Makarov article in new handloader magazine

Howdy Castboolits

I often front pocket carry carry a Polish p-64 walther type blowback 6+1 chambered in 9mm Mak. I’ve handloaded for it occasionally and cast for the fat 9mm it takes too. I find it to be a great small carry option because of it’s long hard DA pull and the SA trigger is way more crisp and light than it has any right to be in a cheap surplus pistol. Reliability is fantastic too- it’s never failed to fire or cycle even once. Aside from being underpowered and short on capacity compared to a doublestack 9mm I’ve always felt sufficently armed to deal with an animal attack or God forbid an unruly human. I wouldn’t choose it if I expected a firefight but I would rely on it for covering fire to provide escape options if needed.

Anyway the article in the newest handloader posits that the pistol was designed not as the pinnacle of non-NATO compatible blowback officer’s carry, but as a wimpy pistol that didn’t pose a threat to said officer’s superiors.

Is this idea crazy? I see a kernel of truth in it but wow!

Totalitarian regimes often must consider things that free societies need not, but I dunno. Since the primary function of most Soviet-bloc pistols was to put a bullet in the cranium of whatever underling has been deemed to be traitorous by their secret police, I can see where efficacy in combat would take a back seat to portability and everything else.

I once heard that a variety of Japanese Nambu pistols of particularly poor design and build were intended as gifts/tribute/badges of office to pacific islander tribal chiefs. Perhaps their sensibilities were in the same realm.

Hm, I read the article too and that made pull out Brown and White's book "The Makarov Pistol" to see if there was any further info on this. It wasn't. However, it reminded me that there was (and is still) amor piercing ammo available for 9 Mak. So is "enhanced penetration" and "reduced penetration".

I think the service ammo still does have a steel core but rather as a resource saving measure than AP capabilities. AP is accidental if anything.

A good explanation/history is on youtube, forgotten weapons does an interview with Max Popenker, a russian weapons specialist and author.

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Nice video just watched it- seems the takeaway was since actual battle was done with AKs a small pistol for non armored targets inside 20 meters was called for.

I also like my P64 and it has accompanied me on many outings, including fishing trips in remote areas (not grizzly). I like it for the reasons listed as well as inexpensive practice ammo. I only shoot it to remain confident in my ability. Like above it has never faltered. I did put a Wolff spring kit in it to reduce the DA trigger pull a bit.

That author is full of it. Another reason I don't read magazines anymore.

My Glock 42 really likes Makarov equivalent loads and I can shoot it well.

I’d like to see anyone who claims that a 9mm Mak is “no threat” volunteer to stand on the business end of one. That’s about as ridiculous as it gets. So I guess the .380 is useless as a carry caliber too. Better tell the thousands who carry one every day. How about the .32acps carried my many German officers through WW2? How many people are pushing up daisies thanks to calibers that are “no threat” like .22lr, .25acp, .32acp, .32s&w, and the like? Sure, it may not be my first choice but it WILL get the job done.

I have an East German Mak and love it. It's a very smooth little pistol. I carry it with XTPs left over from the 90s . Most of the time I carry a small 45acp, but I feel confident that the little Mak would work if ever needed.

IIRC, at one time a verbatim translation of a Soviet operator's manual for the Makarov was circulating. One paragraph began something like this: 'From the prone position at the fleeing deserter, take aim... That's what much of the use for an officer's pistol has been over the years.

I carried a p64 for many, many years and never felt undergunned.

I sold all .380s (four or five) a few years back, but bought a new Makarov .380 about thirty years ago. Based on the results of this one Makarov, it was surprisingly accurate with cast bullet loads, even at 25 yards. As I recall, it was as accurate as a couple of Walther PPK/Ss; guns that were always great cast bullet shooters.

Horrible article for several reasons. Fun instead of gun on page 2 makes me think the editor didn't even read it. Really bad for Handloader, which I really like. Bar stool conjecture at best from the writer.

I have never wanted a Makarov as it is a bastard case and bullet. Even if it offered some advantage, those two negatives would kill it as I insist on standard and easy to get components. It offers no advantages, unless you get a gun that is inexpensive. Looking at current offerings, they are not cheap. I can buy a new Kahr CW9 or CW40 for under $350 and get a more powerful caliber that is easy to reload or buy ammunition for. BTW I have three CW's for that reason....cheap and effective.

But the article was silly. Gun rag writers will do ga-ga over the newer crop of .380's but scoff at the Makarov??? Idiots.

Before brass and bullets were available, I trimmed 9x19 brass and loaded 9mm 115jhp.
I knew they were undersized, but they shot well.
I have a Russian Mak in 380, but it isn't nearly as smooth as the East German made gun.

I have a Makarov and a CZ82 - the latter an all steel double stack 9Mak and a very nice gun that I got and it literally had not been fired. Downside is that it is heavy for what it is, but what a joy to shoot. Yes, I cast for it as well.

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Originally Posted by Radarsonwheels

Howdy Castboolits

I often front pocket carry carry a Polish p-64 walther type blowback 6+1 chambered in 9mm Mak. I’ve handloaded for it occasionally and cast for the fat 9mm it takes too. I find it to be a great small carry option because of it’s long hard DA pull and the SA trigger is way more crisp and light than it has any right to be in a cheap surplus pistol. Reliability is fantastic too- it’s never failed to fire or cycle even once. Aside from being underpowered and short on capacity compared to a doublestack 9mm I’ve always felt sufficently armed to deal with an animal attack or God forbid an unruly human. I wouldn’t choose it if I expected a firefight but I would rely on it for covering fire to provide escape options if needed.

Anyway the article in the newest handloader posits that the pistol was designed not as the pinnacle of non-NATO compatible blowback officer’s carry, but as a wimpy pistol that didn’t pose a threat to said officer’s superiors.

Is this idea crazy? I see a kernel of truth in it but wow!

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I call bs to the story! First off ya have to remember what was common for police department in Europe to carry, .380. If you look ballistically the two rounds are almost the same. Second if it was such a weak caliber why was it used, almost exclusively by the kgb, nkvd, the Polish SD, Stasi, and just about every commy block secret police for about 50 years!
I love both my P64 and my Bulgarian Makarov! There reliability and accuracy are second to none. I reload for, and carry either one with confidence. Heck the Makarov has something like 26 parts total! What can go wrong lol. By the way don’t think the two are the same weapons! The only thing that the P64 has in common with the Makarov is the ammunition they are both chambered for, 9x18. A couple more commy block firearms chambered for the 9x18 cartridge would be the Czechoslovakian VZ 82 (also called the cz83), FegP-63, and the P64’s replacement the Wanad P83.

Let’s see here, officers get a 9 Mak and they’re a threat to their superiors, but the rifleman is armed with an AK variant. Haven’t read the article yet, but something doesn’t pass the logic test

I bought one each P64 years ago when they were imported, shot it and said this does not make sense. Com-Bloc blow back, case of cheap blue boxed bear ammo and this stinking little pop gun cuts a hole. Have not had it out in a while and maybe it will go for a truck ride here soon. Always looking for mags, more scary every time I look!

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Originally Posted by Gtek

I bought one each P64 years ago when they were imported, shot it and said this does not make sense. Com-Bloc blow back, case of cheap blue boxed bear ammo and this stinking little pop gun cuts a hole. Have not had it out in a while and maybe it will go for a truck ride here soon. Always looking for mags, more scary every time I look!

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Just picked up a couple more about 6 months ago $19.00 a peace. Send me a pm if you’re interested and I’ll look up the info. Hopefully they still have some