New Baikal Russian Makarov 9X18
I found this today in a pawn shop not to far from my home. It's brand new, two mags, holster, cleaning tools, adj. rear sites. It has black plastic grips with Baikal printed on the bottom sides. Is it worth $250.00? I've checked the auctions and the prices are not very consistent. Thanks.
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East German are of the best quality of the
three - they actually factory stoned them.
I've noticed that the East German Maks, in
exceptionally good condition are getting
hard to come by lately.
Like anything in finite supply the price is
going up slowly as they become more scarce.
Rumor has it that they may not be imported
much longer, anyway.
[:D]
Be careful about reading health books.
You may die of a misprint.
Mark Twain0 -
I believe you will find the East German versions to be the most expensive. I do believe the Chicom and scarcer Russian comercial versions have been going up to about the same price as the East Germans, just from what I have seen. makarov.com is a good site for info on these, but I think their posted info is a bit out of date, as far as prices.
http://makarov.com/
Look at their FAQ section.
I have two Russian commercial versions and an East German. One Russian is double stack .380 and one is single stack 9X18. The East German is suppose to be tops in terms of finish and function, but I believe my commercial Russian versions have just as good, or maybe better trigger pulls in both double and single action. I have owned a couple of Bulgarians, my own opinion is the Bulgarians have much heavier triggers than any of the Russians or East Germans.
Biggest two complaints against the Russian Commercial versions is the thin finish wears quickly (and may be poor even on new examples) and the adjustable sites are not suited for concealed carry. I think the finish on them varies quite a bit, personally I am happy with the finish on mine.
Never owned a Russian Military or Chicom version, can't comment on those.
Having said all this, I think his asking price is way too high. I won the 9X18, new in box, for $180 on gunbroker auction, and $200 for .380 double stack, also new in box. I have seen the Russian commercial versions around at gun shows for $150 to $180 at gunshows, in very nice condition.
On the Bulgarians, right now the wholesale price is about $139 for an excellent to as-new condition example. After adding shipping and the FFL transfer fee, you would be pushing somewhere between $170 to $190 for a Bulgarian example.
Myself, in the $150 to $200 price range, I would sit back and wait for a nice commercial Russian example to show up. Holsters and magazines are reasonably inexpensive on these. If you do some shopping and have some patience looking at gunshows, you should be able to find a nice example for slightly over $150 and have plenty to spare for holster and magazines.
MEMBER SINCE 10/24/1999.
To err is human, to moo is bovine.0 -
Hold out for the Bulgarian. Used and abused, it's still a better gun. And cheaper.
"When the going gets weird, the Weird turn pro"
Hunter S. Thompson"0 -
If he'll come down to $200 OTD, buy it. I love mine.
I picked up this package last year for about $220. I put the Bersa mag extension it though.0 -
Thanks everyone, I cheched out the Makarov.com site too, lot of information but outdated. Think I'll stick with my Bersa 380. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by WillRuss
If he'll come down to $200 OTD, buy it. I love mine.
I picked up this package last year for about $220. I put the Bersa mag extension it though.
how does it like that wolf ammo?,..i was thinking about getting somefor my mak.0 -
Mine has worked fine on Wolf ammo, but I think the burn rate on the powder is a little too quick for the Mak, I don't like the recoil speed and the odd sound it makes, seems right on the edge of OK for that gun, and I have a 19# spring. By the way, get a few recoil springs from Wolff Springs, you'll find the 19 or 21# spring will take the bite out of the recoil
PS: Try the Sellier&Bellot ammo, works good and isn't too hard on the gun. My three Maks love Hornady XTP's or Speer Gold Dots too
Love them Beavers0
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