Mak from 9x19

[Boolseye]

Gettin' a Mak.
Worth it to convert brass? If so, how?
-BE

[singleshot]

I've accidently shot Mak brass and .380 brass in my 9mm before with subsonic loads...so I suppose it's possible. The back story is I was developing low pressure subs for my Uzi and a few of the shots sounded different than the rest, ie. they were supersonic. I checked the brass each time and each time they were either 9 Mak or 380 headstamps. They ran thru the 9 Luger sizer and my firearm just fine. That experience told me I needed to inspect my 9 Luger brass a little more closely. If I had been running full tilt loads, it likely would have ended ugly. So what's the difference between the head size and base rim of the Mak vs the 9mm brass?

[farmerjim]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?115863-making-Makarov-brass

[singleshot]

Whether it's worth it depends on your time constraints and how hard it is for you to get Mak brass. Since I'm accidentally getting Mak brass in my 9x19 I would think it's available. As for how, you'll need to trim, run it through the 9x19 die, and trim again to length. I would suspect that 9x19 brass is tougher than 9 Mak, but I've never heard of somebody wearing out straight wall low pressure pistol brass.

Edit: Yep, now I remember that thread...it's got the info you seek.

[Boolseye]

Many thanks. I have a surplus of Luger brass so this will work.

[OptimusPanda]

I remembered seeing this online a while back...just located it again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yrmgh3SToE

[leadman]

I use reformed 9 X19 brass for my Mak. I use a Lee case length gauge for the Mak that I turned down the outside diameter so it fits in the 9X19 brass to trim it to length. Then just size in it the Mak die. I do use a Lee decapper to remove the primer first. A quick and easy way to form it.

[Grapeshot]

I size the 9x19 Para brass through a 9x18 Mak sizing die and then use a Lee Mak case trimmer and pilot I trim the Luger brass to Makarov spec's and they are ready to go. I work at an indoor range and I had a ready supply of Federal Nickled Brass to convert. Spent several hours in my reloading shed converting 2K of them. FWIW, Makarov pistols throw brass into a black hole. I have had the dickens of a time finding all of mine.

[Lagamor]

Ammosmith has a interesting video on converting Luger to makarov. He bells the case before he sizes. This removes the slight taper of the Luger.
i would have never thought of that.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

It's easy to convert, but a bit time consuming. I've done about 800 for my SIL.
I use Mil surp 9x19 brass, so it's easy to sort from commercial 9mm Luger brass.
I also use a red sharpie marker to mark the case head.

[Boolseye]

I really appreciate all the info. Ready to rock as soon as my dies come in.

[armexman]

Be real nice to other shooters and tell them nickel plated cases are the worst for reloading 9MM Luger.
Then convert all the nickel plated cases to 9MAK and you will always be able to find "your" cases;)

[Boolseye]

Thanks again guys. It's the Bulgarian Mak, on lay-a-way–I did up 10 rounds with 4 grains of Unique and the Lee boolit, unsized, lubed with 45-45-10 and loaded to .965" OAL. We'll see how they fly and go from there.

[Postell]

You all know that Starline makes MAK brass.. It will have the correct headstamp, and no one will be behind you picking up 9mm luger brass that's 1mm short.