Makarov PM Semiautomatic: Reliable sidearm of the Warsaw Pact, and favored by the KGB.
Evidently, some Soviets developed a liking for the German
Walther PPs and PPKs they had captured in World War Two. Looking
to replace their aging Tukarov TT33 pistol–an interesting pistol in
itself–there was a design competition for its replacement.
Arms designer Nikolai Makarov decided on a variation of the German 9mm
round, rather than developing a new sidearm that would have utilized
the stockpiles of 7.62 rounds, and won the bid. The result was a
pistol utilizing a unique caliber, the Makarov 9 X 18mm cartridge,
which had more stopping power than the 7.62mm. One millimeter
shorter than the high-pressure German Parabellum 9 X 19mm round, the
new 9 X 18mm Makarov PM (Pistolet Makarova) became the new Soviet
standard sidearm, issued to the military not only in the Soviet Union,
but in the Warsaw Pact Eastern European communist bloc nations as
well. With production beginning in 1949, the semiautomatic pistol
entered military service in 1951, and was used officially until
1991. Many are still in use. The PM was also the preferred
sidearm of most KGB agents. There were versions manufactured in
East Germany, Bulgaria and China as well. Later, other Warsaw
Pact nations manufactured their own pistols chambered for the Makarov 9
X 18mm round, such as the Hungarian P63 and the Polish P64.
Like the AK 47 rifle that had just entered
service before it, the Makarov PM was destined for longevity and
success. It is a rather simple firearm with fewer moving parts
than most pistols, and has since proven its reliability. Very
similar to the German PPK by Carl Walther, like most European
semiautomatic pistols, the Makarova has a magazine that is released
from the boot of the grip, rather than the side of the pistol.
Many feel that the best Makarov PMs are the ones that were manufactured
in East Germany. There are markings on the pistol to help
determine their location of manufacture.
The straight blowback-operated single-action/double-action
semiautomatic is easily field-stripped without tools in about a minute
by anyone who is familiar with the pistol. The simple safety mechanism,
located high up on the left side of the pistol, is also given high
marks for reliability and durability, and has passed drop tests with
flying colors. Its standard magazine holds 8 rounds, and there is
a special high-capacity magazine that holds 12. I have heard
however that the high-capacity round is under-engineered, and that
users are better off to stick to the standard 8-round magazine. I
have also heard that the original factory magazines are better for use
in the PM than after-factory replacements. While designated a 9mm
pistol, the PM ammo is actually 9.3mm in diameter, and contrary to some
beliefs, will not safely take a Parabellum 9 X 19mm round. There
is also a .380 caliber version of the Makarov PM.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, a commercial version of
the Makarov PM continued to be produced by Baikal, a private company in
Russia, well into the 1990s. Many of them were imported into the
United States, and have become quite popular. I have been told
that some of the 1990s imports in nickel-plated chrome have a very thin
finish on them, that wears off quickly. That would lead me to
stay with the more standard blued finish. The ammunition for the
PM is still produced and relatively easy to find. There are also
a lot of other pistols based on the PM, most notably the Hungarian P63
which is very similar to the PM, and chambered in the same
caliber.
Firearm Type: Straight
Blowback-Operated Double-Action Semiautomatic Pistol
Nation Of Manufacture: Soviet Union, Bulgaria, East
Germany, China
Military Service Dates : 1951-1991
Variations: Pistola Makarova (PM)
Ammunition: 9 X 18mm Makarov
Wars: Cold War, Soviet Afghanistan War, communist bloc
campaigns
Recent Prices at Auction for Originals: US $250-$450
Interested in a non-firing replica Makarov PM
Pistol?
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