Poll: Which 9mm Makarov? Bulgarian Makarov or CZ-82?

I'd take the Makarov.

The write in answer is still both.

Both are built like tanks, so build kind of factors out. So the answer really depends upon intended use.

For all around shooting and range use, supposedly the '82 is the clear choice. From my experience, it is very comfortable to shoot, accurate, and has one of the best triggers I have ever felt. It's 12+1 capacity is convenient. But it is heavy (~28oz), and bulky with available grips. It is only .82" wide across the slide, and barely over an inch wide at the handle theoretically, but that really doesn't matter as there aren't any grips that thin commercially available.

The Makarov is thinner and lighter, and would make a better CC weapon. Most of them are single stack though, meaning 8+1 capacity. Supposedly they are a bit less comfortable than the '82 to shoot though.

Unless you needed consistent CC use, the '82 would be a better choice. That said, I am on the verge of adding a Makarov to go with my '82.

Stephen Camp has a great review of the Makarov with some references to the '82. Like ALL of Mr. Camp's writing, it is worth your time to read. http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/OtherHandguns.htm

I have both and prefer the CZ82

I voted CZ82, and I have enjoyed them when I had the opportunity

BUT...............................

There doesnt seem to be the offering in JHPs that you would want in a 9 MM MAK


Great for the range, not the best for personal defense

Why is CZ82 have more real votes?

Get the real Makarov!

I just picked up some Hornady 95 gr XTP last week. Haven't had a chance to fire them in the CZ82 yet, but if they cycle reliably, I would. Feel well armed with 12+1. The CZ has proven very accurate at the range and lots of fun.

All of them

seriously, just stay away, you will end up addicted, a FFL 3 (C&R) so you can have them shipped to your door, and have to come up with new excuses on why the UPS guy is coming by so often.

After you get the 9Mak family, next you will want a tokarev in every flavor...

They both have their virtues -- I own both -- but if I could only have one, I'd go for the CZ-82 over the Mak for several reasons:

• 12 + 1 capacity vs. 8 + 1
  
• one-handed mag release vs. grip-heel release
  
• ability to carry cocked-and-locked
  
• polygonal rifling for accuracy
  
• better ergonomics
  
• better trigger

The Mak is more concealable, being single-stack, and if you really want a decocker, the CZ doesn't have one. Otherwise, it's CZ-82 FTW.

I'm going to echo the words of toivo. The Cz-82 is truly a feature-packed pistol for something milsurp.

I've had both and though I do like the Makarov, I must say I'd much rather have the Cz-82 if I could only have one pistol in 9x18.

forgot one, accuracy and shootability, I haven't found a pistol that is as good, I like it better than my XD and MKIII.

Ditto the CZ-82... VERY accurate, well-made pistola... with one of the sweetest triggers out there.
For about $200 you'll NEVER go wrong with the choice!!!

You should check some of the tests done on the cheap JHPs

Some of them dont open up at all

Dean, I don't know what you're talking about.
http://www.brassfetcher.com/var9x18mm.html

brassfetcher said:

Shot 1 : Hornady 95gr XTP. Impacted at 952 ft/sec, penetrated to 7.3" (corrected). Average diameter was 0.579".

Shot 2 : Hornady 95gr XTP. Impacted at 927 ft/sec, penetrated to 7.7" (corrected). Average diameter was 0.563".

Shot 3 : Silver Bear 115gr JHP. Impacted at 993 ft/sec, penetrated to 12.6" (corrected). Average diameter was 0.513". Track outlined in blue in picture.

Shot 4 : Hornady 95gr XTP, with one drop of Loctite Superglue dried in the JHP cavity (to retard expansion, increase penetration). Impacted at 925 ft/sec, penetrated to 8.3" (corrected). Average diameter was 0.534".

Shot 5 : Sellier & Bellot 95gr FMJ. Impacted at 965 ft/sec, penetrated 16.0" in ballistic gelatin, 14" of polyester fiber. Bullet was recovered undeformed, 15 yards beyond the polyester fiber box - embedded in a ball of fiber, on top of the berm. No yawing was observed.

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Notice that the cheapo Silver Bear was the only one to provide expansion AND penetration.

And as far as the OP goes, if you're only going to have one gun in 9x18mak, the CZ82 is probably the best way to go.
For me, the 82 fits my hand a LOT better than the original Makarov-pattern pistols, and the added capacity, button mag release, and the C&L carry option make it the winner. In the end I'm sure I'll end up wit a Mak of some kind, I do hate to only have one gun in a given chambering. But for now that 82 is a nice little weapon that I can't seem to make malfunction with Silver Bear or even cheaper Brown Bear.

You can't make a bad choice with either. One is a higher capacity, wider and heavier more complciated gun. The other a single stack, slimmer and simpler overall mechanism, very proven with five countries that have manufactured them.

I voted Bulgie Mak becuase of the above, plus they are not making Maks anymore so the supply is finite. You can always buy a new CZ-83 if you want one, but true Pistolet Makarovs are going to get scarce.

I am not a fan of the Makarov, had one sold it to a friend who needed one down in Arizona in his home. You can get a 9x19 about the same size, why bother with a handgun in 9x18 caliber..

I have 4 CZ 83/83 and 16 Makarovs.

While I like both guns, if I had to choose which one I like slightly more, it would be the Makarov.

I have both and "both" would have been my answer. However, since it is not an option, I'll go with the CZ-82. Mine feels better in MY hands, is slightly more accurate, has better sights, holds more rounds, and has eaten every type of ammo I've fed it. My Mak is a great little gun but it won't eat the Silver Bear hollow points. They don't feed properly. You can't go wrong with either of them IMO.

You can get a 9x19 about the same size, why bother with a handgun in 9x18 caliber.

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There are endless reasons, including historical significance, collection, admiration of design, personal preference, incredible value, etc. These milsurp guns have a tangible connection to history that modern production guns don't.

CZ82 because except for the barrel it is probably same gun as CZ83. Matter of fact doesn't J&G Sales have 2nd-hand CZ83s in 9mm Browning for about $20 more then CZ82?

I own both, and while I really love the Makarov, if I could only have one it would be the CZ-82.

One can sometimes find Makarovs (usually in 9x18) with 12-shot double stack bottle-neck magazines (they look like P7M13 magazines) but finding spare magazines for one might be real hard gulp to swallow. Those guns are easy to spot just look for plastic grips shaped like those of Walther PPK 'Super'.

I am not a fan of the Makarov, had one sold it to a friend who needed one down in Arizona in his home. You can get a 9x19 about the same size, why bother with a handgun in 9x18 caliber..

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Well, for one, value. You can get a cz-82 for under $200 these days, which is a ridiculous value. Excellent trigger, polygonal rifling, ambidextrous controls, dead reliable, easy as hell to field strip and clean (admittedly, a bitch to detail strip), (relatively) high cap, (usually) comes with 2 mags, and (usually) comes with a pretty decent duty holster and mag pouch.

What "modern" gun can you buy for under $200? A hi-point? LOL. The cz is an infinitely better gun, a proven design that's still carried today by some czech troops.

Actual makarovs run about $230 these days, but I challenge you to find me a gun even half as tough for $230. For the person on a very tight budget, who can probably only afford one gun for a long time, and wants something they can both carry and use for HD, I think the makarov itself is a great choice.

PA-63's are about $150 these days. Admittedly, you do need to spend about $15 in new springs for them to be usable, but once you do that, they're pretty decent little carry guns. They're really nicely made too. Hold a PA-63 next to another PP variant, like a Bersa, and you can see the different in quality. No offense to the Bersa (hey, I own one), but the PA-63 makes the Bersa look and feel like a cheap chinese made sold in walmart copy (the Bersa does have a better trigger by far though, can't argue with that).

And, yeah, beyond value, as some have pointed out, there's just something cool about owning and collecting milsurp pistols. On the topic of collecting.... $2,000 can get you a pretty nice collection of the 9x18 guns.

I have both and "both" would have been my answer. However, since it is not an option, I'll go with the CZ-82. Mine feels better in MY hands, is slightly more accurate, has better sights, holds more rounds, and has eaten every type of ammo I've fed it. My Mak is a great little gun but it won't eat the Silver Bear hollow points. They don't feed properly. You can't go wrong with either of them IMO.

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I own both as well, and I think my answer depends on what you want to do with the gun. Want to carry it? The Mak is easier to carry, as it's more compact and slimmer. Want a range toy? CZ-82 all the way due to the trigger and mag capacity.