9x18 Makarov Ballistics

Since I picked up the CZ-82 the other day I got to thinking about the ballistics of the 9x18 Makarov round that it fires.

For most of the 20th Century much of Europe viewed the 7.65 Browning (.32 ACP), 9mm Browning Short (.380 ACP), and the 9x18 Mak as suitable for use in service pistols. For example, as late at the 1970s Beretta designed and produced a new design in 7.65mm for use by Italian law enforcement. This was, of course, the Model 81.

The 9mm Mak is often said in the USA to fall in between the 9x19mm and .380 ACP. While this is true, in reality it's much closer to .380 than 9mm.

Let's look at some common ballistics for each round:

• A typical 9mm load will push a 115 grain bullet to 1180 FPS for 355 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy.
• .380 ACP will shoot a 95 grain FMJ bullet to about 980 FPS for 203 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy.
• 9x18 Makarov shoots a 95 grain FMJ bullet to 1050 FPS for 220 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy.

Obviously, there's quite a bit of variation for each cartridge depending on bullet weight, pressure, and the barrel length from which its fired, which directly impacts velocity and energy.

Let's take a look at the 9x18 in comparison with a design even older than the.32 ACP, which dates from 1899. I.e., how well did the .36 caliber Colt 1851 Navy perform and how does the Makarov stack up against it? After all, the Colt Navy was considered perfectly suitable for combat use on the American frontier and in the American Civil War.

Last summer I chronographed several loads through my Uberti 1851 Navy, using a variety of powders. Keep in mind that the sporting grade black powders available in the mid to late 19th Century were actually better than the black powder we can currently get. The closest we can get today is Swiss BP or Hodgdon Triple 7 BP substitute.

From my Uberti Navy with a 7.5" barrel:

• 82 grain round ball over 25 grains of Swiss FFFg black powder: 1051 FPS for 201 ft.lbs.
• 82 grain round ball over 25 grains of Triple 7 FFFg BP substitute: 1111 FPS for 225 ft. lbs.
• 140 grain conical over 17 grains of Swiss FFFg black powder: 780 FPS for 189 ft. lbs.

Basically, the 9x18 Makarov performs similarly to a Colt Navy .36 but in a more compact package that holds more rounds and is more reliable due to using self contained centerfire  metallic cartridges.

I don't think that's bad performance at all.

A CZ-82 Followed Me Home

A 1988 production CZ82 in 9x18 Makarov followed me home from the gun show yesterday.

The CZ82s are a bit more expensive than they used to be, but what isn't? Like many of these surplus guns the paint finish shows some wear, but the grips are in nice shape and mechanically it seems perfect. The oval bore is bright and shiny.

The gun came in a cardboard box with one 12 round magazine, a gun lock, and a used Falco thumb break holster, which also fits a Beretta 81 or 84. I'm giving it to a friend to use with his Beretta 81. I'm left handed so the holster is useless for me.

The CZ next to my Beretta 81:

The ergonomics of the CZ82 are impressive. It fits my hand very well. The safety and magazine release are ambidextrous, although the mag catch is significantly easier to depress from the left side, which works for me because I'm accustomed to using my left index finger for that.

The CZ field strips just like a Makarov. First, ensure it's empty and the magazine is out of the gun, and the hammer down. Pull down on the front of the trigger guard. Cock the hammer and then pull the slide to the rear and up, and it'll pull off the gun.

To reassemble first put the recoil spring back around the barrel and then reverse the disassembly steps.

I own several DA/SA semiautos but the CZ82 has by far the best DA trigger of any of them. It actually feels like a good DA revolver trigger, under 10 lbs. and smooth. The SA pull has some take up but is light, probably no more than 5 lbs.

I got a couple boxes of Sellier & Bellot and one box of Barnaul 9x18 at the show. Last night I put in an order for 500 rounds of S&B.

After some searching I found some surplus CZ magazines at Royal Tiger Imports for $29.99 each, including a mag pouch, so I ordered three. On eBay I found a correct surplus cleaning rod and separately, a Czech military surplus holster.

The surplus holster I ordered is basically a leather gun case with belt loops, but it's  ambidextrous and completely conceals the gun, while not even looking like a holster. It will hold the gun, cleaning rod, and a spare magazine. I wouldn't use it for around town but it should work well for trail hiking where you want to protect the gun from weather while also not scaring any earthy-crunch granola types you might encounter.

Pic borrowed from an eBay seller in Czechia:

It looks more like an e-tool carrier than a holster, IMO.

The CZ also fits into a commercial Tanker holster for 1911s, which gives me another option.

Today I took the CZ to the range and put 50 Barnaul and 25 S&B through it. The Barnaul ammo gave me two hiccups. The second or third shot in the first magazine misfed and to clear it I had to drop the mag and rack the slide to clear it. On another mag it failed to lock back after the last shot. The S&B ran fine.

Accuracy was good with me able to keep 50 rounds within a few inches offhand at 10 yards. Between presbyopia and shooting indoors under florescent lighting which made it hard to see the front sight so I'm happy with how it grouped. Recoil was a bit snappy, especially compared with the Beretta 81 .32 I also shot today. I have a Wolff spring kit on order to see if the extra power recoil spring can tame that.

It's a neat gun I look forward to shooting more.

Jewish Man Saves Family from Attack in Florida

Here's another recent example of why Jewish Americans must embrace and exercise their right to keep and bear arms as protected by the Second Amendment. Being a defenseless victim is NOT a Jewish virtue. In fact, it is against Jewish law.

https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/man-charged-antisemitic-hate-crime-miami-beach/3790877/

My book "Guns for Jews" discusses why being armed for self defense is in accordance with Jewish law, and provides resources for those new to owning and carrying a firearm. The link goes to the free PDF on my Google Drive.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18GXFERy8nH1iM6ERtLs-PXX3qXDo5C0K/view?usp=drive_link