Does this look right?

[scarletvw]

I bought this recently and I'm not sure if it looks right or not, there seems to be scaring in the space between the actuall rifles. Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts about it? I did take it to the range and it did shoot fine with the bullets going right where I wanted them.

I know they are terrible pictures but its really hard to get a good pic.

[river_boater]

Looks like carbon to me.

[scarletvw]

I'm pretty sure it's not carbon, I scrubbed it with one of the bore brushes and cleaned it really good and it stayed.

[scarletvw]

OK, so I pushed the brush through the barrel about 30 times and its a lot cleaner and it seems the worst of it was carbon but there is definate pitting. It doesn't look very deep but it is there. Is it anything I should be very worried about?

[river_boater]

Is it anything I should be very worried about?

Yeah, the price of ammo.

Even if it is pitting, it's already there. Keep it clean, and lubricated and don't worry about it.

[scarletvw]

Is it anything I should be very worried about?

Yeah, the price of ammo.

Even if it is pitting, it's already there. Keep it clean, and lubricated and don't worry about it.

OK, cool, I'm new to firearms, and didn't want to cause harm to myself or the gun. Its a Russian Makarov and I actually can get ammo reasonably, about .21$ a round and I've been getting them regularily.

The Makarov kicks with a snap that my SR22 sure doesn't have.

[Tronster]

Being a Mak it probably had a corrosive diet through it at one point and was not immediately cleaned. The pits may collect a little more copper than usual but I've seen alot worse, and shouldn't affect the function of the gun. Shoot it, keep it clean, and enjoy it!

[Tronster]

The Makarov kicks with a snap that my SR22 sure doesn't have.

Yea some of those Mak's can have some real snap to them since they are a direct blowback action instead of a locked breach like 9mm luger that helps to spread out the recoil force. Some larger .380 pistols like the Walther PPK are also direct blowback. The 9mm makarov is about the largest caliber that direct blowback can handle. Good news is they are durable pistols.

[bensdad]

The 9mm makarov is about the largest caliber that direct blowback can handle.

Not to pick nits, but the Hi Point 45acp is a blowback. Of course the gun weighs more than a full size Texas Stripe watermelon.

[Tronster]

The 9mm makarov is about the largest caliber that direct blowback can handle.

Not to pick nits, but the Hi Point 45acp is a blowback. Of course the gun weighs more than a full size Texas Stripe watermelon.

True, forgot about the hipoints. Their slides sure are massive and bulky to handle that 45acp.

[scarletvw]

The Makarov kicks with a snap that my SR22 sure doesn't have.

Yea some of those Mak's can have some real snap to them since they are a direct blowback action instead of a locked breach like 9mm luger that helps to spread out the recoil force. Some larger .380 pistols like the Walther PPK are also direct blowback. The 9mm makarov is about the largest caliber that direct blowback can handle. Good news is they are durable pistols.

It seems incredibly durable. Its a IJ-70, the Russian made one. Got it with one mag, I've been able to find plenty of ammo when I knew where to look. Only shot 100 rounds through it so far, will get a lot more through it.

[AFTERMATH]

The Makarov kicks with a snap that my SR22 sure doesn't have.

Yea some of those Mak's can have some real snap to them since they are a direct blowback action instead of a locked breach like 9mm luger that helps to spread out the recoil force. Some larger .380 pistols like the Walther PPK are also direct blowback. The 9mm makarov is about the largest caliber that direct blowback can handle. Good news is they are durable pistols.

It seems incredibly durable. Its a IJ-70, the Russian made one. Got it with one mag, I've been able to find plenty of ammo when I knew where to look. Only shot 100 rounds through it so far, will get a lot more through it.

Heck for a commie gun, that might be factory new finish.

Where are you finding ammo? I've only seen one box since November - $40 at a gunshow...

[Mellonhead]

Does anyone think this is a result of those evil corrosive primers? Heard stories of not cleaning after shooting surplus ammo. As far as the bore it is really amazing how beat up they can be before there is any issues. We have tested some seriously ugly barrels, mostly from bad broaches, that have shot accurate and consistent. It is just bad business for gunmakers to sell pistols with big scars down the bore. Rifles are a completely different story of course.

[scarletvw]

Heck for a commie gun, that might be factory new finish.

Where are you finding ammo? I've only seen one box since November - $40 at a gunshow...

It probably is factory new, from what I've read it should have been made in the 90's sometime possibly.

As far as ammo, if you want ammo for yourself and won't resell or buy out all they have ill let you know if you pm me.

[AFTERMATH]

Heck for a commie gun, that might be factory new finish.

Where are you finding ammo? I've only seen one box since November - $40 at a gunshow...

It probably is factory new, from what I've read it should have been made in the 90's sometime possibly.

As far as ammo, if you want ammo for yourself and won't resell or buy out all they have ill let you know if you pm me.

Looking at it again, are Mak barrels chrome lined? If so, it poses a potential future problem, if it's pitted through the chrome.
Chrome has a tendency to start flaking off once the lining has broken through...
If it was pitted before being chromed; then you're probably fine.
It still could be copper fouling, which you'll need a copper solvent for.
Try that, if it doesn't come out - shoot it, keep it as clean as you can, and keep an eye on it to see if it spreads.
If it's spreading and/or you want a feel good keep an eye out for a cheap replacement barrel. Shoot it 'till accuracy degrades to an unsatisfactory level and have it replaced.
Barrels are a wear part anyway - Sooner or later they've gotta be replaced. So it doesn't hurt to pick up an extra when they can be had for cheap.