Bulgarian Makarov Experiences?

Satanic Toaster · February 28, 2011, 09:47 PM

I am thinking about ordering a Bulgarian Makarov and I was wanting to get some opinions on them. Condition, fit and finish, etc. Thanks!

gyvel · March 1, 2011, 12:32 AM

Fit is pretty good, early Bulgarians are very well finished, and, of course, share the legendary reliability of all Makarovs.

Rodger_p · March 1, 2011, 09:05 AM

Mine was made in 1979. Great fit and finish. Have never ever had a failure of any kind.

-Rodger

heitz · March 1, 2011, 09:28 AM

if you are refering to the pa-63 I have 2 of them, his and hers, and love them both. they are dependable and good for CCW. I do however recomend the spring kits that lower double action pull to 9lb instead of the 18lb factory.. makes shooting a whole lot nicer.

Claddagh · March 1, 2011, 10:52 AM

I bought mine out of curiousity a fair number of years back, mostly because it was very attractively priced (NIB with military/police-type flap holster and cleaning rod, English language manual and two magazines electropencil-numbered to the gun for $175) and I had the cash to spare.

It's turned out to have been an exceptional bargain, IMO: A simple and proven-durable design, relatively compact, all steel construction, nicely fitted, decently finished with a hard chromium-plated bore and chamber. It functions about as reliably as gravity with both ball and JHP ammo and capable of most exceptional accuracy (despite its tiny, shiney fixed sights) with the loads it likes when I do my part correctly.

One can spend more and get a good deal less in a budget-priced HD/SD handgun, IMHO. I'm keeping mine.

**Tom Servo** · March 1, 2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

do you mean the pa-63

The PA-63 is a Hungarian gun, and is of a different design than the actual Makarov PM.

heitz · March 1, 2011, 02:01 PM

Oh that's right sorry about that.....I new they were one of the garian types

very similar though in may respects.... The caliber is nice for a CCW and Home D since it is power enough to stop but not so much that it will keep going into your neighbors house and the next.

Dabull · March 1, 2011, 08:47 PM

Wrong forum? Bulgarians are not C&R eligible.

Satanic Toaster · March 1, 2011, 09:58 PM

I know they are not C&R eligible but I figured this subforum would have the best insight into Makarov pistols since it is an older design.

Anyway I ordered one today.

BitterTait · March 1, 2011, 10:37 PM

Cheap, reliable, all steel. Expensive magazines that are hard to find. Piece of history, and damn pretty in my opinion. Probably going to be the gun I get buried with.

One thing: confirm that your range of choice allows the cheep Russian surplus ammo. If they've got a steel core, most indoor ranges don't allow them. I did not know this and now have quite a bit of brown bear ammo awaiting the unthawing of the outdoor range.

doofus47 · March 3, 2011, 11:23 AM

I love my Bulgie Mak.
That said, remember that it is a military rifle built to "field tolerances."
I notice that when I use the decock feature, the decock engages before the safety lever actually lodges into the "safe" detente. A DA trigger pull is still possible. Just don't be lulled to sleep; make sure the safety lever is elevated all the way to "safe" when you decock. No accident stories to tell, just sayin...

Apparently fields are larger in Russia?

gyvel · March 4, 2011, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Cheap, reliable, all steel. Expensive magazines that are hard to find. Piece of history, and damn pretty in my opinion. Probably going to be the gun I get buried with

.

Expensive magazines?? Not particularly.

m.p.driver · March 5, 2011, 09:28 AM

I'd rate them right behind the E.German mak.Bought a used ex-issue Bulg and a new commercial one probably ten years ago.Never had any ftf,fte problems with steel or brass.I bought maybe 15 magazines for $4 apiece so mags are very common.Accuracy is comparable to all the rest of them and you can find both fmj and hollowpoint rounds depending on your needs.I carried one for ccw until i got on the cz82 bandwagon which is another great 9mm mak for the money.

February 28, 2011, 09:47 PM	#1
Satanic Toaster Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 153	Bulgarian Makarov Experiences? I am thinking about ordering a Bulgarian Makarov and I was wanting to get some opinions on them. Condition, fit and finish, etc. Thanks! __________________ In Hoc Signo Vinces

March 1, 2011, 09:28 AM	#4
heitz Member Join Date: March 1, 2011 Location: I am in Colorado Posts: 21	do you mean the pa-63 if you are refering to the pa-63 I have 2 of them, his and hers, and love them both. they are dependable and good for CCW. I do however recomend the spring kits that lower double action pull to 9lb instead of the 18lb factory.. makes shooting a whole lot nicer.

March 1, 2011, 08:47 PM	#8
Dabull Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 380	Wrong forum? Bulgarians are not C&R eligible. __________________ "Its better to have a gun and not need it, than to need a gun and not have it." -- Clarence Worley in True Romance

March 1, 2011, 09:58 PM	#9
Satanic Toaster Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 153	I know they are not C&R eligible but I figured this subforum would have the best insight into Makarov pistols since it is an older design. Anyway I ordered one today. __________________ In Hoc Signo Vinces

March 1, 2011, 10:37 PM	#10
BitterTait Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 144	Cheap, reliable, all steel. Expensive magazines that are hard to find. Piece of history, and damn pretty in my opinion. Probably going to be the gun I get buried with. One thing: confirm that your range of choice allows the cheep Russian surplus ammo. If they've got a steel core, most indoor ranges don't allow them. I did not know this and now have quite a bit of brown bear ammo awaiting the unthawing of the outdoor range. __________________ Powered by VI!

March 1, 2011, 12:32 AM	#2
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Fit is pretty good, early Bulgarians are very well finished, and, of course, share the legendary reliability of all Makarovs.

March 1, 2011, 09:05 AM	#3
Rodger_p Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2004 Location: East TN. Posts: 207	Mine was made in 1979. Great fit and finish. Have never ever had a failure of any kind. -Rodger

March 1, 2011, 10:52 AM	#5
Claddagh Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2009 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 313	I bought mine out of curiousity a fair number of years back, mostly because it was very attractively priced (NIB with military/police-type flap holster and cleaning rod, English language manual and two magazines electropencil-numbered to the gun for $175) and I had the cash to spare. It's turned out to have been an exceptional bargain, IMO: A simple and proven-durable design, relatively compact, all steel construction, nicely fitted, decently finished with a hard chromium-plated bore and chamber. It functions about as reliably as gravity with both ball and JHP ammo and capable of most exceptional accuracy (despite its tiny, shiney fixed sights) with the loads it likes when I do my part correctly. One can spend more and get a good deal less in a budget-priced HD/SD handgun, IMHO. I'm keeping mine.

March 1, 2011, 02:01 PM	#7
heitz Member Join Date: March 1, 2011 Location: I am in Colorado Posts: 21	Oh that's right sorry about that.....I new they were one of the garian types very similar though in may respects.... The caliber is nice for a CCW and Home D since it is power enough to stop but not so much that it will keep going into your neighbors house and the next.

March 3, 2011, 11:23 AM	#11
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	I love my Bulgie Mak. That said, remember that it is a military rifle built to "field tolerances." I notice that when I use the decock feature, the decock engages before the safety lever actually lodges into the "safe" detente. A DA trigger pull is still possible. Just don't be lulled to sleep; make sure the safety lever is elevated all the way to "safe" when you decock. No accident stories to tell, just sayin... Apparently fields are larger in Russia?

March 5, 2011, 09:28 AM	#13
m.p.driver Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 552	I'd rate them right behind the E.German mak.Bought a used ex-issue Bulg and a new commercial one probably ten years ago.Never had any ftf,fte problems with steel or brass.I bought maybe 15 magazines for $4 apiece so mags are very common.Accuracy is comparable to all the rest of them and you can find both fmj and hollowpoint rounds depending on your needs.I carried one for ccw until i got on the cz82 bandwagon which is another great 9mm mak for the money.

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