I bought my Bulgarian Mak through Classic Firearms of Monroe, NC. I got excellent hand select for $275. It arrived caked thick with cosmoline. So I disassembled in completely into it's 27 parts and soaked it in mineral spirits for 6 hours and hit it with a brush. It didn't have a mark on it.....no scratches, no dings, no holster wear. Eats any kind of Russian garbage ammo you can put in it and cycles like a dream.
You did good on that price! Yeah they are extremely tough and reliable designs. I don't think I've ever had any kind of failure from any of my 9x18 guns and I've shot them a lot. Maybe I had a few short strokes when working with low power reloads but nothing that was the guns fault.
All that's missing from your collection is a Chinese Makarov pistol (Norinco model 59). I picked up one about 20 years ago at a gun show for about $300. It was extremely hard to find even back then. I've got an East German Makarov as well, also from 1962.
Nice, I would definitely like a Chinese model but every time I saw one it was more than I wanted to pay. The East Germans are super nice, I am glad I got mine for a decent price before they shot up. I did finally get a Chinese Tokarev since a bunch came in a few years ago. Not sure what the story on those was or how they got around the import issues. I am glad they went with the trigger dingus style safety and didn't drill and install a safety in them so that you can just change out the trigger and have a nearly all original example (minus the import mark and trigger unless you manage to hunt down a Chinese trigger, I got a NOS surplus Russian trigger for mine)
Great collection, I owned rifles for over 20 years but never had an interest in handguns till Nov 2018 and the second handgun I bought was a Bulgarian Makarov, last year I added a CZ82 and 3 weeks ago I walked into a local gun store yo browse and in the last case was a P-83 and I couldn’t resist, I got the gun 2 mags, holster with cleaning rod for $425.
Awesome, those P-83's are really cool. I think you did pretty good on the price too. I love how they managed to make them with mostly stamped parts and I am always into Polish stuff....along with the Czechs they really were a step ahead in fit and finish vs most ComBloc stuff of the time period.
When I first bought my 1st Bulgarian made Makarov Pistol from Sportsman’s Guide I had to purchase a Soviet Red Baikalite grips to replace the black polymer grips it came with.
I noticed that sometimes the grips were different, I am not sure if that was done before import or after. I am not sure why the importer would change them though, I'd have to look it up but I'm too lazy at the moment :) I definitely like the OG bakelite grips way more.
Toolness1 true, they are built like tanks and e.g. Makarov is so resilient and hardy, its like AKs, mud dirt any kind of torture is easily endured my the Makarovs, and its my pleasure, awesome video 😊
I put the most heavy spring wolff sells in all my 9x18 guns. Helps tame the recoil a tad and and I don't have to chase my brass quite as far to pick it up for reloading!
Not sure if you will see this comment since it's a year later but centerfiresystems has them in stock for 389 and atlantic firearms has some for 439 both in stock as of Christmas 2022
Might be worth mentioning: On the P64 (maybe others too?) there is a "safe" position half way on the safety ;lever, between the firing and decocker positions where the trigger is disconnected. AND thanks for this review. I think I will look into a CZ82! ALSO A QUESTION: When you change the hammer spring. will the littl retaining pin remaion in the frame of ypou DONT push it all the way out? fear of losing that pin is alll that has stopped me from trying that ion my bench!! Thankls for answer ahead of time.
Sorry it took me so long to reply. On changing the P64 hammer spring you take grips off, cock hammer, then at the bottom of the hammer spring guide there's a hole. Put a paper clip or wire in that hole, then ease the hammer down as you pull the trigger. Now the tension will be off that pin and you can push it right thru and put it somewhere safe. It won't fly out. Yeah on the P64 the best way to carry it is with a round in the chamber and safety on, if you don't it could fire when dropped or if you snag the hammer on your clothes, I saw a pic of a guy who shot himself with one because the hammer snagged something and then hit the firing pin.
@@Toolness1 That doesnt answer the question !!!.Will the pin remain in the frame if you dont push it all the way out????? I know every one of the steps to remove the parts, replace the spring and reinstall - BUT None of the videos I find address that point about the pin!!
Man, I envy that collection! Thus far I only have a Bulgarian and CZ 82 Makarovs. Makarovs are my very favorites alongside the Smith & Wesson 59 Series and Ruger P series. I'm as anti socialist as one could get but I absolutely love Makarovs. I'm a Maktard lol
Haha I know what you mean about the socialist stuff. It's weird being so into the firearms and history yet be so disgusted with the system that was responsible for them. Makarovs and pretty much everything in 9x18 are a lot of fun and such tough and reliable designs.
I was told Slovenian contract guns were delivered to the military in the early 90s , but never issued, so they are all in un fired condition. I found an izvhesk made detective holster for mine. Cant find my log book anywhere tho....
@@newpeupyoass Unfortunately I don't think semi auto guns will be legal here in the USA in 10 years, and I can almost guarantee they will block imports at the very least. Hope I'm wrong!
I bought a CZ82 from J&G sales and restored it. It's one of my favorites right next to my Star BM.
Sweet man, that is the collection I am going for right now too. Love the 9x18's!!
I bought my Bulgarian Mak through Classic Firearms of Monroe, NC. I got excellent hand select for $275. It arrived caked thick with cosmoline. So I disassembled in completely into it's 27 parts and soaked it in mineral spirits for 6 hours and hit it with a brush. It didn't have a mark on it.....no scratches, no dings, no holster wear. Eats any kind of Russian garbage ammo you can put in it and cycles like a dream.
You did good on that price! Yeah they are extremely tough and reliable designs. I don't think I've ever had any kind of failure from any of my 9x18 guns and I've shot them a lot. Maybe I had a few short strokes when working with low power reloads but nothing that was the guns fault.
All that's missing from your collection is a Chinese Makarov pistol (Norinco model 59). I picked up one about 20 years ago at a gun show for about $300. It was extremely hard to find even back then. I've got an East German Makarov as well, also from 1962.
Nice, I would definitely like a Chinese model but every time I saw one it was more than I wanted to pay. The East Germans are super nice, I am glad I got mine for a decent price before they shot up. I did finally get a Chinese Tokarev since a bunch came in a few years ago. Not sure what the story on those was or how they got around the import issues. I am glad they went with the trigger dingus style safety and didn't drill and install a safety in them so that you can just change out the trigger and have a nearly all original example (minus the import mark and trigger unless you manage to hunt down a Chinese trigger, I got a NOS surplus Russian trigger for mine)
I have a sweet East German Mak, thanks for the information on those! Probably the most accurate handgun in my collection.
Beautiful collection sir thank you for the history lesson
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
Sorry for the loud breathing, I had my mic sensitivity way too high
Great collection, I owned rifles for over 20 years but never had an interest in handguns till Nov 2018 and the second handgun I bought was a Bulgarian Makarov, last year I added a CZ82 and 3 weeks ago I walked into a local gun store yo browse and in the last case was a P-83 and I couldn’t resist, I got the gun 2 mags, holster with cleaning rod for $425.
Awesome, those P-83's are really cool. I think you did pretty good on the price too. I love how they managed to make them with mostly stamped parts and I am always into Polish stuff....along with the Czechs they really were a step ahead in fit and finish vs most ComBloc stuff of the time period.
Hey, thanks for making this fascinating video. I feel like watching it again with my dad. There's a lot of really neat information here.
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it!
When I first bought my 1st Bulgarian made Makarov Pistol from Sportsman’s Guide I had to purchase a Soviet Red Baikalite grips to replace the black polymer grips it came with.
I noticed that sometimes the grips were different, I am not sure if that was done before import or after. I am not sure why the importer would change them though, I'd have to look it up but I'm too lazy at the moment :) I definitely like the OG bakelite grips way more.
A very nice collection , Thanks for sharing .
Thanks, I love all these guns and am fortunate to be able to own them. Thanks for watching!
Nice collection, I just picked up a norinco model 59 in great condition. It’s interesting to see the different variations.
Cool! I regret not grabbing one of those when I saw it at a local gun shop, they aren't nearly as common here since we cant import them anymore.
These guns are the pure power and beauties 👌👌👌 awesome video 👌👌👌
Thanks, these are some of my favorites for sure! Simple, built like a tank, easy to use.
Thanks for watching!
Toolness1 true, they are built like tanks and e.g. Makarov is so resilient and hardy, its like AKs, mud dirt any kind of torture is easily endured my the Makarovs, and its my pleasure, awesome video 😊
If you ever start having stove pipes with the CZ-82s, change out the slide spring. Wolf Springs has a replacement.
I put the most heavy spring wolff sells in all my 9x18 guns. Helps tame the recoil a tad and and I don't have to chase my brass quite as far to pick it up for reloading!
Very informative and I enjoyed learning
Glad you liked it, thanks for watching!
I regret not buying a CZ82 back when they were more plentiful. They’re getting harder and harder to find.
Not sure if you will see this comment since it's a year later but centerfiresystems has them in stock for 389 and atlantic firearms has some for 439 both in stock as of Christmas 2022
Great collection!!!!
Thanks!!
Might be worth mentioning: On the P64 (maybe others too?) there is a "safe" position half way on the safety ;lever, between the firing and decocker positions where the trigger is disconnected. AND thanks for this review. I think I will look into a CZ82!
ALSO A QUESTION: When you change the hammer spring. will the littl retaining pin remaion in the frame of ypou DONT push it all the way out? fear of losing that pin is alll that has stopped me from trying that ion my bench!! Thankls for answer ahead of time.
Sorry it took me so long to reply. On changing the P64 hammer spring you take grips off, cock hammer, then at the bottom of the hammer spring guide there's a hole. Put a paper clip or wire in that hole, then ease the hammer down as you pull the trigger. Now the tension will be off that pin and you can push it right thru and put it somewhere safe. It won't fly out. Yeah on the P64 the best way to carry it is with a round in the chamber and safety on, if you don't it could fire when dropped or if you snag the hammer on your clothes, I saw a pic of a guy who shot himself with one because the hammer snagged something and then hit the firing pin.
If you look for a channel called "3 kinds of guns" he has a great video on changing the hammer spring
@@Toolness1 That doesnt answer the question !!!.Will the pin remain in the frame if you dont push it all the way out????? I know every one of the steps to remove the parts, replace the spring and reinstall - BUT None of the videos I find address that point about the pin!!
NICE COLLECTION .
Thanks!
Beautiful collection. I'm a Mak collector myself. That East German is especially nice. Cheers
I love Tool and 9x18s.
SAME!
awesome
great looking pistols!!
Thank you and thanks for watching!
I got one mint condition. cz83 is the best handgun in the world
Man, I envy that collection! Thus far I only have a Bulgarian and CZ 82 Makarovs. Makarovs are my very favorites alongside the Smith & Wesson 59 Series and Ruger P series. I'm as anti socialist as one could get but I absolutely love Makarovs. I'm a Maktard lol
Haha I know what you mean about the socialist stuff. It's weird being so into the firearms and history yet be so disgusted with the system that was responsible for them. Makarovs and pretty much everything in 9x18 are a lot of fun and such tough and reliable designs.
super!
By the way the log book is from Slovenia not Bulgaria, so they must have bought some Maks for their police off Bulgaria.
Oh awesome, thanks for the info!
I was told Slovenian contract guns were delivered to the military in the early 90s , but never issued, so they are all in un fired condition. I found an izvhesk made detective holster for mine. Cant find my log book anywhere tho....
You will likely never own a Fort 12.
):
Those look awesome, kind of like a CZ75 in 9x18. I don't think any have ever come into the USA....maybe some day.
@@Toolness1 In 10 years, maybe after the war in Ukraine ends and they join NATO and have to surplus all their non 9mm luger handguns.
@@newpeupyoass Unfortunately I don't think semi auto guns will be legal here in the USA in 10 years, and I can almost guarantee they will block imports at the very least. Hope I'm wrong!