Makarov or Star BM
Hello, I have been reading on this forum for several weeks and gained much in the way of an education on guns. I wish to tap your expert opinions. I have read much on the star bm and the makarov pistols and find that both recieve favorable opinions. I am looking to buy, and both are in my meager price range. I am waffling between the two. Which would you suggest? Which is easier to get parts for? Do you prefer the 9mm parabellum or 9x18? Why? Will they both feed hollow point? The gun I purchase is intended to get my feet wet and complete CCW class until I can afford the gun of my dreams (when I find it). Thank you for your time.[:)]
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Zounds! There is just no choice here at all!! Owning both myself, 2 BMs and 1 Mak, I can tell you that a 9mm Parabellum in a Browning-derived action is far, far better than a 9mm MAK, be it double action or not. The only problem is that the Spanish seem to have used so many of the BMs hard and put them away wet; whereas the MAKs are brand new (the Bulgarians, anyway). But still, in my opinion (get that guys--opinion--they vary) the BM is so much better made and more substantial of a pistol that I would opt for it without hesitation. Still, I would rather have a BM in "Very Good" than a "New" Makarov.[:D] 0 -
I like the maks also, they are a good gun. But between the two I gotta go with the Star bm. 0 -
Ok, I have several of both, and have shot them lots. I have a CCW, and have carried them both.
If it were to come down to shooting to save my life, yes, I'd prefer having a 9mm to a Mak, as it is the more powerful cartridge. But this rarely comes to pass, and you carry (if you carry) most of the time. The Mak is a more compact package, and lighter, and so makes carrying easy. So it's a trade-off, if you are a large framed person, or have a rig you like that works to carry the 9mm, carry that. I have a friend that carries a Para-Ord P14 CCW, but he's 6-8 and 350 lbs.
As for shooting JHP, both can do that.
Maks are very accurate, reliable, and can be had like new for cheap.
The BM's have good accuracy and reliablity, and are more powerful. Ammo is also more readily available.
"Every child had a pretty good shot,
To get at least as far as their old man got,
But something happened on the way to that place,
They threw an American flag in our face."
-Billy Joel, "Allentown"0 -
I JUST GOT 2 BM'S IN FROM SOG THAT WOULD RATE 95%+. ONE HELL OF A DEAL FOR THE MONEY, I'VE ALSO GOT A MARAKOV AND IF I HAVE TO CHOSE I'D TAKE THE BM. 0 -
I own both and the Star BM gets my vote.
MOLON LABE!
An evil tree bears evil fruit. You can destroy as much fruit as you want, but it will always grow back, and it will always be evil.
Tear the tree out of the ground by the roots and burn it. Burn it to ash and grind out the embers with your boot until there's nothing left. Not a single spark. Not a single seed.0 -
Thank you gentlemen. I am getting closer to making my choice. One thing factors in yet. How hard or easy is it to get parts for the star bm? Aftermarket stuff seems readily available for the Mak. Is this true for the Star bm? Thanks again. 0 -
Other than maybe replacing springs there's not much you can do to the Star. They just keep going and going. Upgrading the sights would be good but the front sight is hard to replace (kind of like the colt auto). The Stars are good solid steel but I expect you could batter them badly with hot or +P ammo. At under $150 just get a pair of them.
Mobuck0 -
another vote for the star bm
"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe
~ Jesus Christ [Luke 11:21.6]
Mauser Central
MidwayUSA, if your not signed up for the Eblast alerts you are missing some great deals !0 -
go for the more powerful and cheaper 9mm 0 -
Thank guys. Please let me know any other advice you can give. I will probably order my gun next month.[:D] 0
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