McNett-doubletap makarov ammo!

[amd65]

The world needs a good 9mm mak jhp load, and Doubletap ammo is the company that should make it. Anybody else agree?

[RMTactical]

I'd like to see it. I feel like the 9x18 has potential that has not been tapped yet.

[Top Gun Supply]

Absolutely! I too would like to see a better performing round.

[50 Cent]

Not to be a fly in the ointment but don't we have decent rounds already - Hornady's JHP/XTP 95 gr and Silver Bear's 115 gr JHP?

What improvements would you like to see over those? Or is it a matter of choice? I mean, Golden Sabre say 110 gr BJHP would be cool in Mak.

[RMTactical]

Better penetration.

[M2 Carbine]

There needs to be a +P 9x18.
They are easy to tailor by handloaders but the best factory ammo available is only doing 1,000 fps.
Some factory loads are even slower than 1,000fps with a 95gr bullet.
For instance the Hornady is only doing 921fps compared to the 115gr Silver Bear doing 1,000+fps.

There is a noticeable increase in performance when the 95gr bullet's velocity is increased to the 1,100fps range.

Problem is there's a lot of Maks around with worn out recoil springs and while that hotter load IMHO wouldn't be dangerous, it would slam the slide back pretty hard.
I think many of the complaints of the Makarov kicking hard are because of a weak recoil spring.
Add to that I'm not sure the 9x18's, like the Hungarian PA-63, could handle a hotter load.

[amd65]

I am totally against the hornady mak load. It is overpriced and under-performing. If I wanted a 380, that is what I would buy. The mak offers just enough of a performance diff that it is attractive to me. The silver bear shows what is possible with the makarov round. However, if someone like doubletap were to load a 90 or 95grain HP bullet to the same level, I think some real high velocity could be possible.
I am currently shooting silver bear 115's in a polish p64, and find it to be a great ccw combo.
As far as hornady goes, I pretty much refuse to buy overpriced ammo in 20 or 25 round boxes. I would feel just as well armed carrying S&B FMJ, since I would be able to afford to practice enough to hit my target.

[RMTactical]

Originally posted by M2 Carbine
There needs to be a +P 9x18.
They are easy to tailor by handloaders but the best factory ammo available is only doing 1,000 fps.
Some factory loads are even slower than 1,000fps with a 95gr bullet.
For instance the Hornady is only doing 921fps compared to the 115gr Silver Bear doing 1,000+fps.

There is a noticeable increase in performance when the 95gr bullet's velocity is increased to the 1,100fps range.

Problem is there's a lot of Maks around with worn out recoil springs and while that hotter load IMHO wouldn't be dangerous, it would slam the slide back pretty hard.
I think many of the complaints of the Makarov kicking hard are because of a weak recoil spring.
Add to that I'm not sure the 9x18's, like the Hungarian PA-63, could handle a hotter load.

Very good points M2.

[Teakwood]

Originally posted by M2 Carbine
There needs to be a +P 9x18.
...I think many of the complaints of the Makarov kicking hard are because of a weak recoil spring.
Add to that I'm not sure the 9x18's, like the Hungarian PA-63, could handle a hotter load.
I think you are pointing to exactly the problems relating to a hot load for the 9x18. Who would want to assume the reliability because some fool put hot loads through a PA-63 and would up with a cracked frame? That is probably why Hornady put out such a light load.

IMHO, the issues with Mak ammo are consistant accuracy, feeding and price. At this juncture, the Russians still are the ones hitting closest to the mark. After all, they have had the most practice.

Bottom line: if you are unhappy with the hitting power of the Makarov, go buy a 9x19.
For me, I'll stick with the Mak and 95 gr LVE or Barnaul.

[Ron3]

I'm pretty happy with FMJ in this caliber really.

Ron3

[amd65]

I don't believe there have been any problems with silver bear's semi-hot 115 loads "cracking frames" - I am not asking anyone to "magmumize" the mak round--all I want is to see it loaded to it's potential, which hornady decidely is not. I think a good quality 95gn jhp loaded to the same level as the silver bear 115 would be a world beater.
I also am perfectly happy carrying fmj in my p64, however, I use the silver bear.

[M2 Carbine]

Originally posted by amd65
I don't believe there have been any problems with silver bear's semi-hot 115 loads "cracking frames" - I am not asking anyone to "magmumize" the mak round--all I want is to see it loaded to it's potential, which hornady decidely is not. I think a good quality 95gn jhp loaded to the same level as the silver bear 115 would be a world beater.
I also am perfectly happy carrying fmj in my p64, however, I use the silver bear.

I remember some of the old factory rounds, like 44 Special and 45 LC, were loaded pretty weak. There were so many old, possibly weak, guns around that the manufactures felt they had to load down for these.
I loaded some 44 Special for a friend and he couldn't get over the difference between the factory ammo he had been shooting and my reloads. And my reloads weren't close to max recommended loads.

When +P loads were marketed there were constant warnings to only use this +P in MODERN firearms in good condition.

I would like to see Hornady, Speer or Sierra make a 115gr .364 bullet for reloaders. A nice defense load could be be worked up for the Makarovs.
No chance though since they aren't loading it in their 9x18 ammo and the market wouldn't be big enough with just the reloaders.

I guess for now we are stuck with Russian or lower power US ammo.

Or get yourself a little reloading outfit.:)

[amd65]

I just think that McNett, who has worked his magic with 10mm, 357sig, 40S&W and others could rock the makarov world with a true high-performance,low-flash load in this caliber as well.

[TED]

I'd ratehr see 5.45x39mm

TED

[VWTim]

I'd love to get some DoubleTap Mak ammo. 90/05 gr. Gold Dot at 1100 FPS? I'd buy a bunch of that.