Makarov Love (holster recommendation?)

Phil Elmore

Phil Elmore

Joined
Feb 28, 2002
Messages
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Of late I've been carrying my Bulgarian Makarov (in 9mm Mak, not .380). It's such a solid little gun. Yes, it's kind of a throwback technologically, and yes, it's heavier than many contemporary guns of similar size, but it's small enough that I don't find the weight prohibitive. Plus, given its size, it's very concealable and portable, while I don't feel the caliber is underpowered for a light duty defensive pistol.

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Any other Makarov fans out there? And, more importantly, can you recommend me a good holster? That's one thing I'm not satisfied with concerning my daily Mak carry setup; I'd like to get a decent, reasonably affordable holster for the gun.
 

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Bianchi does a clip on, Fobus does a paddle type, Wild Bill Concealment Holsters does a nice contour belt slide for them ( http://www.wildbillsconcealment.com/ ), H.B.E. makes some nice IWB for the Makarov. Most holsters made for the Walther PP will work great too. G-CODE Kydex Holster is available if you like kydex.

Just depends on how you want to carry it.
 
If you ever considered getting into Kydex sheath/holster making this could be the perfect excuse as well.
 
I have a couple of the Bulgies. At one time, they were the best value in a semi-auto pistol. Period.

Fobus paddle all the way for me.

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Nice thing about the Russians, and the DDR ones, is they can be bought on a C&R FFL. Has increased the price of them a bit
 
What's being produced these days in Russia, in terms of handguns? Are those pieces available in the US?
 
The vz82/CZ83 is currently available for about $200.00 and is also on the C&R list. It too is chambered in 9X18and uses a 12 round magazine. It is similar in size to the Makarov.
 
i have a bulgarian mak i experimented with carrying 15 yrs ago or so, used it for a "car gun" a lot as it was so cheap ($150 IIRC) if stolen it wasnt such a big deal, but they are good little pistols, i had some trigger work done on mine (the trigger was terrible) and added some flat grips and it was good to go, it too was the 9MM mak calibre, IIRC cor bon made some good ammo back then, never did find a holster i liked for it, i usually just stuck it in my pants IWB or in my pocket, i would think thats changed since then, anyway i eventually went back to a walther PPK in .380 it was a little liter and smaller then on to glock/kahr/etc.

but nothing wrong with maks they used to really be cheap, i also had a hungarian P something or another with the chrome looking frame and blue slide, looked like a mak or a PPK but a little different it was also a good one though i have heard they were "iffy" sometimes.
 
I never understood the attraction of this gun for serious defense purposes.

For the power and capacity, it's heavy and large.

Cheap? Yeah, ok, it's cheap. But my life is worth enough that I'll buy an adequate 9mm (not 9x18 which is European for ".380 magnum") that will be lighter and holds more ammo.

But that's just me.

.
 
there were at least 3 russian made ones, with holsters, at the gun show I was at last weekend. for under $200.

I'm gonna kick myself for not grabbing one, ain't I?
 
Guyon said:
+1. I still have some of the cor bon that I carry. I think they quit making that caliber though.

Good source for some 9mm Mak ammo in bulk: www.dansammo.com
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They dropped the DPX but still make the Pow"rball in 9X18, it is also an excellent ammo and will feed in anything that will feed ball.
 
David E said:
I never understood the attraction of this gun for serious defense purposes.

For the power and capacity, it's heavy and large.

Cheap? Yeah, ok, it's cheap. But my life is worth enough that I'll buy an adequate 9mm (not 9x18 which is European for ".380 magnum") that will be lighter and holds more ammo.

But that's just me.

.
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The gun is popular because, apart from it being a very good buy, the cartridge is adequate for self-defense, the all-steel construction makes the Makarov extremely durable, the design is reliable, and the gun's size and weight make it reasonably easy to conceal and light enough to be portable. (In this case, the smaller size keeps the weight to tolerable levels.)
 
At least that Makarov is more ergonomic than the Tokarev that was my first pistol. It came in 9mm and was surprising accurate and fun to shoot. However it had a safety that would have been silly to count on for self defense, and although thin was a heavy bugger.

I try to maintain the second rule of firearms, which is to never sell one...but I sold that beast and don't miss it much.
 
I have shot a couple and they were ok weapons but for the weight I will still pick a Glock 30 SF any time. The Maks that I have handled were decently accurate and very controllable. I agree with SIFU they would be a decent car gun.
 
Sharp Phil said:
The gun is popular because the cartridge is adequate for self-defense,
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Looks like we totally and thoroughly disagree on this. While any caliber may work, I'd never carry one of these on purpose for defense. Looks like all the LE agencies and militaries in the USA agree with me!

the gun's size and weight make it reasonably easy to conceal and light enough to be portable. (In this case, the smaller size keeps the weight to tolerable levels.)
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A Kahr P-9 does it all better and with more power to defend my life with. Then again, so does the all-steel K-9. Yes, they costs more, but I'm more than worth it. The poly framed CW-9 retails for $399 here. Current price for a good MAK is what, $200? I'd happily spend another $200 on a gun far better suited for defense. That's less than .55 cents a day for one year to make up the $200. Is my life worth another .55 cents a day? Absolutely !

Ammo cost? The Dansammo link above has 1000 rds of 9x18 for $199. Then again, that's their price for 1000 rds of 9mm. But I can go to Walmart and buy a Winchester white box 100 rd pack for $19.97 ($199.70 per 1000) They have it all day, every day, at any Walmart. Can you do the same for the 9x18? Even if you could find it, it sure won't be $20 per 100 the Walmart 9mm is. Good luck finding any defense ammo at even a reasonably stocked gunstore. Sure, it's out there, but it ain't easy to find.

Back to your original question, for holsters, I'd go with any suggested thus for except FOBUS.

Meanwhile, practice your "occular/proboscis" shots.

:)

.
 
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