Stepped to the dark side, bought a Makarov ...

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riverdog

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Found a nice looking Bulgarian Mak at the local gunshop and not having anything besides .22LR in a minor caliber I decided to go for it. So what is the story on Mak's?

This has a circle 10 so that makes it a 1970 model, but it looked to be in great shape. Are they arsenal refinished or just not used much? Are any years better than others or does it matter much?

Makarov.com recommends upgrading the recoil spring to 19#, that seems easy enough; are there any other mods that are recommended?

The range I usually shoot at doesn't like steel cases so besides Wolf and Barnaul, what's the best way to go for ammo? Thanks.
 
WHAT dark side ? The Mak you bought is the best, most fun most reliable shooter you'll have in your stable. ;)

If you haven't already, go to makarov.com for goodies and gunboards.com the makarov forum for detailled info.

My own preference for ammo is Barnaul HPs, but if you're limited to brass case, Sellier & Belloit makes 9x18.
 
You have a surplus Bulgarian military model. Some are "unissued". They just sat in a Bulgarian armory for years, unfired. Some have seen some use but most are in good condition.

Check out this page if you haven't seen it:

http://www.makarov.com/makfaq.html

I got the Makawrap grips for mine in addition to the #19 recoil spring. Some prefer the Pearce grips, others the thumb rest grips or the original Red Star grips.

I also got from Makarov.com, the poor man's night sites. Stick-on glow-in-the-dark dots to improve the sites.
 
The circle-10 just means that it was made in Bulgaria, not that it's some "1970" model, AFAIK. (Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.)

While a lot of people think the Mak is just a rip-off of the Walther PP, it really is not. It's a much improved, more reliable design. They are also surprisingly accurate. Some people find the recoil a bit snappy. The cure for that is to replace the factory plastic grips with rubber Pearce grips.

Unless you are shooting hot loads, e.g., the Wolf 109 grainers, you don't need to replace the recoil spring with one that's heavier.

If you are limited to brass cased ammo, Sellier & Bellot make it. AIM Surplus also has some Hungarian made brass cased 9x18.

Do NOT try to shoot .380 or 9mm Luger in a 9x18. However, you can trim 9mm Luger brass down and use it for reloading 9x18 if you are so inclined.

Congrats on your new purchase. I think you'll really enjoy it.
 
Yes circle ten only means its a Bulgie

You can go to makarov.com and they have a listing of the serial numbers according to the year. The first two digits indicate the year. the next set is the number in the series that was made that year.

I got one that had never been fired about a week ago. Seems like everyone is getting one now. It is a superb shooter. I went with the Pearce grips but have not done anything else yet. i need an extra mag but I will wait till after xmas.
 
The Circle 10 = 1970 came from makarov.com/makfaq.html under "Bulgarian production codes" -- my bad. Now that reread the page, the circle 10 is as Dave Markowitz pointed out, it just means it's a "Bulgarian "Circle 10" Military Makarov". I'll check the other markings closer when I pick it up next year and see what I've got. It seemed awfully clean to be a 33 YO weapon.

Price was higher than what you can find on the net, but the FFL and other fees for internet purchases would run even higher were I to have bought over the net. Over $200 out the door.
 
Welcome to the Mak Club. You WILL enjoy!!


mak_02_s.jpg
 
ballistic ... mine is not a primary carry piece but many people do like it as such. It is not a great deal larger than a Bersa Thunder and I would say is no more ''printable'' than any other compact auto. I would have NO probs with this for carry, at all .... and got a Don Hume ''belt slide'' holster for it at weekend gun show.

If it helps you at all .. let me know and I'll take and post a comparison pic for you ....... comparing it with bersa, Ruger P series, BHP etc :)
 
Maks are great. Traded mine to Grampa 'cause he wanted it. I didn't really want to part with it, but how many Grampa's I got?

Heavy for size, but they carry well in a good holster. Maks are strong and well made, but are harder to reload in a hurry. 9x18mm ain't a bad defensive choice, especially if you can buy enough ammo to get good with it, which you can. Don't think I'd take a Mak in an open carry situation- if you can open carry, might as well carry more gun- but, they're sturdy, yeoman little pieces.

John
 
I'm a 1911 and S&W revo kinda guy. Maybe it isn't a dark side but it's definitely different.

To complete the Mak process, I contacted Georgia Arms and ordered a bunch of their 9x18 (G9MAK) ammo. 95gr Gold Dot at 1000FPS. Not quite as hot as the Russian stuff but it's hotter than some loads on the market. It's also a bit more pricey but it uses brass cases so I should be fine at the range and the GD's should be okay for PD. That's just a bit more expensive than PMC ball for the 1911's -- not even close to what .45 Gold Dots run.

Thanks for the info. Now the waiting resumes.
 
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riverdog, dark side my butt; You have seen the LIGHT! This is my Bulgie Mak complete with Novak Night Sights and hard chrome by Virgil Tripp. Go forth and enjoy your new toy! Regards, Richard:D
fa9e0e8c.jpg
 
"You don't know the POWER of the dark side" - Darth Vader

Darkside or not, Maks are great guns. My Mak is my primary CCW.
 
I found the grip on mine a bit bland until I slapped on a Hogue Handall Jr. Seeing how nice Richard's hard chromed Makarov looks, I'll probably have my Russian IJ-70 electroless nickel plated (I'm a die-hard fan of this finish).
 
I have a Bulgarian Makarov. It's the AK-47 of pistols. It has never, ever malfunctioned, mis-fed, jammed or done anything but function perfectly(and shoot pretty darn accurately) for a thousand rounds. It's amazing.
I haven't and won't do anything to the pistol. (Tried some Hogue grips once - they didn't fit my hands.)
 
Stephen A. Camp -- Thanks for the link. Good read. I also found a few threads you participated in such as the one at gunboards , and that was a good read too. At this point in time I'd have to put myself in the 1911/.45ACP camp but that won't stop me from shooting and enjoying a Mak. As I said earlier, I've got 1000 rds of Gold dots on their way from Georgia Arms and if it shoots these well and is as reliable as most folks say about the Mak, it could be my carry gun in states other than CA. Even then a .45 won't be far away.

As far as changing out the sights and refinishing my Mak in hardchrome -- I've done that with .45's and wouldn't be surprised if it happened again, but first I need to get well into that 1000 rds.
 
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