Beach-Gun Experiment II: Makarov

B. Lahey · August 15, 2011, 10:52 AM

Here's the last thread, which links back to yet another from last summer:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=457569

This time I took my commercial Russian IJ-70 Makarov to the beach in a homebrew pocket holster (I have a few pairs of shorts with very large pockets, thankfully), had a normal beachy day (minus swimming), and then took it to the range without cleaning it for a function test with a small amount of sand in the works. It ran like a whipped greyhound, as did the extra mag I had in my pocket. As it is smaller and somewhat lighter than the previous champion (Colt 1911), and will still shoot with one or more grains of sand wandering around (unlike the LCP), I think I have a new beach-gun. At least until I find something smaller and lighter that will work in these conditions...

Previous results:
Colt 1911:
Pros- functions just fine with a bit of sand in it.
Cons- relatively large and heavy.

Ruger LCP:
Pros- light weight and small size.
Cons- serious reliablility problems with even single grains of sand in the mix.

New result:
IJ-70 Russian Makarov, 9x18mm:
Pros- functions just fine with a bit of sand in it, lighter and smaller than the Colt.
Cons- still kind of large and heavy for the beach.

trlhrv · August 15, 2011, 11:50 AM

You should consider any of the Kahr PM or CW series. Very durable in most conditions and light weight as well.

Texcowboy · August 15, 2011, 12:19 PM

Try a Glock, a proven shooter after sand, water, etc.

shortwave · August 15, 2011, 01:05 PM

Have you tried the P64 in the sand.

A bit lighter then the Mak.

After a very hard rain, I was walking out back to the range and dropped mine in a mudpuddle.

Fished it out of the mud, check the bbl, shook/rinsed the big chunks off in the puddle and instead of walking back to the house, I wanted to see how it would shoot.

Shot about a 100rds without a hitch as dirty water dripped out of it.

Be interesting to see how it would react in your scenario.

B. Lahey · August 15, 2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Kahr

Heh. Not likely. I will never again have anything to do with that wretched company after the customer-service nightmare they put me through with my lemon.

Quote:

Glock

Meh. Not my style, and I don't like the squishy trigger (not that it's any worse than the LCP, but the LCP makes up for it by being small and thin). But I'm sure it would be a great choice for many, many people in this carry niche.

Quote:

P64

Now I kind of wish I hadn't sold mine. I ditched it because it had a gnarly DA trigger, it felt weird in my hand, and the recoil was fairly unpleasant. However, it did function very well, and I bet it would work in this application.

publius · August 15, 2011, 04:36 PM

I don't imagine you will find anything better for that task than the Mak. Simple, bulletproof, Russian military engineering.

August 15, 2011, 10:52 AM	#1
B. Lahey Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,857	Beach-Gun Experiment II: Makarov Here's the last thread, which links back to yet another from last summer: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=457569 This time I took my commercial Russian IJ-70 Makarov to the beach in a homebrew pocket holster (I have a few pairs of shorts with very large pockets, thankfully), had a normal beachy day (minus swimming), and then took it to the range without cleaning it for a function test with a small amount of sand in the works. It ran like a whipped greyhound, as did the extra mag I had in my pocket. As it is smaller and somewhat lighter than the previous champion (Colt 1911), and will still shoot with one or more grains of sand wandering around (unlike the LCP), I think I have a new beach-gun. At least until I find something smaller and lighter that will work in these conditions... Previous results: Colt 1911: Pros- functions just fine with a bit of sand in it. Cons- relatively large and heavy. Ruger LCP: Pros- light weight and small size. Cons- serious reliablility problems with even single grains of sand in the mix. New result: IJ-70 Russian Makarov, 9x18mm: Pros- functions just fine with a bit of sand in it, lighter and smaller than the Colt. Cons- still kind of large and heavy for the beach.

August 15, 2011, 11:50 AM	#2
trlhrv Member Join Date: September 8, 2010 Posts: 25	You should consider any of the Kahr PM or CW series. Very durable in most conditions and light weight as well.

August 15, 2011, 12:19 PM	#3
Texcowboy Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Ft Worth, Texas Posts: 85	Try a Glock, a proven shooter after sand, water, etc.

August 15, 2011, 01:05 PM	#4
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Have you tried the P64 in the sand. A bit lighter then the Mak. After a very hard rain, I was walking out back to the range and dropped mine in a mudpuddle. Fished it out of the mud, check the bbl, shook/rinsed the big chunks off in the puddle and instead of walking back to the house, I wanted to see how it would shoot. Shot about a 100rds without a hitch as dirty water dripped out of it. Be interesting to see how it would react in your scenario.

August 15, 2011, 04:36 PM	#6
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	I don't imagine you will find anything better for that task than the Mak. Simple, bulletproof, Russian military engineering.