Sure kicks like a magnum!

ahhh the little blue box of pain

i usually save the silver bear's for when i carry. when im at the range punching holes in paper,..or whatever is out there i just go with a regular FMJ.


BTW. you can order new heavier springs from Makarov .com to help with the recoil,...i have a pair of 19lb springs on the way,....ill let you know how much they help once i get them.


what kinda Makarov(s) you got?

992-1037 fps according to North Bender who did extensive testing on a ton of various brands.  Pretty hefty performance for a 115 gr bullet.  Factory (Russian military) load is 1037 fps with a 94gr bullet.  Very few fmj brands can meet the factory spec.

For about the best stats on 9x18 ammo, see:

www.gunboards.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=110185

I have a Bulgarian...I save the Silver Bears for defense also, I maily shoot Wolf. Much milder!

I also use the Silver Bear 115gr as a defense load in my Mak. I would suggest getting a heavier spring installed as well.

Quoted: I also use the Silver Bear 115gr as a defense load in my Mak. I would suggest getting a heavier spring installed as well.

+1. I use 21lb springs in all my Maks and they feed/fire everything w/o a bobble.
Tomac

I didn't realize it was a hot load.  One afternoon I put 1450 rounds of that Silver Bear through one of my Maks.  Wrists hurt a little the next day, but I just thought that was normal.  Talk about fun.  I really cut my group size down with that much practice.

Quoted: I didn't realize it was a hot load.  One afternoon I put 1450 rounds of that Silver Bear through one of my Maks.  Wrists hurt a little the next day, but I just thought that was normal.  Talk about fun.  I really cut my group size down with that much practice.

wow, 1450 rounds in one day through a small handgun and no hiccups?

must be the AK of handguns.

I really need to get one.

Quoted: Quoted: wow, 1450 rounds in one day through a small handgun and no hiccups? must be the AK of handguns. I really need to get one.

Not just one day, it was in a couple hours, and I only had 1 mag.  My thumb was sore for a week from all the loading.  Not a single problem all day, and that gun had had at least 500 rounds through it before that with no cleaning in between.

They are the AK of handguns.

i have a russian and bulgy

and today the bulgy was retired as my carry gun for a .45,....after i shot of a few mags out of the new carry gun i unloaded a clip of the silver bear's,...it was just getting dark and man,..talk about feel nice and a killer flash with that fireball off the working end of it

i still have the stock 17lbs springs on both,..as i am awaiting replacements to arrive.

but i have never had any problems with either pistol,..well one in the russian,...bad ammo that need to be struck a second time to fire. but thats the only hiccup i have ever had.

i love my AK's and these little Makarov's are great companions for the rifles i love.