Russian Makarov IMEZ model IJ70-17A .380

[texasoldiron]

I just bought at a local gun show a neat little Walther type clone. It has a very nice feel to it. It's a Makarov IMEZ but in .380. Has ajustable sights. It came with an extra mag, holster, cleaning rod and tool. Finish is 99%. I will go and shoot it here in a couple of days. I have a friend that has one, but in the 9x18 caliber. For the money it is a great deal(paid under $300 for it. Built like a tank. The Russians can build a great pistol, but usually the finish leaves much to be desired. This one has a nice bright finish to it. Us Americans like our pretty guns, so I guess they took extra pains.

[cvasqu03]

Congratulations!  Those are great little guns.  Yeah, the Russians had a different philosophy about the role of a handgun.  They obviously didn't see it as a potential backup to the rifle the way the Americans did so they didn't want a full size combat handgun like the M9.  What they did want was a reliable compact gun that would go bang every time it needed to and could be used in close proximity or longer distances on occasion.  You'll be surprised at how accurate the gun is.

[mpoppel41]

they are cool guns! they are getting a bit pricy now, times are a changing.

[wester]

Just in case you didn't know, all you need to do is swap out the barrel to make it 9X18. I have an IJ-70 in 9X18 myself, they are very accurate, you will have fun with it.

[ireman412]

You can get a brand new 9X18 chrome lined barrel for $25, and the tool to remove and insert new barrel is around $28, you use the same mags. 9X18 ammo much cheaper than .380 ammo. If you need more info. let me know. Barrel site http://www.buymilsurp.com/pistol-parts-accessories-makarov-pistol-c-3546_56.html?page=1&sort=20a

[DLL1488]

You can get a brand new 9X18 chrome lined barrel for $25, and the tool to remove and insert new barrel is around $28, you use the same mags. 9X18 ammo much cheaper than .380 ammo. If you need more info. let me know. Barrel site http://www.buymilsurp.com/pistol-parts-accessories-makarov-pistol-c-3546_56.html?page=1&sort=20a

Is this an easy swap?  I have the same pistol and I was wondering if it could be converted to 9x18.

[Frisco Pete]

I think that all you need to do is unscrew the old barrel and screw in the new.  They are a fixed-barrel gun (blowback action is why) unlike the barrels on Browning-type locked breech pistols.
I don't know how hard it is to unscrew the barrel, but I imagine that it is no walk in the park.  Some non-mar fixture to hold the pistol while you turn the barrel would be a big help.  There probably is some instruction stuff on Makarov.com for this.
I imagine that a gunsmith would do it cheap as well.

[wester]

The barrel is press fit and pinned, you'll need a press to get it out and the new one in. You may also need to drill the new barrel if it doesn't already have a hole for the pin.

[MakarovingCharges]

Cheaper than dirt is selling 50 round boxes of brown bear 9x18 ammo for $9 ea. At least thats what their Dec. catalog says. Its good as long as you don't mind steel nonreloadable casings.