Comments on: So sad

By: Jay G

Jay G — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 03:58:12 +0000

I’ve got to disagree with Ravenwood, too. I’ve got a Russian Mak that’s one of the more accurate guns I own. Bought it new for $150. How can you argue with that?

(Well, it could weight a few pounds less so it could be carried, but…)

By: bjbarron

bjbarron — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 17:04:42 +0000

Well, I’ve got one Mak sitting at home they didn’t get…a Bulgie. I upgraded the springs to the max (picking up cases thrown 30 feet was getting to be a chore), got more comfortable grips and buy my ammo in 1000 round lots. It is a reliable as my Colt revolvers, and nearly as accurate…even with the world’s worst sights. I would carry it if I could (Gak! New Jersey) and if it wasn’t so heavy for it’s size. One project on the list is to send the frame away to be milled for better sights. You can replace the 9×18 barrel with a .380 (threaded even) for cheap and use that without changing anything else. I buy the most amazing range of holsters for it direct from Russia.

When my kids or friends visit to go shooting…the Mak is required by popular demand. Personally, I love that commieweeniepistol to pieces.

If I could afford ten of them, I’d have them.

By: Standard Mischief

Standard Mischief — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 12:29:12 +0000

Sebastian: Two ways.

1. change the law. Have the US government auction off a few thousand every year to class III dealers.

2. change the law. modify (de-mill) the M-14 to semi-auto and sell them through current CMP channels

[snark]Hey, we have a pro-gun President and a pro-gun majority in congress, right? It should be a piece of cake to slip a few lines into the next “must-pass” Iraq appropriations bill. [/snark]

By: Sebastian

Sebastian — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 04:43:53 +0000

How were M14s going to end up with the CMP? Those are select fire rifles, and would have to have been registered pre-86. My understanding is that a conversion from an M14 to an M1A doesn’t pass ATF muster, since it’s too easy to convert back to select-fire.

Not that I doubt Clinton’s anti-gun tendencies. I’m still pissed at him for trying to stop that shippment of Styer AU…err… USRs into the country. 3000 got in, but the prick managed to stop any more from getting in, so good luck finding an AUG for a reasonable price.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 02:31:52 +0000

the real question is what did they do with the M-14′s that s*** Klinton shipped them when it looked like they might go to the CMP program????

By: gunner

gunner — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 02:27:35 +0000

I have a Hungarian PA63 and the first time my wife shot it she took a small chunk out of her thumb.

By: Sebastian

Sebastian — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 01:51:44 +0000

Don’t forget that they would have to comply with a lot of import regulations. It’s not just a matter of packing them up and shipping them over. It’s quite possible that the current price of the Mak is about the minimum price that will get them over here and through the red tape. If they sold over here for 50 dollars, it could be Estonia would get 5 dollars. It could be even less. Depending on the condition, it could be the scrap value is worth more.

BTW, Ravenwood… I’ve never had problems of hurting to shoot or accuracy problems with my Mak. The only problem I’ve had is if it’s carried, it could use some dehorning… there are a few sharp edges that will tear clothing. I also would feel better if there was a firing pin spring on the Mak. The primers on the cartridges I pull out of my Mak have a slight ding on them. I know it takes a pretty good wallop to make the primer detonate, but it makes me a bit nervous about carrying the Mak.

By: Justin Buist

Justin Buist — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 01:48:23 +0000

Ravenwood, my experiences are vastly different than yours. Tossing 100 rounds through my Bulgarian is not a problem at all. Now, my Kel-Tec P3AT on the other hand…

I admit I am by no means a good handgun shooter but I don’t have any difficulty whacking paper plates with mine. Well, unless I’m trying to shoot in DA mode. I’m horrid at that.

The Mak is actually -comfy- in my hands, not just tolerable. Of course, I’ve got small 12 year old Japenese school girl sized hands, so maybe that makes all the difference in the world.

To each their own.

It always bugs me seeing what could very well be a functional firearm destroyed.

By: AughtSix

AughtSix — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 01:42:34 +0000

Even if that would lower the price to $50 bucks a pop (from the $100-150 range now), $50 bucks times a heck of a lot is a pretty nice sum of money. Especially to a country like Estonia.

By: Standard Mischief

Standard Mischief — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 01:26:53 +0000

Yea, I saw that over at Xavier’s. I also was trying to figure out why. My best guess (and it’s a wild ass one) is that Estonia (read the camo guy’s shirt) is about to join the European Union, and it’s somehow related to being a member.

By: Ravenwood

Ravenwood — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 01:04:59 +0000

I wouldn’t spend $20 on a Makarov. They hurt like hell to shoot and can’t hit shit. Then again, if you’re just throwing them away….

By: Sebastian

Sebastian — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 00:42:14 +0000

There’s probably more surplus Maks and Toks than there’s really a market for here. As most of the former Soviet states adopt better hardware, they are getting rid of their old stuff.

Still, it’s really depressing to see so many of them, just there for the taking, then seeing them destroyed. Hell, I’d be happy to have a few, even though I already own a Mak.

By: Heartless Libertarian

Heartless Libertarian — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 00:39:18 +0000

Because the governments that own them somehow don’t realize they can make a mint selling them to folks like you and me here in America.

Look close, and you’ll see at least one 1911.