Makarov (by Umarex)

 


Makarov PMM (9 mm)
Info:
 Manufacturer/Model: Made in Taiwan for Umarex / Makarov
Replica Of: Makarov semi-auto PMM (9x18)
Made In: Taiwan
Caliber/Ammunition/Feed: 177, steel BBs, 18-shot magazine
Air Source: CO2, 12 g Powerlet (use seamless-neck cartridges)
Accessories: None
Recommended Pellet or BB: Daisy Avanti BBs (5.5 gr)
Weight (lb)/Length (in): 1.50, 6.31
Body Material/Finish/Grips: metal, blue-black paint, plastic
Barrel Length (in)/Material/Rifled: 3.50, steel, no
Trigger Action: DA/SA
Trigger Pull (lbs)/Adjustable: 8.63 (DA), 8.80 (SA), no
Sights (front/rear): fixed, fixed
Velocity (fps): 380
Sound Level (dB): 100
Thickness of Pellet Holder (in): N/A
Manufactured Dates: 2009 - present
Condition/Manual/Box: 98%, yes, yes
Serial Number:  09C04642
 		 Comments: This pistol is manufactured in Taiwan, probably by KWC, for Umarex. It is a faithful replica of the original Russian Makarov service pistol. It is all metal except for the plastic grips. It has the usual fine painted finish typical of Umarex's higher quality guns. The thumb safety and magazine release work the same as on the firearm, but the mag release is located in front of the magazine instead of behind it. The slide can be moved back and forth by hand, but the pistol does not employ blowback. The slide lock lever is molded into the frame and is simply cosmetic. The grips slide toward the rear to gain access to the CO2 chamber. While this is a convenient way to load/unload CO2 cartridges, sliding grips like these have a tendency to move around when firing the pistol. When loading CO2 cartridges, use the narrow neck variety (Umarex, Gamo, Daisy) instead of Crosman-style cartridges and make sure the cartridge is centered before tightening the piercing screw. Crosman-style cartridges (those with a seam around the neck) don't seat very well in this gun. The cartridge piercing screw has a spring on the tab to keep the tab flat against the bottom of the grip. This gives the gun a cleaner and more realistic appearance. The Umarex Makarov has a smooth double-action trigger with a good release. In single-action mode, there is some creep in the second stage. Interestingly, trigger pull is a little heavier in SA mode than in DA mode. When used with the proper BBs (Daisy Avanti BBs work very well), this air pistol is capable of producing very tight groups -- the best I have seen in a smooth-bore BB pistol. This is at least partly due to the consistent shot-to-shot velocities produced by this gun. When compared to the only other Makarov replica available, the Baikal MP-654K, the Umarex is more accurate and easier to use. However, the MP-654K is a more faithful replica since it is made from some of the same parts as the original firearm. The Umarex Makarov is one of the best CO2-powered BB pistols currently on the market.

Pyramyd Air Report - Part 1 on the Makarov by Umarex.
Pyramyd Air Report - Part 2 on the Makarov by Umarex.
Pyramyd Air Report - Part 3 on the Makarov by Umarex.
Performance: Measurements were made on 6/22/09 at a temperature of 75 ºF and 14' elevation. A ten shot string was fired from a bench rest at 15' using Daisy Avanti BBs (5.5 gr). In double-action mode, the highest velocity measured was 386 fps, the lowest was 370 fps (average of the 10-shot string was 378 fps, s = 5). In single-action mode, the highest velocity was 391, the lowest was 378 (average of the 10-shot string was 385 fps, s = 4). A six shot string shot with open sights grouped at 0.44". (The best group I could get with Crosman Copperhead BBs was 0.85"). Click the thumbnail below to see a larger image of the group shot with Daisy Avanti BBs. Click here for a description of the measurement methods.


 

 		 Right Profile:

 		 Front View: Although it looks real, the slide lock lever is cast into the frame and is non-functional.

 		 Right Side Markings:

 		 Left Side Markings:


 

 Take Down: To disassemble the Makarov, first make sure that the CO2 cylinder has been removed and then cock the hammer. Next, pull down on the trigger guard and move the slide back and up. Reassemble in reverse order, making sure that the trigger guard is held down.

 		 Loading BBs: BBs are inserted into the top of the magazine. The follower spring has a detent to hold the follower in place while loading. Daisy Avanti BBs will produce very tight groups with this gun.

Push the mag release forward to free the magazine.

 		 Loading CO2: The grips slide rearward to load CO2 cartridges. Use cartridges with a seamless neck to get a better seal.


 

 Comparison with MP-654K: Both guns are excellent replicas of the original Makarov firearm, but the MP-654K with its blued steel slide is more realistic. The finish on the Umarex Makarov is very well done, but it still looks like a paint job instead of blued steel. The Umarex Mak has a smooth bore and shoots steel BBs. The Baikal Mak has a rifled barrel and shoots .177 lead balls. In 2009, the Umarex Mak sold for $69 while the Baikal Mak had an average auction price of $275.


Right side view of both Makarov replicas.
 

Packaging: The packaging is nicely done, especially the inclusion of a brief history of the Makarov firearm on which this air pistol is based.

 
 

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