Bulgarian Makarov Safety Function?

[Capybara]

Hi all:

It's been awhile since I have owned and shot a Makarov, I used to have a few but sold them off, I recently acquired a clean Bulgarian copy. I haven't yet fired it, but I was doing an inspection and cleaning and noticed a few things I hadn't noticed when I bought it.

#1. Safety
Am I correct in thinking that on the Makarov, the safety is a decocker and decocks the gun when the safety lever is pushed up? If the gun is charged with the hammer back and you push the safety up, it releases the hammer. With the gun decocked and the safety still in the up position, the gun seems to still be able to be fired DA, or it least drops the hammer when cycled DA with the safety up. This seems wrong. Broken safety or disconnector?

As I said, I haven't shot the gun yet, but I could test it at the range with the gun pointed safely down range to see if it would fire in this condition but I don't think I should be able to pull the trigger and have it lift and release the hammer with the safety on?;

I don't have more than one Makarov to compare it to, but I do have a P64, which is functionally similar, and with it, once I drop the hammer with the safety/decocker, the gun doesn't allow DA cycling, it is blocked. Shouldn't the Makarov function in the same way?

#2. Grip Screw
The grip screw on this gun seems super weird. I recall taking the grips off of my Bulgarian and Chinese I had before and it was just a normal screw. I don't know what this is? I'm not planning on replacing the grips anytime soon but if I was going to, I wouldn't know what to do with this? Is it just a weird slot screw with a bizarre head or is it something else?

Any advice is appreciated.

[Wlee]

Cant comment on the bulgarian model, however I can reference my east german. It does allow some hammer movement with the safety engaged but only about 1cm and hammer is not able to be dropped. The grip screw is the exact same as yours. As far as I know, the makarov safety/decocker should lock the slide and hammer in place when engaged.

And yes when the safety is engaged in the upwards position the decocker will drop the hammer, it should not allow the DA function.

[Dan_Eastvale]

First. My East German
Second. My Bulgarian

The thicker aftermarket rubber stocks that were popular on Makarovs had normal looking screws since the original factory screws were too short

[Capybara]

Thanks for your input gents. So it appears that I may have a broken Makarov. I may have to do some research about what exactly is broken. I'm not too bothered that it seems as if it could be shootable while the safety is engaged because I am the only one who will shoot it and I am aware of this.

But, it concerns me that if a part of the action is broken or bent, what else could that mean just about shooting it safely? I am going to have to take a deep dive and probably tear the entire action apart or I may take it to my gunsmith, if he has availability.

I just replaced the firing pin, firing pin retainer, extractor and rollers in my CZ52, so I am feeling confident that I can tear it apart and figure out why it's doing this. Of course, getting parts for a Makarov may be difficult, hopefully I won't have to buy a beater just for parts.

I'll keep you posted on what I discover. Not going to shoot this gun until I have a handle on what's going on with it.

Thanks for the info on the grip screw, that is one weird looking screw, never seen a fastener like it.

[Wlee]

Numrich has spare parts for Maks. Ebay also has a few parts kits for spares being offered.

[Capybara]

Originally Posted by Wlee

Numrich has spare parts for Maks. Ebay also has a few parts kits for spares being offered.

Thanks for the heads up! All I have to do now is figure out what broke or bent to cause this.

[19K]

There isn’t a drum or “claw” that surrounds the firing pin when the safety is up like on the P64? With the safety on, even if you were able to drop the hammer, it would hit the safety “drum” or “claw” and not the firing pin.

[Capybara]

Originally Posted by 19K

There isn’t a drum or “claw” that surrounds the firing pin when the safety is up like on the P64? With the safety on, even if you were able to drop the hammer, it would hit the safety “drum” or “claw” and not the firing pin.

Good question, I don't know. The only way to test this would be to take it to the range and try it with live ammo. I was wondering the same thing. I guess someone who really knows the mechanics of the Makarov would know but that's not me. I've been reticent to take this gun to the range because I don't know if it's operating correctly or would be safe to shoot.

Seems weird that the designers would allow the hammer to cycle in DA with the safety on and not block the action itself from cycling like the P64 but I guess it's possible?

Anyone know for sure?

[Dan_Eastvale]

Your safety still has the detent spring?

[Capybara]

Originally Posted by Dan_Eastvale

Your safety still has the detent spring?

I have not had the time to disassemble it but I ordered a new safety and detent spring from Numrich so if it is that, I will be set.

[19K]

Cock the hammer, can you see the firing pin? Hold the hammer with your thumb and put it into safe slowly. Do you see anything rotating in front of the firing pin? Also check for a “safety” notches hammer. A lot of people assume (just google and you will see) the p64 and Cz82/83 do not have one. People assume if the safety is off and you hit the hammer it can go off or that the hammer resting on the firing pin is dangerous, but it’s not because the hammer cannot move forward unless the trigger is depressed.

[19K]

This is a p64, but I assume the makarov operates the same way. The picture on the left shows the safety off (on fire). The firing pin is exposed. The picture on the right shows the safety partially engaged just before the decocker kicks in. See how it is blocking the firing pin before it drops the hammer?


This image shows the safety fully engaged, hammer deco lee (but held back by my thumb. By the time the hammer drops the firing pin is fully covered and unable to be hit by the hammer as it decocks.

[C&Rtrader]

I love Makarovs... own\owned several.

YES. the safety is a decocker on the makarov. Out of an abundance of caution I always manually walk the hammer down.

that screw is correct. I have seen it on both EG and bulgarian makarovs.

I often joke you can divide gun enthusiast into 2 groups. those that own Makarovs and those that have never shot one. .. that being said the east german ones are vastly nicer.

great little gun. go shoot the heck out of it

[C&Rtrader]

I love Makarovs... own\owned several.

YES. the safety is a decocker on the makarov. Out of an abundance of caution I always manually walk the hammer down.

that screw is correct. I have seen it on both EG and bulgarian makarovs.

I often joke you can divide gun enthusiast into 2 groups. those that own Makarovs and those that have never shot one. .. that being said the east german ones are vastly nicer.

great little gun. go shoot the heck out of it

[Capybara]

Cross posting this here for my fellow CG Makarov owning peeps in case you don't peruse the Gunsmithing board here.

Update on my Bulgarian Makarov safety issue.

The new safety and a spare safety detent spring I ordered from Numrich arrived today. Upon removing the existing safety and comparing it to the new safety,
I think the issue becomes crystal clear, broken claw actuator on the safety, there was nothing to keep the action from cycling other than this little metal claw.

New safety went in smoothly and gun and safety now function safely and perfectly as God and Nikolay Makarov intended.

Thanks for your suggestion Tikka3x, good advice. I love when I can fix something myself and not have to hire a gunsmith to do the detective work.

[Dan_Eastvale]

Great that it’s fixed.
I’m surprised it broke like that
Those things (even Bulgarians) are tanks

[Capybara]

Yes, I have had three other Maks and have never seen this. I think someone shot corrosive ammo through this gun and didn't know what the hell they were doing as far as cleaning it afterward. The exterior is beautiful, very nicely taken care of but look at the corrosion on the bottom of that safety in the second image. Also, the barrel is "clean" but the rifling looks pretty clogged up, either with copper (unlikely) or with corrosion, just in the rifling. I'm going to need to tear this thing for a deep cleaning. I don't see any pitting anywhere else, but I haven't really cleaned it other than running a bore light down the barrel and bore snaking it a few times. That safety, to me, the bottom looks corroded.

[Tikka3x]

Glad I could help.