P-64? Do you thing $149 is a good price? The guy that is selling them let me handle the one with the $25 dollar trigger job and it was real smooth, real nice. Fits my hand well too. Please, talk me into it...

NOTPARS

For PX15: Now you have done it! I was actually looking over a Bersa in .380 and really liked it. In fact, I was looking at their compact .45 and wondering if that would make a decent "car gun." If you have to drive through Kansas City, you understand car guns (or Baltimore or Philadelphia where I used to live). A car gun must be utterly reliable. What do you think of the Bersa's in 9mm and .45? The 9mm is small enough to conceal isn't it? Again, thanks. The solution, if I had the money, is to buy all of these guns and then my stress over what to get would be over...

PX15

NOTPARS:

I have the Bersa Thunder 9 (Ultra Compact). The Ultra Compact is kind of a misnomer as it's not "that" small. But, it does make a very nice vehicle, or home defense pistol.

My BT/UC came with a single 10rd mag, and extra magazines are pricy (the only negative things you ever read about Bersa/Firestorms are the price of extra mags.). The BT/UC sold anyplace but in the US comes with a 13rd mag. These larger capacity mags are scheduled to be released early this year. I should think a vehicle or home defense pistol with 13+1rds would be more than adequate.

The 9mm round is my favorite, I have 4-5 pistols in that caliber. I think the modern 9mm ammo avaliable is excellent stuff. I do NOT feel "undergunned" with a 9mm.

Also there is a very reasonably priced laser that is model specific for the Bersa Thunder 9 series. It is made in Argentina too, and only retails for about $125.00. The laser is produced by CAT of Argentina and is excellent. I have one on my pistol and it is a great addition to an already fine pistol.

Having said all that, the BT/380cal is the bargain of the bunch. Around $200 and it's like an improved Walther PP/PPK.

Check 'em out.

Best Wishes,

JP [:)]

P.S. If I were in the market for a MAK (I'm not) I would spring for the East German one. Apparently they are the "pick of the litter" and worth the extra initial cost.