I'm looking at adding a Makarov pistol to my collection, but I'm debating what caliber to buy it in. It seems both 380 and 9x18 (9mm Makarov) are available.

For me, 380 is much cheaper than 9x18, but 9x18 I hear is hotter than 380 (not surprising, given the extra mm), which in theory would more reliably cycle the action.

Is a 380 makarov usually reliable, or would it be better to stay with it's native caliber?

I like 9x18 for the little extra power.

Get the 9x18.

It's a good little caliber and it's what the guns were designed around.

Imported steel case 9x18 is cheap.

Commie 9 for sure.

And the Makarov may well be the most reliable seme auto ever devised. They’re stupidly simple.

9x18 is pretty much equivalent to .380

both are pushing a 90gr to 1000'ish

There's not a critter on earth, 2 or 4 legged that would ever say - "ouch, that 9x18 hurts more"

Plus, 9x18 be spendier than .380.

Surplus Commie 9x18 ammo dried up years ago, right after all those imported CZ 82s stole the show from the various iterations of Mak guns.

I have two .380 Makarovs, have not shot either of them in many years.

I'm torn between two camps, mostly. I like keeping platforms in their native calibers. .45 1911s, 5.56 AR15s, etc; so I'd prefer a 9x18 Makarov for that reason. BUT, with ammo being cheaper if I go .380 and the guns being the same price mostly, there's that advantage, plus the slew of different .380 loads out there.

Something else I'd like to throw out there, the range I usually goes to doesn't allow steel case, which if I'm not mistaken, is what 9x18 usually is. The reason for that is the bi-metal bullets damage their traps. It's an indoor range. The other range I go to which is quite a ways out doesn't care what you shoot since it goes into dirt. Only downside is, and I'll be honest here, I'm not worth a shit with handguns past 15 yards. I'd have better luck throwing the gun at the target. Sticking with 9x18 means I could only ever shoot it at the other range, unless I really spent big and got brass cased ammo. I don't reload so there's no cutting down 9mm luger cases and home-brewing my own 9x18. As much as I'd love to reload, I don't have the space for it, but that's another subject all together.

I think I've put on my over-thinking cap today....

EDIT: Brainfart, realized I've been seeing several versions of brass cased 9x18 FMJ. Being out in the sun all day must have fried my mind.

Not at all. New production steel case is highly available under 25 cents a round. Cheaper than any 380 I know.

I can get .380 steel case for .20 cents a pop here. I've ordered a good amount of ammo from them with plans to get more.

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/tul-ammo-380-acp-auto-ammo-91-grain-fmj-steel-case-ta380910-p-4155.aspx

Have them in 9x18 and .380,  both are reliable and accurate.

9x18 is not really much different than .380 they are both a step down from 9x19.

Can get barrels in each caliber with that being the only difference between them. But barrels are pinned to the frame so no switching them up like you can on non fixed barrel guns.

Much better defensive ammo in .380, just saying.

Links to 'highly available' and 'cheap' 9x18 ammo, please?

8 second google search

I bought my cz-82 from a site sponsor - ammo also Aim Surplus

Mak ammo

I would get the Mak.  They are worth more when if you decide to sell it.

A Makarov really should be 9x18 Makarov. Plenty of other pistols available if you want to shoot 9x17.

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/9mm-makarov-ammo-c-58.aspx Plenty of ammunition available.

Also, the gun was designed to use steel cased ammo, so buy the cheap stuff for range fodder.

J&G sales has a lot of 9x18 at reasonable prices, they also have Hornady self defense at about the same price as .380.

9x18mm Makarov is the best Makarov, although I've never heard of the .380 versions being unreliable.

9x18. The ammo is hotter and drastically cheaper in bulk for plinking stuff.

You can also shoot .380 out of it if you really want to, it'll usually work just fine.

I have both. Recoil is about the same. I prefer the 380. Easy availability of ammo, better choices in self defense ammo and ammo is cheaper. Both are reliable and accurate. Commercial 380 comes adjustable rear sights.
Jim

I always try to get guns in their native caliber..

That’s why I passed on 556 AK and got a Galil when I wanted to add an Ak style gun to the collection

Me.....

I'd be looking at what I already have.   So if I buy a 9 Mak....."What happens next?"

Humm.....I just introduced another caliber into my collection.  Do I start by buying a die set to reload for it?  I already have powder and primers.  So, do I start stockpiling bullets?  What about reloadable brass?  Or maybe, I should just shoot steel cased and forget about reloading?

Well, I already have a case of Winchester .380 factory ammo and a Walther PPK/s that I've owned for years and haven't even shot.  And YES, the off the shelf selection of .380 ammo is way better vs. 9 Mak.

But then, 9mm is just so much better as a SD cartridge and reloadable ammo can be found at the local store for about $0.20 a round.  Steel cased 9mm ammo is running about $0.15 a round.  Then, speaking of a CCW platform.....my DiamondBack 9, S&W 3913 and Taurus 709 slim are pretty good at that job.

Really?   Why bother?  And at my age.....perhaps I should be selling, not buying any more firearms.

But, that's only me.  If I really wanted a commie handgun.....OK the Mak in the original caliber is appealing.  But, I'd get the PPK or PPK/s first.  Just because Jame Bond is cool.

Aloha, Mark

Wolf 9x18 copper washed sg ammo

https://www.sgammo.com/product/wolf-or-wpa/1500-round-case-9x18-makarov-92-gr-fmj-wolf-ammo-made-russia-lve-bi-metal-case

I looked at prices on steel cased 380 and 9mm mak, theres really no difference in price.