If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Patreon: / thegunpenguin Let's take a look at one of the best surplus pistols around! #makarov #makarovpm #bulgarianmakarov
After 30 or so "shit" and "fuck" comments I got rather annoyed. Which is sad because it seems you would have good content but the trashy talk just distracted from the content.
I find that Makarovs take incredibly well to an attentive dab of fluorescent orange enamel paint to color in the front sight blade. It makes a world of difference in the ease of picking up the sights in good lighting or especially imperfect lighting, and puts the overall sight picture more firmly on par with modern alternatives.
Makarov is a beauty of simplicity and accuracy. Been looking for one forever and can’t find any under 600 at this point, even mosin crate hasn’t gotten any in since last summer either
Yeah i know classic was the only one who got any in. However I will say that the one I got was actually pretty nice overall. It had a bit of edge wear on the slide which should be expected for a gun made in 1987. But and I’m not joking the barrel looks unused or shot very seldom. It did have unburnt black crap in the slide but I’m not sure if that was remnants of cosmoline or some kind of preservative applied to the gun. Upon farther disassembly I was shocked at how good everything looked. Barrel was perfect with clear and well defined rifling, no pitting or rusting to speak on. The gun had one spot of rust which was quickly treated and touched up. ( really was just very minimal surface rusting) other then that it was just dusty and looked like it hadn’t been used in years. The rule on gun imports is it’s got to be over 25 years old and many post or just prior to post Berlin Wall fall makarovs are just becoming eligible to import. But like all surplus get em before they’re gone cause once supply dries up. There were somewhere between 5 to 10 million built but many have been offered up by the ex Warsaw Pact nations to whoever wants them
@@koreyvalentine6602 I snapped mine up ASAP when I saw it cause I realized I should have purchased one of these things years ago. ( yeah I’m a moron but I’m a moron with means now) the problem with PMs is just like you said production. Officially the last recorded use of the PM was 1991, though it was carried by the Russian Police and military for a time after. They quit building them first in East Germany in 1965, those were Simpson and Shul built guns. Then they split production between Izhevsk and Izmash . It’s unknown how many went into conflict zones since the armories began to clear them out. But here’s a quick primer, East German maks will have a black grip with no markings on it gun will be marked with a serial number only. Russian built guns are marked with a circle and a split triangle. Bulgarian built guns from Arsenal AD carry a 10 within a circle, they’re the most common ones you’ll find. But the supply dwindles every time a crate comes into the US. As far as other combloc nations. Polish P-64s and P-83 Wanads have pretty much dried up. Hungarian PA-63s in 9x18 were rare to begin with, CZ-82s and 83s are getting harder and harder to find daily. As far as I’m aware Makarov production stopped not long after the fall of communism and never restarted with between 5 and 10 million guns made. Right now we’re into the late 1980s guns as mine is dated 1987. If you want one I suggest you locate and pay for it ASAP. Once they’re gone they’re gone. My Bulgarian is blissfully devoid of import markings and the one it does have is actually done by the manufacturer themselves. My FFL confirms these are becoming more popular due to easier to find ammunition
Love the video. One of two non boomer reviews. Love the grunge electronic music that made me feel like I was in a vampire club scene from Blade. Was looking at this cuz I love playing STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl and every other eastern bloc survival shooter 😂
great video. I have been lucky and have been able to grab and enjoy 3 "Pistolet Makarovs ". One is a fantastic Black Sea fleet stainless Mak from The Mosin Crate.
I see below The Mosin Crate has also commented on your vid and mentions the Daewoo DP51 pistol, yes, a great handgun indeed. I was lucky enough to grab on from The Mosin Crate as well! (: www.themosincrate.com/shop-1
If you reload, heres how to get plenty of 9x18 from 9x19. Get a set of 9x18 dies. Take a fired 9x19 case, only resize the mouth, go into re-sizing die 1/3. Thus will just re-size the mouth. Now trim or cut case down to .700, you can gi as low as .695 but do not exceed.700. Next fully re-size trimmed case and reload as normal. Use .361-362 bullets, not .356! Load these trimmed cases on the light side for the first loading, 90-94% of full charge- the diameter of a 9x19 case is slightly smaller at the base and web area than a 9x18 case; thats fine the case will expand on firing and form fit your chamber. This brass can he used many times, bear in mind modern 9x19 can handle 29-32K psi per SAAMI, 9x18 is at most 21-22K psi, this is +P brass and an enhanced power Wolf recoil spring is a good combo. Cheers
Why would you not recommend a Makarov PM for CCW? I understand its heavy for its size “unloaded”, try weighing it with a fully loaded mag and compare to any equally sized fully loaded handgun. Very little weight difference then, and even some cases the MAK PM is actually slightly lighter. Try it, surprised me for sure. Heal release is different, but simple and functional. So why not a Makarov PM for CCW?
I bought a new Arsenal Bulgarian with square trigger guard parkrized many years ago. Its my favorite pistol to shoot. Never seen another like it so thats kind of cool. Impossible to find a good holster that will work so modified a Cytac retention holster and its perfect. Put on a Fab Defence thumb release grip thats super comfortable and works great. Im running a 19lb spring instead of the 17lb with no issues.
Another weird inexpensive gun I recommend is the Astra A100, its basically a Spanish copy of the SIG P228 but with a steel frame instead of aluminum. Unfortunately mags aren't interchangeable.
Got a question. I bought a Bulgarian makarov about 6 months ago. I shoot steel case fmj as well as brass hollow points. I noticed that the hollow points make a perfect round hole in the target and the fmj's look like they are causing a key hole type affect on the target meaning they are not perfect holes and are hitting the target at an angle or wobbling. My question is would it be better to carry the hollow points or the fmj's in the makarov. The fmj kind of reminds me of the fmj 5.56 yawing sideways. Any thoughts ? Im not sure the hollow points are going to expand fully reference the lack of velocity.
@@thegunpenguin wolf, silver bear and a few more. I was thinking maybe it was the barrel cause its a used makarov. I bought it from aim surplus. However, the hollow points appear like they are good to go. Perfectly round holes through the paper.
@@jardinero9112 That's very odd. Does the barrel look shot out? It could be that it's partially worn, and the hollow points are just large enough to engage the rifling. But that's purely speculation.
@@thegunpenguin when i look down the barrel it looks shiny and i can see the spiral serations inside. It looks good to me but it may be worn im not sure. But why wouldn't the hollow points do the same thing? I would think if the barrel was worn anything you shoot through it would also make that key hole shape in the paper. How do yours look ?
@@jardinero9112 I'd need to see your barrel in person to make any sort of accurate diagnosis; I have no way to tell how deep your rifling is otherwise. Manufacturers often choose bullets that vary minutely from one another. Usually, this doesn't matter. But if your barrel is shot out or out of spec, it does matter.
This one is the first. Up until maybe 3-4 weeks ago, ammo was readily available. I talk a bit about it in the video, how the pandemic drove me to shoot weird calibers like this one, because it's better than not shooting. This also happens to be a great gun, so that's nice. But, now 9x18 is gone as well.
I enjoyed your video, giggled a couple times. Also enjoyed your no pulled punches approach to it. Have we gotten you a Daewoo DP51 yet? I feel you'd enjoy this handgun. Great video and thanks for the call out! PS - Huge +1 on that damn finger shredder on the mag.
Thank you for the kind words! I've immensely enjoyed both of these Makarovs, and they're among the only guns I've been able to enjoy extensively during the pandemic. I don't have a DP51 yet, but I massively want one. They're so damn cool!
Dude. Yes. Thank you for teaching the world that the Mak is not a PP clone; I love how you put it in perspective with the Glock/PPQ analogy. It's a genre of gun... and one that, sadly, seems to have fallen to the wayside. I think blowbacks still have a place. I have an EG Mak; it is highly dope, as you would expect. Very, very accurate, easily concealable and 100% reliable. It's a superb carry gun and brings a level of shootability (in my opinion) that the G43s, XDSs and Shields of the world can't deliver. Plus... it looks sweet.
Thank you for the kind words! As you say, I think blowbacks are still useful, though they are certainly antiquated and obsolescent. Would I rather have a Glock 19 on me? Yes, of course. But a Glock 19 isn't nearly so thin, and ammo is far more expensive.
Great vid and music as always! I love the Mak, it's one of my favorites of all time. I have better options, but I find myself carrying it all the time because of the incredible reliability and it shoots so well. I think the fine sights actually help me with accuracy during slowfire.
This is my CC pistol. Reliability, durability, and accuracy are the most important thing for me. I know a case where a criminal was shot 8-9 times center mass with .40 cal and did not die. Bullet placement is all that matters.
This pistol is built solid like a rock. I have never had an issue of it not clambering--even dry. While the PP may have been an inspiration, the PM is an improved Walther PP. You are right, it eats all ammo I have fed it. Before Biden stopped stopped Russian ammo, I fed it a lot. At first Russian HP was hard to get but I shot cases of it before it dried up again. For duty use, I use Buffalo Bore +P. I took my two down completely to get the shipping grease out. The barrel and action are tight and this contributes to great accuracy. Yes, the trigger action is different but I find this pistol is easy, reliable, accurate and enjoyable to shoot. It is my every day carry. I don't find it at 28 oz. too heavy. It is solid and the Russian Mak training videos used to shot hand to hand pistol strikes. In a Yaquai slide type holster or appendix holster, it is easy to carry. The FAB grips worked for me and I like the mag release change and hammer bite protection. I could carry other pistols but for warm weather and small size, I choose the Mak PM with +P ammo and two extra mags. Good topic.
Such a great firearm. Very accurate. Lots of people who try mine end up wanting one. I will seldom carry it concealed. Well over 500 rounds through mine,0 malfunctions. The east German grips fit and look great as well. I got the wolff extra power recoil spring and helped reduce some recoil
Currently conceal carry my bulgarian mak when I work as a handyman. I've just come to trust it not to go off on me when I'm crawling under houses dragging 2x6's, and doing 360's laying pipe haha. Also trust that it will keep working even when its covered in dirt/mud, grease/grime, and soaked in sewege (on worse days), and getting banged up. Like the stiff safety knowing it wont be ticked off while I'm working. Come to like the heel release as well, since its far less likely to drop the mag when I'm rolling over on it (I've done this a lot on side mounted safetys - even with kydex holsters which to some extent have some give to bend and activate the mag release). Even with the heel release it still can be knocked off, but far less likely. Also I've learned to single hand release the mag by not over tightening the handgrip bolt and using my pinky to sweep the mag release then use my ring finger to kick the mag out - it sounds complicated but with practice its second nature. Haha I did modify my grip to keep the handgrip bolt from getting loose - since it will get loose overtime especially if your at the range. I just installed a small bar going between the grip and the bolt flathead to keep it in place. Locktite doesn't work all to well for it. Personally prefer the small sights over more big blocky sights of say a glock/taurus since its easier to be precise for me. Like the heavy double action for the not shooting myself reasons again. Love the single action - do agree the reset could be better. One thing I have to worry about alot though is rust due to being around water and even just sweat. Have multiple spots where the steel is rusting a bit which I'm now staving away from getting worse by oiling regularly (use any gun oil). Haha wish I noticed earlier since I let the tales of maks indestructability get to me and not realize steel still rusts even if its communist engineered, and has seemingly good bluing. TLDR: Maks are pretty tough! Keep up the great content - heres to many thousands more rounds of malfunction free commie ingenuity! Steel does rust though, so do oil to stave the gun herpes away.
Though not particularly pro-capitalism, I must point out that, based on a variety of historical factors, your sarcastic point is less accurate than you think it is.
Most actually preferred the previous systems. Especially Hungary and East Germany. The truth is westerners love to slander these systems but don't care about the peoples opinions on these systems besides favorable anecdotes. Blackshirts and Reds by Michael Parenti is a great book to explain some of this.
True but Marxism still sucks. Hungary was pretty much the only acceptable place to live in the WP. Alternative forms of Socialism show more promise. Though, small scale experiments and trial and error will be required before mass/national implementation.
I would take a makarov over a glock for concealed carry any day. A makarov is very safe to carry. If you get tackled and are fighting with someone its not likely to go off fighting over the thing. That makes a big difference in a carry gun to lots of people.
Recently bought one (DK Firearms) that appeared un-issued. Have been trolling the net looking at every video I could find re: the gun, and YOURS IS THE BEST & MOST COMPREHENSIVE of them all! An added bonus being that it was presented wtih a bit of levity :-) - - - keep up the good work.
Great video. I own Glocks and Makarovs. The Makarov is actually more reliable in about 11,000 rds. of 9X18 fired. The Best finished ones are the East German Pistole M's followed by the Soviet made ones with the Chinese made ones being less consistent in finish.
Love seeing makarov videos, I love the pistol. Low capacity, weaker than 9mm, slow to reload, shitty sights that cannot be replaced and I still like it.
I love the Makarov. I have a Russian IJ70 I bought back in 1990 (when we could still import from Russia). The only difference between it and the standard model were the "adjustable" rear sights. _Everybody_ carried a Makarov, from general officers down to the local Militia man on the corner. Great gun for within 15 yards or so. Don't try pushing it much beyond 25 though until the trigger breaks in and you get used to it. I did put some Fab Defense grips on it which feels better in my hand, has a comfortable beaver tail and moves the mag release to a slide at the top of the grip. I also bought an excellent holster for it from them. I'm very happy with both. As far as I could tell, _Russian_ doctrine was to generally carry it empty chamber with safety set because the sidearm was considered a _backup_ weapon to your rifle, unless you were NKVD or something. The Makarov is a close in weapon. I carry my Makarov habitually, either on my waist or (more often now) in my edc bag. As of Dec 2023 I can still find 9x18 ball fairly reasonably. Not as reasonable as 9mm NATO...
You are right, according to Soviet (and Russian) regulations, PM should be carried in a holster with no round in the chamber and the safety in ON position. The holster you have shown has never been a standard issue for the Army or the Police. Plain clothed police officers use a variety of leather and Kydex holders, this particular one has never been popular. Thanks for a good review!
Love my Mak. Bur one design issue I recently discovered - Russian ammo is low quality and they have the occasional squid round, which can cause a bulged barrel if you don't catch it before firing the next round. Because the slide must be off to replace the barrel, and the slide has to travel backward over the barrel to be removed, the bulge will prevent the slide from coming off and you cannot get to the barrel.
This is definitely a gun I would like to buy. But trying to find one online, especially this specific design is proving to be difficult. And I don't even know if there is a local gun store where I live that sells them. Seems like trying to find a Bulgarian Makarov today is becoming more and more difficult.
@@thegunpenguin I’m all for peaks behind the curtain! Do you have any of your music available anywhere? Also, after watching many videos, your reviews of the Walther PPQ were the final push I needed to buy one for myself as my first handgun. Thank you!
@@eckharteric I'm working to put together a Soundcloud account, that I can keep separate from my music career. A lot of my clients aren't exactly friendly to guns, so that'll let me keep it separate. Also, I'm so glad you bought a PPQ! Great choice! What do you think of it so far? After I took a break from steady training at the range, that was my first handgun after I sold my old Glock that I'd used for years and years. The PPQ is one of the best handguns that money can buy. Thanks again for the kind words. I'm truly honored that you would want to listen to my music, and I think this is the push I need to make myself finish the Soundcloud. If I nudged you to buy the PPQ, you nudged me to finish the account. Thank you! I'll post a video about it in early 2021.
@@thegunpenguin Unfortunately due to my busy schedule I haven't been able to take it to the range yet. I've been familiarizing myself with field stripping it and reading up on maintenance in the meantime. I have a range day planned for next Tuesday though. I'm very excited! I'll be sure to listen to whatever you post on SoundCloud come 2021. I think we all could use something to look forward to these days.
@@eckharteric Let me know what you think of it! I hope you love yours as much I do mine. The PPQ is one of the most underrated and underappreciated pistols of our time.
Methodology and implementation are the real issue. Marxist theory is naturally authoritarian. So much so that anyone that said otherwise (famously Bakunin) were kicked out of the International, by Marxists. Communism has the potential to be good. But only if new (or alternately resurrected) ideas are tried and nonsense like Marxist thought is abandoned
I'd like to comment on how much I hate safeties that lock slides on pistols. It means you have to move it to fire when you unload, which is exactly when you least want a gun to fire. Why? Why do this? Has anyone ever accidentally run the slide on a pistol?
It's not a Sig. 1911s in general won't stand up the shit that I do to guns; they just aren't capable. That doesn't mean that they suck, they're still fun to shot, but there are better defensive options.
I was actually enjoying your video until you just had to drag Trump into this. Don't you people get it by now? No one wants to here you politics, you're clown, we're here to be entertained, not lectured to. Down voted.
Dear Sir/Madam/Horse, It seems that you have encountered opinions different than your own, and are now experiencing impotent internet rage. Please follow these easy instructions to alleviate your intense emotional discomfort: 1. Watch something else. 2. When you feel the urge to watch another TGP video, repeat step 1. 3. Consult a medical professional about your emotional fragility. If you find that the opinions of others cause you continued distress, consider that your poor facial hair choices are no one's fault but yours. In Satan, The Gun Penguin
I have had two Mak 9x18 pistols over the last 33 years. I found them to be very accurate regardless of the Ammo make. I got my first MAK in 1991 and had no ammo available. I started making my own by trimming back 9x19 brass to 9x18 length and full-length sizing them in a Lee carbide sizing die. I had over 1000 rds of modified brass over half were U.S. military surplus with a headstamp of WCC-1988. These functioned well enough to get my boss to buy my reloads for the other Mak PM owners that came to the range I worked at. I have one Makarov now that I sent the slide to NOVAK Sights and had a pair of sights that were high-definition, glow in the dark sights. It was money well spent. "C:\Users\Owner\Pictures\2020-05\100_0368.JPG"
After 30 or so "shit" and "fuck" comments I got rather annoyed. Which is sad because it seems you would have good content but the trashy talk just distracted from the content.
You might hate my dirty mouth, but your wife loves it.
To anyone who thinks the Democrats are "communist" take note of 3:23. This guy calls himself a liberal.
Plenty of other places you can go for content don’t let the door hit you on the way out
The cussing does limit the people who will watch it.
for that being the main gripe, grain of salt gunpenguin
great content! Thank you for sharing. Big up from Sweden
Thank you. my friend!
I have a EG AND I’VE HAD IT A LONG TIME. MOST ACCURATE PISTOL I’VE EVER FIRED AND I;VE FIRED QUITE A FEW. THANKS FOR THE REVEIW. PAID 140 FOR IT.
I find that Makarovs take incredibly well to an attentive dab of fluorescent orange enamel paint to color in the front sight blade. It makes a world of difference in the ease of picking up the sights in good lighting or especially imperfect lighting, and puts the overall sight picture more firmly on par with modern alternatives.
+1
Makarov is a beauty of simplicity and accuracy. Been looking for one forever and can’t find any under 600 at this point, even mosin crate hasn’t gotten any in since last summer either
Yeah i know classic was the only one who got any in. However I will say that the one I got was actually pretty nice overall. It had a bit of edge wear on the slide which should be expected for a gun made in 1987. But and I’m not joking the barrel looks unused or shot very seldom. It did have unburnt black crap in the slide but I’m not sure if that was remnants of cosmoline or some kind of preservative applied to the gun. Upon farther disassembly I was shocked at how good everything looked. Barrel was perfect with clear and well defined rifling, no pitting or rusting to speak on. The gun had one spot of rust which was quickly treated and touched up. ( really was just very minimal surface rusting) other then that it was just dusty and looked like it hadn’t been used in years. The rule on gun imports is it’s got to be over 25 years old and many post or just prior to post Berlin Wall fall makarovs are just becoming eligible to import. But like all surplus get em before they’re gone cause once supply dries up. There were somewhere between 5 to 10 million built but many have been offered up by the ex Warsaw Pact nations to whoever wants them
@@matthewcaughey8898 I haven’t found any online but hopefully there’s a big rush on the 90s ones arriving
@@koreyvalentine6602 I snapped mine up ASAP when I saw it cause I realized I should have purchased one of these things years ago. ( yeah I’m a moron but I’m a moron with means now) the problem with PMs is just like you said production. Officially the last recorded use of the PM was 1991, though it was carried by the Russian Police and military for a time after. They quit building them first in East Germany in 1965, those were Simpson and Shul built guns. Then they split production between Izhevsk and Izmash . It’s unknown how many went into conflict zones since the armories began to clear them out. But here’s a quick primer, East German maks will have a black grip with no markings on it gun will be marked with a serial number only. Russian built guns are marked with a circle and a split triangle. Bulgarian built guns from Arsenal AD carry a 10 within a circle, they’re the most common ones you’ll find. But the supply dwindles every time a crate comes into the US. As far as other combloc nations. Polish P-64s and P-83 Wanads have pretty much dried up. Hungarian PA-63s in 9x18 were rare to begin with, CZ-82s and 83s are getting harder and harder to find daily. As far as I’m aware Makarov production stopped not long after the fall of communism and never restarted with between 5 and 10 million guns made. Right now we’re into the late 1980s guns as mine is dated 1987. If you want one I suggest you locate and pay for it ASAP. Once they’re gone they’re gone. My Bulgarian is blissfully devoid of import markings and the one it does have is actually done by the manufacturer themselves. My FFL confirms these are becoming more popular due to easier to find ammunition
Love the video. One of two non boomer reviews. Love the grunge electronic music that made me feel like I was in a vampire club scene from Blade. Was looking at this cuz I love playing STALKER Shadow of Chernobyl and every other eastern bloc survival shooter 😂
Man, I really enjoyed your “unorthodox” review, you’re absolutely right, we’re all tired of those copycat bullshiit reviews out there
Cheers mate!
Thank you so much for the kind words!
Intro music's pretty good. I'd blare that if I had my sound system hooked up
Thanks!
absolutely awesome video!
Thank you so much!
I absolutely love my Mak even though I hate the clumsy magazine release.
great video. I have been lucky and have been able to grab and enjoy 3 "Pistolet Makarovs ". One is a fantastic Black Sea fleet stainless Mak from The Mosin Crate.
I see below The Mosin Crate has also commented on your vid and mentions the Daewoo DP51 pistol, yes, a great handgun indeed. I was lucky enough to grab on from The Mosin Crate as well! (: www.themosincrate.com/shop-1
Thanks for the kind words! You've got good taste!
My Mak has been flawless for the 10+ yrs I’ve owned it
If you reload, heres how to get plenty of 9x18 from 9x19. Get a set of 9x18 dies. Take a fired 9x19 case, only resize the mouth, go into re-sizing die 1/3. Thus will just re-size the mouth. Now trim or cut case down to .700, you can gi as low as .695 but do not exceed.700. Next fully re-size trimmed case and reload as normal. Use .361-362 bullets, not .356! Load these trimmed cases on the light side for the first loading, 90-94% of full charge- the diameter of a 9x19 case is slightly smaller at the base and web area than a 9x18 case; thats fine the case will expand on firing and form fit your chamber. This brass can he used many times, bear in mind modern 9x19 can handle 29-32K psi per SAAMI, 9x18 is at most 21-22K psi, this is +P brass and an enhanced power Wolf recoil spring is a good combo. Cheers
Cool pistol, nice video.
Why would you not recommend a Makarov PM for CCW? I understand its heavy for its size “unloaded”, try weighing it with a fully loaded mag and compare to any equally sized fully loaded handgun. Very little weight difference then, and even some cases the MAK PM is actually slightly lighter. Try it, surprised me for sure. Heal release is different, but simple and functional. So why not a Makarov PM for CCW?
I bought a new Arsenal Bulgarian with square trigger guard parkrized many years ago. Its my favorite pistol to shoot. Never seen another like it so thats kind of cool. Impossible to find a good holster that will work so modified a Cytac retention holster and its perfect. Put on a Fab Defence thumb release grip thats super comfortable and works great. Im running a 19lb spring instead of the 17lb with no issues.
That's a very rare combination of features indeed! I love it!
Ive never shot a pistol as straight as this one. Maybe the cool factor comes into play on this pistol, because it is a damn cool pistol.
Excellent presentation. 👍☕😎
Thank you for the kind words!
Have you shot your HK45T or CT suppressed? If so, what cans would you reccomend?
Getting a .45 can is on the list for 20201. I'll let you know which one I pick, but it'll probably be a Gemtech.
I had a little problem geting my fab defense grip on mine i had to ues a bit of go jucie lub to get it on now it fits amazing. Good vid man
Thanks! Sorry you also had problems with the Fab grip. In the end, I had to file quite a bit of metal and plastic off the grip to make it work.
It would be cool to see this compared to your beretta 32s
Thanks for the suggestion!
Good review.
Someone should make modernized aluminum version of this, maybe RIA.
Absolutely! Another attempt at a polymer frame would be nice too.
I had a Bulgarian Makarov, I quite liked it but I ended up trading it for a Walther PP in .32 which I like even more.
Another weird inexpensive gun I recommend is the Astra A100, its basically a Spanish copy of the SIG P228 but with a steel frame instead of aluminum. Unfortunately mags aren't interchangeable.
Understandable -- I prefer the Makarovs over the PPs, but I could certainly see feeling just the opposite.
Got a question. I bought a Bulgarian makarov about 6 months ago. I shoot steel case fmj as well as brass hollow points.
I noticed that the hollow points make a perfect round hole in the target and the fmj's look like they are causing a key hole type affect on the target meaning they are not perfect holes and are hitting the target at an angle or wobbling. My question is would it be better to carry the hollow points or the fmj's in the makarov. The fmj kind of reminds me of the fmj 5.56 yawing sideways. Any thoughts ? Im not sure the hollow points are going to expand fully reference the lack of velocity.
That's a problem. Sounds like under-sized bullets to me. What brand of steel-cased ammo are you shooting?
@@thegunpenguin wolf, silver bear and a few more. I was thinking maybe it was the barrel cause its a used makarov. I bought it from aim surplus. However, the hollow points appear like they are good to go. Perfectly round holes through the paper.
@@jardinero9112 That's very odd. Does the barrel look shot out? It could be that it's partially worn, and the hollow points are just large enough to engage the rifling. But that's purely speculation.
@@thegunpenguin when i look down the barrel it looks shiny and i can see the spiral serations inside. It looks good to me but it may be worn im not sure. But why wouldn't the hollow points do the same thing? I would think if the barrel was worn anything you shoot through it would also make that key hole shape in the paper.
How do yours look ?
@@jardinero9112 I'd need to see your barrel in person to make any sort of accurate diagnosis; I have no way to tell how deep your rifling is otherwise. Manufacturers often choose bullets that vary minutely from one another. Usually, this doesn't matter. But if your barrel is shot out or out of spec, it does matter.
We'd all love a modernized Makarov you say? Hello CZ83, unfortunately CZ has discontinued this amazing double stack, 380 improved Makarov 🤷🤦
On a budget?! You carrying 1500$ pistols? Makarovs are 600$ plus now
Is this your first video on this? Was it hard finding ammo?
This one is the first. Up until maybe 3-4 weeks ago, ammo was readily available. I talk a bit about it in the video, how the pandemic drove me to shoot weird calibers like this one, because it's better than not shooting. This also happens to be a great gun, so that's nice. But, now 9x18 is gone as well.
i love the 80's porn music intrro
I O&CD one of These for years And prefer iT To Glocks. Not that Glocks aren't good guns...
The Soviet 1911 is the Tokarev. It's basically plagiarized from Browning/FN designs, like the 1903/1908 and especially the 1907 in appearance.
Peepee.
Yes.
Makarov has 32 parts.
can this 9x18 rounds dominte average bears?😂😂
Only that one incredible messed up bear.
I want is gun. In pakistan.
You have no idea how excited I got when I saw this pop up on my feed. One of my favorite pistol designs.
It's one of mine too! This video took me a while because I had trouble condensing my feelings for this gun into a video.
Loved this video! I learned, and I laughed, and then I touched myself with my MILSURPs.
I enjoyed your video, giggled a couple times. Also enjoyed your no pulled punches approach to it. Have we gotten you a Daewoo DP51 yet? I feel you'd enjoy this handgun. Great video and thanks for the call out! PS - Huge +1 on that damn finger shredder on the mag.
Thank you for the kind words! I've immensely enjoyed both of these Makarovs, and they're among the only guns I've been able to enjoy extensively during the pandemic. I don't have a DP51 yet, but I massively want one. They're so damn cool!
Dude. Yes. Thank you for teaching the world that the Mak is not a PP clone; I love how you put it in perspective with the Glock/PPQ analogy. It's a genre of gun... and one that, sadly, seems to have fallen to the wayside. I think blowbacks still have a place. I have an EG Mak; it is highly dope, as you would expect. Very, very accurate, easily concealable and 100% reliable. It's a superb carry gun and brings a level of shootability (in my opinion) that the G43s, XDSs and Shields of the world can't deliver. Plus... it looks sweet.
Thank you for the kind words! As you say, I think blowbacks are still useful, though they are certainly antiquated and obsolescent. Would I rather have a Glock 19 on me? Yes, of course. But a Glock 19 isn't nearly so thin, and ammo is far more expensive.
First gun I ever shot.
A damn fine first gun to try!
I would like to counter the music request. I would rather ride in an elevator.
Barnaul is pronounced BARNA-UL (Barnaool).
Bud I really enjoy your content. I hope you keep up the good work. Kudos my guy. 👌
Thank you, my friend!
Awesome video just got my first mak and I can't take my eyes off of it can't wait to take it to the range
Ps. intro music kicks ass
Excellent video well done lad
Much appreciated!
Great vid and music as always!
I love the Mak, it's one of my favorites of all time. I have better options, but I find myself carrying it all the time because of the incredible reliability and it shoots so well. I think the fine sights actually help me with accuracy during slowfire.
You've got good taste!
If only someone made a rail that would mount to it for a light.
This is my CC pistol. Reliability, durability, and accuracy are the most important thing for me. I know a case where a criminal was shot 8-9 times center mass with .40 cal and did not die. Bullet placement is all that matters.
This pistol is built solid like a rock. I have never had an issue of it not clambering--even dry. While the PP may have been an inspiration, the PM is an improved Walther PP. You are right, it eats all ammo I have fed it. Before Biden stopped stopped Russian ammo, I fed it a lot. At first Russian HP was hard to get but I shot cases of it before it dried up again. For duty use, I use Buffalo Bore +P. I took my two down completely to get the shipping grease out. The barrel and action are tight and this contributes to great accuracy. Yes, the trigger action is different but I find this pistol is easy, reliable, accurate and enjoyable to shoot. It is my every day carry. I don't find it at 28 oz. too heavy. It is solid and the Russian Mak training videos used to shot hand to hand pistol strikes. In a Yaquai slide type holster or appendix holster, it is easy to carry. The FAB grips worked for me and I like the mag release change and hammer bite protection. I could carry other pistols but for warm weather and small size, I choose the Mak PM with +P ammo and two extra mags. Good topic.
I am genuinely disappointed this video didn't fit in a Nostalgia Critic style parody skit with your Nathan Drake cosplay.
Oh, it's coming. Just you wait.
Decent review. Thanks Pottymouth.
Good vid bro and keep the humor and the horse coming (...WUT DID I JUST SAY?). +1 for Alden at the Mosin Crate, I got my Bulgy Mak from him too.
Thank you for the kind words!
Such a great firearm. Very accurate. Lots of people who try mine end up wanting one. I will seldom carry it concealed. Well over 500 rounds through mine,0 malfunctions. The east German grips fit and look great as well. I got the wolff extra power recoil spring and helped reduce some recoil
This is one of my favorite Makarov videos
And you're one of my favorite people!
I absolutely love the Mak especially with the Dozor PM grip. Hard to be the coolness factor
Currently conceal carry my bulgarian mak when I work as a handyman. I've just come to trust it not to go off on me when I'm crawling under houses dragging 2x6's, and doing 360's laying pipe haha. Also trust that it will keep working even when its covered in dirt/mud, grease/grime, and soaked in sewege (on worse days), and getting banged up.
Like the stiff safety knowing it wont be ticked off while I'm working. Come to like the heel release as well, since its far less likely to drop the mag when I'm rolling over on it (I've done this a lot on side mounted safetys - even with kydex holsters which to some extent have some give to bend and activate the mag release). Even with the heel release it still can be knocked off, but far less likely.
Also I've learned to single hand release the mag by not over tightening the handgrip bolt and using my pinky to sweep the mag release then use my ring finger to kick the mag out - it sounds complicated but with practice its second nature. Haha I did modify my grip to keep the handgrip bolt from getting loose - since it will get loose overtime especially if your at the range. I just installed a small bar going between the grip and the bolt flathead to keep it in place. Locktite doesn't work all to well for it.
Personally prefer the small sights over more big blocky sights of say a glock/taurus since its easier to be precise for me. Like the heavy double action for the not shooting myself reasons again. Love the single action - do agree the reset could be better.
One thing I have to worry about alot though is rust due to being around water and even just sweat. Have multiple spots where the steel is rusting a bit which I'm now staving away from getting worse by oiling regularly (use any gun oil). Haha wish I noticed earlier since I let the tales of maks indestructability get to me and not realize steel still rusts even if its communist engineered, and has seemingly good bluing.
TLDR:
Maks are pretty tough! Keep up the great content - heres to many thousands more rounds of malfunction free commie ingenuity! Steel does rust though, so do oil to stave the gun herpes away.
Hey how’s Bulgaria doing under capitalism again? Or any of the eastern bloc?
I think most would say mixed.
Though not particularly pro-capitalism, I must point out that, based on a variety of historical factors, your sarcastic point is less accurate than you think it is.
Most actually preferred the previous systems. Especially Hungary and East Germany. The truth is westerners love to slander these systems but don't care about the peoples opinions on these systems besides favorable anecdotes. Blackshirts and Reds by Michael Parenti is a great book to explain some of this.
True but Marxism still sucks. Hungary was pretty much the only acceptable place to live in the WP.
Alternative forms of Socialism show more promise. Though, small scale experiments and trial and error will be required before mass/national implementation.
I got one from classic firearms for 240 bucks and it kicks ass!!
I would take a makarov over a glock for concealed carry any day. A makarov is very safe to carry. If you get tackled and are fighting with someone its not likely to go off fighting over the thing. That makes a big difference in a carry gun to lots of people.
Recently bought one (DK Firearms) that appeared un-issued. Have been trolling the net looking at every video I could find re: the gun, and YOURS IS THE BEST & MOST COMPREHENSIVE of them all! An added bonus being that it was presented wtih a bit of levity :-) - - - keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm honored!
good review, though not professional due to foul language. astra made a blowback 9mm and it did have a very heavy spring.
Great video. I own Glocks and Makarovs. The Makarov is actually more reliable in about 11,000 rds. of 9X18 fired. The Best finished ones are the East German Pistole M's followed by the Soviet made ones with the Chinese made ones being less consistent in finish.
Thanks! I've also found the Makarov to be one of the most reliable pistols I've ever tested. These are nearly unkillable.
11,000 really?
My East German Makarov has a way better fit n finish than my last two Bulgarians.
If you’ve ever bought a Hungarian PA63 because it was mislabeled as a Makarov and you didn’t know any better, go ahead and hit that subscribe button.
I like that anything small and Eastern European-y, we're like, "That? Oh, that's a fucking Makarov. Just look at it."
Love seeing makarov videos, I love the pistol. Low capacity, weaker than 9mm, slow to reload, shitty sights that cannot be replaced and I still like it.
I'm with you! I love the Makarov, problems and all.
Like the intro music, some NIN inspiration there it sounds like
Thanks! I definitely like me some NIN.
Loved the industrial intro as well!
2023 to 2024 still carry in my pocket
Q. WHAT IN THE HELL IS THAT HORRIBLE RACKET???????
Stopped me, dead in my tracks!
You must be new here.
Amazing video
I'd like your videos a lot better if you wasn't so foul mounted
I haven't mounted anyone recently, that I recall.
I love the Makarov. I have a Russian IJ70 I bought back in 1990 (when we could still import from Russia). The only difference between it and the standard model were the "adjustable" rear sights. _Everybody_ carried a Makarov, from general officers down to the local Militia man on the corner. Great gun for within 15 yards or so. Don't try pushing it much beyond 25 though until the trigger breaks in and you get used to it.
I did put some Fab Defense grips on it which feels better in my hand, has a comfortable beaver tail and moves the mag release to a slide at the top of the grip. I also bought an excellent holster for it from them. I'm very happy with both.
As far as I could tell, _Russian_ doctrine was to generally carry it empty chamber with safety set because the sidearm was considered a _backup_ weapon to your rifle, unless you were NKVD or something. The Makarov is a close in weapon.
I carry my Makarov habitually, either on my waist or (more often now) in my edc bag. As of Dec 2023 I can still find 9x18 ball fairly reasonably. Not as reasonable as 9mm NATO...
Lmao I love this channel man good shit
Thank you for the kind words!
You are right, according to Soviet (and Russian) regulations, PM should be carried in a holster with no round in the chamber and the safety in ON position.
The holster you have shown has never been a standard issue for the Army or the Police. Plain clothed police officers use a variety of leather and Kydex holders, this particular one has never been popular.
Thanks for a good review!
Love my Mak. Bur one design issue I recently discovered - Russian ammo is low quality and they have the occasional squid round, which can cause a bulged barrel if you don't catch it before firing the next round. Because the slide must be off to replace the barrel, and the slide has to travel backward over the barrel to be removed, the bulge will prevent the slide from coming off and you cannot get to the barrel.
This is definitely a gun I would like to buy. But trying to find one online, especially this specific design is proving to be difficult. And I don't even know if there is a local gun store where I live that sells them. Seems like trying to find a Bulgarian Makarov today is becoming more and more difficult.
No bells and whistles nice me personally I like the surplus weapons and I hope to buy the makarov soon simplicity at it's finest
Digging the industrial tunes in this one! How do you make your music?
Thank you so much! I work as a producer, and usually include a clip of something that I've been tinkering with when I should be working.
@@thegunpenguin I’m all for peaks behind the curtain! Do you have any of your music available anywhere? Also, after watching many videos, your reviews of the Walther PPQ were the final push I needed to buy one for myself as my first handgun. Thank you!
@@eckharteric I'm working to put together a Soundcloud account, that I can keep separate from my music career. A lot of my clients aren't exactly friendly to guns, so that'll let me keep it separate. Also, I'm so glad you bought a PPQ! Great choice! What do you think of it so far?
After I took a break from steady training at the range, that was my first handgun after I sold my old Glock that I'd used for years and years. The PPQ is one of the best handguns that money can buy.
Thanks again for the kind words. I'm truly honored that you would want to listen to my music, and I think this is the push I need to make myself finish the Soundcloud. If I nudged you to buy the PPQ, you nudged me to finish the account. Thank you! I'll post a video about it in early 2021.
@@thegunpenguin Unfortunately due to my busy schedule I haven't been able to take it to the range yet. I've been familiarizing myself with field stripping it and reading up on maintenance in the meantime. I have a range day planned for next Tuesday though. I'm very excited! I'll be sure to listen to whatever you post on SoundCloud come 2021. I think we all could use something to look forward to these days.
@@eckharteric Let me know what you think of it! I hope you love yours as much I do mine. The PPQ is one of the most underrated and underappreciated pistols of our time.
Love this video
Thank you so much!
Great video man
Thanks!
Okay but consider, communism good, authoritarianism bad. Just sayin. Just, puttin it out there.
Methodology and implementation are the real issue. Marxist theory is naturally authoritarian. So much so that anyone that said otherwise (famously Bakunin) were kicked out of the International, by Marxists.
Communism has the potential to be good. But only if new (or alternately resurrected) ideas are tried and nonsense like Marxist thought is abandoned
Due to human nature, it's all bad mate.
I'd like to comment on how much I hate safeties that lock slides on pistols. It means you have to move it to fire when you unload, which is exactly when you least want a gun to fire. Why? Why do this? Has anyone ever accidentally run the slide on a pistol?
Yeah, it's a dumb idea. Luckily, the one on the Makarov is so stiff that it's hard to activate by accident.
5:04 Girl in the middle, Greta Thunberg!? That would prove that the Makarov is environmentally safe! Great video!!!!
Thanks for watching!
super pistiol.makarov.
Are you still going to do the P30 vs. P2000 comparison?
Unfortunately, I'm not. I might resume one day, though!
That’s crappy on your 1911. I think it’s a sig? Upgrade to a colt, Springfield, or a les Baer if you have the $$
It's not a Sig. 1911s in general won't stand up the shit that I do to guns; they just aren't capable. That doesn't mean that they suck, they're still fun to shot, but there are better defensive options.
I’ve carried a Springfield 1911 on patrol for 10 years. To each their own.
I can't blame you! If I found a 1911 that I trusted, I'd use it too. Magazine capacity aside, I find 1911s to be very fun to shoot.
name of the song in the intro ?
It hath no name. I made it, like all the other music on the channel.
I was actually enjoying your video until you just had to drag Trump into this. Don't you people get it by now? No one wants to here you politics, you're clown, we're here to be entertained, not lectured to. Down voted.
Dear Sir/Madam/Horse,
It seems that you have encountered opinions different than your own, and are now experiencing impotent internet rage. Please follow these easy instructions to alleviate your intense emotional discomfort:
1. Watch something else.
2. When you feel the urge to watch another TGP video, repeat step 1.
3. Consult a medical professional about your emotional fragility.
If you find that the opinions of others cause you continued distress, consider that your poor facial hair choices are no one's fault but yours.
In Satan,
The Gun Penguin
You are rude to your subscribers. That's wrong.
Not very intelligent man can only reply this way.
The Mak is actually drop safe rated by California. It is that safe
It is drop safe, as I say in the video. But it isn't on the California roster. And don't take my word for it -- check the roster.
By the way, I wouldn't put much on the idea of a Ca. drop safety test.
Yeah. . . Californian here, a sad sad Californian who'd love to find a nice mak some day.
Did you have yours refinished or did they come in that good of shape?
They came like that. The Mosin Crate gets crazy nice stuff -- one of mine looks practical NOS.
thegunpenguin man I’ve wanted a hi power from him for some time can’t ever seem to get one I will eventually though lol
Love the bakelite grips!
They're awesome! So delightfully slim and comfortable.
S&B 9x18 is pretty hot too.
Good point! Thanks!
@@thegunpenguin Good luck on the long term test, I read that a Mak in Russia fired 50,000 rounds before a minor part breakage.
I have had two Mak 9x18 pistols over the last 33 years. I found them to be very accurate regardless of the Ammo make. I got my first MAK in 1991 and had no ammo available. I started making my own by trimming back 9x19 brass to 9x18 length and full-length sizing them in a Lee carbide sizing die. I had over 1000 rds of modified brass over half were U.S. military surplus with a headstamp of WCC-1988. These functioned well enough to get my boss to buy my reloads for the other Mak PM owners that came to the range I worked at. I have one Makarov now that I sent the slide to NOVAK Sights and had a pair of sights that were high-definition, glow in the dark sights. It was money well spent. "C:\Users\Owner\Pictures\2020-05\100_0368.JPG"
22:25
"I like you..I guess?"
Yes.