Makarov Model M

My wife and I were shopping in a nearby village this afternoon and found one of those privately owned, hole-in-the-wall outdoor supply and gun shops that maybe see a vacuum cleaner and dust rag twice a year, that I had not seen before. I went inside (my wife also, albeit somewhat reluctantly) and found the owner to be very friendly. The gun that really caught my attention was a Makarov model M. I looked at it, handled it and copied the information stamped in various places on it. Research shows it was made in East Germany in 1962. Its condition appears to be very good, not quite perfect. It has minor holster wear marks in the usual places. It comes with two magazines and what seems to be the original leather holster with outside pouch for the extra magazine. I have found and read some of the discussion threads in this forum dealing with Makarovs, and I am quite intrigued. The shop owner is asking $245 for it. Any opinions on Makarovs in general and his asking price? Anything to look for, or that I should be aware of?

The Makarov (9x18) design is a simple straight blow-back operation and very rugged. It only has 27 total parts. They are known to be one of the most reliable semi-auto pistols ever made. The East German (Ernst Thaelman factory) versions of the Makarov are generally considered to be the best of the Makarov's. At that price its a steal. Very good condition EG Maks are now going for $400+. Russian, Bulgarian and Chinese Makarovs are also relatively common and also typically well made but East German guns are generally superior in fit and finish.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21.../IMG_00142.jpg

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Originally Posted by TrucksNCoffe

My wife and I were shopping in a nearby village this afternoon and found one of those privately owned, hole-in-the-wall outdoor supply and gun shops that maybe see a vacuum cleaner and dust rag twice a year, that I had not seen before. I went inside (my wife also, albeit somewhat reluctantly) and found the owner to be very friendly. The gun that really caught my attention was a Makarov model M. I looked at it, handled it and copied the information stamped in various places on it. Research shows it was made in East Germany in 1962. Its condition appears to be very good, not quite perfect. It has minor holster wear marks in the usual places. It comes with two magazines and what seems to be the original leather holster with outside pouch for the extra magazine. I have found and read some of the discussion threads in this forum dealing with Makarovs, and I am quite intrigued. The shop owner is asking $245 for it. Any opinions on Makarovs in general and his asking price? Anything to look for, or that I should be aware of?

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Price is very fair - these are great guns for the money.

Most of these came in only slightly used (some unissued )

I can hit coke cans at 30 feet with mine :smile:

The price for this piece is highly competitive. East German Makarovs are considered to be the cadillac of the breed. They are manufactured to a fit and finish which far exceed those manufactured in other countries. I have carried an East German Makarov for years as a CCW and am very pleased with its accuracy, weight, and reliablility. Russian hollowpoints as well as American manufactured defense ammunition are available. I would jump on this deal if I were you.

Makarov's were well made and the standard issue gun for the majority of the communist bloc countries for many years. The exception was Czechoslovakia who used the CZ 82, also chambered in 9mm Mak.

I called the store owner this afternoon to ask him to put a hold on the Makarov. He said he was working at the store until 3:00 PM today. I arrived 30 minutes later, cash in wallet. Left 30 minutes after that, minus some cash but carrying a pistol made at Ernst Thaelmann factory in East Germany in 1961, two magazines, holster, and a box of Hornady Critical Defense 9X18 MAK 95 GR FTX. I won't get to the range for at least a week, so no range report yet. The pictures show a minor nick in the right side of the grip; I can live with that, with plans to replace the grips down the road. I will purchase a box of 9X18 Makarov ball ammo prior to the range trip.
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It's hard to explain...the look and feel of this pistol just grabbed me, for some reason. I like the feel and weight, it's just right for me. I researched the daylights out of it yesterday, and the few things owners suggested checking for all checked out on this one. A few owners use it for concealed carry; it's certainly the right size to be able to do that.

And, just before I bought it, something else occurred to me. I was in the Air Force from 1975 to 1981, a veteran of the Cold War with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, a war which we won (thank you, Ronald Reagan). Cold War veterans don't receive any recognition for what we did, and the younger generation of today really cannot comprehend how close the world was to total annihilation without warning. The thought that came to me was that I can look at this pistol as a souvenir of that war. I'm just glad I didn't have to pick it up from a field of battle.

Wow, thats a great score at a great price!

I have two Bulgarian Maks, and I'd love to have an East German.

BTW, the grips on the East German Makarovs are good for concealed carry. They are thinner than the Pearce grips that people like, and they don't have the little lanyard loop to poke you in the side. I run Pearce grips, but they make the regular single-stack Makarov as fat as a CZ-82.

If you want to overnight it to me, I'll shoot it and overnight it back to you with a full report! Just trying to help out a buddy! :king:

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Originally Posted by Hiram25

If you want to overnight it to me, I'll shoot it and overnight it back to you with a full report! Just trying to help out a buddy! :king:

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Sure, and I'll pick the overnight FedEx tab both ways. How much ammo should I send, and would you like me to order a pizza and include it in the box? :rolleyes:

I have a Bulgarian Makarov and I love it. It is a good shooter. It is all I had when I took my CHL class so I had to qualify with it. I scored a 49 out of 50. They thought I was crazy for using it.

Check out this guy for grips when your ready. He does good work and his prices are fair.

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

OP you got a nice example of the best of the Maks, congrats. Nice find! I too would have snapped that up at that price.

I have had one for some 18 years and shoot mine on regular bases. The gun is built like a tank BUT there are sharp edges around the trigger guard that is a pain. I used it to get my CCW permit and shot a perfect score of 250. The sights need improvement, fixed blade front is a little hard to see in low light conditions

Russian ones have adjustable sights and are smooth, including the trigger. The German is probably the next best with Hungarian models having the rough, gritty trigger pull. They are excellent point-shoot weapons- don't bother with the sights, just aim like pointing your finger and skip cans all day long. Good guns for the money. If you get the 9x18 version, places like Brownells and such sell the .380 conversion barrel, just change it, pretty much all needed. PS, if you take it apart in the field, watch for the firing pin jumping out, it's removed by rotating the safety around while slide fully racked.

@Gunsmoke16: Thanks for the heads up regarding the firing pin.