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My first handgun was a PA-63 I bought back when they were $89. I still remember it as the most painful handgun I've ever shot. It was much worse than my J-frame with +P .38 Special. I still don't know how a round as underpowered as a 9X18 could produce that much discomfort.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1911-A1
I dont think its all that under powered. It falls somewhere between a 38 and a 38+p.
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Makarovs are still a little bit snappy, but no where near as bad as a P-64 or PPK (in 9x17).
I've got a E. German Mak, As Trajan pointed out recoil is a bit snappy,However, the EG maks have excellant triggers, in either mode. My example in SA, breaks like the proverbial glass rod,Accuracy is nothing short of excellant... Sights are typical for the era, small.. I would advise anyone buying one to consider replacing the recoil spring, and mag springs(+10%) with ones from Wolfe.. The recoil spring is the only thing which keeps this little pistol from beating itself to death, when it starts throwing emptys 15' or so,..you might want to consider replacing it...
I had to test-fire a bunch of those little blowback pistols for customers over the years back when I worked on indoor ranges. I hate them. On the plus side, they're cheap and (usually) reliable, and when one shits the bed the failure is so obvious that nobody will continue to use it. But as you've noted, aftermarket support is non-existent except for the Walther and the SIG. Their recoil is sharp, even though they're on the heavy side for the anemic cartridges they fire. They tend to have a lot of sharp edges that need to be radiused, their sights and triggers tend to be horrible, and most of them are too slippery and too small for me to shoot well in a hurry.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1911-A1
It's too bad that so many of them are sold as guns for women.
If you just have to own a Makarov, then get one. Otherwise, consider something that's not a blowback. A J-frame/Shield/Kahr/G26 will still kick pretty hard, but you'll have far better logistics and a more meaningful cartridge.
Okie John
It's the blow-back operation of the guns that seems to generate the sharper 'kick' of these pistols...my opinion anyhow.
I bought my wife a Kahr P380..and we went out shooting the little Kahr recoil operated .380 and a Walther PPK/S .380 plus a Beretta Tomcat .32...of all the pistols..the lightweight Kahr was the most pleasant to shoot...had less perceived recoil than the considerably larger/heavier Walther in same caliber and ammo.
The .380 Kahr had less recoil even than the similiar sized..smaller calibered .32 Beretta
I have virtually every Makarov variant as well as almost all pistols chambered for the 9x18 cartridge (CZ82, CZ83, PA63, R61, P64, P83, etc.). I was fortunate enough to get in to them when they were readily available. Of all the 9x18 chambered pistols, I think that the Makarov produces the least overall felt recoil. If the Makarov you buy has been used, I'd definitely suggest getting a new recoil spring. Other than that, you should be good to go. Although Makarov magazines are no longer cheap, there are plenty of them out there. Years ago a friend and I split an order for 100 at $1.50 each. I sold most of them for $6 to $7 each on Ebay and thought I was making a killing. I wish I had them now. You might try a Pearce Grip if recoil seems too sharp.
http://www.pearcegrip.com/Products/Makarov/MAK-8