About 9mm Makarov

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to cover the 9mm Makarov. The cartridge is an iconic Cold War era pistol round which has been employed in martial and recreational capacities. We are going to delve into the cartridge’s history, traits, features, and other considerations. Without further ado, let’s talk about 9mm Makarov.

What is 9mm Makarov?

The 9mm Makarov was designed in the Soviet Union by Boris V. Semin in 1946, shortly after the end of World War Two. Unlike other cartridges, the 9mm Makarov does not bear the name of its creator. The 9mm Makarov bears the name of Nikolay Fyodorovich Makarov, the man responsible for developing the Makarov PM pistol around the new cartridge. The Soviet’s 9mm Makarov was based on the German 9×18 Ultra round, a cartridge which was intended to be more powerful than the 9×17 (.380 ACP). The 9mm Makarov cartridge was ultimately developed to replace the 7.62×25 Tokarev and TT-33 pistols in the caliber. The cartridge entered service with the Soviets and other Eastern Bloc countries after 1951 and continues to be utilized in the present day in a variety of military firearms.

When compared to the 9mm Luger, the 9mm Makarov features much lower pressures. This was done purposefully to ensure that the cartridge was appropriate for use in blowback operated pistols. Most 9mm Luger handguns feature tilting barrel designs while 9mm Makarov handguns feature fixed barrel, blowback designs. Generally, blowback pistol designs are cheaper to manufacture, are capable of high levels of mechanical accuracy due to fixed barrels, but cannot withstand higher pressures. Generally speaking, 9mm Makarov loadings lie in the 20,000 PSI range, well below the pressure of 9mm Luger loadings.

Due to its low-pressure nature, the cartridge itself does not exhibit a sharp recoil impulse. The impulse generated by the 9mm Makarov can be described as something between that of .380 ACP and 9mm Luger. Due to the nature of direct blowback pistols, one may feel more recoil than normal due to the lack of a tilting barrel and conventional recoil spring and guide rod design. This recoil impulse coupled with smaller, single stack firearms in the caliber can make for an unpleasant shooting experience for shooters with large hands. This is often a complaint voiced by those who shoot Polish P-64 pistols.

Are there Other Names for 9mm Makarov?

While the round is commonly referred to as the 9mm Makarov, there are other designations for the cartridge. The round’s popular 9mm Makarov designation is often abbreviated as 9mm Mak for simplicity’s sake. The cartridge is also often denoted by its metric designation, the 9x18mm. This metric designation is also seen as 9×18 Makarov. Despite these various names, these designations all refer to the same cartridge. If you have a firearm or ammunition bearing any of these naming conventions, your items will be compatible with each other.

Is 9mm Makarov Interchangeable with Other Calibers?

While the cartridge features a 9mm projectile, the 9mm Makarov is not interchangeable with any other caliber. The popular 9mm Luger is very different from the 9mm Makarov and easily stands apart due to its longer length. The longer 9mm Luger, also referred to as 9×19, will not chamber in any 9mm Makarov firearms, just as 9mm Makarov ammunition is incompatible with 9mm Luger firearms. The same can be said for the .380 ACP, metrically denoted as 9×17. While smaller, the .380 ACP is not capable of being chambered in 9mm Makarov firearms, despite the 9×18 dimensions of the round. Simply put, 9mm Makarov ammo is only compatible with firearms intended for use with the round.

How Available is 9mm Makarov Ammunition?

The 9mm Makarov is somewhat of an obscure caliber which still sees a fair amount of support by ammunition manufacturers. Companies such as Underwood, Sellier & Bellot, PPU, Fiocchi, and Hornady produce 9mm Makarov ammunition. While ammunition companies across the globe produce loadings for 9mm Makarov, they are simply not as plentiful as loadings for mainstream calibers. Simply put, one will find 9mm Luger ammo far easier than they will find 9mm Makarov ammunition. The cartridge just does not have the same support and is not nearly as utilized as common handgun calibers are.

9mm Makarov is generally found in the form of modern production ammo offerings or in the form of surplus ammunition. Modern offerings are typically going to be of the full metal jacket (FMJ) variety or in defensive, hollow point type loadings. Surplus loadings are generally going to be military spec ball ammunition from various Eastern Bloc countries. If one wishes to stay stocked on ammo of this type, they should buy bulk ammo. If you buy bulk 9mm Makarov ammo, you can ensure you have good stock of ammunition to shoot and keep on hand. Of course, if one elects to buy ammo online, they will find more options than they will locally.

How Available are Firearms Chambered in 9mm Makarov?

At this point in time, one will find that there aren’t many 9mm Makarov chambered firearms available on the market. This is simply due to the fact that the cartridge is not nearly as widely used as mainstream calibers such as 9mm Luger and .45 ACP. A majority of the firearms on the market will be of the surplus variety as not many modern production 9mm Makarov firearms are available in the United States. The most common surplus handguns on the market in 9mm Makarov will be Makarov type pistols. These pistols come from many countries such as Russia, Bulgaria, and former East Germany. Simply put, options for 9mm Makarov firearms are exceptionally limited when compared to offerings in more common calibers.

What is 9mm Makarov Used For?

In the modern day, many shooters still employ 9mm Makarov for a variety of use cases. A simple use case many shooters use 9mm Makarov for is general plinking and target shooting. The cartridge’s accuracy potential and modest recoil makes it well-suited to use by shooters of all skill levels. Many continue to employ 9mm Makarov in defensive roles such as concealed carry. Modern defensive loadings from companies such as Hornady and Underwood help the cartridge remain relevant in the modern era.

Conclusion

All in all, the 9mm Makarov continues to be cult classic of a pistol round which is still used in the modern era. Recreational shooters, concealed carriers, and collectors alike enjoy the cartridge and firearms chambered in 9mm Makarov. We here at True Shot Academy offer multiple types of 9mm Makarov for sale in addition to the rest of the ammo we stock. Whether you are after 9mm Makarov or want to buy ammo of a different type, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.

Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at [email protected] for more ammo options.

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Tyler Elsberry

Tyler Elsberry is an author for True Shot Ammo, boasting over a decade of experience in the firearms industry. His extensive knowledge and hands-on expertise make him a valuable asset to the True Shot team. Tyler's deep understanding of firearms, coupled with his passion for the ammunition industry, allows him to provide insightful and practical guidance to enthusiasts and professionals alike. His writings often reflect his commitment to delivering accurate, up-to-date information on the latest trends, products, and advancements in the field. Tyler's ability to convey complex technical details in an accessible manner has earned him a loyal following among readers seeking reliable advice and information in the world of firearms and ammunition.