What about putting a 21 lb recoil spring in a Makarov instead of the standard 17 lb. and then loading +P 95 gr. JHP to about 1300 fps?

TCW (Tula Cartridge Works) gets 1150 fps w/ 109 gr. FMJ. Corbon loads about 1150 fps w/95 gr. JHP.

The blow-back design seems the limiting factor. A stronger spring might allow 1300 fps in a medium fast pistol powder. Not much room in the case for a lot of bulky powder.

Any ideas?

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PowderBurns Black Powder / Muzzle Loading Forum:

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PB,
Not a good idea! The Mak is a good, well made pistol, but it doesn't have as much rail contact as the PPK/PP. Doing some load development, a friend and I cracked the frame on his E.German Mak. I would stick with the loads available now commercially, and avoid +P's. If you need more than that, get a small 9mm Parabellum. Ku-dude

Those Maks are pretty tough. I was RO'ing at out local range a few months ago and without my knowledge, a guy shot a whole box of Win 9mm through a Mak. After he left I was picking up some brass and noticed that I was picking up 9mm cases with the mouth that had a "crimp" on it. It was from the 19mm case being jammed into the 18mm chamber.

Not saying it is a great idea, just saying that those MAk's are tough little buggers.