Bulgarian Mak

manicmechanic · Post by **manicmechanic** » September 25th, 2007, 8:16 pm

I've got a line on a pistol that is supposed to look like this pic in the link below, the pic is not the exact pistol though. I sent him a list of possible models from the gunboard site and he said it looked like a
"Factory 10" marked Military version Makarov, 9x18, 8rd version only"
He says it's an early Century Arms Import, and he's going to check for more markings in the morning. It comes with 2 mags and a cleaning rod. I know nothing about what to look for on these or what a good price is. So if the masters of Makarov's could please step in!! :-*

http://www.bayourovers.com/Makarov.jpg

carguy · Post by **carguy** » September 25th, 2007, 9:25 pm

Circle 10...Bulgarian. I love mine! Picked it up less than a year a ago for $240 (I think), 2 mags no cleaning rod. Prices vary in different parts of the country so I'm not sure what they are going for in your area. I certainly would not go much higher than $250-$275 but that is up to you and your wallet.

And of course the condition of the finish, action etc. Shake the pistol and listen for the firing pin rattling around...it is supposed to...no spring in there. If no noise maybe a problem, maybe dirty, fairly easy to check by removing the slide and saftey. Not alot of parts only 23 I thinkin the entire gun.

I will say they are great. The Bulgarian is listed by "collectors" as the 3rd most desirable (Russian Military, East German, Bulgarian, Chinese). The Chinese is very valuable because of scarcity not quality. By shooters I dare say the Bulgarian is equal to the Russian and East German. They aren't being imported anymore and are more and more scarce.

Good luck!

Post by **papabear** » September 25th, 2007, 10:46 pm

manicmechanic,

Here is my Bulgarian Makarov, I paid $180 OTD about a year ago. I have to agree with carguy about price, each area is different, today, I'd say $250 for Bulgie in EX condition would be max any where. I only paid $300 OTD at Knob Creek this past April for my E. German. IMHO the Makarov's are excellent pistols.

Bulgie Makarov

E. German Makarov

papabear

manicmechanic · Post by **manicmechanic** » October 6th, 2007, 6:19 am

I finally got a couple of pics from the owner. Please chime in as to what your opinions would be regarding approx. value and or things to look a little closer at. I do realize it's kind of difficult to see details really well in the pics. Thanks!!

Post by **papabear** » October 6th, 2007, 7:15 am

manicmechanic,

This is a Bulgarian and it is a 1982 model according to the chart below.

Bulgarian "Circle 10" military proof mark

Year Code Year Code Year Code Year Code
1970 = 10 1971 = 11 1972 = 12 1973 = 13
1974 = 14 1975 = 15 (Begin Makarov Production under Russian Supervision) 1976 = 16 (first year Makarov Production, under Bulgarian supervision) 1977 = 17*
1978 = 18* 1979 = 19* 1980 = 20* 1981 = 21*
1982 = 22 1983 = 23 1984 = 24 1985 = 25
1986 = 26* 1987 = 27 1988 = 28 1989 = 29*
1990 = 30 1991 = 31 1992 = 32 1993 = 33
1994 = 34 1995 = 35 1996 = 36 1997 = 37
1998 = 38 1999 = 39 2000 = Date codes dropped, year of production added after S/N. Production Series dropped to one letter, S/N moved from 4 digits to 6 digits to 9 digits with leading zeros used as placeholders.

papabaear

nbender · Post by **nbender** » October 6th, 2007, 9:44 am

Papabear, I'm not sure I would have directly copied from makarov.com's page and posted here. They specifically requested that not be done. But I'm no interpreter of copyright law.

Here's the link to that information:

http://makarov.com/makfaq.html

The picture is sort of poor but it looks like a Century Arms import. I have one CA import, and it's my favorite shooter. I can't tell if there is discoloration on the slide or if that's the photograph. That is the original import box, and the magazines may be numbered to the pistol which is a slight plus. The right grip has some off-color to it which doesn't harm value at all.

Once you go mak you'll never go back. The closer to $200 you can go the better, and they should not run over $250.

Post by **papabear** » October 6th, 2007, 12:59 pm

nbender,

Oh well, I guess I'm in trouble again............ ::)

papabear

nbender · Post by **nbender** » October 6th, 2007, 1:24 pm

Yeah, I'll be runnin' you in old timer ...

(I'm watching the Saturday Morning cowboy channel - The Duke is working on cleaning up his 3rd town this morning. And it's early yet. I won't be able to talk or walk right the rest of the weekend.)

manicmechanic · Post by **manicmechanic** » October 6th, 2007, 4:51 pm

nbender,

Oh well, I guess I'm in trouble again............ ::)

papabear

Mr. Ranger ain't gunna like that Yogi!! (in my best BooBoo voice)

carguy · Post by **carguy** » October 6th, 2007, 5:30 pm

I'm hoping that is just a bad photograph. Because it appears you have lots of discoloration/wear on the slide and the front stap. m If the finish looks good to you then go for it! As stated so eloquently already...the closer to $200 you can go the better but then again the more you pay the more ours are worth!! ;D

Looks like it might have a plumb colored saftey and hammer...nice!

Good luck!!

Post by **papabear** » October 6th, 2007, 8:25 pm

nbender,

Oh well, I guess I'm in trouble again............ ::)

papabear
Mr. Ranger ain't gunna like that Yogi!! (in my best BooBoo voice)

I'm always in trouble with Mr. Ranger, and now nbender is to run me in too..... :'(....I think I'll just stick with snatching pic-a- nick baskets for the time being.......me and BooBoo going to hibernate for a while...... ::)

papabear

nbender · Post by **nbender** » October 7th, 2007, 1:22 am

Oh no you don't papabear. These guys would murder me if you hibernated.

Post by **papabear** » October 7th, 2007, 7:09 am

Oh no you don't papabear. These guys would murder me if you hibernated.

Oh well, I guess I won't hibernate after all, don't want nbender getting into trouble too, me and my booboo's will just have to be more careful.

papabear

manicmechanic · Post by **manicmechanic** » October 9th, 2007, 9:26 pm

If all looks good, I should be posting some better looking pics Thursday night, and be a proud owner of a Bulgarian. I don't know if I ever would've even considered getting one of these if I never got the P-64 and got tangled up with you guys and the ones over at the gunboards! Thanks for all the info and advice as to what to look for.

As far as all this hibernation talk, we had record high temps in the 90's yesterday, but supposed to be only hitting highs in the 50's later this week. If you don't like the weather in Michigan, just wait 5 minutes

, it'll either get worse or better

!!

carguy · Post by **carguy** » October 9th, 2007, 10:43 pm

+1 up here in Boston...it was in the low 80s yesterday! Now cool and damp until the weekend...hope it is nice then so I can go to the range and not trudge through the muck to place targets at the outdoor range.

Can't wait to see more of that Bulgy...congratulations...you'll love it.

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