Commercial Makarov...

[wmp9355]

After finding (at a pawn shop) an IMEZ pistol chambered in 380 ACP, I was curious as to their origin. Some research indicated that these were manufactured at the Izsheksv plant and were in fact a commercial version of the Mak. Is the correct? And does anyone else have more info? All your thoughts encouraged. Thanks. :square:

[sfc ret]

your right, it's a commercial Makarov, made at the Izhmash factory.....not 100% sure but, I believe they changed the name of the town the plant is located at, form Ishevsk(sp) to Izhmash soon after the collapse of the soviet union. Ishmash is one of russia's largest Arsenals along with Tula, they manufacture everything from small arms, ammunition, artillery, tanks etc... as well as trucks, motorcycles, sporting arms, optics, industrial machinary... and just about anything else it seems. they do have a website, but at times it does not work....again not sure but I believe the plant has Americian as well as Euopean partners, which may explain their diverse product line.


this one seems to work. and has a link to their main site, but doesn't work

http://www.kamaz.ru/cars/izhmash/

[yasnevo]

Look on the side of the pistol...should have an importer on there...
The guys who imported the Makarov .308, named the IJ-70 or the IZH-70 were:
B-West, KBI and Big Bear... I think that Century tried also.

Your pistol was made by the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant located in the city of Izhevsk.... jst a little East of the Ural Mountains.

The .380 that you have was chambered for that round because at that time, early 1993... no, or little 9x18 Makarov ammunition was available. Earlier, E. German Makarovs were sold, but it wasn't until the Russians jumped into the fray that 9x18 was produced by CCI and another American cartridge producer.

You have a solid pistol but there is one thing you need to know. Most if not all US made .380 rounds are brass, and as we all know Brass is softer than what steel is....duh, right? Well the feed ramp leaves a portion of the cartridge un-supported as it sits in the chamber of the pistol. When you fire it... there will be slight bulges in the cartridge case...near the base.

In all the years that I have been exposed to this particluar pistol that you have, I have NEVER seen one case fail...that is split open. However, if you are going to reload your brass, this will be a problem.

With the 9x18mm Makarovs this is not a problem...odly enough....
Enjoy your pistol

[wmp9355]

Thanks guys! I put it in layaway yesterday. Cond fine to excellent and he took $100 plus tax.:)