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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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!
Got a FAB Defense grip for my Makarov and its mag release is awasome. Well worth the upgrade along with thier holster too. Glad mine didnt have any issues on my end, also kinda nice getting it on sale. Will try the Dozor after watching this.
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.
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.
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.
I’ve owned my Russian Makarov for several years now and have never experienced any reliability issues. Pretty accurate, low recoil and very easy to take down to clean. Yes, I own other more modern handguns, but my Makarov rides with me because I can trust it!
Great video. There is a 12 round double stack version known as the PPM, same slide and most parts just a thicker grip which also makes the gun more comfortable for those with bigger hands.
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 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!
Finally bought my Mak a few months back (made in Russia by IMEZ) I always love shooting it. It may be a hunk of metal but it’s a darn fine hunk of metal.
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.
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.
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.
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!
For the lil lip thing for the follower, there are mags called "hump" style. They have a lil stanping the follower tab receeds into instead so it wont chew up holsters. I think robert g has em for $20 atm
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'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 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.
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?
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
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,.
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
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.
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.
@@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!
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.
Moin. Nur die neueren Magazine haben das Problem mit dem Pin. Bei älteren Magazinen ist er verdeckt. Ein guter Büchsenmacher kann den Verschluß ausfräsen, dass neuere Visiere passen. Den Sicherungshebel kann man flach feilen - dann ist er nicht dem Daumen im Weg. Es gibt 12 Schuss Griffstücke (PMM oder Baikal 442). Die sich auch besser packen lassen und den Magazinknopf seitlich haben. Die Makarov ist eine sehr geile Pistole 😉
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.
2 месяца назад
Would you do a update video on the new upgrades to the Makarov? There is are : extend mag base, pic rail trigger guard & red dot mount. I also believe there is a treaded barrel too
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.
But what if I like the feel of a heavier metal steel piece vs a polymer ? I understand a Makarov isn’t modern by any means…but with Buffalo bore Mak and practice and it’s slim profile. I think it’s a solid little piece for a slim waist carry. I shoulder carry an M57A Tokarev with plus 4 mag extensions and an upgraded night sighting system…so I mean. Zastava’s new hammer safety for a plus one and the slim Tokarev profile gives me a very confident shoulder carry. I am just as confident with my Tokarev if not more than my other polymers. I guess I’m a fan of a heavier handgun. 13+1 7.62 x 25 Tokarev with JHP ppu is nothing to sneeze at. I’m really not buying the polymer is always better take. It’s just not always true.
I Agree Polymer Guns Are Lighter But KICK MORE You Either Get Weight Or KICK I Prefer Weight, I Own Both But Prefer Steel for my EDC And Wheel Guns Are AWESOME But Don't Have Enough Bullets When You Get In A Fire Fight, Speaking From Personal Experience.... I Carry A Wheel Gun As A Backup to My High Cap Steel Auto.
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 wouldn’t say it’s weak. To me a pellet gun is weak or different types of .22 ammo and 25acp is kind of weak. I’m pretty sure this round can make it through a car door and to me that is not weak. Good video though
'Tis all subjective. What I consider weak, another might consider adequate. And it's all relative. The 3 people who regularly watch this channel know that I often advocate for .32 ACP and .22 LR, but they are produce considerably less energy than 9mm +p. It's up to you to decide whether or not that bothers you.
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.
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
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.
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 🤔
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?
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 am sick of people bringing up plus p loads for 9mm or plus p plus I prefer round to be fired in the pressures they were designed for Saying that I have been to court for self defense shooting where the prosecutor tried accusing me of using over pressured round where I actually used standard pressure hydroshocks the same my local police department used Which won me my case So maybe I'm a wierd case
I call bullshit. If the homicide is justified as self-defense the method is not in question. It wouldn't matter if you used a pitchfork, an acetylene torch, or a frozen Tuna.
