Makarov: Cold War Pistol

A quick little video showcasing my favorite gun, the Makarov PM. Incredibly accurate, reliable and rugged, this gun was the primary Eastern Bloc sidearm throughout the Cold War. And... you can buy four of them for the price of one Springfield 1911.

I filmed this while I was out in Oklahoma for Air Traffic Control training.

On the whole "9x18 is equivalent to .380ACP" statement that everyone seems to keen on correcting me on....
* 1) "Equivalent" can mean "similar to... ", not just "equal to...".
* 2) The message I'm trying to get across is that 9x18 is the RUSSIAN EQUIVALENT of .380ACP.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• makarov
• cold
• war
• pistol
• russia
• soviet
• USSR
• gun
• target
• range

[1337Leva]

Incredibly accurate? What are you used to shooting? a 1800's muzzle loader?

[Wickedpenguin]

@1337Leva There were millions of these Makarovs made. I only have experience with mine, and I've found it very accurate. I'm no hardcore shooter. I don't get technical with groupings, hot barrel/cold barrel, etc.. All I ask of a gun is: does it shoot where I aim it? This one does. Now, it's not perfect. Nasty recoil. Inconvenient mag release. Still, I love it.

[soldier3941]

380=9x17,Makarov=9X18, 9mm standard=9x19. Makarov does not = 380

[nuffsaydboutit]

I've got a Russian .380 thats very reliable, never jammed in the 5 years I've had it. And is very accurate with all types ammo. I can bust quarter size targets 10 to 15 feet all day long. Didn't buy it for long distance but close quarter fighting if necessary.

[MrCargod05]

@9x18Makarov o yes it is!!!

[1337Leva]

@Wickedpenguin Well when I served we all hated it cause it SUCKS!

[1337Leva]

@bjb249248 They are not accurate. The tt33 are more accurate

[9x18Makarov]

@MrCargod05 but that is still a very good purchase lol

[bjb249248]

I just bought one today. I walked in the gun store hoping to find a P99 but when the clerk said it was made in Russia, I jumped on it immediately. They're very difficult for me to find for some reason, most examples I find are Bulgarian. Can't wait to take this to the range tomorrow! What's a decent and fun load for these? I have plenty of Monarch 94gr rounds but any suggestions as far as range ammo?

[Swagman00]

Some people think the 9x18 and .380 are pretty much the same. A 9x19 Luger will trump a 9x18 in most categories, but 115gr Buffalo Bore or Brown Bear load in 9x18 has the potential to equal the medium loads of the 9x19. A .380 can't do that. The only reason I favor a 9x18 over a 9x19 is cost if both the ammo and guns. A solid CZ 82 is less then $250.

[esh325]

@airsoftdude1990 It's the nature of a blowback design.