[bac1023]

No need for sorrow. Makarov's are Military gun's, you can't expect a Kimber finish. As far as fit, they work, they are accurate, and they stand up to neglect and abuse. Comparing Military firearms to civilian ones is really Apples and Oranges, don't you agree?

Not really. Some of the best commercial handguns in the world started as service guns.

...and who said I was comparing it to commercial guns in the first place? Even if I were, it sure wouldn't be Kimber.

I said they were very tough and reliable. Whether they're crude or not is a matter of opinion.

 

[DrewBone]

Like I said, it's all relative.

Being better than a lot of new 380's being sold isn't saying too much.

When I think of guns with great fit and finish, the Makarov doesn't exactly pop into my head. I'm sorry.

All things "relative", the Makarov pistol and the Tokarev TT-33 that preceded it weren't designed to win beauty contests or manufacturing awards; they were designed for military use and to function, and both did that well. And like different manufacturers of the same pistol, produced during different era's, there were different degrees of quality in metallurgy, fit, and finish between them all, making some more desireable than others. These attributes along with total numbers manufactured are the typical traits that contribute to a firearm's collectability and desireability.

The Makarovs certainly aren't museum quality pieces, but they are reliable, accurate, comfortable to shoot, easy to conceal, and last but not least, fairly affordable. This along with their history is what makes them appealling to folks like myself as a firearm enthusiast.

Not all firearms have to be fit and finished like a mid 60's production Colt Python to function or be desireable

 

[Terry G]

Maybe I've just fired or collected more Military firearms. I have a different opinion of "crude". Now this is crude.

 

[DrewBone]

Maybe I've just fired or collected more Military firearms. I have a different opinion of "crude". Now this is crude. View attachment 348429

But they were adequate for years!!

 

[bac1023]

Maybe I've just fired or collected more Military firearms. I have a different opinion of "crude". Now this is crude. View attachment 348429

Maybe. I've owned a lot myself and still do.

Yes, the Nagant is much more crude. I've actually got the SAO Sport version of the Nagant revolver.

 

[Gray Dood]

Dunno, I think of Mak"s, particularly those 1960 ' s era Germans, as a piece of Cold War Bad-Assery. Equal to or better than the Walther PP ' S and PPK's pre 68 that I've handled.

Just one mooks opinion. YMMV.

Auf Weidersehen Kamerad.

 

[bac1023]

Dunno, I think of Mak"s, particularly those 1960 ' s era Germans, as a piece of Cold War Bad-Assery. Equal to or better than the Walther PP ' S and PPK's pre 68 that I've handled.

Just one mooks opinion. YMMV.

Auf Weidersehen Kamerad.

Certainly some were better than others, same with PPK's

 

[Terry G]

Maybe we just differ on what could be considered "crude."

 

[Terry G]

But they were adequate for years!!

Adequate? Not my example of adequate. It takes two Men and a Boy to handle the double action and about a week to re-load. OK, I'm exaggerating, but to think somebody would adopt this when there were excellent double action revolver's around is amazing.

 

[DrewBone]

Adequate? Not my example of adequate. It takes two Men and a Boy to handle the double action and about a week to re-load. OK, I'm exaggerating, but to think somebody would adopt this when there were excellent double action revolver's around is amazing.

Yes, "adequate" since 1895...in Mother Russia, comrade!

 

[Mike ferber]

Are they still available in excellent condition?

 

[bac1023]

Maybe we just differ on what could be considered "crude."

Well, yeah, that's why I kept saying "it's all relative."

 

[Gray Dood]

Are they still available in excellent condition?

There are multiple examples on GoingBroker, but not at the price the OP paid.

Average is around $350 with some as high as $399. Germans bring a premium. Russians seem to be in this current influx too. All those I've seen are import marked, but priced as if they weren't.

 

[bac1023]

Are they still available in excellent condition?

Yes

I've seen plenty in nice shape.

 

[edellson]

Had a Russian a few years ago and it was the most reliable gun ever owned. I think it would shoot rocks!!

 

[J.R. Bob Dobbs]

Fantastic guns, I've got two that cost me $99 each