Makarov Arsenal 9x18 pistol

Went by a Gun store while I am on vacation. Got to hold a Makarov imported by Arsenal out of Las Vegas, NV) today. Felt good in the hand, heavy, and the ejection port seemed smaller than I imagined. That said, when I put it into my hand it was love!

I was whisked away, however briefly, to a fantasy as a Russian KGB officer in Saigon shortly after the exodus of US personnel from Vietnam. The gun is heavy enough to meaningfully pistol whip unrecalcitrant imperialist stooges, but light enough to comfortably conceal all day long. The safety was a little gritty to engage, but was solid feeling so that it could be flipped on our off with confidence. The magazine release is at the bottom of the pistol's hilt, not as God intended for John Browning designs but rather as quirky European designers have often done.

At any rate, you won't need to change mags in a hurry as the Soviet works through intrigue, slowley, methodically, like cancer taking it's victim one day at a time. The gun rides comfortably in an open carry holster, or in a concealment holster so as not to scare the whores at the local brothel/opium den. Speaking of opium, the Makarov's safety drops the hammer, so even if your groggy from chasing the dragon you won't accidentally kill the urchin who you've been holding at gun point when you let down the hammer (not like those Czech CZ-82s).

The life of a KGB/Soviet officer is a dangerous affair. The pistol is the constant companion of espionage and intelligence agents. The Makarov pistol is a quality weapon that students of Lenin can have complete confidence in. It is concealable, lightweight (for it's time), mostly snag free exterior, and safe to carry with a round in the chamber (assuming safety engaged of course).

The Makarov is the ideal weapon for holding MI6 "James Bond" agents at gun point with, and then shooting them! Unlike the Ian Fleming novels, the IRL agents of imperialism crumple when a searing hot 9x18 enters their upper intestines. What tragic irony that the West equips it's agents with such quality PPKs and the like, complete with quality brass cased .380 ammo, while the East merely utilizes a chunky, crude-but-reliable copy shooting steel cased 9x18 mak cartridges.

All and all I can say that I really want one of those old, heavy, sturdy 9x18 guns if only to re-live the glory days of Soviet espionage.

The store wanted $299.00 for that particular weapon. It came with two magazines, and a leather holster.