Makarov PM?

[Pampty]

Hey everyone. I just turned 21 and would like to get my first handgun. After asking many people near me and close friends, they all seem to recommend the Makarov to me.

Would this really make a good first gun for someone like me? Is there any California specific information I should know about getting one also? How much should I expect to pay for one? I'm in Santa Cruz county if that matters. Thanks!

[big jon]

Mak is a good gun but I would recomend a older Smith 9mm can`t beat the $ for one they shoot all day and is a great gun to start with will last a life time.

[jmlivingston]

As Big Jon says, it's a good gun. Probably not a good beginner gun though. The sights are terrible, and the "thumbrest" grips which some models havfe are miserable. Ammo can be expensive unless you're shooting Wolf or Barnaul (when it's available). All that said, I've got one and I love it! But I made my own wood grips for it, and I reload for it as well.

I really suggest a 9mm. Cheap and plentiful ammo, with light recoil which won't distract you from learning good technique. Go to a gunstore and handle a few 9mm's, take a look at a CZ75 if they have one.

John

[bobfried]

Glock 17 can be had in the 300-400 range on the used market all day long.

I personally does not own a Glock but have put collectively about 20,000 rounds through their entire line of pistols. As a somewhat seasoned shooter there's a few things that bother me quite a bit about a Glock. But as a beginner's gun, there's nothing better IMO.

A glock 17 is very nicely balanced, it has a somewhat ok trigger, recoil is well managed and anyone with half an eye will shoot it well at almost any distance. I suggest you go to a range and rent a few guns to test them out, I can almost guarantee that you'll be more than twice as accurate with a Glock 17 than with anything else. Another good cheap choice is an XD 9 which is essentially the same thing. It can be had on the used market in the 300-400 range also.

So yah, Glock (or another plastic spacegun) for a beginner's gun.

Once you get better than an HK or a Sig and when you've got about 10,000 rounds under your belt than get yourself an uber expensive 1911. But not until than, I see way too many people with narely 200 rounds in their lifetime with guns beyond their shooting skills and comprehension.

[STAGE 2]

I'm going to disagree here and say that the mak is a good first gun. Its not too expensive, and ammo isn't all that outlandish either. Its stone cold reliable and very accurate for its size. Pluse there is a collectability factor, so if you decide you don't like it, you should be able to get back what you paid for it. Also there is plenty of support for parts and aftermarket stuff.

I have 2 and absolutely love them. I wouldn't worry about the sights either. They may not be as fast as newer ones, but those thin front blades do have their advantages.

[Sampachi]

I enjoy Makarovs.
California-wise, you are really stuck with only the East German or a true Soviet Military model (not IJ-70's). Not sure if the Bulgarian is still on the drop list.
I always buy ammo at gunshows, where it's cheaper. I have no trouble finding 9x18 at gun shops. They are good, reliable pistols but the prices are going up.
Check Makarov.com for further reading.

[TopGun2000]

Yes, FEG PA-63 is still on the list.

A recoil spring and hammer spring upgrade makes it a completely different gun

I enjoy Makarovs.
Not sure if the Bulgarian is still on the drop list.
Check Makarov.com for further reading.

[TopGun2000]

oops, this is Hungarian though :-)

Yes, FEG PA-63 is still on the list.

A recoil spring and hammer spring upgrade makes it a completely different gun

[pklin1297]

PA-63 is not a Makarov, it shoots the same cartridge but not a Makarov.

Bulgi Maks are still on the list. East Germans and Soviet Maks are not on the list so you can't get them, not even with C&R. Search on Gunbroker for Bulgarian Makarov and you will find some.

http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/safeguns.asp Search for Bulgarian (Century Int'l Arms) for the listing on roster.

[jmlivingston]

C&R's are exempt from requirements to be on "the list". So yes, if you find on out of state somewhere you can have it shipped to your FFL.

John

[StukaJr]

Bulgi Maks are still on the list. East Germans and Soviet Maks are not on the list so you can't get them, not even with C&R. Search on Gunbroker for Bulgarian Makarov and you will find some.

I bought an East German Mak last year from a store - not really sure what exemption it had, but it did not have to be on the list... I was told that Maks don't need to be on the list - Arsenal and Baikals would be considered new and thus have to be? Perhaps, since it was sold as a second hand gun?

[Pampty]

Thanks, guys. The thing that attracts me to the Makarov is it's cheaper then these other guns but still very reliable.

[jmlivingston]

On the Bulgarian Mak's - there's been some question whether it's a blanket inclusion or not. The Bulgarian's are one of the MAK varieties which are not classified as C&R. The list states Century Arms, and there's been a variety of other importers such as P.W. Arms. Apparently, the DoJBoF was a bit of a sticklier on that when Turners brought in a bunch of P.W. Arms bulgies. Some retailers may care, others may not. Might be worth asking before you end up buying a gun and having it show up at an FFL who won't DROS it for you....

[jmlivingston]

Perhaps, since it was sold as a second hand gun?

second hand gun doesn't mean much in California. It could refer to a PPT (private-party-transfer), consignment (special form of a PPT), or simply a used gun being sold by the retailer. A PPT is exempt from the requirements of the list, but a retailer directly selling a used gun is not. Same gun, but with a different transaction type, it has different legal requirements. Sucks, doesn't it?!?!?!?!

Hhmm... I wonder, is it possible that there's an "equal protections" issue here? I'll have to ask that question some where Bill, Gene, or Ben are likely to see it.

John

[StukaJr]

second hand gun doesn't mean much in California. It could refer to a PPT (private-party-transfer), consignment (special form of a PPT), or simply a used gun being sold by the retailer. A PPT is exempt from the requirements of the list, but a retailer directly selling a used gun is not. Same gun, but with a different transaction type, it has different legal requirements. Sucks, doesn't it?!?!?!?!

Well, I bought an East German Makarov a year ago, from the store, FFL'ed, 10 day song-and-dance, tralalalalala... My brain is resisting to look up info on it, but the FFL I bought it from insists that "old guns like a Mak" don't have to be on the list - who am I to argue?