The Makarov is an interesting cartridge that was unknown for many years in the west. From just after World War II until the end of the century, it was the primary Russian pistol cartridge used in both Makarov and Steckchin pistols. Fifty-plus years of service is pretty good for any cartridge. Since the Russians rarely exported surplus guns and ammunition, Americans have had little practical shooting experience with this round. But a flood of military surplus began just after the Iron Curtain came down and we are now able to get both pistols and ammunition in this caliber. Intermediate in power between the .380 Auto and the 9 mm Parabellum, the PPK-like Makarov uses a unique 95-grain bullet of .365 inches in size, which leaves the muzzle at over 1,000 fps. The Russian ammo is mostly ball, but several American makers have built JHPs, which help the modest ballistic performance considerably. As noted by the late Chuck Karwan, a clean Makarov with Hornady ammo is a decent—and inexpensive—defense pistol.
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