From: gt4458c@prism.gatech.edu (John Stephens Cronin)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: 9x18 ammo
Date: 15 Oct 92 23:58:33 GMT
Article-I.D.: hydra.71337
Organization: Common Container Liberation Front


In article <9210142058.AA08130@relay1.UU.NET> wdavis@bbn.com writes:
#In article <33A71283C0000C3E@UALR.EDU> lklawson@acs.harding.edu writes:
##In article <1992Oct8.150946.7006@icd.ab.com>, kdw@icd.ab.com (Kenneth D.
#Whitehead) writes:
##
##   I've been looking for some real ammo for my Makarov.  I recently heard from
##a net-er that the 9x18 Police/Ultra is supposed to work in them except that he
##hadn't seen any real ammo (JHP and such like) in the 9x18 Police/Ultra.  Does
##anybody know if the mythical good ammo exist for this round (FMJ is all that
##I've ever been able to get ahold of and I'm skeptical of it's stopping
##ability).
##
See my other post for the relative merits of JHP in a low power cartridge
such as the 9mm Makarov and the .380.  It is not a great idea in my opinion
and I even forgot to mention possible feeding problems, although from what
I have heard and seen with the Makarov, this is unlikely.  In my opinion,
a JHP will almost certainly have no greater stopping ability in such a
low powered round, and the FMJ may even be a better stopper in this case.
JHP doesn't really do much good if the bullet does not have enough velocity
to expand.

One item that seems to be causing confusion: the 9x18 Ultra IS NOT the
correct ammunition for the Makarov.  The bullets on this are about .27mm
too small (ie they fit loose in the barrel).  This said, I have had many
many people tell me that both the 9x18 Ultra and the 9x17 (.380 ACP) will
function in the Makarov without modification.  I am not going to be trying
this, and I recommend that nobody else does either.

##Thanx,
##-Kirk
#There is some cheaper Chinese 9x18 FMJ non-corrosive on the market, haven't
#tried
#any though.  Interesting note, in a recent SGN someone was selling 380 barrels
#for
#the Makarov and claimed no problem feeding.  For about $60 it might be
#interesting
#to try (if I had the extra $).

If I had the extra $60 in the first place, I might have bought a full size
9mm instead.  Since I didn't, I have no real desire to spend more money to
rebarrel my pistol to a less powerful caliber.  If your local gunshops are
having problems getting 9mm Mak at all, once again I will suggest you tell
them about Keng's Specialty importers in Atlanta (they are in the white
pages, so call information).  They have cases and cases of the stuff.  In
addition, they have had ammo for the Mak since at least 1988 or so, which
indicates they will probably be a reliable supplier, not just sell the stuff
until what they have runs out.  I found their name in an article on the Mak
in an old surplus firearms magazine (published in 1988) which indicated that
they were a reliable supplier of the ammo.  Mak's were pretty rare in the
US then.  Out of desperation, I called them, and though they have moved
since then, they still have plenty of ammo for it (Norinco FMJ).  I want
to say that I have no connection with them other than having bought a half
case of ammo for them.  I am just trying to help other Mak owners, and if
these guys are willing to give good support in supplying Mak ammo, then
I am willing to give good support to them by buying it. :)

John Cronin