Makarov 9x18

[lobster_roboto]

A good friend of mine just got a Makarov 9x18 pistol which goes right along with his RIA 1911 in .38 super. I've always been poking fun at him for using "obscure" calibers. (.38 super rounds are not an easy thing to come by around these parts and 9mm makarov is not a wal-mart round) I do however love the 1911. Well anyhow... We skipped work tuesday and went out to his land to do some shooting.

I brought my XD and he brought the rock island and the makarov. We were shooting across his tank (pond) at a target at 25 yards. The accuracy with the makarov was amazing and extremely suprising to say the least. I am very impressed.

The feedback from the gun (weight, recoil etc..) was fantastic.
Of course this by no means replaces my XD as I am in love with it and the makarov is in a different catergory all together.

I have been considering smaller guns like a PF9 or any small kel-tec as a secondary concealed weapon on my ankle but can't seem to get over how small most of those are in my hand and the stopping power of the 380 leaves a little to be desired imho.

Is 9mm makarov that much different than 9x19 in regards to power? I am considering one for such a role as stated above.

oh and in case any of you are curious my XD is a .45ACP compact.

[Kimura]

Do you mean a much heavier bullet? the 9x18 fires a .363 diamiter bullet while the .38 sp. fires a .357. The 38 is usually loaded with heavier projectiles, but not rally "larger."

[einheit 13]

http://www.makarov.com/tech.html

[jeepinbanditrider]

I would buy a .380ACP for a back up before a 9x18 makarov mainly for ammo avaliablity. There are a wide range of ammo types out there and you can find it anywhere bullets are sold.

I think people underestimate the .380 as a Personal Defense round. I wouldn't want to get shot with one.

[The Knight Of Light]

Originally Posted by Kimura

Do you mean a much heavier bullet? the 9x18 fires a .363 diamiter bullet while the .38 sp. fires a .357. The 38 is usually loaded with heavier projectiles, but not rally "larger."

Yes he means heavier. Mak usually maxes out at 100gr. 38spec can go as high as 158-165 w/165 being custom cast lead.

[The Knight Of Light]

Originally Posted by jeepinbanditrider

I would buy a .380ACP for a back up before a 9x18 makarov mainly for ammo avaliablity. There are a wide range of ammo types out there and you can find it anywhere bullets are sold.

I think people underestimate the .380 as a Personal Defense round. I wouldn't want to get shot with one.

You guys in the States always whine about "Ammo Availability" !! I can't get any ammo shipped to me unless it is through a private carrier or it is shipped in pallet sized lots as freight. You guys could(depending on the states laws) get anything you want!!!

9X18 defensive ammo makes 380acp look like 25auto. Especially the Hornady and CorBon loads.

Check it out.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot26.htm

(just jerkin' yer chain Jeep!)

[jeepinbanditrider]

To add on to that the .380acp's most common bullet weight is 95gr.

[jeepinbanditrider]

ha I wish I could get ammo by the freakin' pallet. Granted I would shoot all of it but it would be nice. And my wife probably wouldn't see me for a few days while I stood at the range and shot it all.

[The Knight Of Light]

Originally Posted by jeepinbanditrider

ha I wish I could get ammo by the freakin' pallet. Granted I would shoot all of it but it would be nice. And my wife probably wouldn't see me for a few days while I stood at the range and shot it all.

Copy that! Might have to sleep at the range, although that would get in the way of shootin'!

[lobster_roboto]

I am not to worried about teh availability of ammo in 9mm mak. I'll just have to drive slightly further down the road to a gun shop.
The mak set well in my hands.. The .32/380s were just to small of a gun for me to hold comfortably.
A slightly larger .380 or .32 would be nice. But the price of the mak is a very big thing right now...with my all my money being tied up in other places and all.

Thanks for the replies.