Makarov as a CCW- grips?

JimmyR · July 2, 2013, 03:25 AM

Ladies and Gents, I have begun carrying my Bulgarian Makarov as one of my CCW weapons. I have a Galco Softuk holster that works wonderfully with my typical non-work attire (can't carry at work).

I feel comfortable shooting with my factory grips, but I have considered switching to a set of aftermarket rubber grips to possibly improve grip and protect the original grips.

Should I get the replacements? If so, what does TFL reccomend?

EDIT: While I didn't intend for this to be a Makarov Picture Party, I guess, as the OP, I don't mind at all.

cjmmc · July 2, 2013, 03:26 AM

why do people white out serial numbers never known the answer to that?

JimmyR · July 2, 2013, 03:31 AM

I personally cover up my serial numbers to protect my weapon's integrity. With a serial number, one could easily report a pistol as "stolen," and could potentially lead to either a confiscated firearm or an unfortunate encounter with the judicial system, especially if the weapon is bought from a private sale with no record of the sale kept. Probably paranoid, but I'd rather be paranoid than out a carry gun.

Waspinator · July 2, 2013, 05:33 AM

I think you should keep the grips that are on there. If you can shoot with them, then they would be a better CCW grip then a sticky rubber grip that would hang up on your clothing. My take at least.

PSP · July 2, 2013, 07:00 AM

If you can find a Pearce or Makarap Grip, it is excellent because it makes the grip a little thinner. The soft polymer makes for a firm, tight grip.

Pilot · July 2, 2013, 07:35 AM

Keep the original grips for CCW. I have the Pearce grips on my Russian Mak, and while more comfortable for range shooting, they are thick for CCW. The original Mak grips are slim. They are fine for all around use also. I sometimes carry a Bulgarian Mak with the same grips as yours, the original bakelite.

JimmyR · July 2, 2013, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSP

If you can find a Pearce Makarap Grip, it is excellent because it makes the grip a little thinner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilot

Keep the original grips for CCW. I have the Pearce grips on my Russian Mak, and while more comfortable for range shooting, they are thick for CCW. The original Mak grips are slim.

OK, somebody break out the tape measure...

wnycollector · July 2, 2013, 08:06 AM

I dont own my Russian Mak anymore, but I did had Pearce grips on mine and carried it as my daily CCW for ~a year with zero problems.

lee n. field · July 2, 2013, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Should I get the replacements? If so, what does TFL reccomend?

If you're unsatisfied with the factory grips, try an East German milsurp grip.

Quote:

If you can find a Pearce Makarap Grip, it is excellent because it makes the grip a little thinner.

That's the first time I've ever heard the Pearce grip called "thin". The grip pictured is the Pearce grip.

The Makawrap grip is (was) a completely different product. I haven't seen one for sale for years, even before Makarov.com closed their store. They wrapped around the entire grip frame, and provided the ever trendy finger grooves on the front strap.

PSP · July 2, 2013, 08:13 AM

Quote:

That's the first time I've ever heard the Pearce grip called "thin". The grip pictured is the Pearce grip.

I misspoke about the Pearce grip, (thanks for the correction). Thinking of the other grips I suppose. Here's a photo with all three grips shown that I've used.

qwiksdraw · July 2, 2013, 08:32 AM

Since it fits in the same IWB holster for my Bersa Thunder 380, I will sometimes carry my Russian Commercial. The Makarov is an amazingly reliable and accurate pistol. It's a wonder why they went out of production. (Take away the fact that 9X18 ammo is not that wide spread, of course).

These grips work fine for IWB conceal carry.
[IMG]

[/IMG]

Seaman · July 2, 2013, 09:01 AM

The Makarov PM is the best example of a military issue combat pistol that transitions easily into a CCW role.

The Pearce grips are a tad fat for CCW, however if the recoil snap is too harsh (for some shooters), they do help tame it. I use inexpensive slender black plastic CZ grips. Don't see them around anymore, wish I had bought another pair.

Pilot · July 2, 2013, 10:38 AM

Both rubber grips shown in the photos above are Pearce rubber grips NOT Makwrap grips. Makwraps are thinner than the Pearce grips shown above.

jackpine · July 2, 2013, 07:15 PM

stick with factory grips and never never use a floppy holster that will not allow a one handed re-holster of the weapon

PSP · July 2, 2013, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Both rubber grips shown in the photos above are Pearce rubber grips NOT Makwrap grips. Makwraps are thinner than the Pearce grips shown above.

The Makarap grips are in my second photo, with the molded finger bumps. The original grips are also off the gun and the Pearse grip is on the gun.

JimmyR · July 3, 2013, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackpine

stick with factory grips and never never use a floppy holster that will not allow a one handed re-holster of the weapon

I use my Galco Softuk, and it actually works very well, and I have a Barsony OWB pancake coming in the mail.

I guess I'm keeping my factory grips, which I don't mind at all, since the look and feel great. I may get some Pearce for range grips, though.

Anyone have a lead on getting the Makawrap grips?

Pilot · July 3, 2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

The Makarap grips are in my second photo, with the molded finger bumps. The original grips are also off the gun and the Pearse grip is on the gun.

I see that. I should have clarified by saying the rubber grips ON THE GUNS were the Pearce grips. I have never used the Makwraps, but the Pearce grips are nice for range work, but are a bit thick for carry. The attraction of the Mak for carry is its slimness.

lagavulin62 · July 3, 2013, 11:33 AM

I would stick with the original grips or if you are worried about them you can always find another set of the hard ones. I have tried the Pierce and like others have said it's too cushy and I can 't get a firm enough hold.

btw, am I missing something? what is so special about the grips you have on the gun now? I have never had a problem finding original makarov grips.

JimmyR · July 3, 2013, 11:08 PM

Quote:

btw, am I missing something? what is so special about the grips you have on the gun now? I have never had a problem finding original makarov grips.

Not really. The grips are fine, but after about 4-6 mags fired through, in a hot indoor range, the grips get a little slippery. That, and I just wanted to know what other Makarovniks were doing with their pieces.

Stringfellow · July 4, 2013, 12:51 AM

I bought the Pearce grips, and they are about a full 1/3 larger than the stock Makarov grips. I immediately took them off. A few days later I put them on again to make sure, and there and then swore to never put them on again.

For me, they took one of the Mak's strengths (thinness) and absolutely ruined it.

That said, I did the old bicycle inner tube trick with the stock grips, and the result is about perfect for me.

Sharpsdressed Man · July 4, 2013, 01:59 PM

Marschal grips make it a completely different, and better feeling grip. http://www.marschalgrips.com/

JimmyR · July 4, 2013, 11:21 PM

Sharp, those Mak grips look amazing!

Now, the question of whether I should put $85 grips on a $250 gun...decisions decisons

View Poll Results: Should I use replacement grips for CCW of a Makarov
Yes, get some new grips	5	13.89%
No, keep the grips you got	27	75.00%
Why are you CCWing a Makarov?	4	11.11%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll

July 2, 2013, 07:00 AM	#5
PSP Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2006 Location: Bowling Green Virginia Posts: 4,496	If you can find a Pearce or Makarap Grip, it is excellent because it makes the grip a little thinner. The soft polymer makes for a firm, tight grip. Last edited by PSP; July 2, 2013 at 08:10 AM.

July 2, 2013, 08:32 AM	#11
qwiksdraw Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2012 Posts: 534	Since it fits in the same IWB holster for my Bersa Thunder 380, I will sometimes carry my Russian Commercial. The Makarov is an amazingly reliable and accurate pistol. It's a wonder why they went out of production. (Take away the fact that 9X18 ammo is not that wide spread, of course). These grips work fine for IWB conceal carry. [IMG][/IMG]

July 2, 2013, 03:26 AM	#2
cjmmc Member Join Date: June 9, 2013 Posts: 32	why do people white out serial numbers never known the answer to that?

July 2, 2013, 03:31 AM	#3
JimmyR Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Posts: 1,273	I personally cover up my serial numbers to protect my weapon's integrity. With a serial number, one could easily report a pistol as "stolen," and could potentially lead to either a confiscated firearm or an unfortunate encounter with the judicial system, especially if the weapon is bought from a private sale with no record of the sale kept. Probably paranoid, but I'd rather be paranoid than out a carry gun.

July 2, 2013, 05:33 AM	#4
Waspinator Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2013 Location: Connecticut Posts: 517	I think you should keep the grips that are on there. If you can shoot with them, then they would be a better CCW grip then a sticky rubber grip that would hang up on your clothing. My take at least.

July 2, 2013, 07:35 AM	#6
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 4,193	Keep the original grips for CCW. I have the Pearce grips on my Russian Mak, and while more comfortable for range shooting, they are thick for CCW. The original Mak grips are slim. They are fine for all around use also. I sometimes carry a Bulgarian Mak with the same grips as yours, the original bakelite.

July 2, 2013, 08:06 AM	#8
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	I dont own my Russian Mak anymore, but I did had Pearce grips on mine and carried it as my daily CCW for ~a year with zero problems.

July 2, 2013, 09:01 AM	#12
Seaman Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2011 Posts: 654	The Makarov PM is the best example of a military issue combat pistol that transitions easily into a CCW role. The Pearce grips are a tad fat for CCW, however if the recoil snap is too harsh (for some shooters), they do help tame it. I use inexpensive slender black plastic CZ grips. Don't see them around anymore, wish I had bought another pair.

July 2, 2013, 10:38 AM	#13
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 4,193	Both rubber grips shown in the photos above are Pearce rubber grips NOT Makwrap grips. Makwraps are thinner than the Pearce grips shown above.

July 2, 2013, 07:15 PM	#14
jackpine Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Posts: 351	stick with factory grips and never never use a floppy holster that will not allow a one handed re-holster of the weapon

July 3, 2013, 11:33 AM	#18
lagavulin62 Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2008 Location: Montgomery, Texas Posts: 222	I would stick with the original grips or if you are worried about them you can always find another set of the hard ones. I have tried the Pierce and like others have said it's too cushy and I can 't get a firm enough hold. btw, am I missing something? what is so special about the grips you have on the gun now? I have never had a problem finding original makarov grips.

July 4, 2013, 12:51 AM	#20
Stringfellow Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2009 Posts: 215	I bought the Pearce grips, and they are about a full 1/3 larger than the stock Makarov grips. I immediately took them off. A few days later I put them on again to make sure, and there and then swore to never put them on again. For me, they took one of the Mak's strengths (thinness) and absolutely ruined it. That said, I did the old bicycle inner tube trick with the stock grips, and the result is about perfect for me.

July 4, 2013, 01:59 PM	#21
Sharpsdressed Man Junior member Join Date: June 21, 2009 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 1,176	Marschal grips make it a completely different, and better feeling grip. http://www.marschalgrips.com/

July 4, 2013, 11:21 PM	#22
JimmyR Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Posts: 1,273	Sharp, those Mak grips look amazing! Now, the question of whether I should put $85 grips on a $250 gun...decisions decisons