The Modern Makarov: Grips, Mag Releases, Ammo, and Accessories
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 มิ.ย. 2024
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Is it possible to modernize this Cold-War classic?
#makarov
#fabdefense
#ccw
I wholeheartedly agree with Robert Clark. The person making this video sounds like a teenager with not much parental oversight. Grow up, young man.
My parents were killed on an island off Costa Rica in the summer of 1989. An eccentric venture capitalist hired them to sign off on his new theme park, which was a sort of animal preserve. You see, he needed to prove to his investors that the park was both safe, and operational. Instead, an underpaid IT employee committed industrial espionage, and the animals escaped. Many of them were dangerous, and more than a few people died. My mom and dad were among them. So next time, don't joke about things you don't understand. I expect an apology.
Nature finds a way.
@@thegunpenguin I'm sorry, people are so rude.
@@thegunpenguin not sure why people are shitting on you like this. I loved the video. keep up the good work. robert benzon is a dickhead.
Silence boomer
I remember at the start of the pandemic when I first got Into firearm defense I had a glock with a box of range ammo and then I saw your video on the Makarov and they had one in stock. I picked it up and over a thousand rounds of range ammo and 75 hollow points. Mak forever!
I'm glad it worked out for you! For the first six months, the PM was the thing to have.
Bought my first Mak 20 years ago when an East German was $149..... great carry piece.
How those days are long gone.
Now they’re 550-600 plus
Me too... about 25 years ago, a brand new Bulgarian for 165. Still a great gun.
@@Spanishfutbol2010 fuck me running better grab one now they just gonna keep going up
@@georgelstuart I may have to settle for one of those "I'm just a poor boy no body loves me"
"If you can hit your target pretty much any gun will do the trick."
Wise words, Revy
1 round doesnt do the trick? You just need to put more leads until it does.
Question is can you hit your target with ANY gun.....
Unless it jams
Yeah, and that's exactly why every single army, militia and force uses nothing but 22LR. Right, guys? Right?
Makarov it's like buck 110 knife. Timeless classic and does his job.
There is another advantage to blowback actions. They usually work just fine with a worn, damaged, or even non existent extractor.
Very true!
I ordered +2 mag extensions from Russia and they work great. I own 14 pistols including Glock’s and Sig’s and the Makarov is the only pistol that has been 100% reliable.
Pff, everyone talking about how the Makarov sucks, name one pistol that special forces operatives use with 80 round drum mags.
There might be other features special forces operatives enjoy, such as a pushbutton mag release and a dozen or more rounds in each mag. I love the Makarov, and it doesn't suck, but it's important to speak seriously and honestly about the weapon.
@@CubanWriter
He was joking
love the makarov
One of the best self defense pistol. Love it
Nice! Always good to see a video from you.
Thanks!
Another banger of a video. Love it!
Thank you so much!
I have a German one. love it!
Nicely done informative video! Thanks for posting.
Yay, more Makarov content! I love the PM and always will. Don't feel a bit underarmed carrying one, just know it's limitations and your own. Music was great as always and I actually enjoy the singing cicadas.
Thanks! The cicadas make the real music around here.
Great foockin video mate, I love this makarov and the ppk. Loved the realness and how eloquent it was
Great video.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I wanna see the janky Cyrillic instruction sheet! 😭
Years ago I got the inspection book in Cyrillic. Of course, I sold it like a baboon.
I failed hard, leaving it out of the video.
Some of the BEST reviews on YT! You should have 1,000,000 subscribers.
Thank you! I'm honored!
The heel magazine release is great, especially with the thin grip; no accidental magazine releases. Also, magazine changes can be fast with practice.
Anything can be fast with practice. Here, we're discussing relative speed. The question is "How fast is a heel release relative to a button or paddle release?" We're not as concerned with, "Can a heel release be fast?" Of course it can.
For me, and everyone I know, and have ever spoken with, or seen, a button or paddle is faster than a heel release by a wide margin. I shoot thousands of rounds of 9x18 each year, nevermind all of the other guns that I shoot with heel releases. The heel release is much, much slower. I don't want it to be. But it is. The Makarov is one of my favorite guns; I'd much prefer that this not be the case. Though there is an exception to every rule out there somewhere, the majority of folks, if they are equally acquainted with both systems, will display similar results.
As for accidental magazine releases, we can use the same argument that practice will go a long way. I've been shooting for two decades, and I haven't accidentally dropped a magazine out of a gun since sometime in 2003. I've seen someone else do it once, and he was a novice. If your practice often, there's very little risk of unintentionally hitting a button release. The risk is further reduced with a paddle. The risk is so low that I've never met an experienced shooter who would even consider this as a factor, outside of choosing whether or not to carry a gun equipped with an oversized competition mag release installed.
I say all of this not to dismiss your comment, but to provide a counterpoint. I very much appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts!
9 shure shot
The Makarov...when you want to put 10 magazines in your back pocket.
I Remember Why I Got My Makarov, I Was Challenged By A Guy In A Gun Store To Compete with 3 shots in his gun tube on a Used Makarov that Just come in the Store... The Owner and His Employee and I all took 3 shots 7 yards long gun tube, I Put 3 Bullets In The Same Hole, The Employee got 3 in a 1" pattern and the Owner got a 3" Pattern...Obviously I Won but the Owner Swore I Missed The Target twice til we removed the target to Inspect and Seen the Slight Widening of the hole .......Besides you couldn't miss the target it was the end of the gun tube on a full sheet of fresh sheet rock we cut before our challenge and The Owner Drew 3 circles on it and gave me the First Shots. After That Day I Started Looking For A Deal on One, I would Of Bought His But He Had A Deposit On It So I Couldn't Buy That One, Plus He Wanted Almost 400.00 for it When They were selling Back then for Under 200.00 Being Patient I Found a Single Stack Clip One and then the next week run into a Double stack clip one now I Have Both in my collection and I Will own them til I Die. Great Little Gun Very Accurate... and yes old technology But I Can Put Bullets in the Same Hole If I Wish with Both of Mine.....Not All Guns Can I Do That With, The Fixed Barrel makes it very Accurate for Follow up shots if you have good techniques on the range. I Subscribed to your Channel since you were Very Knowledgeable on the Makarovs and Offered your Opinion, I Might Suggest you get a Double Stack Clip one for a 13 Round Decent Carry Gun....And More Fun with less mag changes......GOD BLESS Keep up the Good Content.
I was with you until you called the magazine a "clip".
Sorry but I'm calling your story "BULLSHIT"!
Yes I'm saying that ANYBODY who calls a magazine a "clip" ISN'T a good shot. Even at a simple 7 yards.
Great video quality!
I dig your style.
Hell yeah, Makarov appreciation video~!
The Dozor Moon-Rune instructions are the best.
Best instructions ever.
I edc a Miltex Makarov I got for $400 a few months ago, and I love it.
I am also finding the support thumb slide release is the way to go. Just drove through SC yesterday (beautiful country), coming out of Virginia and heading home to Georgia. Great review GP!
Thank you so much! I hope you had a good trip!
My first carry gun was a modified makarov that I "modernized"
Also, nice touch to have the title look like the text font from COD modern warfare.
Thanks! Although the font is purely coincidental.
I originally was going to buy a ppk but it had a lot of wrist snap. A friend let me try his Makarov and I really liked it. I have had mine for around three years and am very happy with it.
Great content bud love all surplus. I'm in sc too.
I have had one for thirty years. When my grand sons came to live with me I started carrying it because of the safety.
Love it.
Thanks!
i love my maks, have 4 including a double stack and a couple bulgarians. i carried one for a bit mostly as novelty but also many of the reasons you touched. but also like you said for the price it’s too easy to get into a sub compact 9mm which is lighter, same size or smaller and carry more rounds of a more capable round. love my maks but i gotta save em for the save and range days now! great video, really enjoyed your points!
Thanks for the kind words! Also, thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience!
Makarov is blow-back, therefore as you said, all force is going straight back and there is no or negligible flip compared to Browning system pistols or revolvers (except Chiappa Rhino). Fab Defense grip, at least in my experience does not increase flip and it decreases recoil a bit and somehow increases accuracy. It removes issues of typical Makarov bites, which is probably not case of Dozor grip. I found this grip as excellent improvement for my 2 Maks.
And I have to admit that I really like your closing comments about old and new guns. 100% agree! Mak is quite good carry pistol, but if situation is going to be really bad, I take one of my 9MM Glocks as a side gun. The major reason I have Maks, is that I like them and because shooting them is a big fun.
I’ve got 10 surplus pistols now. They all work and if need be they can be utilized. Even the 2 Nagant revolvers have rounds and a holsters ready to go. CZ82, Tokarev’s, P38. I still have modern guns as well but the surplus is plentiful and willing to join the fight.
The Makarov is absolutly ergonomic!
Sold my east German over a year ago when I was desperate for money. I deeply regret it.
I put the East German grips on my Bulgarian Mak. I like it that way.
I love my mak. I have the fab defense grip on mine. And I really like it. I didn't have any fit issues with mine. Another thing I recommend it getting an upgraded recoil spring from wolf. They are cheap about 11 or 12 bucks. I personally have the 19lb verison. The original recoil spring is 17lbs. The one thing I wish I could find for my mak is some way to attach a flashlight. There are also some really cool holsters coming out for the mak. I have a kydex and a couple custom made leather holsters for my mak. Also a bit of nail polish on the iron sights it a huge upgrade as well. I painted my front sight yellow and I have the rear sight painted white.
I used to have a Makarov, but the one I had was in .380 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP), the clip magazine held 8 rounds and was all blue (black) and had a steel frame and slide, adjustable rear sights, I believe that the front sight is ramped.
What the hell is a clip magazine? It is just magazine.
Same gun here. My office desk gun.
this is all the gun you need
My dad gave me his makarov 4 years ago and its still the only handgun I own
"too cool" ya got me bud
100% The only reason i bought and love a Makarov was because its cool
Bought my Russian makarov for $89. Maybe early 90s. They were dirt cheap. Bought a new Chinese SKS at Woolworths in Carlsbad Mall for the same price. I still have both. They both go bang every time.
I’ve got the .380 variant. Carry it every day!
Much more choice of ammo!
Purchased my first one for around 125 at a gun shop impulse buy right before the store closed for the day this one had a adjustable rear sight and a few other things that someone mentioned years later made it “special” didn’t have smartphones to look that up anyway it is a reliable older weapon the 9x18 was painful to find prior to being able to buy online
I bought a used one, real cheep, 1999 I think. My primary carry was crap and unreliable. I started carrying it because I was broke and didn’t have anything better. It became part of my EDC rotation, and it’s the only gun that I own that fits my hand perfectly, and I am most accurate with. I still carry it to this day and I now own several examples (Russian, double stack, nickel finish). If I had to choose one gun for the rest of my life, this model would be my choice.
Also if you turn the magazines 90° from their typically flat against your body position to a bullet pointing out away from your body position that would help too.
Funny thing, the reason I’m watching this video is because I managed to snag one for $200 at a pawn shop. I guess I got lucky, looking at other Makarov prices.
Great video! I own a few Maks but have not chosen to modernize them - I just let them be what they are. They are great pistols and still can be reasonably effective for concealed carry, especially at close range. Of course a modern compact poly striker-fired pistol in 9mm Luger is probably a better and more versatile choice. These days, it will probably cost you about the same. We all know that. But if you want one of these, and it's not your first gun, who can argue with that?
Love my Yugo Tokarev and have had a Mak on my list for a while. Stupid...other expenses!
It happens! I've put off buying a Tokarev for similar reasons.
Carried the FEG PA-63 for a long time in my years as an officer.
I recently picked up a Bulgarian Makarov, thank you for talking about the aftermarket grip options.
My question is, is the slide supposed to be a PITA to put back on? I am no stranger to firearms but this process makes me question cleaning it after range trips
I conseal carried a single stack makarov, I replaced the pistol grip for a FAB and an iwb holster. I loved it but I originally bought it bc of nostalgia. I used it in the Military service I know everything about the makarov, it's an excellent pistol and exceptionally reliable but it's time it's passed. Nothing wrong conceal caring it if that's all you have or want.
I'm OK with using a "revolver grip" as I carried a revolver for decades. A "J" frame Smith with a FIVE round capacity no less! So Ehh.. on the heel release, It's STILL faster to reload than a revolver. But that's ME. Since I'm an old wheelgun guy, a Makarov is an major "upgrade". I "EDC" a P-64, the "manual of arms" is the same as the original Makarov, but the safety/de-cocker is reversed. "YMMV", "you do you", "the BEST gun is the gun you HAVE with you" All of the cliché's. Carry what you are comfortable with and can shoot well.
I just ordered the dozor grip for my mak. I do have a rail mounted to the frame I got from Belarus. And a Russian +2 mag extension.
Nice comparison vid man. I run the FAB Defense grip. Fits my hand perfectly and keeps my hands away from the slide. The beaver tail is a bit polarizing, but for me it feels the best after 100 rounds at the range. I still use the heel release though I like the routine more lol
Also Classicfirearms has PM's for $499.
Thanks! I could absolutely see someone preferring the FAB. And you don't have to wait 3 months or more to get one.
@@thegunpenguin You can find sellers from Israel that will ship to you in less then 3 weeks on Ebay for the FAB Defense grip. Try out one of the +2 mag extensions. I have them they work perfect minus a little filing I had to do to clear the 10th round.Not sure if you've been to PMgrip dot com. They have them as well as a laser grip!
@@mi777ke777 It's the Dozor with a 3-month shipping time. I received my FAB in about 5 days.
I squeeze the trigger... the pistol goes BANG... _and_ if aimed well, the bad guy falls down.
Works for me, even if it's 'old'.
Indeed. However, in the video, we're discussing relative effectiveness.
So glad I got mine long ago when they were a little over a hundred. Toss that hard grip and get a soft Pierce grip, and it's excellent. ...If ya can't get the job done in 8+1, run away. ...Carry (and shoot) whatever ya like, and what ya can hit your intended target with. That's the real bottom line,.
For the Low Price of a Mere $800, KVAR is selling a few Makarovs 🙃
Ouch! That's rough.
been considering buying a makarov my local shop has to carry as a backup for my glock in case that goes down or something happens with it. it's also easier to carry in sweat pants and joggers from size alone
I too have a couple of videos on the Makarov pistol and the PMM, too bad your Fabb grips did not go well mine dit on just perfect and have been amazing, but it was a Bulgarian.
The only thing Id personally would change on my mak would be if I could move the safety from the slide to the frame like a 1911 (however unphesable that may be). If I use a more modern grip I can sometimes chew up my hand from the safety being on the slide. Hmm and some night sights would be nice haha.
Not a fan of different grips for the gun. I have a wooden grip that is similar to the bakelite that work well. Not a fan of pearce grips or the thicker mag changing grips. If I use the bakelite grips though I do shave off the lanyard loop though.
Unphesable? How about unfeasable or infeasible, Shortbus?
I put a small leather loop with a knot on the mag release.
The safety on this gun makes me a little unsure, maybe you can help me. When you have a round chambered and the hammer is back, when you put the safety on the hammer slams down. It feels like the gun may fire and with the safety in is there a chance of banging the hammer on something and it goes off? Does the firing pin rest on the primer?
That grip you are suggesting is the default IDF pistol grip.
I agree with the need to update the capability of the PM. The mags are notorious for cutting up cover vests due to that sharp tab. I find the FAB grip works well for me. The Mak PM is my EDC. I like the slim design and the weight is a shooting benefit. The best trait of the PM is it's reliability; it is rock solid and always does its job. I also use Buffalo Bore +P ammo. I would like FAB Defense or someone come up with 10 round mags as spares. Cheap ammo may be gone. These guns would shoot poor quality practice ammo. By the way, ANYTHING from Russia is now impossible to get. I still don't like the odd music. That is just me. Great pistol topic.
First... The best gun to have in a fight, is the one you have. Anyone who thinks these guns aren't lethal as ever I'd invite you to stand in front of one. Second... I have the fab defense grips, I cut and filed down the dove tail. It looks professional (and I didn't even try that hard). I installed the grips without any modification and they work great. Maybe I'll order a Dozor and compare them. As it stands, I love this gun, I'd shoot the hell out of it if ammo weren't to hard to find/expensive. I found a WWII era 1911 canvas two mag pouch that works great.
great info! and i will keep carry mine the "gold" heat treated parts are smexy
So they definitely do have more modern style attachments for the Makarov
I like my fab grip on my mak.
Nice vid homie! It saddens me deeply that I don’t own a mak :(. Also, have you ever considered doing a night vision video? I’d like to see your recommendations on it, if it’s something you’ve dropped the coin on
Thanks! As for night vision, I'm not qualified to offer advice. Maybe that will change in a few years.
What specific model of holster is that? I'm trying to find it on Frontline's website.
I think it's called the LKC. I hope that helps!
I have a dossier grip on my imez 380 but it doesn’t have the mag release tab.
Bg Makarov top !
Yeah, when you use HP ammo, callibers up the 9x18 are weak, because bullets stops too early. But if HP ammo is illegal like in Europe and all you can get is FMJ, than even 32 ACP with normal length barrel can go all the way trough target. There is some interesting data on luckygunner on pistol calliber performance in ballistic gel. I think these callibers werent intended to be used with hollow points, thats why they look weak, but in reality they can punch very deep holes with FMJ.
There are gunsmith that can put in dovetails for modern sights btw. Good night? Good night!? Do you work graveyard too?
They do have Makarov grips that have a button release for the mag
like the 1911 , never will be obsolete.
Guess I am old fashioned, but I still like the Tokarev 7.62x25.
I love my FAB grip stocks,( maybe because I seriously am 6'4 with huge paws ) I do think the DOZOR's look more organic/original. Funny though, I had zero issues with installing and alignment of the FAB grips, difference between Bulgarian MAK? Lastly I am profoundly impressed that you also enjoy the Cougar/Beretta 8000.....by the way the Stoeger Cougar is every bit as good
I like the Stoeger too! It's truly a shame they're gone for good. It might be a problem with the Bulgarian Mak. Or it could just be the grip that I was sent.
Can i know about the barrel life please??
There are Makarov magazines that have a little bulge that covers that slide lock tab at the bottom.
This gun was not designed for two hand shootings. Russian police and military was trained to shoot using one hand.
Are those Bulgy"s??
Anyone know where I can order these grips
can you link the Modern Russian grips ?
What does the Makarov do well? It Maks those Ovs.
I liked this so much, I said it aloud when I read it.
There are some better sights out there. There is also now a trigger guard replacement with a rail incorporated, very clever design.
What's your take on the double stacks? Besides being hard to come by, 10 rounds are pretty alright, there is even an extender for it (gets you to 12 IIRC).
Where is this trigger guard with rail? Thanks also wouldn't the weight of anything mounted on the rail pull down the trigger guard and disassemble or disable the gun?
I own one of the double stacks and I've had a couple before as well. They are 12 rounds of 9x18 or 13 rounds 380 in their original design. The 10 round thing only happened because of the 1994 to 2004 mag limit ban. 10 round mags are ridiculously hard to get an expensive 12 round mags no way just forget about it. Fortunately the double stack guns can actually still take single stacks. That's because of the fact that it is a heel clip style mag release that centrally located and the design of the top part of the double stack mag mimicking that of a single stack. They wobble around a tiny bit but they work perfect and lock the slide open when empty!
I know its a unicorn but maybe try out the Makarov PMM, basically the PM with a 12 round double-stack mag.
That's been on the list for awhile. Perhaps when gun prices drop a bit more, I'll be able to find one that isn't absurdly expensive.
I’ve got one in 9x18, it’s awesome but the only mags worth a damn are the factory mags at over 100 bucks a mag lol
I also consider a gun/pocket pistol or whatever you carry...could also be thought of as a "gentleman's pistol/accessory"...I think James bond called his ppk the gentleman's pistol at one point 🤔
I got mine for $260 in a pawn shop.
Heel release for the magazine does not suck. Not tough to overcome.
Not Mákarov, but Makárov!!! Emphasis on the second "A" !!!
No, no, no. The emphasis is on the V. Everyone knows this.
Tengo una desde 1994,tira bien,pero montar el carro con la bala en el directo es algo demasiado dificil.Muy duro de accionar.
good modrn makarov version for you
I collect so many 1st half of the 20th century firearms, I gave up on the modern grip and just use the thumbs down grip now.
Puede disparar la 380 auto??