.380 vs. 9mm Makarov

[Pigoutultra]

It seems to me that they are ballistic twins. I know that the Makarov is slightly longer and wider but their performance seems to be identical. There are many more pistols available in .380 than 9mm Makarov, so it seems that the .380 is most certainly more popular. What would you prefer in a small compact pistol?

 

[bigfatdave]

As someone who pays for their ammo over and over and guns only once or twice, I'll take the Mak
But then for little bitty guns I take .32acp over .380acp anyway.

Now, if Kel Tec were to come out with a P3at clone in Mak, I'd be all over it.

 

[WardenWolf]

The Makarov round is about 10% more powerful than the .380. You can get Buffalo Bore loadings that put it in the range of .38 Special. The guns are also much higher quality, being military designs. The 9x18 ammo is much, much cheaper and much easier to find online. At $10.50 a box of 50 FMJ, you can't beat it. It's $11.50 for hollowpoints.

When it all boils down to it, you get so much more for your money with 9x18. I carry a Polish P-64. Including spring kits, I paid under $200 out the door. I've shot it side by side with a Bersa, and it's a better gun in every way. It's got a better trigger, is smaller, and more accurate. The Bersa also cost $100 more, and the guy was handloading to save money. Go figure. The guy shot my P-64, and his immediate reaction was, "Whoa, love that trigger."

 

[Snowdog]

There are more JHP options with the .380 acp, but hardball is a bit cheaper in 9x18 flavor. Since I haven't any issues with carrying FMJ in a cartridge residing in the 9x17/9x18 power range, I would opt for the 9x18.

 

[GLOOB]

I've shot quite a bit of standard, off the shelf fare, in both a Bersa .380, LCP .380, and a couple of milsurp 9x18's.

The 9x18 sure feels like it has significantly more power than the .380.

 

[bigfatdave]

Cheapo silver bear JHP is a surprisingly good performer, look it up on Brassfetcher

 

[The_Shootist]

Mak

My Bulgy Mak is relentlessly reliable and scarily accurate at normal SD ranges (< 7 yds) suprisingly despite the crummy sights. I have the heaviest Wolf Spring in it so recoil is a non-issue.

At the height of the ammo shortfall it seemed like there was no reasonable .38/9mm/.357 or .45 available, but tons of Mak ammo from the 'Bears, in either ball or HP (at a under $11/box of 50) so guess what gun was in my pocket?

Yeah, a Mak is a little heavy but not terrible for pocket carry in a Nemesis, as other posters have mentioned a its bit beefier than a .380 and with two backup mags more than the firepower of a 642.

Its really a great combo for a small pistol and the only reason I don't carry it more often in summer is that .38 spl (both practice and SD stuff) is now reasonable and my 642 is lighter. Otherwise I would never feel undergunnned with it.

 

[Pigoutultra]

Though not exactly compact, I would like to see a semi-auto variant of the Stechkin APS. I don't think 20 rounds in one magazine has been done with .380, and besides the APS just looks good

 

[David E]

I wouldn't carry either one as a primary.

As a back up in a pocket, I'd want the smaller guns in .380

 

[BushyGuy]

.380 acp is more reliable then any 9x18, Ruger LCp is way better then any Mak

 

[Girodin]

The thing for me is that the 9x18 guns are not particularly small. I can carry a 9mm or larger just as easily as a Cz82, Mak, etc.

If and when I carry a .380 it is typically because the gun is very small and light. I see small .380s being called upon either as a BUG or when stealth is of the utmost concern. For those tasks they trump the 9x18 guns I am familiar with.

Between the two for a primary gun I might favor a 9x18 gun because ammo is much cheaper. Likely it would come down to the two guns in question. There are guns chambered in .380 I'd prefer over guns chambered in 9x18 and vis a versa. In reality I wouldn't select either as my primary carry gun but that is just me and it is because of considerations apart from just the round in question.

 

[dovedescending]

9x18 is cheap, a wee bit more powerful... what's not to love?
I'd like to see 9x18 conversion kits for popular .380's, so I can shoot a decent cartridge in 'em

 

[bigfatdave]

My Bulgy Mak is relentlessly reliable

That would describe my CZ82, as well.

 

[Gato Montés]

.380 acp is more reliable then any 9x18, Ruger LCp is way better then any Mak

Really? Let's see here, military pistol proven on the fields of battle or an ultra compact pocket pistol for the civilian crowd. Yeah, whatever you say bud.

 

[Fastcast]

I've shot quite a bit of standard, off the shelf fare, in both a Bersa .380, LCP .380, and a couple of milsurp 9x18's.

The 9x18 sure feels like it has significantly more power than the .380.

I agree and same here except I'm shooting the .380 out a Beretta 84 and LCP.

The 9x18 certainly appears to have more steam and even with ball ammo, noticeably punches bigger holes and tears "stuff" up more than .380 or 9mm ball I've shot.

If I'm shooting strictly ball ammo, I think I like 9x18 even better than 9x19.....Looking at a ball round of 9x18 it's quite noticeable the larger diameter as compared to .380 and 9x19

I wouldn't carry either one as a primary.

As a back up in a pocket, I'd want the smaller guns in .380

Did the OP ask if people would carry or trust either as a primary?...I think not.

We have had an Afghanistan vet here on THR report seeing and talking to Czech troops still carrying the CZ82 in Afghanistan and he says they seem to love the 82 and trust their life with it.

I would consider the CZ-82 a much better fighting pistol than many of these mini 9x19s carrying 7 rounds.....I've shot several of those and the 82. I'd bet my life on winning a fight with the 82!....YMMV

.380 acp is more reliable then any 9x18, Ruger LCp is way better then any Mak

LMAO

 

[dusty14u]

I was at the range last night and the guy in lane next to me saw my PA63. I told him it was a 9mm Mak and he didn't know what it was. I offered to let him shoot it. I installed the Wolf spings as soon as I bought it. He was shooting a G19. I tried to explain the differences between the .380, 9mm Luger and the Mak. He shot one magazine and his groups were 1/2 the size of his G19 groups. ( Not bashing the G19, I own several Glocks). He was very impressed and when I told him what I paid for the gun he was extremely impressed. His dad wrote down the make and model so they could look into getting one.

I don't carry my PA63 much but I have no doubt that it will do what is needed to do when I do carry it. It has never had a FTF, FTE etc... I like the cartridge and feel it will get the job done, even though I normally carry 45acp or 9mm Luger. It wouldn't be my first choice for carry but I would much prefer a 9mm Mak than a .380.

 

[M2 Carbine]

What would you prefer in a small compact pistol?

I have a bunch of Makarovs, CZ 82/83, PA-63 and P64 pistols in 9x18 and .380.

While I like these guns I don't carry any of them. I'd rather carry a 45 Kimber or 38 revolver.

If I did carry one I'd carry the 9x18 Makarov or CZ loaded with Hornady XTP JHP, 1125 FPS hand-loads.

 

[M2 Carbine]

.380 acp is more reliable then any 9x18, Ruger LCp is way better then any Mak

Incorrect.
I got many guns in both calibers. Reliability has nothing to do with the caliber.

I've got two Ruger LCP pistols.
"better" in what way?

 

[Fastcast]

M2, I always enjoy your pic!

I can certainly see choosing a .45 1911 over a Mak pistol but in no way would I choose a .38 revolver with 5-6 rounds, over a CZ-82 stoked with 13 rounds of 9x18 Mak.....We'll respectfully disagree there.

 

[M2 Carbine]

but in no way would I choose a .38 revolver with 5-6 rounds, over a CZ-82 stoked with 13 rounds of 9x18 Mak.....We'll respectfully disagree there.

I agree with you.
My choice isn't between the Mak/CZ and the J Frame.

It's like this, If I'm going to carry a gun as big as the Mak or CZ I may as well carry the compact 45.

I carry the 38 sometimes just because I want to, not because I'm choosing it INSTEAD of the CZ/Mak.


Personally I think anyone carrying the 9x18 Mak or CZ is well armed.

 

[Wishoot]

.380 acp is more reliable then any 9x18, Ruger LCp is way better then any Mak

Based on what exactly? Please substantiate your claim a little.

Granted, my CZ82 isn't a true "Mak" in the traditional sense, but both my CZ82's have been 99.9% reliable and deadly accurate. Couple that with 12 rounds of a larger, more powerful projectile, and I would give the advantage to a Mak.

 

[Fastcast]

My CZ-82 has been 100% reliable, with close to 1000 rounds now.

The .380 LCP on the other hand has had 3 FTE and 2 FTF (needed a bump to back of slide) in 350 rounds. 1 FTE I'll chalk up to el-cheapo steel cased Russian ammo....The other 2 happened in the first 100 rounds using brass cased, boxer primed PrVi which meets all C.I.P and SAAMI standards.

Ruger said use American made ammo...lol...CZ has digested all the el-cheapo Russian steel cased ammo I throw at it.

Beretta 84......100% reliable with any kind of ammo.

 

[Fastcast]

I agree with you.
My choice isn't between the Mak/CZ and the J Frame.

It's like this, If I'm going to carry a gun as big as the Mak or CZ I may as well carry the compact 45.

I carry the 38 sometimes just because I want to, not because I'm choosing it INSTEAD of the CZ/Mak.


Personally I think anyone carrying the 9x18 Mak or CZ is well armed.

I see....No argument there.

 

[harmon rabb]

CZ has digested all the el-cheapo Russian steel cased ammo I throw at it.

In all fairness, it was designed to use steel cased stuff. It damn well better work with it.

 

[dovedescending]

In all fairness, it was designed to use steel cased stuff. It damn well better work with it.

A pistol that does what it was designed to do, flawlessly... nah, I think I'll buy an LCP. Or better yet, a Micro Eagle!