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9x18 MAKAROV

9x18 MAKAROV Ammo

9mm Makarov ammunition is a classic cartridge in its own right. 9x18 Mak was developed by the Soviets for both their pistols and submachine guns. Makarov has served with various Russian police and military units since 1951 and has only recently starting waning in popularity.

These rounds were actually designed to be incompatible with the 9mm Luger (9x19) round simply as an in-case-of-war directive. This directive was put in place in case a war broke out, the 9mm Makarov would be incompatible with 9mm NATO rounds meaning ammunition could not be stolen from depots and then used by NATO enemies against the Soviet Union and her communist friends.

The 9mm Makarov round is also considered ballistically inferior to 9mm Luger. Makarov is capable of allowing pistols to be chambered in a simple and easier blow back configuration. This meant the pistols issued were easier to design, cheaper to build, and incredibly reliable.

That efficiency of production lead to pistols becoming quite popular in the United States after the fall of the Soviet Union. Once the Soviet Union collapsed a surplus of Russian firearms were released in the United States where civilian shooters could gobble up the pistols for $200-$300 at most gun shops. These handguns were very cheap on the U.S. market and the price point is what made them so popular. The 9mm Makarov round was also quite cheap and easy to find due to the amounts of surplus being imported from the former Soviet Union.

Today, you'll find an assortment of 9x18 Mak ammo for sale with the various bullet types listed below. Many of these rounds are still produced in the former Soviet Union and Ukraine, staying true to the roots of the cartridge.

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1000rds – 9mm Makarov MAXXTech 92gr. FMJ Ammo

$339.95

$0.34/ppr

15 In Stock
1000rds - 9x18 Makarov Sellier & Bellot 95gr FMJ Ammo
☆☆☆☆☆ 2 Review(s)

$439.95

$0.44/ppr

8 In Stock
1000rds – 9x18 Makarov Prvi Partizan 93gr. FMJ Ammo

$439.95

$0.44/ppr

12 In Stock
50rds - 9x18 Makarov Sellier & Bellot 95gr FMJ Ammo
☆☆☆☆☆ 2 Review(s)

$23.55

$0.47/ppr

1 In Stock
50rds - 9x18 Makarov Prvi Partizan 93gr. FMJ Ammo
☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review(s)

$24.95

$0.5/ppr

121 In Stock
25rds - 9x18 Makarov Hornady Critical Defense 95gr. FTX HP Ammo
☆☆☆☆☆ 9 Review(s)

$28.95

$1.16/ppr

66 In Stock

What’s the Difference Between the 9mm Makarov and the 9mm Luger?

A lot. While they are both “9mm” cartridges, the 9mm Marakov was designed by the Soviets with the specific purpose of not being interchangeable with 9x19 ammunition. In the event of a shooting war between the Soviets and western powers, it couldn’t be captured and used by NATO troops. In fact, they have slightly different bullet diameters (9.27mm for the Marakov, 9.01mm for the Luger) as well as different neck and base diameters. Most notably, the Marakov is slightly shorter, with an overall length of 25mm compared to the Luger’s 29.69mm. Because of the larger case, the 9mm Luger tends to have slightly faster velocities and energy, although the energy is due in part to the larger bullet weight. For a more in-depth comparison, head to this 9x18 vs. 9x19 article at our blog.

Can You Fire 9mm Makarov in a .38 Handgun?

No, but that's a common question. Because a 9mm bullet is close in size to a .357-caliber (which includes the .38 Special and ..357 Magnum), people often wonder if you can shoot the 9mm Marakov through firearms made for “.38’s.” However, the bullet diameter of a 9mm Marakov is exactly .365 inches, and while less than a hundredth of an inch may not seem like much, it will make a vast difference in the performance and functionality of the bullet. In general, the 9mm Marakov is a unique bullet and should not be interchanged with other rounds, especially ones the come from North American and Western Europe.

What Firearms Use the 9mm Makarov?

This cartridge is used mostly in pistols. In fact, it is difficult to find anything but pistols that load this round. This is because the cartridge was developed for sidearms used by Soviet-bloc military personnel. It can be fairly difficult to find firearms that take this round, as most of the weapons are of Russian origin and are not found in great numbers in the United State. This is in contrast to the 9mm Luger, which has many readily-available weapons at stores all across the country. The cartridge was meant to be used in submachine guns carried by Communist soldiers, but these were less common because of the effectiveness of the AK-47, which loaded a different cartridge.

What are the Top Uses for 9mm Makarov Ammunition?

The 9mm Makarov can be used for many different purposes, but it’s often used for target shooting; it’s also sometimes used for self defense. For self-defense purposes, it is a consistent and reliable weapon with excellent penetration and expansion, assuming the right bullet is used. For self defense, you should select an expanding round such as a jacketed hollow point 9mm Mak load. For target shooting the cartridge remains popular and accurate. For this purpose, a full metal jacket is ideal for smooth cycling and less barrel fouling.

9x18 MAKAROV Ammo

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