[ninevolt]

I just got a 9mm makarov pistol at a pawn shop

it's kind of hard for me to identify if it's a PM, a PMM, or someone could have modified it to have a .38 barrel or maybe it's a .38 without the markings

it has a circle ten for bulgaria I think it was made in 85 by it's numbers

I need to get some ammo to test it, it seems like a nice gun it does operate mechanically how it is supposed to when i check it out

can I take a ruler to the barrel so I can verify that I am purchasing safe ammunition?

I have heard you cannot chamber the ammo in it that it won't take anyway if you try but maybe it would work then I would be afraid of shooting unsafe ammo

I think it probably takes 9x19mmPM ammo but unsure

Any help would be appreciated I could post a pic of it maybe.

 

[poolshark13]

if your gun was made in 85 like you believe. i would imagine it would be the pm, seeing how the pmm didnt get made until 1990.

 

[NYPD13]

Makarov Pm "9mm Pistolet Makarova" Uses The Soviet 9x18mm Pm Cartridge And Can Safely Handle The More Commonly Available 9x17 Browning Short ".380 Acp". Use Caution When Using Surplus Ammo As Some 9x18 Pmm Is Still Out There And Is Loaded To Higher Pressures (+p+ Equivalent) Which Could Damage Your Pistol Or Yourself.

 

[JedClip]

Does this mean I can purchase .380 ammunition? Do they have to be .380 ACP or just .380? Can't the smaller size create a tunnel effect as the bullets going through the barrel causing it to be more harmful to the gun or something? Thanks for the information

 

[NYPD13]

The Difference Between 9x18 And 9x17(.380acp,7.65mm Browning) Bullet Diameter Is At Most Eighteen Thousandths Of An Inch. Chamber Pressure Is Similar(around 20,000 Psi). Should Function Reliably Yet May Not Be As Accurate At Distance.

 

[herp_man2003]

Why fire ammo that is not inteded for your handgun when its not all that hard to find the 9x18 and prices for it are pretty reasonable. i belive that its cheaper than the 380 and that way you know that your safe. I think that brownbear makes the 9 x 18 and its new production stuff not old surplus. just my thoughts on it thanks Anthony

 

[ninevolt]

brown bear is bi metal jacketed at aimsurplus.com

i am not sure what this means, is this better than full metal jacket of copper or worse?

 

[ScottG]

Silver Bear hollowpoints seem to work best in my Bulgy Mak. Only about a dollar more a box than brown bear. Do not shoot .380 in your 9x18 Mak.

 

[Chuck]

brown bear is bi metal jacketed at aimsurplus.com

...and only $8.95 per box of 50.

 

[ninevolt]

i thought .380 would be more available at walmart, 9x18mm makarov they don't sell at wal-mart supposedly (i had a really lazy guy help me though) but i'm not really wanting to try firing it

 

[ScottG]

No, Wal-Mart doesn't sell Mak ammo. Best bet is a gun show to find it in any quantity. I've found it at lgs, but they either have a poor selection or the most expensive brand. That's why if I ever get into reloading, I'll reload that one first.

 

[ScottG]

i thought .380 would be more available at walmart, 9x18mm makarov they don't sell at wal-mart supposedly (i had a really lazy guy help me though) but i'm not really wanting to try firing it

Local gunshop, or better, a gun show. Lots of online dealers. Shipping costs may be prohibitive though.

http://www.grafs.com/ammo/37

http://www.jgsales.com/index.php/ammo-for-handguns/9x18-makarov/cPath/25_30

http://www.outdoormarksman.com/index.php?cPath=65_1_29

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/browse/browseammo.aspx?c=95&s=958

Notice the differences in price, then factor in shipping costs. It might be cheaper to get it at the gun shows. If you're going anyway, the only other cost would be your parking and entrance fees.