Makarov PM
* Ammunition:9x18mm PM
* Total length:161mm
* Empty weight:730g
* Barrel length:93, 5 mm
* Magazine capacity:8 rounds
Makarov PM/PMM
* Ammunition:9x18mm PM modified
* Total length:165mm PMM
* Empty weight:760g
* Barrel length:93.5 mm
* Magazine capacity:12 rounds
The Makarov PM (Marakova pistol) is a semi-automatic pistol which replaced the Tokarev TT 33 in 1951.
Aware of the excessive bulk and insecurity of the TT 33, the Soviet Army launched a program to adopt a new pair of handgun ammunition in the late 1940s. Taking advantage of the archives and occupied industrial facilities of the East of Germany, the Soviet engineer Nicolaï Marakov is developing a derivative of the Walther PP chambered in a new ammunition resulting from the work of the Luftwaffe. The Makarov gradually replaced the Tokarev in the 1950s. It remained in service in the USSR until 1991 and then in Russia before its replacement in 2003. It was also manufactured in the GDR (Pistole M), in the PRC (Type 59) and in Bulgaria (PM-01). It is still in service in many states of the CIS, Africa and Asia. Since the mid-1990s, it has been offered on the civilian market in its Original caliber in 9mm Short and 9mm Parabellum by German, Bulgarian, Chinese or Russian firms. Its good value for money gives it great commercial success in the USA.
Operation
The Makarov PM works in double action Inspired by the Walther PP/PPK mechanism, it differs in:
* an inverted safety lever (safety in the high position, ti rn diagonal position
* a leaf spring, instead of the coil spring, serving both the hammer and the trigger ,
* a magazine hook located under the stock
* a strap ring fixed to the left
* a breech stop located on the left above the trigger