My husband decided to take my Bulgarian Mak on a kayaking trip. Well, the kayak got tipped and we lost her in the river. I just picked up a new one today and I'm so happy. I'm not the best shot with most guns, but I was very surprised when I was hitting targets pretty far off with my mak. As a beginner shooter who doesn't get much target practice I can vouch that this is a very accurate gun. I love it and feel really safe with it. Before loosing our other one we carried it everywhere especially while hiking and camping in the woods. So glad to have another one I hope we never part again!
First - cheers from Bulgaria! Second - most likely this one is made for or sold to the Ministry of Defence of Slovenia according to you technical manual. Have a nice day and stay safe.
I just put a down payment on an East German Makarov, one of the nicest little guns I have seen in a long time, getting it for $350 with two mags, an East German police marked holster and a 50 rounds box of ammo.
I GOT ONE FOR 300 BUCKS IT DONT MISS A BEAT I SHOT OFF 16 ROUNDS WITH IT 350 NOT BAD THOUGH THEY GOING TO GO UP ON THEM I AM GOING TO KEEP MINE FOR WHEN THEY DO BUT I MIGHT KEEP IT BULLETS ARE CHEAP TO
Got an East German Makarov when they first imported them. I think I paid $125 to a gun dealer friend. Beautifully machined and finished in a deeply polished blue. The front of the grip is etched "Ernst Thaelmann Mod. M 9mm IACO Sacca, Germany". I'm never going to sell it.
I’ve had my Bulgarian for several years now. It was my primary ccw for a very long time. Still love shooting it. It is a must to paint the front sight, preferably in a night sight kind of paint.
I am from Bulgaria. And I am glad to watch a video where you mention us. The crazy thing is that our police officers in the whole country use Makarov pistols Only. The special forces use Glock 17, mp5 and G36.
As a recommendation for those interested in carrying a Makarov for CC, I'd avoid the hollowpoints - the 9x18 round has mediocre penetration as it is, and adding a hollowpoint to the mix is bad news. I recommend a hard-cast round, such as the one Buffalo Bore makes. They're pricey, but being absolutely certain that your round will perform as you want it to is worth the extra money. Also, a higher weight recoil spring is a good idea too - not that the recoil is at all difficult, but tends to function better with a heavier spring.
Hickok i am from Bulgaria, and the Makarov is really popular here even now some police officers are still carrying this gun. My dad taught me how to shoot on this gun, i even got my licence with Makarov :). The price on 1 round here is in US dollars arround 15 cents. :D. Nice to see a video for this one :D
Shot a Makarov at my local range a few days ago. It was Russian made. A great gun!. Very accurate and I was surprised at how good the trigger was in single action. Only downside was the sights which were a bit on the small side. A fun gun in any case. I have been going through the range's calibers since I started in January. I've shot a lot of 9mm (H&K P7 is great!), .45, .357, once shot .44 (S&W 629) and now a Makarov. Next time will be the Walther PPK in .32 and more .357! I love going to the range even though its hard on my bank account!
I have the commercial Russian IZH-70 Makarov. It was converted to shoot 380 ACP. I think you can still get the conversion kit. It is my EDC right now. When you pull the trigger it always goes bang. #pewpewpew
This is funny, I watched the Russian Mak video from Nov 23, 2012 just last night. Nice little gun, I am buying one for sure...too cheap to pass up and like you said, a nice piece of history. Thanks the great timing on this video, educational and entertaining as usual.
+vulcan1358 Low I.Q. strikes again; I forgot to do it. Another hazzard of unedited videos; you're at the mercy of whatever comes across my mind, or whatever does NOT come across my mind. :-)
I have three of the Bulgarians I bought years ago.. unfired so far as I could tell. For me? they all shot at least 4" high at 25 yards. I had to shave the rear sight and deepen the notch also.. did not hurt to make it a few thousandths wider. I have shot some sub 3" groups at 25 yards with all the guns. 3" is about normal tho with cheap ammo.
I like the Makorov, but the fit and finish of the Bulgarian and others can't match the East German. They are double action Hickock45. I wondered the whole time how strong your trigger finger really is. They feed the Hornady XTPs real well. Good shootin'.
I got the cz 82 also! And conceal carry a IJ70 russian makarov. I'm looking for one of those EG, hoping to find it at a pawnshop being sold for a lot less then it's worth.
Pardon my ignorance, but why does it look like the round (9x18) is "key-holing"? Is it just me? (I'm referring to the paper target shots early in the video) Great video Hickok & Son! Later...
Do you have any chances to get Strike One for review? Very interested with your opinion, because in Russia it fail every military test as media said. I heard that it possible to get in store in west.
Sir, You always promise to come "randomly" to our houses to pay a visit. Hell, I am waiting with some good cold beer for You eeeeevery time You say that and You never came! Something is wrong with this "Kentucky randomness", or what?! :D
You think you could do a review on the H&K45 Compact? I've been looking into getting one for a while now and there aren't any good videos out there on one
I have a Bulgarian Makarov I purchased about 6 years ago. It had never been fired and the grease in the magazines had hardened to a rubbery consistency. I cleaned it up and purchased 5 boxes of ammo and went to my outdoor range. After putting the 5 boxes through the thing I have determined that this pistol may be the best bargain in pistols. Reliable as a Glock, really great trigger, and really easy to shoot. I have since purchased a stainess steel Russian model in 380. It has all the great characteristics of the Bulgarian, and super pretty to boot. However - I can tell the difference in power between the 9x18 and 380. The 9x18 is noticeably punchier on impact. If you are looking for a great carry pistol with great reliability, trigger, and a real safety to boot - there is no better bargain in my opinion. A lot like the Bersa Thunder 380 but a bit sexier as it is a real military combat pistol. Just my 3 cents.
I totally agree with you. I have a Makarov from about 2 or 3 years and its my everyday carry. I live in an area where they are potential robbers or even worse so yeah when i got my makarov i know im ready for anything
It's a bit strange, because the manual of this Makarov is written in Slovenian language, not in Bulgarian (I am Bulgarian). Maybe had been sold in Slovenia first. But the gun is Bulgarian for sure. The number 10 in the circle above the handle is the sign of Arsenal factory, based in town Kazanlak. Kazanlak can be called the town of Guns and Roses, because the main production there is literally guns and roses.
I am Bulgarian too but let's talk in English. Slovenians don't use Cyrillic alphabet and you can clearly see written on the pistol "ВД 29 466". Just making it clear its produced in Bulgaria with the highest quality possible.
That is quaint and cool and interesting. And I am guessing from the avatar capitalism has not been as friendly as would have been liked to your country 😅
Hi from the UK. Just to say thanks for keeping us up to date with these excellent videos. Having spent several years in the UK military services, I miss the freedom of going to the range and letting off a few rounds. I envy your freedom. Keep up the good work.
10:26 "Republic of Slovenia Ministry of Defense TECHNICAL BOOKLET classification group: 010101010105 Title: Pistol, 9mm Registered factory number (serial number): NH 2946C" It's more of a booklet that the military uses to keep track of when and to whom the weapon was issued, how many rounds were discharged on a particular day, etc.
Hey Hickok45, thanks for the great video on the Makarov. I just acquired one recently myself. It is an IMEZ Russian Makarov with the adjustable rear sight and the target like grip with thumb and index finger grooves. From my research it seems the pure military models seem to be the most desired. Personally I like the adjustable rear sight. I do not plan to carry it concealed or otherwise. I like taking my guns to the range and looking for that perfect target with all rounds in the same hole. Well on my first outing to the outdoor range I set my target at about 30 feet from the shooting stand. When adjusting sights i always load my mags up with 3 rounds each. Well you could have slapped me in the mouth when i found on almost every group I was putting two out of three rounds in the same hole. Wow......i was shooting better with this new ( to me ) handgun than I used to shoot with my beloved M-1911A1 and my Detonics Combat Master. It took a little while to get my shot group to move as the elevation screw on the rear sight was backed out so far my adjustments were making no difference. By the time it was getting dark out I fully loaded 2 mags. First full mag made one big ragged hole about 1" above dead center. Second mag was big hole in center of the Ten ring . I was shooting sitting on a stool with 2 hand hold with hands resting flat on the shooting table. No sandbags. Are these Makarovs all this accurate or did I just get lucky on a day the Range Gods were smiling on me. Oh, by the way. One of my 3 round groups WAS 3 rounds in the same hole.
I heard that the East German by the Ernst Thälhmann were the best made and the most desirable. Which is the one I have made in 1961 and it's freakin beautiful.
GOT ME ONE FOR 300 THEY GOING TO GO UP THOUGH BUT I THINK I WILL KEEP IT DONT MISS A BEAT AND IT CAN BE RAN OVER BY TRUNK IN MUD AND WATER AND STILL SHOOT ON PIONT ITS ON THE TORTURE TEST ON YUTUBE FOR MAKAROV
+oahu kane Actually goes back further than that. I bought my Model 29 .44 Magnum there at a gun show in 1974. Don't know where they get the "35" years. Government entities are becoming more and more out of step with citizens; at the very time when fireams are becoming more and more popular and mainstream, anti gun / anti freedom governments are trying to go the other way and find any reason they can come up with to weaken the 2nd Amendment.
+hickok45 I don't live i your area, I'am SW Virginia, and the gun shows here are going away too. There used to be 2 a year 15 miles from were I live, about 2 years ago they cut them back to 1 a year, this year they moved it to a little place that you can't hardly move in, and its 30 miles from were I'am at. So this happening every where I guess. Thanks for all the great videos.
+JJw650 jones I live out in Appalachia, near the TN/NC border. We have gun shows round here several times a year near Waynesville, and Franklin. My anti-gun professors at college always love to hear me talk about going to gun shows heheh. I was once asked by a Prof what I would do if someone was shooting at me. I told him I'd probably grab my AK47 and shoot back. He freaked out LOL
***** The professor was kind of shocked and didn't know what to say. However, a classmate gasped when I said that and said "You can own one of those?!". I responded with "Yes you can, I own two. I usually shoot them on my Sunday School Teacher's property". That classmate seemed horrified for the rest of the class for some reason and didn't want to talk to me.
michael johnson If I was to assign a sex to any firearm, they would all be female. They accept the phallic bullets and when handled properly are a joy to behold. So no children would realistically be possible. I just meant that is what the Mak looks like to me. A cross between the PPK and CZ 75. Just a turn a phase.
+Arbhall McDougall CZ75 has nothing common with this gun. Nothing. It is completely different. Different size, different slide, different locking mech, different shape.. Absolutely nothing. Only simillar CZ guns are the CZ50/CZ70, CZ83/ CZ vz.82
xmeda Not even that super comfortable grip? Would you feel less offended if I suggested it looked more the grip on a Hi Point? You could also ask which model Im referring too couldnt you?
+Arbhall McDougall Not even grip. Have you ever seen CZ75 yet?? I have it disassembled for cleaning on table right now. And Cz vz. 82 next to it.. Makarov has single-piece grip with different size and shape. Nothing common with CZ75 other than both are self loading pistols.
They are over the $350.00 price point now, that is of your lucky enough to find one at that price. Wish I never sold mine years ago, gonna get another. One of the best firearms on the world IMO.
+turbostewi you'll be impressed of our firearms. But! If you read our Firearm Law - you'll be disappointed too, because we have to make a license for a 12 G gun for a hunt, and if you're want to buy a rifle for example in .22 LR caliber - you have to go to the Department licensing and permitting work of the Ministry of internal Affairs
HI. Thank you very much for explaining my comments to Sual al - Mikarouf. He receives 8.5 shots as a Koman in Iraq, but he writes on the cartoon 9 and to know that the shots exist in our year of manufacture. Very old. The last one can be 1983 and most often do not break. What is the solution? The 9 to 9 is short but what we can not import the 9 short greeting
Another great video Hickok. I remember when these were cheap too (and im not nearly as old as you ;) I kinda knew all this Russian/combloc surplus would go up in price. It always was remarkable how cheap they were for the quality of the firearms. I had a feeling that wouldnt last. Theyre simple but not bad nor cheaply made.
I always carry MP (Makarov Pistol) as my back up gun while on duty. Extremely reliable and pretty powerful weapon for some certain tasks. Better stopping power than Walter PPK .380 and less penetration than my regular sidearm Beretta92F.
