Baikal Makarov Serial Numbers

I'm getting ready to buy my first Mak this weekend.:D From the research I've done they sound like a good value for a CCW pistol. As a carry pistol, I'll be looking for reliablity and accuracy over appearence. What should I be looking for? What, if anything, should I avoid? I've posted a similar question on the board at makarov.com, and it was suggested that I look for an un-issued Bulgarian. From what I've read, it appears that the East German guns are a little better quality.

To find the Year of Manufacture of your Bulgarian 'Circle 10' Military Makarov, look at the serial number (S/N), normally found on the left side of the frame, above the grip. Model numbers are typically IJ-70-18A. '18' means 9x18M caliber; '17' means 9x17 or.380ACP. They tested the 9x19 Makarov available from Baikal. The way the 9x19.

Any opinions on this? Thanks in advance!:).

Tips: East German Maks will all be surplus. They have the best fit and finish and smoothest actions. Bulgarian Maks can either be used or unissued. They are second in quality, some say their accuracy is a little better. Try to find one still in cosmoline.

Russian military-rare and expensive. If you find one GRAB IT! Russian commercial. This is the one with the adjustable sights. Warning tho, the large rear sight adjustment screw is known to break, mine just stripped itself out from shooting and went flying one day! This part is the only part you cannot replace. The German and Russian can be found with either red star grips, with or without left thumbrest, or black grips.

The Russian commercial black grips will say Baikal at the bottom. Military Bulgarians have red star grips. Bulgarian Arsenal. Becoming hard to find.

This is the commercial Bulgarian, will have the word 'Arsenal' on the slide and normally curved ergonomic black grips. Really, any Mak is a really nice gun to have, especially for CCW. What you choose depends mainly on your preference and availability in your area. Go back to Makarov.com and STUDY the different markings so you can spot the types at a glance, i.e. Double circle ten, arrow in a circle, diamond in a circle and so on. No question that the finish work is much much better on my east german mak than my bulgy.

The bulgy has alot of tooling marks inside and I had to polish the feed ramp. The east german was smooth as glass thoughout and no polishing is needed. My bulgy is brand new the east german is used and the grips show it, but the gun is in very good condition. I ordered a new set of grips for the east german gun this week.

If you can find an east german go for it, if you buy the bulgy try and find one in unissued condition and polish the feed ramp. Soviet Makarov (Russian military): Very good machinning, some tool marks in the safety well, red star bakalite grip, milled slide release lever, fixed sights, fairly expenssive ($400).All parts are numbered and hand fitted.

Collectors piece and C&R elligeble. Probably not a good carry piece due to collectors value (esp with no import marks) Russian Makarov (a.k.a.

Baikal, IJ70): Pretty good machinning, many tool marks inside and outside, black commercial grip, stamped slide release lever, adjustable sights, starting to be scarce and price is going up ($200-250). Has *some* collectors value, but not a C&R gun. Not the best choice for carry due to rear sights that can catch on clothes/holster. Very reliable. Bulgarian military: Identicall to Rusian military in every aspect, exept for proof marks. Some people confuse Russian military for Bulgarian ones.