Opinions of .380 Makarov - AR15.Com Archive

Opinions of .380 Makarov

Carb850 [Team Member]

1/21/2006 10:54:32 PM

Anyone have experience with the .380 Makarov? I once thought about the SIG P230 but you can get the Makarov for about half the cash. How does the .380 Makarov stack up to the P230 and other .380ACP handguns?

Also, do the .380 Mak use the same magazines as the 9x18 Mak?

MartinR [Member]

1/23/2006 2:07:18 PM

I had a .380 Bakail Makarov years ago. Awsome little pistol. Extremely accurate. I did have to smooth the trigger mechanism just enough to reduce the burrs in the action. Seemed to be a great gun for the money. Wish I had kept it.

I'm almost certain that the magazines are the same as the 9x18.

Another option near that size is a Bersa.

SVT [Member]

1/23/2006 2:48:16 PM

The mags are indeed the same for both calibers.

Carb850 [Team Member]

1/23/2006 3:12:06 PM

Thanks guys. Since I made this post I ran across the CZ-83. Any thoughts on them?

darth_pavoris [Member]

1/28/2006 8:34:40 AM

I have a russian makarov in .380. full parts interchangeablity with the 9x18. only diffrence is the barrel. great pistol. I'll never sell it.

SSN_Doc [Member]

1/28/2006 11:49:17 AM

I have a Russian IJ-70 in .380, and love it. Smoothed some rough spots in the triggr and left the rest alone. It shoots great.

Mak [Team Member]

2/5/2006 1:25:50 PM

Originally Posted By darth_pavoris:
I have a russian makarov in .380. full parts interchangeablity with the 9x18. only diffrence is the barrel. great pistol. I'll never sell it.

I've got 3 of the Russian ones in .380 and 2 of the Bulgarian ones in 9x18. I have extra barrels so that if ammo becomes a problem I can switch the Bulgarians to .380.

smoothie [Member]

2/10/2006 6:15:20 PM

Great pistol. Smooth and reliable. Alot of fun. I got the Russian .380.

dragunov [Team Member]

2/11/2006 10:55:52 PM

Originally Posted By Mak:
Originally Posted By darth_pavoris:
I have a russian makarov in .380. full parts interchangeablity with the 9x18. only diffrence is the barrel. great pistol. I'll never sell it.

I've got 3 of the Russian ones in .380 and 2 of the Bulgarian ones in 9x18. I have extra barrels so that if ammo becomes a problem I can switch the Bulgarians to .380.

How is felt recoil between the 2 calibers? Is there any difference? I have a .380 barrel and wonder if it would make my 9x18 mak less snappy (for the wife).

Mak [Team Member]

2/11/2006 11:27:52 PM

Less kick with the .380. The 9x18 is a much hotter round and some of the bullet choices have alot more kick than others. This can also be tamed some with a set of Pearce grips and a heavier recoil spring.