AKA : Pistolet Makarova, 9mm Maka,
Weight : 26oz or 730g
Length : 6.34in or 161mm
Action : Blowback Double / Single Action Semi-Automatic
Capacity : 8 Rounds (though 12 and 13 round version are available)
Origin : U.S.S.R.
The Makarov PM was introduced in 1951 as the standard sidearm for the Russian Armed forces. This 9mm pistol's lineage can be traced back to the German Walther PP, the double action mechanism and disassembly are closely copied. At the end of World War Two after the German defeat, Russia stockpiled large quantities of captured weapons (much like every other nation at the time) for both study and for possible use should the need ever arise. Also whole German factories were taken apart and transported by train back to Russia, as both compensation and to gain knowledge amongst these was what was left of the destroyed Walther Factory, paperwork and drawings of the Walther pistols. Nikolay Fyodorovich Makarov a weapons designer at the Tula state arsenal was given the opportunity to compete in a competition to replace the Tokarev TT-33 in military service with a new pistol, Nikolay's design eventually won.
Disassembly of the makarov is easy an easy proceedure, the same as the Walther PP, after safety checking the pistol, the magazine is removed by pushing rearward the magazine release located the base of the pistol grip. The Trigger guard is pulled downward, and pushed to slightly to either side so that it may rest against the outter part of the frame. Then the slide is pulled to the back and the rear of the slide is lifted upward allowing the slide to move along the barrel and pop off. The barrel is fixed to the frame allowing easy maintenance for the operating mechanism and barrel cleaning.
The double action pull of the Makarov's trigger is generally very heavy. The differences between the single and double action pull makes it very difficult to hit with the second shot when starting in double action mode, more so than western double action semi automatics. When using the standard ball rounds the Makarov has been known to produce some respectable combat acceptable groups. When pistols chambered for 9mm Makarov first started to be introduced into the United States ammunition for these pistols wasn't in good supply and many people turned to the 9x18mm Short (.380 ACP) this cartridge could be fired somewhat reliably but unfortuneatly the 9mm Short is slightly smaller in diameter to that of the Russian round therefore accuracy was significantly decreased and Makarov pistols got a bad reception.
More than 60 years after it's introduction the Makarov pistol is still in production and is in wipespread military use around the world. Like the AK-47 the Makarov pistol has a tendency to be discovered in all the worlds hot spots. Enjoyed by many around the world as a curiosity or relic of a different time, or as a recreation piece. Today the Makarov has ventured into a new market, Baikal a quality Russian firearms manufacturer has introduced the MP-654k a gas powered air pistol into the market known affectionately as the "AIR MAK". This 4.5mm (.177) air pistol is made of high quality steel construction.
INTERESTING FACT : Makarovs have been offically replaced by the MP-443 9mm Parabellum pistol in Russian service in 1991 though in 2012 examples are still seeing service.
PRO's : Quality Construction, Somewhat Compact, Simple to maintain
CON's : Low powered round, bad magazine catch location, minimal sights
COOL FACTOR : 6/10
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