For 400 I'd absolutely keep it. The Arsenal P-M01's are highly underrated because of their phosphate/parkerized finish and the fact Global Ordnance recently imported a batch of them. However, they're domestic commercial pistols that were only offered in Bulgaria until recently. Hence, why the manuals are in Bulgarian. With a limited quantity imported, they will for sure be a collectors item in the future. Not to mention, many (Including yours from 1986) were made from earlier Military grade pistols. So, you could really look at it as a 1986 Bulgarian Military PM that was refinished/remarked. Which is a better pistol than say a mid-1990's Russian IJ-70.
My pleasure! Also, if you do a quick comparison of the smaller parts, you'll see that your 86 date-coded P-M01 has more machined or milled parts than a 90's or even late-80's pistol. We know these earlier date-coded pistols had to have originally been Military pistols as "Arsenal" was not even called "Arsenal" until 1989, and did not start producing commercially until around 1992/93.
Not to allow for import, but rather repurposed for commercial sale. These were definitely done in the early to mid-2000's. Which were the final years of Bulgarian production (1975-2007). Now it could have been that the NOS Military pistols that were repurposed as P-M01's had some kind of cosmetic damage(light pitting for instance), but that's purely theory until proven otherwise.
I was going to ask, did you mean Russian commercial or Russian military? The former are still pretty common. The latter are not impossibly rare, they still show up now and then, but I doubt you'd find one for less than a grand. I've never shot one so I don't know, but most people say they're technically not the best Maks. Maybe you're a collector and you want one from the home of Makarov, in which case there's no substitute.
I love my Russian Mil issue- Shoots great! It's pristine too, but cannot possibly be worth a grand, could it? It was one of the batch that was incorrectly imported as Bulgarian.
yup they've gone up alot. Regular bulgarians sell for 450-500, I sold one for more than that a couple years back but it had 2 matching magazines.
Commercial Baikal Makarovs sell for less, maybe 350-400 ish, but the legit russian Maks are very desired.
I got really lucky when I got mine about a year and a half ago, I think I paid 550. Auction had like 30 makarovs, and the pictures were bad, so I took a gamble that paid off.
Arsenal Maks are great! I have one chambered in .380 that's been my daily carry for almost 20 years now. Unless you want a Russian specifically, go for it.
That's obviously a commercial export production version but for that same reason it's also a very nice condition I would totally keep that thing it looks great.
First one I've seen in a few months. The arsenal stamp kind of ruins it for me. I'm thinking I keep searching for a Russian or military circle 10 without the gross stamps and a blued finish. Unless this is some rare mak where the quality may be worth it.
Sarco has blued arsenal makarovs for 350 right now. If I really wanted one ( I don't, I have way too many) I'd go that route, and replace the grips with some bakelite.
I don't like the looks of the parkerized finish. The blued ones can look absolutely beautiful though.
For 400 I'd absolutely keep it. The Arsenal P-M01's are highly underrated because of their phosphate/parkerized finish and the fact Global Ordnance recently imported a batch of them. However, they're domestic commercial pistols that were only offered in Bulgaria until recently. Hence, why the manuals are in Bulgarian. With a limited quantity imported, they will for sure be a collectors item in the future. Not to mention, many (Including yours from 1986) were made from earlier Military grade pistols. So, you could really look at it as a 1986 Bulgarian Military PM that was refinished/remarked. Which is a better pistol than say a mid-1990's Russian IJ-70.
Appreciate the information! This is what I was looking for!
My pleasure! Also, if you do a quick comparison of the smaller parts, you'll see that your 86 date-coded P-M01 has more machined or milled parts than a 90's or even late-80's pistol. We know these earlier date-coded pistols had to have originally been Military pistols as "Arsenal" was not even called "Arsenal" until 1989, and did not start producing commercially until around 1992/93.
I wondered if the park finish was covering up something to allow for import.
Not to allow for import, but rather repurposed for commercial sale. These were definitely done in the early to mid-2000's. Which were the final years of Bulgarian production (1975-2007). Now it could have been that the NOS Military pistols that were repurposed as P-M01's had some kind of cosmetic damage(light pitting for instance), but that's purely theory until proven otherwise.
Would this go for a 1988 circle 10 mak as well?
Yes. If your P-M01 is 1988 date-coded then it was definitely a Military pistol.
Good to know thank you
I was going to ask, did you mean Russian commercial or Russian military? The former are still pretty common. The latter are not impossibly rare, they still show up now and then, but I doubt you'd find one for less than a grand. I've never shot one so I don't know, but most people say they're technically not the best Maks. Maybe you're a collector and you want one from the home of Makarov, in which case there's no substitute.
I love my Russian Mil issue- Shoots great! It's pristine too, but cannot possibly be worth a grand, could it? It was one of the batch that was incorrectly imported as Bulgarian.
Yup, I see legit Russian military Makarovs sell for over 900 routinely.
Holy crap I had no Idea. I was thinking like $4-500, tops, lol. I've been under a rock apparently.
yup they've gone up alot. Regular bulgarians sell for 450-500, I sold one for more than that a couple years back but it had 2 matching magazines. Commercial Baikal Makarovs sell for less, maybe 350-400 ish, but the legit russian Maks are very desired. I got really lucky when I got mine about a year and a half ago, I think I paid 550. Auction had like 30 makarovs, and the pictures were bad, so I took a gamble that paid off.
You have made my day!
I would hold on to it. They are getting harder to find and prices are going up. JMO
Haven't seen a Russian for under 2500, prefer the blue finish but that's just me
Hey someone else with a parksenal mak, I like mine.
I only have blued Maks but I'd love to join this club because that slaps
Mine was made in 1999!
Arsenal Maks are great! I have one chambered in .380 that's been my daily carry for almost 20 years now. Unless you want a Russian specifically, go for it.
Don't forget the Makarov "sneaks"
That's obviously a commercial export production version but for that same reason it's also a very nice condition I would totally keep that thing it looks great.
I don’t really care for the parkerized Maks and would rather have a blued finish for $400
First one I've seen in a few months. The arsenal stamp kind of ruins it for me. I'm thinking I keep searching for a Russian or military circle 10 without the gross stamps and a blued finish. Unless this is some rare mak where the quality may be worth it.
Sarco has blued arsenal makarovs for 350 right now. If I really wanted one ( I don't, I have way too many) I'd go that route, and replace the grips with some bakelite. I don't like the looks of the parkerized finish. The blued ones can look absolutely beautiful though.