Concealed Carry: 9x18 Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 เม.ย. 2022
- Paul tests whether 9x18 is good for concealed carry.
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during the chrono segment I tested some Fiocchi ammo in caliber 9X18
The mean FPs was 1,026 FPS with a 95 gr. projectile. Unfortunately, it got left off of the chart. The velocity is impressive and gets close to our 9X19 velocity, but remember, it achieved that velocity with a 95 gr. projectile as where 9X19 has a 115 gr.
Also remember I tried to make the comparison fair. There are various types of 9X19+P ammo available, I've never seen 9X18 +P
Hello mr. Harrel .
In Soviet Russia, 9x18 +Ps you!
I have some 9x18 that clocks similar. It's purely a critically, tactical defensive caliber (get out of Dodge, enguage if you must) but I do like the pocket pistol safety features of the Makarov and if the 30 Super Carry gets chambered in something with the same safety features, maybe I'll look harder.
9x18 PstM exists, GRAU index 7N16, but its meant only for weapons rated for it. The PMM pistol, and a submachine gun you've probably never heard of, maybe others.
How would you speculate the Fiocchi would stack up against the Hornady Critical Defense? The Fiocchi has more velocity, but considering that it's JHP it likely will not expand/deform in the same way the Critical Defense will.
“The answer to that requires a lengthy, tedious discussion”
The man knows what his audience wants.
Don't threaten me with a good time!
A lengthy and tedious discussion? Please tell me there at some Shatneresk Pauses! Woo-Hoo!
Those words turn me on!
Hear hear.
I would probably pay extra for that.
Legend has it, he was born in that jacket.
Ah you think the jacket is your ally? You merely adopted the jacket. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't know the jacket was clothing until I was already a man, by then it was an extension of my body!
Would like to see Paul just once as a special in modern kit with a decked out AR, maybe we can PATREON it?
The pimp jacket?
@@christopherchambers9314 It's his shooting jacket so I can't see him wearing anything else.
Nah… baby Paul stole it from the doctor🥼 that delivered him and then dyed to make it more practical 🧥
In 2020, when the ammo crisis started a box of 9x19 was $50 and limited to 2 boxes per person. I bought a Makarov in 9x18 and was able to buy 1k rounds for $18 per box during the shortage.
I had similar luck getting 7.62x39. But with the Ukraine war heating up and the sanctions now on the borad, I'm less confident on the long term financial benefits.
@@sanninjiraiya same here... with the Russian everything ban I doubt I'll ever get my Russian calibers at good prices again...thanks, Путин, for being an evil piece of ****
Excellent!
W
Pro and Con when come to those calibers. 9x18, 32 ACP, 38 Super, 45 GAP, 357 Sig, 7.62x25 and THOSE CALIBERS.
The Pro is that those calibers stay on the shelf a bit longer so it made more sense for some people to grab these calibers instead of the meta calibers.
The Con is that once those calibers are gone. They are gone and will take longer for them to restock.
Drawing out the pause before "like a ballistic tip" longer and longer cracked me up. Paul Harrell is a deadpan treasure.
He attended the William Shatner Acting School
You say that like it is a bad thing lmao
I owned a 9x18 Makarov for quite some time. Ballisticly speaking it’s roughly comparable to a .38 Spl. I never felt under armed with it.
People even often forget .38spl is very effective aganist humans. Decades of 9x19mm craze made people forget other viable rounds are out there. Even very common round like .38spl
@@iMernerner it's just that 9x19 is better suited for magazine loaded semi auto handguns, and since those guns have become more popular the ammunition also became popular. .38 special is still considered a good soft shooting and controllable revolver cartridge but with good power behind it. It essentially bridges the gap between .380 and 9x19's ballistics but for a revolver
@@iMernerner I love the .38 Special, carried it as a cop, used it in an actual shooting, and competed with it. I used to handload practice rounds by the thousands. But today's ammo prices, even for the practice stuff make it a bit less fun. It's amazing how much ammo prices are dependent on the volume of production. People used to buy a lot more .38 Special than they do now, making it a lot cheaper back then.
@@fronthole_guacamole Funny story. I first became a cop in 1979. Back then, you could buy an old .38/44 Heavy Duty used for $150 because nobody wanted them. Much more common though was the 4-inch Model 10. My Sheriff's Department made us buy our own guns. We had a Sergeant who was doing our initial firearms training, and he spoke to us on what gun to buy. He told us all to look for a used Heavy Duty in preference to the more compact Model 10, because "when you hit a suspect on the head with your revolver, you could bend the ejector rod on your Model 10, but you won't on your Heavy Duty. My how things have changed in police work.
.38 spl can be loaded wayyy hotter than 9x18
Nothing has ever made me want a pop tart more than Paul's series of ads.
Paul makes Pop Art of the Pop Tart(s).
"Like a ballistic tip" for the next week or two everyone around me will get tired of that phrase. Great video Mr Paul
The maple brown sugar Pop Tarts were calling me again the other day on a grocery run. My midsection quickly admonished my appetite and I left them on the shelf.
I think you presented a pretty good summary of the 9x18 for self defense. I’ve run into a few people over the years who ask about carrying a Makarov for SD. They are usually the ones who are always looking for something cheap. Surplus Soviet/Warsaw Pact handguns and FMJ military ammo used to be really cheap - not so much now. I seem to recall one importer offering Makarov-style pistols thst were actually originally chambered for, or re-chambered for .380 - which was sort of a poor man’s PP(K). .380 versions did at least provide someone with a greater selection of available hollow point ammo.
I agree with your point... Like a ballistic tip.
I love how you can rattle off what the meat target is so fast. Also, "The all-new and improved, high-tech, fleece bullet stop" never gets old. You do a great job explaining things and have broadened my knowledge significantly. I also like that you ask us to think.
Paul, being from generation X, I appreciate that you've gone to such great lengths to make your Pop Tarts ads resemble the back of magazine cigarette and alcohol ads from the 70's/80's. The best touch that might be lost on people who didn't actually see them in person is the use of the ever-so-slightly yellow filter. Details like that are key.
Big fan of your Pop Tarts sponsorship.
In Russia we have Makarov as one of the most common pistol. Situation in the country rapidly deteriorating, so thank you for information about 9×18, maybe thats come in handy pretty soon.
I bought my Russian makarov back in the late 90's for 159.00 . It's a great gun and very accurate .
Thanks for a another great video !
I was one of these cash strapped shooters back when 9x18 milsurp was cheap. I even carried one for a time. As such, I have several and enjoy my collection of them. However, 9x18 is Soviet 380 and should be treated as such. Carrying a 500 dollar milsurp gun with meh ammo in 2022 when there are so many good 9mm pistols on the market just doesn't make sense.
Been carrying mine since they were a $200 surplus gun. But I switched to a P320 for primary carry and the Makarov has been relegated to a 'I don't want anyone knowing I have a gun' duty
they're fun and rough shooters with a lot of history behind it. some ppl jus like carrying history. i carry a tokarev (with hp ammo that actually expands dont worry!!) because i shoot it well, i like the round and i like the history. occasionally when it doesn't fit in an outfit of mine, i carry my m1895 nagant (w handloads pushing it quite dramatically compared to surplus and commercial) which is the handgun i shoot best even out to 50y (besides my ruger mark 3 ofc.) it's cool to carry something with a lot of history, esp if you have confidence in it; same as how many ppl carry 1911's when there's plenty of good modern 45's, they just like 1911's and what 1911 means to them.
i love my ij70a (i got one in 380 cus the price) tho the fixed sight has made it shoot really, really low so i gotta deal w that sometime.
But they look cool
you hit it on the head. looooovvvved my pa 63 which i got for 90 bucks not long ago. about 2017. silverbear jhp and brownbear fmj, they chrono over advertised usually about 1070 fps , and they were cheaper than the target 380 ammo. the pa63 was my fav cuz even with fixed barrel (very very accurate) the spring on the slide made recoil like a standard 9mm g19. I did switch out the hammer/trigger with the wolf kit because that first triggerpull was god awful . that cost about 10 bucks plus shipping. but made for a dare i say, better than and LIGHTER than ppk with more punch.
PM + Underwood JHP = ultimate reliability
Thank for the review of my Makarov. I carry mine every day for the reasons you have demonstrated. The Hornady ammo preforms well without overpenetration, and, with its "Fixed" barrel and single-stack magazine, it is very accurate and concealable. BTW, it is an East German model and yes, I only paid $159 "back in the day". Good pistol. Thank You again.
I used to carry a 9 x 18 mak. Good to see your take on it.
I have a sweet E German Mak. Smooth as a Sig with a sweet trigger. If it had better sights I'd carry it.
@@nucleargrizzly1776 My bulgy mak was new and looked pretty goid. Trigger was not bad, never failed me. I do think the E Germans were the best.
@@humansvd3269 Fortunately I bought my 20 something years ago when they were $50. 😁😁😁
I bet there are only 3 people in the USA who actually realize how much time and energy and work it is, to make a video like this. Thanks for your videos
Correct..
I’m a musician. I realize how much work goes on behind the scenes…..
We’re lucky to have Paul!
@JoozdontliketheTruth I can’t count more than 3 lol
I would argue there are 4
@@kadan_gustafson6609 It's possible ;-)
Were not counting imaginary friends.
Paul, what a great presentation on the 9X18 cartridge. The 90's was clearly the heyday of these guns in the US based on their low price. Some of the smaller ones had reliability issues, but the originals and clones of the Russian PM mid-sized pistol were unfailingly reliable if left unaltered. I owned a small gun shop back then and sold hundreds of these and never had a single one returned.
In terms of quality of manufacture, it was generally accepted that the best of them were the East German Maks marked Ernst Thalmann and made in Suhl. These always commanded a healthy premium and were beautifully finished. Following that were the Russian and Bulgarian Maks, utilitarian guns that always functioned, with the Chinese Maks at the bottom of the heap. Those came with so many sharp edges on them that you needed to carry bandages to the range. I decided not to sell those. Just as a joke, I shot a police service auto match (stock guns only) with a Russian Mak, and actually won it, which was amazing with the tiny front sight on these guns.
There used to be a lot more choices in ammo back then as well. CCI loaded a Blazer aluminum cased round with a Speer 90 grain hollow point that moved at about 75 fps faster than their equivalent .380 load. It expanded in everything I shot it in, but the penetration might have been a little short for some people at 10 inches. Hornady made a Custom 95 grain load that expanded a little less, but penetrated a bit more. And I got one lot of Russian ammo, which i think was marketed under the Silver Bear name, that had velocities (and pressure signs) scarily close to 9x19 levels. After testing it, I declined to sell the rest of the lot. Finally, I did some experimentation with firing the .380 in the 9mm Makarov pistol. I found it worked in a pinch, but accuracy was poor past 7 yards, probably due to a .355 inch bullet passing down a bore that was at least .360-.363. Case mouths were also recovered a bit bulged. So I filed this away as something that could be done in an emergency only.
These were also the days of cheap SKS rifles. As a dealer, I paid $89 each for Russian Maks and Russian SKS rifles. I bought them in lots of 12 each, and sold what I called an "Ivan Package" of a rifle, a Mak pistol, and 100 rounds of ammo for each for $299. I couldn't keep them in stock. I miss those days!
The poptart ads at the start of the videos are my new favorite phenomena
You are my go-to for just a review. No jokes or opinions. "Just the facts". Love you. Anything is better than throwing a rock.
No jokes? What about 9x18 "PU" 😂
I like a little bit of his dry humor sprinkled in
Actually, he's got a lot of opinions and jokes. What makes Paul different is that he doesn't treat opinions and jokes as if they were facts.
@@e_loy2752 Paul might be the most masterful dry humor artist on this planet, lmao.
There's plenty of humor and opinions. Perfect amount of each
Paul video on Easter! Woohoo!
I work in a store that sells guns. Of course we keep all the .380 ammo together on the same shelf but of course not all the boxes are labeled the same. I had a customer who asked if there was any difference between .380 acp and .380 auto. When I told him no he insisted there was and that one ran in his Makarov and the other couldn’t. I about had an aneurism
Should've shown him the video on how to spot a fake expert.
Ya, sure! Nobody ever lies in a gun store. Or on a TH-cam channel.........................elsullo
@@kokocostanza2036 since our store sells a lot more than just guns we really get to see what different departments’ customers are like. By far, our gun customers are the worst, most entitled, most ignorantly confident people I’ve ever met. There’s a reason gun store employees stereotypically reflexively hate everyone. We do get great customers who ask good questions and take on new information well and we love those people, especially when they use our advice to make an informed purchase. But we’ve been burned way too many times.
@@andyrihn1 If I had to guess, it's because when some guys talk to gun shop employees, they have to show what they think they know because that shows the size of their nuts.
@@andyrihn1 You should try the graphics/sign business!😡😡😡😡
I love Paul's no bullshit explanation !
Thanks for hanging out and talking to me Paul. Hope you had a Happy Easter
I was hoping for a Paul Harrell Easter special
The 9x18 has one benefit of stopping inside the target when you have to be always backstop aware . Also the makarov has a fixed frame barrel it is accurate, and is double action.
Great as always!
The pop tart intros are always welcome. I'll have to be sure to throw a pack in my GO/camping bag in honor of Mr. Harrell
Doesn't he ironically have them there because he thinks they are trash and to make fun of people taking advertising deals?
@@WayStedYou I watched his top 5 survival wilderness tips video recently and he said that's what he had on him for food at the time, but there is a chance I'm missing a joke too
I love Pop tarts. But the "ad" is an homage to the old camel ads while simultaneously mocking people who have become corporate shills.
@@PaulHarrell Thank you for not selling out!
I have all three calibers but as far as the 9x18 goes, it is a CZ82 DA with 12 round mags and one of the most accurate pistols that I have ever shot. I bought it 10 years ago and the ammo was cheap then also so I kept buying and now have 6k rounds to play with.
High sugar. Pop-Tart Flavor. cracks me up every time
Paul is a legend.
I once talked to a Russian gentleman about this , he told me he served in the Russian army and had seen combat in Afghanistan , he said the Makarov was a good weapon in combat and is why the Soviets used it for so long , like the US. 1911, he said it was a reliable and extremely accurate killer , his words.
I have liked the Russian people I met over the years. Their President might be a bit crazy but I don't hold that against the people.
I agree, I have one too, but keep in mind they were using FMJ ammunition.
The bottom line for me is that I don't want to be on the receiving end of even a .22 short! Thanks for the video!
I shot some 9x19 +p rounds in a friend's Ruger LCR. The recoil was significant. Not the worst, but it wasn't too fun to shoot. I love hearing all the technical data comparing different types of 9mm rounds.
Not fun because it was expensive?
@@lmaolmoo4147 No, he was an extensive hand loader. I think his loads then we're about 5 cents a round.
I have an LCR in 38 special. They are snappy because they are tiny and light. Mine is snappy and fun to shoot! I like guns with attitudes while recreational shooting.. For carry I have a Hellcat, Security9, XDM in 45 ACP. 9mm and even 45 ACP shoot very comfortably in bigger pistols. I have an SR22 which is great for plinking with the kids.
Thank you Paul and Company.
The summation was brilliant.
This was a phenomenal presentation Paul. I work in a gun store and I have yet to see anyone who could give explanation or delineate what the differences are in these calibers. Our store is
in Florida and we get many Europeans coming in asking about these calibers and their mating with particular firearms. Thanks to you we now have a venue at your site to allow these
individuals to garner more detailed information on this subject.
Basically, the 9x17 and 9x19 use .356" diameter bullets and were designed by J.M. Browning and Georg Luger, respectively. The 9x18 Makarov has a .366" diameter bullet and was designed by Makarov. The rest is as Paul states.
@@1248dl just for clarification, Browning invented the 9x17 and Luger the 9x19.
@@davidparker7974 You are absolutely correct! I had a fade. I'll correct it. Thank you.
Pop tart?
He's a bad dude
Lol….is he as bad as corn pop?
@@williamsporing1500 I just LOVE these hysterical historical references...Let's Go Brandon!
Ah, yes. I’ve been looking forward to another Harrell video so great timing! 😅
Your videos are so well done , things that do not interest me become interesting .
They are educational and entertaining .
Keep up the good work !
Happy Easter Paul & the crew ! Chronograph segment on point ! Meat target - yes please ! Never was tempted by the 9x18 but took a young lady to try hers out some years ago. They were very affordable then. Pop Tarts for the win.
@JoozdontliketheTruth It's all via the magic of paganism
@JoozdontliketheTruth It is magic.
Paul, love your videos. Very informative, professional, and at times, light hearted. Thank you for your productions and passion and hope to see more to come.
Great video. Thanks Paul !
I love this channel! Paul and the crew are outstanding. Much love to them for using their limited time on earth doing these videos. You have my gratitude.
Thanks for making the 9x18 video.
If I understand correctly, the thought process behind the 9x18 cartridge was to create the most powerful cartridge that could reasonably be chambered in a blowback pistol. The Soviets wanted pistols that were easy to manufacture and were willing to sacrifice some power to get it. That makes sense because they didn't consider the pistol a "real" combat weapon anyway. It was mostly a badge of rank for officers or a pistol for various law enforcement agencies who were unlikely to actually get into a gun battle. In that regard, I think they did pretty well. In general I'd still prefer a 9x19 but the 9x18 isn't entirely useless for self defense.
I had forgotten that most 9x18 pistols had a blowback action. But you're right, they weren't meant for concealed carry or combat, mainly instead for law enforcement and military officers' personal defense. I doubt there's been much development of 9x18 guns over the last 50 years, while development of 9x17 ammo and guns has been driven by the civilian market pretty much continuously.
I enjoy shooting my Polish P-64, but if I'm going to carry something that heavy for personal defense it'll be something chambered in 9x19 or larger.
Execution pistols don't need to be powerful or complicated
Ya, 9x18 falls well into the category of calibers i dont want to be shot with.
@@timothybayliss6680 yes, because chances are if you're getting shot by a 9x18 your hands are tied and your eyes a blindfolded.
@@ThomasRonnberg sick, but true =/
Thank you Paul, please keep up the great content!
Thank you, Paul. Great information.
Thanks for such a lucid explanation, Paul. I was especially informed by your comparison of 9x17 and 9x18.
I own pistols in each of these calibers. I only use the tiny .380 or the not so tiny Makarov only when I am venturing into a "less than friendly to concealed carry" state. The tiny .380 (Ruger LCP) normally serves as a backup pistol. Fabulous presentation as always, Mr. H.
It's a legit pocket pistol. If I can't take anything bigger because of circumstances, I just slip that LCP into my pocket. Not my first choice of firearm, but it's infinitely better than none.
As always, Excellent insights, Paul. Thanks!
Very well done demonstration. Thank you as always.
I own several 9x18 pistols, and I love 'em. One of my earliest firearms was my Baikal Mak, and it is quite possibly my favorite range toy. Nothing like it. While the ballistics are 'meh', I still rate it far above pointy sticks and throwing rocks. My biggest takeaway from the video, however, was the anticipation it instilled in me to wink at the better half, while proclaiming "It's kind of like a ballistic tip". At my age, you take inspiration where you can get it...
Thanks for the 9x18 review. I have an East German Makarov and a CZ-82.
The CZ-82 is an ergonomic marvel and sweet to shoot but it's just as large as a lot of 9x19 pistols. I love to shoot mine but it's pretty much last on the list when I think of something for concealed carry/self defense.
Paul, your thorough reviews of everything you review is greatly appreciated. You always go beyond the basics to provide great reviews!
Excellent presentation, as always,, Mr. Harrell. God bless
Back when surplus was cheap, you get a good mak for under 200. Mine loved reloads with cast bullets & red dot. It was a fun range gun.
Easy to reload. I like .3cc of reloader no.2 and a Berry's on top. Works great for 380 too.
Ever think about how much mil-sur guys funded the growth of the post Soviet Russian economy? Saved a buck but funded an army that America might have to fight in coming months. Buying guns is a political statement, don’t fund our enemy
@@seancssu Yea, all the mosins they sold so cheap probably wouldn't buy a modern fighter jet.
Sold quite a few East German Makarov's for less than 150 each when I had an FFL. Nothing American made even came close to competing at that time. How times have changed. I was buying unissued Russian SKS rifles for 99. Miss those days and wish I had sat on a few of each.
Great video Paul! I have a CZ-82 (doublestack Makarov with a more traditional mag release and safety) that I really like. I’m sure there are “better” guns on the market, but it does well and is reliable.
I have a CZ-82 also and that is the most accurate gun I have shot . Just aim and shoot and Done . I got a box of Hornsby self defense rounds. I only have one magazine so it’s a home protection gun
Thank you for this presentation...always informative and enjoyable.
Great points about 9X18 pistols being expensive these days ( as well as the ammo ). Thank you for making great content.
I remember the "Medusa" revolver. Had these spring loaded rim catches in each chamber, sorta like the Charter Arms rimless cartridge revolvers. The Medusa was supposed to be safe to fire most center fire 38cal & lower cartridges... but even then, the revolver wasn't really designed to adequately fire the various cartridges. The lack in ability to properly seal the cartridges upon firing, lead to extremely poor performance from the revolver. Technically, the revolver will successfully detonate the different cartridges but accuracy, stability & velocity will all suffer greatly. The interchangeability wasn't really practical.
Anyone who actually owns a Medusa wouldn't be watching this video lol
I would suspect that even the Medusa M47 wouldn't be able to chamber 9x18 (since its actually 9.27x18)
Yes, but it still won't run 9x18. The bullet and case diameter is too large.
The soviets did that deliberately to make interchange impossible.
The Medusa is a great example of trying to do too many things but doing none of them well, and also a gimmick that will sound great to a person who doesn't know a lot about guns, but dubious to many people with some experience.
Aside from the wide cartridge interchangeability (which numbers well over 100 different cartridges which could be loaded and fired in the gun), which is of little to no value, the special extractor is a very delicate part which leverages awkwardly on its own weird geometry when extracting rimless cartridges.
As headspacing and extracting rimless cartridges is the idea of the Medusa, that means that its gimmick will defeat itself because you're going to quickly break this extractor and be unable to shoot rimless cartridges.
And yes, the practical accuracy was generally quite abysmal, you're looking at a lot of freebore and an undersized projectile with most cartridges.
@@tubeguy4066 I think the overwhelming majority of people who own a Medusa revolver today do so because it's a really weird and novel gimmick gun that makes it an interesting collectible, most people don't shoot them very much at all, and I'd be shocked if there was anyone who relied on it as their one gun.
It's like a Gyrojet rocket pistol, you own one because it's cool and weird, not because it's good, so it doesn't matter that it's technically a horrible weapon.
Fun fact: 380+P is right between 9x18mm and 9x19mm in power level. A 13 shot, 15 oz, factory night sight Ruger LCP max loaded with 380+P is one hell of a technological marvel.
You might check the velocity out of that short barrel. Geoff Who has the ancient and honorable LCP model 1.
Fun fact: 9mm is a better choice for concealed carry, cheaper ammo, more velocity, more energy foot pounds, more hollow point expansion and there are plenty of good compacts in 9mm. To each his own though.
@@americangangster1911 Find me a 13 shot 15oz (fully loaded) 9mm with the dimensions of a Ruger LCP.
I will wait (probably several years) while you invent it and bring it to market. Until then...
@@geofftimm2291 Velocity for that cartridge from the 2.8" barrel of the LCP Max is 1100fps average.
@@Valorius had a buddy make fun of me for carrying my bersa thunder 380. Says it's made for a girl. He's carrying a glock 19 and funny thing is I shot better then he did. Also my girlfriend carries a lcp
Happy Easter Paul great video.
I’ve wanted this video for a long time. Thank you.
That Fiocchi 9x18 that you conveniently left out of the number crunching, was a stellar performer on the chrono. Average velocity is 1,026 and is well within 9x19 territory, performance wise. I might have to look for Fiocchi 9x18 JHP
I didn't notice that it was left off the chart until you mentioned it.
I did the math and the velosity is 1,026 FPS but that's with a 95 gr. bullet, so still not 9X19 standards. It is however, very good performance by 9X18 standards.
@@PaulHarrell Well I did mean velocity wise and getting close to 9X19, however I was merely being optimistic. Still, an impressive round.
-- .380 drums up bad memories. Second time I was shot at school, I was robbed, shot in the face. Went through my cheek blew out two of my teeth, and stopped in my other cheek. I was at it, awake for 2 hours with them digging fragments out of my tongue and mouth. Moral of the story: You don't want to get hit by anything, and if you haven't been, you can't really understand it.
Never been shot but I'd agree. I've never found anyone willing to stand in front of me offering to be shot with a .22 short TBH. They'll tell you though it would *never* kill somebody.
Excellent video. Always informative and entertaining. Your scientific as well as practical tests and straightforward explanations are exactly what I am looking for. And you can always trust a guy named Paul. Thanks for all your hard work.
Never knew I needed this until I saw it. thanks for the well done and informative video.
The fixed barrel and moderate recoil make it extremely accurate. It's a very good pistol.
...This keeps up Kellogg's will reach out sooner or later, great vid as usual!
Probably with a C&D letter lol
Thanks Paul, HAPPY EASTER to you and your family!🐣😉👍
During your discussion of the 9mm FTX, you made me laugh out loud. I leaned into the preparatory command of, "FTX projectile," almost falling over before the command of execution, "like a ballistic tip," was issued. That pause was perfect.
The one thing I have learned from all these test over the years. No matter the caliber, Critical Defense is nearly flawless in reliability. As long as it cycles and is accurate for your firearm, it is probably the best defense ammo you can get. At least the most reliable in performance on target.
The 2 types of ammo I put any real thought into are carry ammo in lower power cartridges like .380 or .38, and my hunting ammo. Hornady is what I've been using the last few years for both of those roles.
I don't understand why more brands don't use polymer in the tip to prevent clogging, seems like it's the epitome of hollow points. That being said I'd go with underwood/lehigh extreme defense for anything under 9mm, well i actually carry it for 9mm as well. The 67 grain xd gets to 500 fpe with max load and recoil is less than a 115 grain at +P velocity. At
Agreed. It's rarely the BEST performer, but it always does its job fairly well. It makes selecting self-defense ammo a no-brainer: just go with the Critical Defense and you don't have to pore over ballistic test results trying to find the "best" load.
I've always liked the 9x18 pistols but most would be pretty heavy for a carry. The PA-63 is the exception that come to mind.
Thr CZ offerings are outstanding when you can find them.
I pocket carry an absolutely sick Polish P-64 (with French walnut grips) in 9x18 Makarov in a Sticky holster and you don't even notice it's there. A baller little gun. 6+1 capacity. Made in 1977, Radom circle 11. A CZ-82 or CZ-83 is a great choice...12 round capacity but a chunkier gun. But, hey...fat girls need love, too.
crazy that he made this video, me and my friend were having a lengthy conversation about this just last week. perfect timing.
Thanks you for an informative and detailed video. I look forward to hearing your explanations.
That is a good calibre for unprotected objects on a short distance. I had an experience with 9x18 and Makarov pistol. Entirely accurate on short distances, and PM itself is not bad, especially the 70-80-s series.
The appeal of the Makarov was that it was dirt cheap. Now that all the cheap surplus Maks are gone, it doesnt seem like the best carry pistol anymore. They're still neat little guns, but not for the prices these days.
Bingo!
Its legit cheaper now to buy something name-brand.
PM + Underwood JHP = ultimate reliability
The 9x18 pistol to get, if one could find it, was (and is) the Czech CZ-82. Makarov-ish aesthetics, but 12+1 capacity, and a very comfortable grip, although mine could do with a little dehorning at the end of the beavertail.
@@christopherreed4723 The only reason to go 9X18 is absolute reliability and portability of the Mak. CZ-82 is heavier and thicker due to double stack mag. Without the reliability and compactness of the Mak, CZ82 is skipped right to 9X19 compacts.
An advantage to having uncommon caliber firearms is the ammunition may still be on the shelf for a little while when the common calibers are sold out.
So while an uncommon caliber firearm may not be an advantage if it’s the only firearm owned, they can be good for extra backup guns.
Every time I watch one of your videos you have more subscribers! It's great to see!
In a crazy world we can all agree on pop tarts!
Maybe. It's definitely strawberry over chocolate.
@@tylermorrison7051 s’mores and fudge are pretty good but you’re right. Nothing hits quite like the old tried and true strawberry.
Strawberry was good but, we need to have a conservation about cinnamon
Goddamn I could destroy a box of cinnamon in a day
Unfrosted strawberry.
@@hughmac13 Oh hell nah. Take that nonsense outside.
i actually carried a p64 and a pa63 for years both worked well i had no money and needed to carry a gun and surplus pistols i already had filled the role ball ammo was cheap there was no defense ammo then and they served me well considering i have upgraded over the years but id carry ether again over nothing for sure
They are also a lot lighter than the others.
And shot placement is KING regardless of caliber so dance (accurately) with what you have, and that should "Git-R-Done"
How did the alloy frame on the PA63 hold up? I saw some reports back in the day about peening.
@@geofftimm2291 held up great geoff was better than a hi point and the ball ammo was peppy for 380 standards but didnt over penetrate and was about 5 bucks a box
Good presentation on the topic!
Happy Easter everyone. It was very informative here Paul. thanks for the video.
good camara work.
I absolutely love shooting my Bulgarian Makarov at the range, but it's most definitely the last gun in my collection I'd use as an EDC...
It is heavy enough to club someone with.
@@Troy_Built Oh if I were gonna factor that in I'd carry my Hi Point C9...😄
I carried a Makarov around 2016, till the prices started going up on them, so I switched over to the Star BM, which I got fairly cheap. I love my Makarov, but, didn't want to " use it and lose it ". I have to agree with Paul, at the price points now, there are better choices with easier to find ammo. Side note: finding ammo isn't hard for me, perks of working in a Milsurp gun shop.
Excellent presentation.
Another quality video Paul.
I have one that I inherited, it's a decent shooter and small enough to conceal if I chose to, but I just don't choose to carry it over a compact 9x19
Great video, thanks Paul. I live in Switzerland and own a Sig P230 chambered in 9mm Police. It's quite a common gun here, it was also issued to some police departments. It is chambered in 9mm Police (9mm Ultra) a quite unique caliber more similar to 9mm Para. Unlike the 9mm Makarov, the 1936 Ultra is a lengthened 9mm Kurz, while the 1976 Police is a novel design, a slightly shrunken 9mm Para. Would be cool to see this 9x18mm caliber in your videos as well 👍
9mm in Europe can mean 10 different things for sure. In the US, it only means 1 thing, unless you have some overseas oddity :)
@@MichaelKMorris I remember finding a listing for surplus 9mm German police ammunition with something like a 95 grain bullet with a tiny hollow-point cavity the size of a 22LR cavity, and a round nose (!). Think it was made by Geco.
Hey Paul, a gun that can fire 9x17, 9x18, and 9x19 is the Phillips and Rodgers M47 Medusa, there truly are no absolutes in the gun world.
Thanks for the amazing content, makes mondays a bitt easier.
I literally fall asleep to these videos whenever the long drawn-out shooting groups stuff is going on. Sometimes when I can sleep I put these videos on. I fell asleep to this one but I went back and watched the whole thing. I truly do like the videos and don't always pass out but sometimes they knock me out. Don't change a thing! Another awesome video.
One day I want to see a parody of PH doing a chrono test, standing firing position but like 300 yards away with of course perfect accuracy.
Yeah, but I'd want it to be in the rain, at night, from the bed, while wearing pajamas.
@@patpatterson12 Anything else you'd like Paul to do, like bend time and space, or eat a Pop-Tart right out of the wrapper?? (sarcasm) :)
A wiser head than mine observed, the 9mm / .36 caliber has worked for self defense since 1851 in the Colt Navy Revolver. As I age, it becomes easier to handle .38 Specials in my revolver than .357 magnum and I do not feel disarmed with a .380 or 9mm. Geoff Who was impressed by the .45 ACP in his youth, but that 42 ounces loaded is a bit much for me now days.
That poster is amazing.
I must admit watching you take a drag on a non filtered Camel was the manliest thing I think I have ever seen.
Happy Easter to you Paul and all your crew.
As someone who has been shot in the thigh from hollow point 9x18mm Makarov, carry 9x19 Parabellum. The hollow point did not at all expand and left an exit wound the same diameter as the entry wound if not smaller.
Oof, how's your leg doing?
This requires a story sir!
Ouch
Goodness thanks for this Paul! As a daily conceal carrier of a makarov in 9x18 this is really inciteful! Carrier it due to its hardiness in reliability (and it was only $200 not long ago). Interestingly enough as a plus the Makarov can also shoot the 380 though the velocity dies down to 400-500fps and the accuracy in moa becomes like a trashcan lid haha. Still fun knowing you can use 380 in a pinch though.
I also own a Russian Makarov I bought for $150 in 1990. I carried it concealed for many years. I have never tried shooting .380 out of my 9x18 barrel, and always wondered what would happen. An “expert” told me that the .380 would not push the slide back far enough to chamber the next round. Did you have ever have any trouble with the next round not chambering? My Makarov came as .380, but I re-barreled to 9x18 because in those days the 9x18 ammo was much cheaper and the Makarov mags will handle both 9x18 and .380. I kept the .380 barrel in case SHTF and also a couple of extra barrel pins-changing the barrel is a bit of a pain. Given the diameter difference between .380 and 9x18 I am not surprised at the loss of accuracy at all. Thanks!
A buddy shot some 380 ACP through his Radom. It'll go bang, but the projectile rattles its way down the barrel and tumbles as soon as it exits. 🤣 I guess it could work out at the FBI's 7 yards, but I think you would definitely want to see the whites of their eyes before beginning the unloading process.
@@merpius 😂😂😂 “Wait until you see the whites of their eyes” exactly! Firing a 9x17 out of a 9x18 would effectively turn your pistol into a semi auto smooth bore weapon.
@@Mongoose-be4sg I haven't shot much 380 out of my mak, but I did try it on my current 2 makarovs and both functioned just fine in terms of the action chambering another round. One thing to note is that you have little to no felt recoil from shooting 380 out of a 9x18 makarov. The slide still functions fine though. It sorta feels like you're shooting a 22lr.
@@iPervy Thanks so much for the info!!
Great information and entertaining. Thank you
Happy Easter Paul!