Some time back I wrote a post on the after effects of import bans in Pakistan. Well for now the prices of weapons already in the market has swelled three times at least or more in some cases. It is a simple demand versus supply problem. The previous Government imposed ban on imports to control the worsening law and order situation, (as if the criminals and terrorists were using licensed weapons 🙂 duh!). And the present Government wants to bring down the imports bill. Well then what are the gun enthusiasts or anyone wanting to get a weapon for self defence or sports, supposed to do? Buddy the options are; either go for a low priced desi (local) copy with all its UN-reliabilities included at a small cost, or get a quality imported reliable weapon.
Since imported weapons are very expensive so it makes sense , in fact a lot of sense to go for a Makarov, in handguns. Here are the reasons:
- Cost: A (Military surplus) Makarov will cost you around 100 to 125k Rs depending on the condition, which is a decent price considering the fact that a used CF98 nowadays is in excess of Rs 100k.
- Ammo: There is plenty of 9×18 ammo available mostly Chinese.
- Cheap Ammo: Mak ammo is like Rs 30 a pop which is in some cases cheaper than the 22 LR Armscor ammo available in the market.
- Potent Round: Mak ammo is 9×18 unlike 9×19 Parabellum but still quite a potent round with good stopping power, ask the Spetsnaz 🙂
- Concealable: Mak because of its small size and weight is a very good option for CCW (Concealed carry Weapon).
- Reliability: A Makarov is a reliable handgun, I can say this out of my experience.
- Accurate: And yes it is an accurate weapon but you got to practice to learn it. It is dead shop up to 15 M and can get down a man at 25 M with practice.
Other then this it has good features like de-cocker, safety, single action, double action etc. The down side is it can hold 8 rounds only, but with spare mags this should not be an issue. It is a simple block back design which is reliable and easy to take down for basic cleaning. It is a free floating firing pin which will not ignite the primer if dropped, so safe from that aspect. I can say with authority there are less options in the market as of today in Pakistan if you are considering getting a pistol.
My Random Ramblings 
Good Day SIr,
Between a Makarov and Taurus 92 what would you prefer if the price point is the same.
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Good day to you as well bro. If you ask me it’s like comparing a truck and a car in size only 😀. Makarov is concealable and easy to carry. Taurus 92 is full frame. I can vouch for Makarov’s reliability. It’s my carry gun since last 8 years. Need I say more 😀
Cheers
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Dear sir
Which license would be needed for carrying macarov in pakistan, i have 9mm license for All pakistan , will it work for me for carrying macarov ?
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9 mm should work. But if you ask dealers they will say it is 38 bore which is not correct. They confuse it with.380 ACP which is 9×17.
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Good day to you sir.
I went to darra market recently, they told me it is 38 bore thats why i asked, what is the price of imported makarov nowadays ? since i can’t afford the imported one I ordered a clone of it.
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I just recently got my weapon license and now I am thinking to get an imported weapon. I went through your website and really thankful for quality and detailed posts on the subject.
I want to ask you that as import ban has been lifted now, which imported weapon would be a great choice in budget up to 1 lakh plus minus.
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If you can find a Makarov, it should be around Rs 100k. CF 98 Chinese is like Rs 75k. Tisas PX9 is around Rs 125k. Canik is around Rs 150k.
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Thank you very much sir. I will update you once i buy it. Please keep posting more about guns and their import updates in local market.
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Thanks for the nice words
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Regarding the license, you said “9mm should work”, I want to ask if it absolutely works; since 9mm is a norm here for 919 and Makarov being 918 makes a confusion? I mean if one carries it with a regular 9mm license and the LEA personnel do not agree with the mix and call it a 380 instead. You said you have it as your personal carry, do you carry it with a regular 9mm licence and does it work?
p.s thank you for all the useful information
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I’ve been carrying my Makarov with 9 mm written on the license. They don’t write 9×19 or 9×18, it’s just 9 mm. I know that in the market and dealers etc call it .380. It will work. Cheers
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About the license, you said “9mm should work” I’m just curious if it actually works or not. I mean if the LEA personnel don’t agree provided the 919 and 918 controversy and considers it a 380, it’ll be a trouble. Do you carry it with a regular 9mm license. I think the rounds have 9mm markings on it and that too can help make the point. But still we need to know what license is best for a Makarov.
p.s thank you for the useful information
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.380 is actually 9×17. I don’t know why it is confused bu everyone here. 9×18 is 9 mm with a shorter bullet, 9×19 Luger is 9 mm with a 1 mm difference in length. I have been carrying it on my license since almost a decade. Cheers
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About the license, you said that a 9mm license should work. Is there a designated 9*18 license for makarov or no its just the standard 9mm license.
Thank you for all the info
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Sir, do you endorse the originality of available Mak
(Russian) in market (Karachi) as you know nowadays duplicates looks so close to real. Your guidance on said subject is highly appreciated.
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Brother I always purchase from a reliable source. And yes I agree lots of fakes in market, they have an uncanny resemblance to the original Makarovs (Military surplus only). This isn’t true for the Baikal MP442. Regards
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Assalam alikum
Can you do a comparison of Makarov and G3c taurus
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Both are different things. One is all metal hammer fired, the other is polymer frame striker fired
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Baikal MP442 is original. But the military surplus ones are being copied. I would say get from a reliable source. Regards
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What are the symptoms of a copy tell me cz I’m going to buy one which looks good and he demands 150k so tell me plz qplz and its Russian as told 👀
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CZ is not Russian. It is Czech Republic made.
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