Makarov help

[CursezZz]

I just bought a M57 Tokarev and the weird old gun bug has bit me. Now i am in the market for a Makarov (model not just ammo type) pistol. Is one country of origin better than another? anyone have a preferred place to get surplus firearms online? or closed to baltimore city/county? Also what is a fair price to.pay for one? any help or info is super appreciated!

[Melnic]

Makarov or Makarov caliber?
Well known Makarovs:
Russian
German
Bulgarian
Hungarian (FEG)

In 9mm Mak you can get CZ82, P64

there are more than this too

Between what I have and what others let me shoot. I liked the CZ82 the best. I want a Russian Makarov the most which is the most expensive.
I had a commercial Russian and a Hungarian (FEG) Makarov once but sold them.

[CursezZz]

Makarov model not just the ammo type lol the Bulgarian ones seem to be semi available, im not sure what is a good price either lol

[fidelity]

I love Makarov pistols. I think I am down to three (keepers) now. There was a period 3-4 years ago when a relatively minty Bulgarian would run around $350. I haven't watched the market since or looked at Gunbroker recently for one. They are rugged, reliable guns that are easy to shoot accurately. Unlike the Russian and East German pistols, the Bulgarians aren't C&R. I at one time had a P-64, CZ-82 (a pair), and several Makarov pistols. I never warmed to the snappiness of the P-64 design (even with the grip change) or its trigger. It was accurate. For the CZ-82, I had some pretty grips on it, but no matter the grips, I didn't point the gun as naturally or shoot it as well as the Makarov. I also didn't like the painted on black appearance/cosmetics. So eventually got rid of one and then the other. I often use a couple of my Makarovs (the third is minty and sits in the safe) to train new shooters. Most shoot them pretty well.

[HokieKev]

I have an East German and a Bulgarian Makarov. I like the East German just so slightly better. Operation just seems to be a little bit smoother. When I checked on gun broker years ago the East German models were a bit more rare and went for slightly higher prices. I have also shot a Russian Makarov and liked it as well - but only fired a few rounds so did not have enough time to form a solid impression. Can't explain why, but I really enjoy shooting Makarovs.

[canonian]

Russian ones!

"The rarest group to be imported were some original Russian military Makarovs, complete with fixed sights and the red bakelite grips. These Russian guns are rumored to have been inadvertently shipped with a group of East German guns. They too were bargain priced. As you can guess these were all sold very quickly. As a bonus for collectors, both the East German and the original Russian military manufactured Makarovs are on the BATF Curio and Relics list."

Anything with a circle star, IJ70 with a Fixed rear sight, Made in Russia by IMEZ

In any event get a couple of them..

[Mike OTDP]

WRT the Makarov, the East German guns have the best reputation, followed by Russian.

[HokieKev]

Perhaps just slightly off topic... I was shopping for Makarov ammo and came across the Buffalo Bore site - but the only thing they have is +P ammo and I am hesitant to use that in my Makarovs. The Makarovs are tough and I only shoot them once or twice a month, but I'd like them to outlast me (I am sure that they will!).

What do people think about running the Buffalo Bore +P Makarov ammo through them. Will that wear them out significantly faster?

[kaliroger]

Any Makarov you get in decent condition at a good price will make you smile and happy you have it!

[Docster]

You may get more info on the Curios & Relics forum