Makarov? Would you use it for BUG? Carry it off duty?

[orangeninja]

Okay guys, I have a Sig 229 for duty carry. Nuff said.

I have a Sig 228 for range use and off duty carry (it's slightly lighter -W- more rounds so no backup mags needed)

Summer is approaching and it'll be 100 degrees in the shade, thus I have a Sig 225 for summer carry, HOWEVER, there will be the once in a blue moon that I'll want to wear a T-shirt and carry somthing not so heavy or big.....I don't want to spend a bunch of money on a gun that is for occasional carry or may be a back-up. What would you guys recommend?

I was looking at the Bersa, but a MAK seems to have a slight edge.

Is it safe to carry a MAK with the safety disengaged?

If not the MAK, what are your recommendations. I thought about a snubby, but 5 shots is a tiny bit daunting and carrying around spare speedloaders kind of defeats the purpose.

 

[P95Carry]

The Mak would do fine - assuming the weight no prob. It is, being 9 x 18 that smidgeon up on the Bersa's 9 x 17. The Bersa tho is a shade smaller - better maybe for pocket fit perhaps.

Safety? No sweat. Rack - load chamber - safety decock - leave safety off, top off mag and IMO you are good to go - just D/A first shot. I have carried mine thusly much as I would any D/A, S/A decocker.

Being blowback tho like Bersa - recoil on both a tad sharper - but totally manageable. Maybe the Mak has the edge for grip too - particularly many folks think, with Pierce grips. Mine just has the ''second set'' black grips that came with it - they suit me well.

Mind you - add the add-on dealies to the Bersa mag bases and that too holds well IMO.

 

[cslinger]

Maks are great guns but I have heard of people dropping them and having them go off.

My personal aways gun a Smith Model 60, ok actuall a Lady Smith and I am man enough to admit that.

Yes a snubbie has limited capacity but a much more powerful round and in most real world situations where a civillian shooting is most likely to be at contact distance a .357 snubby will do you just fine. Besides if you miss you may very well set them on fire with the muzzle flash.

This post is in no way a dig on the the Mak as they are great, actually world class guns. I just think a quality snubby is more powerful, safer and as easy if not easier to conceal.

My wo cents, which don't mean much.

Chris

 

[cslinger]

Geez, do the two Chris's always have to post at the same time or what.

 

[P95Carry]

Haha Chris - just needed Mtnbkr and that'd have made three!!!

 

[M2 Carbine]

I'm a big fan of the Makarov (have 13) but for the size and weight I can carry a 45 Kimber Ultra.

I NEVER use the Mak safety and feel safe with it chamber loaded and hammer down (it's got a rebounding hammer).

For our hot summers when I can't carry a 45 I stick a Kel Tec 32 or 380 or Bond Arms Derringer 45 in a front pocket.
(I'd also carry a S&W Mod 60 but my pockets aren't deep enough)

Or when I want something bigger I carry a Kel Tec 9mm/40cal P11 in a boot.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Get the Bersa. In a few mo. Bersa new CC pistol will be out A little smaller and lighter than present 380.

 

[Ivy Mike]

I carried my Makarov as my primary gun for a while (still carry when dress or activities won't permit the other primary). Started carrying safety-on over a loaded chamber, but quickly moved to safety-off over loaded chamber (I don't know what condition that is) when I discovered how hard that safety is to move quickly.
In theory, a Makarov could go off when dropped, but I have never actually heard of one in good shape doing so. They pass the California drop test without problems. I know CA isn't the greatest authority on guns, but with those guys doing what they can to keep guns out, the fact that this old solider made it in speaks volumes.

Nice slim package (with Makawrap or Pearce grips) that packs a good enough punch. I kept mine loaded with 95 grain Winchester Supreme SXTs as well as a backup mag of the same. Mine is an Arsenal Inc. model (commercial Bulgarian of VERY high quality) chambered in .380 Auto.

A fine gun that served many a commie well over its 40+ years service life. I trust my life to mine.

 

[Pilot]

"A fine gun that served many a commie well over its 40+ years service life. I trust my life to mine."

Well said and I agree. Carry the Mak with confidence.

 

[CougarRed]

For self defense, why go .380 or 9x18 when you can carry a Kahr or Keltec 9mm that is as small, if not smaller, than the Bersa or Makarov??

Ballistically speaking, the 9mm round is superior to the others - which if they penetrate sufficiently they don't expand, and if they expand, they don't penetrate sufficiently.

 

[mtnbkr]

Haha Chris - just needed Mtnbkr and that'd have made three!!!

Huh? What did I miss?

Oh, get a glock.

Just kidding. If I owned a Mak, I'd carry it. The one time I shot one, it seemed like a decent gun. The Bersa is smaller and lighter, but 2-3 times more expensive.

Chris

 

[Steelcore]

I'd carry a Makarov before I'd carry a KelTec.KTs are total ????.Worst guns I've ever had.And I had 3 before I gave up on them.They broke parts,one had the frame replaced.I've never had a problem with any Makarov and I've shot them more.KT is a good idea marred by zero qc.

 

[fb]

Mak every day

The Mak is my primary gun. But there are things about it I think you must take into consideration. Number one, you must do a better job of shooting with it A .45 it is not. Number two, I would not use it if the target is more than 30 feet away.(I am talking self defence here).
The Mak is dead reliable. The gun is as good as the ammo you use in it.
Easy to conceal, flat, reasonable lite. You can carry it in a front pocket, just tighten your belt another notch or so. (hate saggie pants).
Trigger is not the best. But I am used to mine. There are things you can do about it I am told.

Good luck with whatever you buy or carry

 

[cookekdjr]

I've owned a Mak (selling it now on gunbroker b/c of finances). I've found them to be very reliable and accurate. The only drawbacks to Maks are:
1. Summer carry. They are heavy for their size.
2. Power. They just don't have enough gas to reliable break bones and make big holes.
For summer carry I'm leaning towards this:
http://taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=605SS&category=Revolver

I have alot more confidence in 158g moving at 1,000 fps than 95g at 1,000 fps. Sure, you're only carrying 5 shots, but in a small package, you'll always carry it.

 

[orangeninja]

I was considering the Taurus CIA Titatanium...but I just didn't want to spend the money for a gun I really won't carry much.

Besides, once you make the move to a revolver, you are effectively juggling two WAY different platforms as far as reloads, tactical loads, etc.

I don't know. I just shoot autos much better and though I too trust 158grs moving at 1000 fps, I think I'd trust 95grs. moving at 1000fps headed toward a vital area than 158 headed towards a thigh. That being said, the MAK can probably be fired at a much faster rate than the snub....especially the Titaniums....OUCH!

I had a Taurus 605 and I was very VERY surprised by the abuse that thing could take....and just as surprised by the abuse it could give.

 

[donkee]

Go with a Mak. Ultra reliable, small enough to conceal easily, all steel, and the 9x18 round packs a pretty good punch. Accurate little devil too. Usually those that don't like the Mak think you have to spend x amount of dollars for a "good" gun so the Mak must be trash or steel is obsolete and plastic is the only real gun. Mine is on me everyday now, trust it 100%. Although when I find an IWB I like for my S&W Model 10 3", I'll probably have that on me once in awhile too.......

 

[orangeninja]

Thanks guys. I'll go seriously look at one this week.

 

[NMshooter]

Just to confuse the issue...

Get a SIG P-245.

It goes with all your other SIGs...

Same controls, same trigger pull...

You know you want one.

 

[RobZ71LM7]

I had a Mak, sold it after a few months. I never really cared much for it. It's heavy for what it is and I was never very confident in the round. It did take some work for it to feed hp's but it still had the occasional jam. Getting decent sized sights would cost as much as I paid for the gun.

I usually carry a 4" XD .40. I'm replacing the mak with either a 9mm or .40 3" XD subcompact.

 

[orangeninja]

Sig 245? No thanks, I can't get with 239 sized grips....and from what I've come to understand, they are about the same grip size.

 

[Alan Fud]

alduro, you seem to be fond of SIGs (229, 228, 225); why not get the 239 or the 232 as your BUG?

 

[Coronach]

I can chime in here. I carry a P232 and my dad owns a Makarov (courtesy of me). the guns are, in many ways, quite similar. Similar size, similar weight, same general outline. They carry roughly the same number of rounds (I think the mak carries one more?), and shoot a similar cartridge (with the mak's 9x18 being slightly more powerful.

That's about where the similarity ends. The Mak costs, what, 1/4th as much as the Sig? That's about the only advantage it has (but that's a nice one, admittedly). The Sig wins in hand-feel and ergonmics (subjective), fit and finish (hardly a fair comparison), and the sights are better by a country mile. Side by side with a P232, the Mak looks like an ill-kempt ugly sister. And it recoils "snappier" than the P232 (again, subjective).

However...it is 1/4 the price, and does everything the Sig does, and just as well. Its only serious drawback is the sights...and that can be fixed. Buy a mak, install replacement sights, and you'll still have a lot of money to spend on ammo before you will catch up to the Sig.

I would not feel undergunned with either of these weapons (provided you can deal with the mak's sights, or have upgraded them). If I had money to burn, I'd buy the Sig. If I was on a budget, I'd get the Mak. Either way is a good way to go.

Mike

 

[Pilot]

Makarov sights

I don't understand why some dwell on the small standard sights on the Makarov. Its a small, self defense pistol and military/police sidearm. Its not a target pistol or long range hunting arm. However, I can still manage good groups at 25 yards with the small sights. So what's the problem? The sights are adaquete for the guns design and purpose. Also, as others have said, they are easily improved or upgraded, but I don't see the need.

 

[Dirty Bob]

Get plenty of 9x18 ammo

Sounds like you've decided on the Mak. It's a great gun, but I suggest you order plenty of 9x18 for two reasons:

1.
Shooting at least a few hundred rounds through it will make sure that your Mak is reliable with your carry ammo. My choice is Barnaul 95gr JHP. I think I paid around $60 delivered for the last order of 500 rounds. Dansammo.com, along with several other dealers, occasionally have Barnaul JHP, but it goes quickly. Others favor FMJ ammo for the Mak. I found the Federal to be very clean and mild to shoot, but somewhat pricey.

2.
Practice! You'll have a lot more confidence in the Mak after you know what you can do with it, and a few hundred rounds may smooth out the DA trigger a bit.

I don't find the Makarov's recoil at all objectionable. If yours seems too "snappy," a 19lb. recoil spring (makarov.com), and maybe some Pierce grips should solve the problem.

Welcome, comrade!

Dirty Bob

 

[PCRCCW]

Well, I carry a CZ 9mm and 40 but dont feel undergunned at ALL when carrying my little Mak. Its my wifes main carry but when she was out of town for a week last month.......I carried it everyday. I love the thinness, smallish size and how fast you can shoot the thing and be very accurate with it.
Id look at one..........

BTW, One side note.....I make more Mak holsters than ANY other model of gun.
That says alot.............Shoot well