The Makarov is the Perfect Pistol to go with Your AK –
You know it, you love it, it’s the Makarov.
It’s a classic Soviet weapon that has captured the hearts of AK lovers and all of those guys that are really into Russian/Soviet military tech.
If you’re a collector, you have to get this pistol in your collection as soon as you can. Although, if you want to use this as a carry weapon, I wouldn’t recommend it, no matter what Brandon Herrera says. I’m still glad I bought it though. The history and Soviet design are cool in their own rite.
Keep reading to find out what makes the Makarov special:
Besides history, the Makarov’s looks are one of the many reasons this pistol has become a favorite among collectors. It’s a small single-action/double-action pistol chambered in 9x18mm originally with other variants like an experimental 9×19 that failed and a .380 variant being available as well. 9×18 isn’t extremely rare, but it’s a like but hard to come by, so it’s worth picking up a box whenever you see it round. Keep that in mind if you plan on getting the Makarov to the range frequently.
This pistol is constructed entirely of metal too, so it’s a little heavier than polymer users might be used to. I think this weight just adds to its robust feel and look.
It’s a smooth pistol with that old-school Soviet feel that’s attractive for anyone with eyes. My Bulgarian Makarov came equipped with the classic grips with that single star etched in the middle. I normally don’t pay much attention to grips, but the design ties it all together nicely.
Typically, you’ll get a single stack, eight-round magazine, but there are other magazines out there that hold more. I didn’t opt for this though since I was more for the historical value than its practical application.
The accuracy of this pistol is solid. It’s precise at any of your run-of-the-mill engagement distances like 10, 20, and 25 yards. I got solid groups without too much of an issue, except for one major flaw. The iron sights are rough to use. They are tiny sights. I found it difficult to take follow-up shots because realigning the irons every single time was a real pain. But as I said, I brought this more as a collector’s item than anything.
Along with its complementary rifle, the AK-47, the Makarov is an extremely reliable pistol. I didn’t have a single problem when I was shooting the Makarov. Now while it’s not particularly practical, if you do decide to use it as a carry gun, you’re not likely to have any problems if you need to shoot it.
I’m not going to pretend I bought this pistol to critically analyze the merits of it being a practical weapon for carrying. I bought this gun to have fun and keep a little slice of history in my collection. I don’t have any regrets about buying it and I don’t reckon I’ll be selling it any time soon. If you’re a fan of historical firearms, this pistol needs to go in your collection, especially if you can find them for cheap in this day and age.
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Richard Douglas writes on firearms, defense, and security issues. He is the founder and editor of Scopes Field, and a columnist at the National Interest, 1945, Daily Caller, and other publications.