alucard0822
For great Justice
I just recieved my birthday present to myself today (hoped to have had it by my birthday onAug 22nd at least), an East German Makarov pistol. When I ordered it, and faxed in my C&R, Cole distributing called me back a couple days later, and told me they needed a snail mailed copy of all C&Rs, only 01 FFLs could be faxed in, so I sent it, and when they got it, they were out of the "excellent 90%" grade pistols, but offered to split the difference on an unissued 100% mint upgrade, so I accepted, and could not be happier with the extra $10 expense. This thing is absolutely goregous, sharp lines, deep old world bluing, perfect case hardening, and a silky smooth slide and trigger, there is 0 wear or defects of any kind including the mint holster, extra mag and cleaning kit that came with it.
The Makarov pistol replaced the TT-33 soon after WWII and to me is as much of an example of cold war era eastern block weaponery as the AK, M16, F4 phantom II, and mig 15, and in particular the east german model, supposedly the best Makarov, made in a country since re-united. It is a simple blow back DA/SA design with a safety that acts as a decocker when pushed UP into safe. It has a chrome lined 4 groove fixed barrel with a reputation for accuracy, a slide release that holds the slide back after the last shot, and a heel mag release along with a firing pin and hammer block that is diengaged when the trigger is pulled. The firing pin is a free floating design, and the breech face is recesed, and as a result is a reliable design, but can go full auto if the ever present cosmo is competely leaned out of the firing pin channel. The pistol can be field stripped in a matter of seconds, the trigger guard is pulled down, and the slide is pulled to the rear, and up, then allowed to slide off the front of the barrel, a single screw holds the one peice grip that covers two leafsprings (main and trigger bar). It fires the 9x18mm Makarov, a cartridge with ballistics between 380acp and low end 9mm luger, but slightly larger in diameter than either(.365 vs .355). It is also a perfect size for concealed carry, and having a steel slide and frame cuts down on the snappy recoil from the relatively powerful chambering for it's blow back design.
For those interested, cole distributing was an absolute pleasure to deal with, and I would not hesitate to buy from them again, and they have a small, but dwindling supply of these pistols. http://www.coledistributing.com/
size comparison between a bersa thunder in 380, and a 5" 1911, the makarov is similar in size to the bersa, but has a slightly longer barrel, and wider slide that is not quite as tall, allowing an extra round in the mag, and full grip on the almost 90 degree grip angle.
left side with all the controls
right side, slide locked
now I'm off to laymans for some ammo, and a quick trip to the range to see how she does
The Makarov pistol replaced the TT-33 soon after WWII and to me is as much of an example of cold war era eastern block weaponery as the AK, M16, F4 phantom II, and mig 15, and in particular the east german model, supposedly the best Makarov, made in a country since re-united. It is a simple blow back DA/SA design with a safety that acts as a decocker when pushed UP into safe. It has a chrome lined 4 groove fixed barrel with a reputation for accuracy, a slide release that holds the slide back after the last shot, and a heel mag release along with a firing pin and hammer block that is diengaged when the trigger is pulled. The firing pin is a free floating design, and the breech face is recesed, and as a result is a reliable design, but can go full auto if the ever present cosmo is competely leaned out of the firing pin channel. The pistol can be field stripped in a matter of seconds, the trigger guard is pulled down, and the slide is pulled to the rear, and up, then allowed to slide off the front of the barrel, a single screw holds the one peice grip that covers two leafsprings (main and trigger bar). It fires the 9x18mm Makarov, a cartridge with ballistics between 380acp and low end 9mm luger, but slightly larger in diameter than either(.365 vs .355). It is also a perfect size for concealed carry, and having a steel slide and frame cuts down on the snappy recoil from the relatively powerful chambering for it's blow back design.
For those interested, cole distributing was an absolute pleasure to deal with, and I would not hesitate to buy from them again, and they have a small, but dwindling supply of these pistols. http://www.coledistributing.com/
size comparison between a bersa thunder in 380, and a 5" 1911, the makarov is similar in size to the bersa, but has a slightly longer barrel, and wider slide that is not quite as tall, allowing an extra round in the mag, and full grip on the almost 90 degree grip angle.
left side with all the controls
right side, slide locked
now I'm off to laymans for some ammo, and a quick trip to the range to see how she does
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