How is recoil on a 9x18 Makarov?

[1911-A1]

I have a P64 that is absolutely brutal to shoot, even after I installed the Wolff spring kit. Accurate as hell, but I can't shoot more than a few mags before the soreness takes the enjoyment out of it.

I've always wanted a Makarov, and am considering selling the P64 for an East German Mak. I don't want to bother with one if it beats the hell out of my hand like the P64, though.

Any input? (Aside from "Don't be a pussy.")

[DAT85]

Perception of recoil is a personal issue that I have wondered about for a long time.Each of us reacts to recoil differently and "feels" it differently.

I cannot tolerate shooting more than 2 mags through a G23 in .40 cal,while I can shoot a BHP in .40 or a S&W M&P (compact or F/S ) with no pain at all.

To me,that means that grip angle is an issue.

My guess is that the P64 has a shorter grip,thereby causing the recoil to be more focused in a smaller portion of your hand than a Mak would.This obviously makes range time a literal "pain"

Having owned several Maks,I find them to be more comfortable to shoot than a Walther PPK in .380,so in my case,it's the length and angle of the grip that causes discomfort in shooting certain guns for me.

DAT85

[Grand58742]

Can't speak to the Mak or P64, but I have a CZ82 that's dead nuts reliable and pleasant to shoot. Recoil impulse is more of a push rather than anything else. Easy to get back on target and follow up shots are right on the mark. Could be the design with a blowback action and the barrel locked into the frame that helps, not sure.

Only complaint I have is the horrid double action trigger and the extremely long single action trigger. And spare magazines are expensive. Other than that it is what it is, a $300 pistol in a caliber that's dubious at best for self defense. But ammo is cheap, it's fun to shoot and as a walking around the property after dark to keep critters at bay until I get back to the house gun, it's not a bad deal and has served well in that capacity.

If looking for another 9x18 Mak, I would take a look into the CZ82. They can still be had for $350 or so and if J&G Sales gets them back in, they last listed them around $300 even.

[gunnut284]

I find the Makarov to be more comfortable to shoot than the CZ82 or Sig P230 .380 I've owned. Frankly, I haven't figured out why but the Makarov isn't as sharp of recoil as some other blowback guns I've owned/fired.

[Grand58742]

I find the Makarov to be more comfortable to shoot than the CZ82 or Sig P230 .380 I've owned. Frankly, I haven't figured out why but the Makarov isn't as sharp of recoil as some other blowback guns I've owned/fired.

Problem I kept coming back to with the Mak or P64 was lack of spare magazines. The market on Makarov mags dried up before I got into that game and the P64 just never had significant numbers imported. I'm sure there's a warehouse full of the damn things sitting somewhere in Poland just waiting to be snatched up by someone, but it was a deal killer for me.

That and the trigger on the P64 is nothing to scream about. I just find the CZ82 to be a good balance between capacity, mag availability, trigger and overall ergonomics.

[Arik]

I had both and never thought the P64 to be brutal. Pretty soft shooting actually with OEM parts. However the Mak is a bit softer. Its bigger, heavier and absorbs recoil a bit more. That being said its still sharp

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[1911-A1]

I had both and never thought the P64 to be brutal. Pretty soft shooting actually with OEM parts. However the Mak is a bit softer. Its bigger, heavier and absorbs recoil a bit more. That being said its still sharp

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I found the P64 and the PA63 both transfer recoil directly into the bone at the base of your thumb. I speculate it's the blowback action and narrow, metal grip.

The mak seemed to fit my hand better, and since it's a bit larger and heavier, might have a more pleasant recoil impulse.

[Arik]

Maybe! Recoil is a personal thing. I never fired a gun and felt it was to much recoil and ive shot some weird stuff. .50DE, 44mag and even a pocket Derrenger in 45LC.

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[TheJRK]

Recoil felt fine... felt like it had 26lb trigger pull though. Holy hell.

[El Pistolero]

I believe the straight blowback action exacerbates the recoil of the 9x18 cartridge versus the same chambering in a locked-breech design (not that I can think of any locked-breech 9x18s). This is common with sub-compact blowback .380s versus sub-compact locked-breech .380s like the Colt Mustang. Short, narrow metal frames will make it worse. Complaints of the P-64's recoil seem to be very common.

I find that the Makarov is pleasant to shoot as is the CZ-82 (I have extensive experience with both) as they're both closer to being full-size service pistols than the P-64, which I have not fired but held and would consider a compact. I did note the trigger on the P-64 was not anywhere as good as the Makarov or CZ. Actually, I don't want to downplay it. The P-64s trigger was atrocious!