TJ's Gun Blog

The Russian Makarov Pistol

It is 1988. Ronald Reagan is president. The soldier guarding the gate does not know his job will soon be obsolete. The soldier looks to the west at the Allied controlled side of Germany as he stands guard. While he stands there his right hand rests on the butt of his holstered Makarov pistol.

My first experience came in the mid-1990s. My local gun dealer in the town I worked in was instrumental in having several thousand East German made Makarov's imported to the U.S. Once he got them imported he realized there was not a good source of commercial 9 x 18 ammo available in the US. He had an ammo loading business so he got with Sierra and developed the first hollow point 9 x 18 offering in America.

The Makarov pistol has been in service since 1951. It is a blowback operated pistol. It weighs 26 ounces and has an overall length of 6.36 inches. It is chambered in 9 x 18 Makarov or 9mm short and 380 for U.S. import. It makes a great little carry gun that is super dependable. Its capacity is 8 rounds.

Classic guns like these can be found at our shop Gainesville Pawn. They can also be found at Gun Trader Shows. Our next show will be held in Ocala. The show will be held at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion. The show will be held on December 4,5. The address is 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd, Ocala, Fl 34470. Our Schedule can be found a www.guntradershows.com or I can be reached at (352)359-0134. I hope to see everyone there. Until then be safe everybody.-Terry Jewell