Not all of them are actually suitable for the pocket or for actual self-defense, come to think of it, but they can surely be fun guns, ammo costs notwithstanding. The so-called pocket pistol comes in many sizes and calibers. But some spend most of their lives being dragged around in the dusty confines of a makeshift container.
![bulgarian makarov pistol 9x18 pistol bulgarian makarov pistol 9x18 pistol](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XQ34i3NYWL0/hqdefault.jpg)
Of course pocket pistols can be, and commonly are, carried in some sort of holster. Those with more experience will generally arm themselves in a more powerful, if not more convenient, manner, but as someone once said, rule number one for gunfighting is, “Have a gun.” The pocket pistol is often there in the pocket or purse while the bigger, heavier gun stays home. Commercial ammunition, made in Russia for export as well as commercially in other countries, is available with either jacketed bullets with lead cores, or with more or less traditional expanding JHP bullets.Ĭzechoslovak military issue round for Vz.82 pistol and Vz.No matter the reasons, many people cling to the idea of a pocket pistol as being somehow useful. Other specialized rounds include expanding and armor-piercing ammunition for law enforcement. These were stored in the pilot’s cabin in a special safe, in order to resist plane hijack attempts. It must be noted that many Soviet commercial aircraft crews of the time were armed with pistols. This specialised ammunition was developed in 1980 to be used on board aircraft. Other loads include some specialized rounds, such as the frangible SP-8. The steel insert is of mushroom-like shape which does not help penetration when compared to similar bullets with pure lead cores.
![bulgarian makarov pistol 9x18 pistol bulgarian makarov pistol 9x18 pistol](https://s3.amazonaws.com/mgm-content/sites/armslist/uploads/posts/2016/09/23/5930732_01_unfired_bulgarian_makarov_pm_p_640.jpg)
The standard Soviet military / police load used a round-nosed jacketed bullet with a composite core, made partly of lead and partly of mild steel (as a less expensive alternative to pure lead). It has a straight, rimless case usually made of lacquered steel (military issue) or brass (some commercial loads). It was not actually designed by Makarov, but by the designer Syomin. The 9×18 cartridge is generally known as ‘9mm Makarov’ or ‘9mm PM’ after the popular Makarov ( Пистолет Макарова – PM) pistol that originally used it. During the early 90’s, the Russian Army tried to extend the effectiveness of this round with the introduction of the ‘Improved’ or ‘high impulse’ PMM loading, with a more powerful propellant charge and lighter bullet, but this was never adopted for safety reasons. The Army and police continued to use standard issue jacketed ammunition. These included expanding and frangible bullets, as well as improved penetration loads. Just prior to the Moscow Olympic Games of 1980, Soviet ammunition factories developed several specialized loads at the request of the KGB. Ammunition is still manufactured in Russia, as well as in the USA (for commercial use). Pistols for this cartridge were manufactured in the USSR and in Russia, as well as in Bulgaria, China, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic), Hungary, and Poland.
![bulgarian makarov pistol 9x18 pistol bulgarian makarov pistol 9x18 pistol](https://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/media/Surpmil/bulgarian-makarov-2.jpg)
So far the 9×18 PM remains in active military and police service in most ex-USSR republics, including Russia. Officially adopted in 1951, this cartridge was also imposed upon Warsaw Pact countries during the 60’s and 70’s in an attempt at standardization.
![bulgarian makarov pistol 9x18 pistol bulgarian makarov pistol 9x18 pistol](https://gunstreamer.s3.amazonaws.com/upload/photos/2019/03/IhuBRkFec53q1upbFbuh_18_d09aadfa5dd2237367e04cc0d3d0d694_image.jpg)
Soviet tactical doctrine at the time had no use for submachine guns, which usually require a more powerful pistol-type cartridge to be of any military use. While this round was only marginally powerful by Western standards, it proved to be adequate for personal defence weapons. Soon after the end of WW2, the Soviet army seriously re-considered the role of the military pistol, and selected the improved 9×18 round as the future standard military cartridge. Apparently this work began in the USSR just prior to start of the Great Patriotic War (WW2). A few pistols were tested, but with the outbreak of war development came to a halt. The 9×18 Makarov PM cartridge was the result of the development of a caliber suitable for smaller, blowback-operated pistols.