Concealed Carry: 9x18 Review

Paul tests whether 9x18 is good for concealed carry.
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[@PaulHarrell]

during the chrono segment I tested some Fiocchi ammo in caliber 9X18 The mean FPs was 1,026 FPS with a 95 gr. projectile. Unfortunately, it got left off of the chart. The velocity is impressive and gets close to our 9X19 velocity, but remember, it achieved that velocity with a 95 gr. projectile as where 9X19 has a 115 gr. Also remember I tried to make the comparison fair. There are various types of 9X19+P ammo available, I've never seen 9X18 +P

[@357-swagnumultramagax9]

Hello mr. Harrel .

[@beargillium2369]

In Soviet Russia, 9x18 +Ps you!

[@davidmilisock5200]

I have some 9x18 that clocks similar. It's purely a critically, tactical defensive caliber (get out of Dodge, enguage if you must) but I do like the pocket pistol safety features of the Makarov and if the 30 Super Carry gets chambered in something with the same safety features, maybe I'll look harder.

[@ZigaZagu]

9x18 PstM exists, GRAU index 7N16, but its meant only for weapons rated for it. The PMM pistol, and a submachine gun you've probably never heard of, maybe others.

[@Turbopress2882]

How would you speculate the Fiocchi would stack up against the Hornady Critical Defense? The Fiocchi has more velocity, but considering that it's JHP it likely will not expand/deform in the same way the Critical Defense will.

[@danielanson3882]

“The answer to that requires a lengthy, tedious discussion” The man knows what his audience wants.

[@alexanderren1097]

Don't threaten me with a good time!

[@dotar9586]

A lengthy and tedious discussion? Please tell me there at some Shatneresk Pauses! Woo-Hoo!

[@marcuschauvin7039]

Those words turn me on!

[@Taistelukalkkuna]

Hear hear.

[@8d4o0c4]

I would probably pay extra for that.

[@mrchiefbs]

In 2020, when the ammo crisis started a box of 9x19 was $50 and limited to 2 boxes per person. I bought a Makarov in 9x18 and was able to buy 1k rounds for $18 per box during the shortage.

[@sanninjiraiya]

I had similar luck getting 7.62x39. But with the Ukraine war heating up and the sanctions now on the borad, I'm less confident on the long term financial benefits.

[@pe4958]

@@sanninjiraiya same here... with the Russian everything ban I doubt I'll ever get my Russian calibers at good prices again...thanks, Путин, for being an evil piece of ****

[@8d4o0c4]

Excellent!

[@x_csjcdrhgfIdgjvdshgdgxsIlu]

W

[@SCH292]

Pro and Con when come to those calibers. 9x18, 32 ACP, 38 Super, 45 GAP, 357 Sig, 7.62x25 and THOSE CALIBERS. The Pro is that those calibers stay on the shelf a bit longer so it made more sense for some people to grab these calibers instead of the meta calibers. The Con is that once those calibers are gone. They are gone and will take longer for them to restock.

[@phatman808]

Drawing out the pause before "like a ballistic tip" longer and longer cracked me up. Paul Harrell is a deadpan treasure.

[@bradcampbell7253]

He attended the William Shatner Acting School

[@bradcampbell7253]

You say that like it is a bad thing lmao

[@JL-mj5hk]

I love how you can rattle off what the meat target is so fast. Also, "The all-new and improved, high-tech, fleece bullet stop" never gets old. You do a great job explaining things and have broadened my knowledge significantly. I also like that you ask us to think.

[@brucekaren6693]

I owned a 9x18 Makarov for quite some time. Ballisticly speaking it’s roughly comparable to a .38 Spl. I never felt under armed with it.

[@CHMernerner]

People even often forget .38spl is very effective aganist humans. Decades of 9x19mm craze made people forget other viable rounds are out there. Even very common round like .38spl

[@Gameprojordan]

@@CHMernerner it's just that 9x19 is better suited for magazine loaded semi auto handguns, and since those guns have become more popular the ammunition also became popular. .38 special is still considered a good soft shooting and controllable revolver cartridge but with good power behind it. It essentially bridges the gap between .380 and 9x19's ballistics but for a revolver

[@PPISAFETY]

@@CHMernerner I love the .38 Special, carried it as a cop, used it in an actual shooting, and competed with it. I used to handload practice rounds by the thousands. But today's ammo prices, even for the practice stuff make it a bit less fun. It's amazing how much ammo prices are dependent on the volume of production. People used to buy a lot more .38 Special than they do now, making it a lot cheaper back then.

[@PPISAFETY]

@@fronthole_guacamole Funny story. I first became a cop in 1979. Back then, you could buy an old .38/44 Heavy Duty used for $150 because nobody wanted them. Much more common though was the 4-inch Model 10. My Sheriff's Department made us buy our own guns. We had a Sergeant who was doing our initial firearms training, and he spoke to us on what gun to buy. He told us all to look for a used Heavy Duty in preference to the more compact Model 10, because "when you hit a suspect on the head with your revolver, you could bend the ejector rod on your Model 10, but you won't on your Heavy Duty. My how things have changed in police work.

[@N238E]

.38 spl can be loaded wayyy hotter than 9x18

[@nickkastenholz3252]

Nothing has ever made me want a pop tart more than Paul's series of ads.

[@mandodelorian4668]

Paul makes Pop Art of the Pop Tart(s).

[@i.l.6956]

In Russia we have Makarov as one of the most common pistol. Situation in the country rapidly deteriorating, so thank you for information about 9×18, maybe thats come in handy pretty soon.

[@philkearny5587]

Makarov 9,18mm extremely lethal, especially in basement of Lubyanka.

[@charleswade2716]

Thank for the review of my Makarov. I carry mine every day for the reasons you have demonstrated. The Hornady ammo preforms well without overpenetration, and, with its "Fixed" barrel and single-stack magazine, it is very accurate and concealable. BTW, it is an East German model and yes, I only paid $159 "back in the day". Good pistol. Thank You again.

[@andyrihn1]

I work in a store that sells guns. Of course we keep all the .380 ammo together on the same shelf but of course not all the boxes are labeled the same. I had a customer who asked if there was any difference between .380 acp and .380 auto. When I told him no he insisted there was and that one ran in his Makarov and the other couldn’t. I about had an aneurism

[@kokocostanza2036]

Should've shown him the video on how to spot a fake expert.

[@elsullo2]

Ya, sure! Nobody ever lies in a gun store. Or on a KZbin channel.........................elsullo

[@andyrihn1]

@@kokocostanza2036 since our store sells a lot more than just guns we really get to see what different departments’ customers are like. By far, our gun customers are the worst, most entitled, most ignorantly confident people I’ve ever met. There’s a reason gun store employees stereotypically reflexively hate everyone. We do get great customers who ask good questions and take on new information well and we love those people, especially when they use our advice to make an informed purchase. But we’ve been burned way too many times.

[@kokocostanza2036]

@@andyrihn1 If I had to guess, it's because when some guys talk to gun shop employees, they have to show what they think they know because that shows the size of their nuts.

[@davidmilisock5200]

@@andyrihn1 You should try the graphics/sign business!😡😡😡😡

[@Dardrum]

I bet there are only 3 people in the USA who actually realize how much time and energy and work it is, to make a video like this. Thanks for your videos

[@williamsporing1500]

Correct.. I’m a musician. I realize how much work goes on behind the scenes….. We’re lucky to have Paul!

[@Dardrum]

@JoozdontliketheTruth I can’t count more than 3 lol

[@kadan_gustafson6609]

I would argue there are 4

[@Dardrum]

@@kadan_gustafson6609 It's possible ;-)

[@bubbaray575]

Were not counting imaginary friends.

[@PPISAFETY]

Paul, what a great presentation on the 9X18 cartridge. The 90's was clearly the heyday of these guns in the US based on their low price. Some of the smaller ones had reliability issues, but the originals and clones of the Russian PM mid-sized pistol were unfailingly reliable if left unaltered. I owned a small gun shop back then and sold hundreds of these and never had a single one returned. In terms of quality of manufacture, it was generally accepted that the best of them were the East German Maks marked Ernst Thalmann and made in Suhl. These always commanded a healthy premium and were beautifully finished. Following that were the Russian and Bulgarian Maks, utilitarian guns that always functioned, with the Chinese Maks at the bottom of the heap. Those came with so many sharp edges on them that you needed to carry bandages to the range. I decided not to sell those. Just as a joke, I shot a police service auto match (stock guns only) with a Russian Mak, and actually won it, which was amazing with the tiny front sight on these guns. There used to be a lot more choices in ammo back then as well. CCI loaded a Blazer aluminum cased round with a Speer 90 grain hollow point that moved at about 75 fps faster than their equivalent .380 load. It expanded in everything I shot it in, but the penetration might have been a little short for some people at 10 inches. Hornady made a Custom 95 grain load that expanded a little less, but penetrated a bit more. And I got one lot of Russian ammo, which i think was marketed under the Silver Bear name, that had velocities (and pressure signs) scarily close to 9x19 levels. After testing it, I declined to sell the rest of the lot. Finally, I did some experimentation with firing the .380 in the 9mm Makarov pistol. I found it worked in a pinch, but accuracy was poor past 7 yards, probably due to a .355 inch bullet passing down a bore that was at least .360-.363. Case mouths were also recovered a bit bulged. So I filed this away as something that could be done in an emergency only. These were also the days of cheap SKS rifles. As a dealer, I paid $89 each for Russian Maks and Russian SKS rifles. I bought them in lots of 12 each, and sold what I called an "Ivan Package" of a rifle, a Mak pistol, and 100 rounds of ammo for each for $299. I couldn't keep them in stock. I miss those days!

[@xstugee]

This was a phenomenal presentation Paul. I work in a gun store and I have yet to see anyone who could give explanation or delineate what the differences are in these calibers. Our store is in Florida and we get many Europeans coming in asking about these calibers and their mating with particular firearms. Thanks to you we now have a venue at your site to allow these individuals to garner more detailed information on this subject.

[@1248dl]

Basically, the 9x17 and 9x19 use .356" diameter bullets and were designed by J.M. Browning and Georg Luger, respectively. The 9x18 Makarov has a .366" diameter bullet and was designed by Makarov. The rest is as Paul states.

[@DeeZeePeezee]

@@1248dl just for clarification, Browning invented the 9x17 and Luger the 9x19.

[@1248dl]

@@DeeZeePeezee You are absolutely correct! I had a fade. I'll correct it. Thank you.

[@Quadrenaro]

I shot some 9x19 +p rounds in a friend's Ruger LCR. The recoil was significant. Not the worst, but it wasn't too fun to shoot. I love hearing all the technical data comparing different types of 9mm rounds.

[@lmaolmoo4147]

Not fun because it was expensive?

[@Quadrenaro]

@@lmaolmoo4147 No, he was an extensive hand loader. I think his loads then we're about 5 cents a round.

[@brianpartlow5530]

I have an LCR in 38 special. They are snappy because they are tiny and light. Mine is snappy and fun to shoot! I like guns with attitudes while recreational shooting.. For carry I have a Hellcat, Security9, XDM in 45 ACP. 9mm and even 45 ACP shoot very comfortably in bigger pistols. I have an SR22 which is great for plinking with the kids.

[@eddyeikdal6741]

Big fan of your Pop Tarts sponsorship.

[@itsapittie]

If I understand correctly, the thought process behind the 9x18 cartridge was to create the most powerful cartridge that could reasonably be chambered in a blowback pistol. The Soviets wanted pistols that were easy to manufacture and were willing to sacrifice some power to get it. That makes sense because they didn't consider the pistol a "real" combat weapon anyway. It was mostly a badge of rank for officers or a pistol for various law enforcement agencies who were unlikely to actually get into a gun battle. In that regard, I think they did pretty well. In general I'd still prefer a 9x19 but the 9x18 isn't entirely useless for self defense.

[@daveh7720]

I had forgotten that most 9x18 pistols had a blowback action. But you're right, they weren't meant for concealed carry or combat, mainly instead for law enforcement and military officers' personal defense. I doubt there's been much development of 9x18 guns over the last 50 years, while development of 9x17 ammo and guns has been driven by the civilian market pretty much continuously. I enjoy shooting my Polish P-64, but if I'm going to carry something that heavy for personal defense it'll be something chambered in 9x19 or larger.

[@ThomasRonnberg]

Execution pistols don't need to be powerful or complicated

[@timothybayliss6680]

Ya, 9x18 falls well into the category of calibers i dont want to be shot with.

[@ThomasRonnberg]

@@timothybayliss6680 yes, because chances are if you're getting shot by a 9x18 your hands are tied and your eyes a blindfolded.

[@LIONTAMER3D]

@@ThomasRonnberg sick, but true =/

[@tombrown4683]

Happy Easter Paul & the crew ! Chronograph segment on point ! Meat target - yes please ! Never was tempted by the 9x18 but took a young lady to try hers out some years ago. They were very affordable then. Pop Tarts for the win.

[@mandodelorian4668]

@JoozdontliketheTruth It's all via the magic of paganism

[@shawnr771]

@JoozdontliketheTruth It is magic.

[@slimtyler1000]

Paul, love your videos. Very informative, professional, and at times, light hearted. Thank you for your productions and passion and hope to see more to come.

[@ronniekeates3349]

The poptart ads at the start of the videos are my new favorite phenomena

[@johnkinsel5027]

Back when surplus was cheap, you get a good mak for under 200. Mine loved reloads with cast bullets & red dot. It was a fun range gun.

[@djinfreemind1966]

Easy to reload. I like .3cc of reloader no.2 and a Berry's on top. Works great for 380 too.

[@seancssu]

Ever think about how much mil-sur guys funded the growth of the post Soviet Russian economy? Saved a buck but funded an army that America might have to fight in coming months. Buying guns is a political statement, don’t fund our enemy

[@djinfreemind1966]

@@seancssu Yea, all the mosins they sold so cheap probably wouldn't buy a modern fighter jet.

[@jefferytillis8309]

Sold quite a few East German Makarov's for less than 150 each when I had an FFL. Nothing American made even came close to competing at that time. How times have changed. I was buying unissued Russian SKS rifles for 99. Miss those days and wish I had sat on a few of each.

[@pauldiaco3817]

I own several 9x18 pistols, and I love 'em. One of my earliest firearms was my Baikal Mak, and it is quite possibly my favorite range toy. Nothing like it. While the ballistics are 'meh', I still rate it far above pointy sticks and throwing rocks. My biggest takeaway from the video, however, was the anticipation it instilled in me to wink at the better half, while proclaiming "It's kind of like a ballistic tip". At my age, you take inspiration where you can get it...

[@jasonsliger5430]

The bottom line for me is that I don't want to be on the receiving end of even a .22 short! Thanks for the video!

[@chadrichard6388]

Your videos are so well done , things that do not interest me become interesting . They are educational and entertaining . Keep up the good work !

[@iboopedyournose]

Ah, yes. I’ve been looking forward to another Harrell video so great timing! 😅

[@helidude3502]

An advantage to having uncommon caliber firearms is the ammunition may still be on the shelf for a little while when the common calibers are sold out. So while an uncommon caliber firearm may not be an advantage if it’s the only firearm owned, they can be good for extra backup guns.

[@8mmmauserman]

Great video Paul! I have a CZ-82 (doublestack Makarov with a more traditional mag release and safety) that I really like. I’m sure there are “better” guns on the market, but it does well and is reliable.

[@samuelmorado70]

I have a CZ-82 also and that is the most accurate gun I have shot . Just aim and shoot and Done . I got a box of Hornsby self defense rounds. I only have one magazine so it’s a home protection gun

[@davidedward13]

The summation was brilliant.

[@Hjerte_Verke]

That Fiocchi 9x18 that you conveniently left out of the number crunching, was a stellar performer on the chrono. Average velocity is 1,026 and is well within 9x19 territory, performance wise. I might have to look for Fiocchi 9x18 JHP

[@PaulHarrell]

I didn't notice that it was left off the chart until you mentioned it. I did the math and the velosity is 1,026 FPS but that's with a 95 gr. bullet, so still not 9X19 standards. It is however, very good performance by 9X18 standards.

[@Hjerte_Verke]

@@PaulHarrell Well I did mean velocity wise and getting close to 9X19, however I was merely being optimistic. Still, an impressive round.

[@thomasbowden3746]

I love this channel! Paul and the crew are outstanding. Much love to them for using their limited time on earth doing these videos. You have my gratitude.

[@Valorius]

Fun fact: 380+P is right between 9x18mm and 9x19mm in power level. A 13 shot, 15 oz, factory night sight Ruger LCP max loaded with 380+P is one hell of a technological marvel.

[@geofftimm2291]

You might check the velocity out of that short barrel. Geoff Who has the ancient and honorable LCP model 1.

[@americangangster1911]

Fun fact: 9mm is a better choice for concealed carry, cheaper ammo, more velocity, more energy foot pounds, more hollow point expansion and there are plenty of good compacts in 9mm. To each his own though.

[@Valorius]

@@americangangster1911 Find me a 13 shot 15oz (fully loaded) 9mm with the dimensions of a Ruger LCP. I will wait (probably several years) while you invent it and bring it to market. Until then...

[@Valorius]

@@geofftimm2291 Velocity for that cartridge from the 2.8" barrel of the LCP Max is 1100fps average.

[@101germanguy]

@@Valorius had a buddy make fun of me for carrying my bersa thunder 380. Says it's made for a girl. He's carrying a glock 19 and funny thing is I shot better then he did. Also my girlfriend carries a lcp

[@demonrathunter]

I love Paul's no bullshit explanation !

[@bertg.6056]

Thanks for such a lucid explanation, Paul. I was especially informed by your comparison of 9x17 and 9x18.

[@ws2940]

Great points about 9X18 pistols being expensive these days ( as well as the ammo ). Thank you for making great content.

[@Mrderpinson22]

As someone who has been shot in the thigh from hollow point 9x18mm Makarov, carry 9x19 Parabellum. The hollow point did not at all expand and left an exit wound the same diameter as the entry wound if not smaller.

[@AC-iq4gb]

Oof, how's your leg doing?

[@michaelmcatee221]

This requires a story sir!

[@spconrad9612]

Ouch

[@BlancoLobo]

I personally once shot 50 rounds of .380 FMJ out of a Russian made 9x18 Baikal Makarov. The pistol functioned 100 percent, groups opened up but would still be sufficient for a 10 yard man sized target. No damage was done to the pistol and it is still in use to this day as a CCW piece. In an emergency it would do what you needed it to do.

[@ralfhtg1056]

The question of interchangability gets even faster to answer if it was not called "9 x 18 mm" but "9,2 x 18 mm", because that is the real calibre and the real name.

[@_kp_556]

I was hoping for a Paul Harrell Easter special

[@millardmoore479]

I feel as if I've lost a true friend , never met the man. But love the human he shared . RIP. Friend

[@calebhoward4869]

My almost two year old daughter just picked your video off of the KZbin home screen and asked me to play the intro over and over again. She loves your intros and I love your content, keep up the great work!

[@robertdobbs4156]

High sugar. Pop-Tart Flavor. cracks me up every time

[@marksakowski9272]

Great as always!

[@MarvelousSeven]

"Fair and realistic aren't always the same thing". My lawyer says if I want fair, there is a fair in Puyallup every September.

[@jorgecolon4741]

Paul is a legend.

[@Predalien195]

9x18 ammo's biggest issue I had when I owned one was finding good consistent JHP's available. Hornady when they still loaded their Custom line of ammo for 9x18 with XTP's was always the best and I loved that stuff. But they dropped it, I think they still load the Critical Defense for it but those always were underwhelming for me. Speer makes a Gold Dot for it that does quite well but you have to load your own or find a company that does. That being said, ammo for it was always relatively inexpensive and available. Even during the panic buying of 2020/2021, online the ammo was almost everywhere I looked and at fairly decent prices. These days it's more expensive than 9x19 at most places but that can vary. Locally 50 rounds of 115gr FMJ is about $20 a box for 9x19. When going online, it's about the same cost. There's a few local shops here that sell it for maybe $1 to $2 more a box, so it's not entirely uneconomical. Biggest downsides other than JHP availability and consistency is the platforms. They are all going to be some military surplus pistol, almost all if not all will be straight blowback and have relatively jerky recoil and depending on the gun be incredibly uncomfortable to shoot more than a magazine or two out of. I had a Russian IJ-70 imorted Makarov when I had one, I ended up replacing the grips for custom wood grips which tamed the recoil issues but made it a bit wider and added a tad more weight to an already heavy gun. Now, in terms of reliability... It was probably the single most reliable I've ever owned. I easily had around 6,000 rounds or more down the barrel when I had it in my possession. I shot everything from FMJ to JHP's and not one failed to feed, fire, eject, extract, or any sort of problem. Breakdown was a breeze for cleaning and it never really got super dirty even with heavy range sessions putting 500 rounds or more in a day. I would truly feel perfectly armed with that particular gun again if I had a chance to own it again but ultimately though, no it really doesn't do much if anything over a .380 ACP those can be had in much smaller platforms. I think as a defensive cartridge if modern guns were made in the caliber it could do well. But the odd bullet diameter is what holds it back. I think it measures to a .36 caliber which was by design, as the Russians allegedly did not want their ammo having compatible ammo with NATO forces so they made the diameter just large enough it would not chamber in a 9x19 firearm. The closest thing that does meet more traditional .355 rounds is the 9x18 Ultra/9x18 Police but much like the 9x18 Makarov round it didn't offer anything significant over .380 ACP for the most part and it had ties to Nazi Germany so it never went anywhere.

[@jorda.2412]

Pop tart? He's a bad dude

[@williamsporing1500]

Lol….is he as bad as corn pop?

[@brxtmp106]

@@williamsporing1500 I just LOVE these hysterical historical references...Let's Go Brandon!

[@davidkachel]

OK, I finally figured out what the rapid description of the meat target reminds me of. Been listening to this for years and only just now figured it out but, better late than never: Red Green... Possum Lodge Pledge... "I am a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess." The meat target description! ;-)

[@toddwebb7521]

I have one that I inherited, it's a decent shooter and small enough to conceal if I chose to, but I just don't choose to carry it over a compact 9x19

[@loneghostone6883]

Paul, your thorough reviews of everything you review is greatly appreciated. You always go beyond the basics to provide great reviews!

[@chopperdeath]

No comments? Is this real life?

[@danqodusk8140]

No one analyses ammo as well as Paul. His presentations are always first rate!

[@jim99west46]

The fixed barrel and moderate recoil make it extremely accurate. It's a very good pistol.

[@geofftimm2291]

A wiser head than mine observed, the 9mm / .36 caliber has worked for self defense since 1851 in the Colt Navy Revolver. As I age, it becomes easier to handle .38 Specials in my revolver than .357 magnum and I do not feel disarmed with a .380 or 9mm. Geoff Who was impressed by the .45 ACP in his youth, but that 42 ounces loaded is a bit much for me now days.

[@rta3119]

Great video, thanks Paul. I live in Switzerland and own a Sig P230 chambered in 9mm Police. It's quite a common gun here, it was also issued to some police departments. It is chambered in 9mm Police (9mm Ultra) a quite unique caliber more similar to 9mm Para. Unlike the 9mm Makarov, the 1936 Ultra is a lengthened 9mm Kurz, while the 1976 Police is a novel design, a slightly shrunken 9mm Para. Would be cool to see this 9x18mm caliber in your videos as well 👍

[@MichaelKMorris]

9mm in Europe can mean 10 different things for sure. In the US, it only means 1 thing, unless you have some overseas oddity :)

[@markh.6687]

@@MichaelKMorris I remember finding a listing for surplus 9mm German police ammunition with something like a 95 grain bullet with a tiny hollow-point cavity the size of a 22LR cavity, and a round nose (!). Think it was made by Geco.

[@gulfcitycreeper3393]

I carried a Makarov around 2016, till the prices started going up on them, so I switched over to the Star BM, which I got fairly cheap. I love my Makarov, but, didn't want to " use it and lose it ". I have to agree with Paul, at the price points now, there are better choices with easier to find ammo. Side note: finding ammo isn't hard for me, perks of working in a Milsurp gun shop.

[@flightparamedic505]

Great video. Thanks Paul !

[@orbitalair2103]

The Hungarian police used a FEG PA63, an illegal wahlter ppk clone chambered in 9x18MAK. And you are right, these were sold in the USA about 20 years ago very cheaply. Mine was made in 1970 (by decoding the stamps), still has the Hungarian Eagle on it, and I carry it everyday. I also handload for it.

[@clukinvar]

Thanks for making the 9x18 video.

[@jw-sigp2258]

I’ve had a couple Russian commercial export makarovs with the adjustable rear sight. They are so much fun to shoot. With the right ammo they aren’t horrible for defense either. But I just don’t carry them. I carry a air weight 38 2” with Remington 38 special +p 158 grain lswchp or a Glock 23c gen 3 with 40 s&w 155 grain xtp. Awesome video Paul!

[@phillyboy1813]

I have all three calibers but as far as the 9x18 goes, it is a CZ82 DA with 12 round mags and one of the most accurate pistols that I have ever shot. I bought it 10 years ago and the ammo was cheap then also so I kept buying and now have 6k rounds to play with.

[@Nicolae_Mew]

If I remember correctly, the Russian caliber measurement system uses the diameter of the groove (as opposed to the bore) as a basis for the cartridge diameter.

[@rockyborn_on_flag_day3832]

Paul, I can tell you up close and personal that 9x18 in a Makarov semi auto pistol has devastating effects on human tissue! I took a round thru my left hand, point blank and it blew a hole you could put a commercial mop handle thru! And it was an FMJ round of milsurp ammo! Not as strong as a 9mm Luger but no sissy just the same!

[@MrZombieslayer409]

My father and I have shot 380 out of a 9x18 Makarov. Most 380 rounds worked but the Winchester white box was the only one with issues firing.

[@MrZombieslayer409]

@@BB-xp4pz a 9 will never chamber a 40

[@Allan215]

I have a Makarov .380acp made in Russia... It shoots well and is fun, but not my choice for EDC.... Great video and explanation of the differences between the calibers.

[@BMan100]

...This keeps up Kellogg's will reach out sooner or later, great vid as usual!

[@pe4958]

Probably with a C&D letter lol

[@rumdog117]

I bought a Hungarian PA-63 from some one who said it shoots 380 acp and that is what he was using in it. Before buying it I looked it up and found out what it was. I stocked up on 9x18 and that is what I use in it. It is nice to know that in a pinch I could get away with 380acp. The one thing the guy said about it shooting is "it's snappy". My wife agrees and doesn't like it as much as her little Ruger 380.

[@shadowwolf2524]

I had a PA-63 that was chambered in 380 ACP. And I also had one chambered in 32 ACP.

[@JAB671]

The advantage my CZ 82 had, for me, was that I shot it more accurately than any, other semiauto handgun I have ever owned even with cheap ammo like Brown Bear, Silver Bear and Academy's Monarch brand. I would still have it if it and some, other guns hadn't been stolen. Locking things up makes no difference when you are at work and the scumbags have plenty of time. I paid something like $100 for that gun and they are now over $200. Still thinking of replacing it because I liked it so well and still have several boxes of ammo and a couple of spare mags. Apparently the CZ 82 was superior to most, other pistols chambered in 9mm Makarov (9X18). It was all metal, what I would consider 'compact' size, was DA/SA with a manual safety which was unnecessary, IMO when carried in DA/SA condition and held 12+1 in a flush fit magazine.

[@0neDoomedSpaceMarine]

The commercial variant in .380 Auto, the CZ83, is an option.

[@JAB671]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine Thanks and I have considered that but I really kind of want an 82 - partly as an 'historical' gun and partly because I stocked up on 9X18 ammo when it was cheap and still have several boxes, including a few boxes of Silver Bear JHP, I would like to be able to shoot.

[@jaroslavbelak6161]

That is interesting. CZ82 has a polygonal rifling and was designed for Czech military round called 9 mm vz. 82, same dimensions as 9x18 Mak, but with bullet made of pressed steel powder, heavier bullet an higher velocity than ordinary russian 9x18 Mak. This cannot be shot from standard rifled barrel (actualy can, but it will quickly destroy the rifling). Shooting from it ordinary soviet 9x18 Mak ammo gave much worst accuracy. However, the same pistol was made in civilian verson as Vz. 93 in .380 ACP and also in .32 ACP. However about 2000 pieces of them were chambered for 9x18 Mak with standard rifling, they are extremly rare.

[@JAB671]

@@jaroslavbelak6161 The CZ82 is chambered for 9X18 (9mm Makarov). In fact, that was the whole point in creating it in the first place. The government of what was then the Soviet Union mandated that all of its satellite nations would standardize to 9mm Makarov. Many of those nations simply used the Makarov pistol design, possibly with some variation, but the Czechs decided to create their own design, the CZ82, which many claim is superior. The appellation 'vz82' refers to the pistol, itself, and is actually the proper designation, not CZ82, but CZ82 is more commonly used, at least in the U.S.A. The 'vz' designation simply indicates that the pistol was originally made for the government. I have never heard or read anything about 'specially made' ammo that was any different than other 9X18 ammo beyond some claims that Czech 9X18 might have been loaded a little hotter than some others. It was still 9X18, however, and not a specialty round. I did a lot of research on the CZ82 when I had one and never read a single thing about the specialty, compressed powder ammo to which you referred so if you have a reliable source discussing that I would love to see it. You are correct that the pistol has polygonal rifling. That plus the fixed barrel (it is a blowback design) probably does contribute to the accuracy with which it can be fired. Also, being a compact (not subcompact or pocket pistol) all metal gun increases the weight which certainly helps mitigate felt recoil from what is already not a high recoil round.

[@jaroslavbelak6161]

@@JAB671 Not quite right. First - I am Czech end CZ 82 was my service pistol in 80s as I was profesional soldier and I am also a keen shooter since 70s. So I know. I did not say it is not chambered for 9x18 Makarov, what I said was it was designed for Czechoslovak cartridge marked 9 mm vz. 82. I has the same dimensions as 9x18 Makarov, but loaded to higher presure (and so velocity). The cartridge has heavier bullet made of pressed steel powder, and therefor the pistol has polygonal rifling. By the way, Czech "vz." is abraviation of "vzor" whis means "Mk. ie. Mark". The pistol of course can use any 8x18 Makarov amunition, but by my own experience it was less acurate with rusian amo than the Czech Vz. 82 amo. I still have a box or two of Czech military ammo which by the way as far as I know never was released for civilian sale. So the owners of that gun have to use civilian variants of 9x18 Makarov. The Vz. 93 pistol was in small batch of arround 2000 pieces chambered for 9x18 makarov but with standard rifled barrel intended for export, which did not tke place. They were sold on civilian market and nowadays are wery rare. In the link is a photo of Czech vz. 82 ammo, description on the box is: 9 - 82 is abreviated 9 mm vz. 82 cartriges; bxn is a code of manufacturer (actually Sellier & Bellot); fe/tbpl means steel casing plated by tombak; 42 ks means 24 pieces ie. for two magazines; MDN 9 vz. 82 - i do not know what MDN exactly means (and never did) 9 (mm) model 82. All this was, that Czechoslovak army had to stick tu russian caliber, but 9x18 makarov was consider to be weak, so a bit more powerful cartridge was created officialy "compatible" with soviet, but actually it would destroy quickly the standard rifling. Here the photo www.valka.cz/files/100_6192.jpg

[@joshuagibson2520]

I never tire of the Poptart intros. The music is grey as well.

[@ericschneid3274]

My Makarov is a, last resort, I think it was $125 with 100 rounds and a flap holster, tho the blue on it is really nice.🤷😜

[@AlexZanderMuro]

happy easter paul! thanks for giving me something to watch while i eat my dyed eggs

[@jeremiahcherry5283]

One day I want to see a parody of PH doing a chrono test, standing firing position but like 300 yards away with of course perfect accuracy.

[@patpatterson12]

Yeah, but I'd want it to be in the rain, at night, from the bed, while wearing pajamas.

[@markh.6687]

@@patpatterson12 Anything else you'd like Paul to do, like bend time and space, or eat a Pop-Tart right out of the wrapper?? (sarcasm) :)

[@thegenericguy8309]

Fun bit of trivia - it's been proposed although not confirmed that the Soviets standardized on 9x18 not just because they wanted something that worked better in the compact designs they were looking for, like the Makarov, but that the larger 9.2mm diameter would prevent the exact kind of interchangeability this video refutes, preventing NATO from making any use of seized ammunition stocks in a feared invasion.

[@STLMotorman]

Y’all should keep in mind that there are other pistols chambered for 9X18 than just the Makarov. My CZ 82 is more accurate and holds more rounds (12. + 1) than a Mak. Think PPK only better…double action, quality gun.

[@JD-tn5lz]

Much better than PPK. Also, Tul used to (possibly still does) make a brutal 9Mak FMJ.

[@galloglaigh8198]

The Czecks beat the Russians to a modernized Makarov by 30 years. Ambidextrous safety, double stack magazine, chrome lined barrel with polygonal rifling, modern mag release and better 3 dot sights. The CZ 82 is a great gun and the first pistol I ever owned.

[@rkow8508]

I have a FEG smc 918 made in Hungary nice little gun.

[@donaviaetheridge5609]

Happy Easter Paul great video.

[@xmeda]

9x18? Oh yes.. my CZ vz.82 with polygonal barrel and 12+1 rounds :) You can shoot 9x17 (.380ACP) from most 9x18M Makarov guns without issues, just the accuracy and power is not there. And you can even fire 9x19 Luger out of 9x18M pistols, but they do not fit in magazine, so you need to load them one by one into chamber. And when fired (in emergency) the diameter difference of 9 projectile in 9.2mm barrel lets excessive gasses to surpass the bullet, so it fires, kicks, it is not accurate.. but usable at short distance.

[@Mongoose-be4sg]

I have a Russian Makarov that came in 9x17, but I changed to a 9x18 barrel. I kept the 9x17 barrel (and bought extra barrel pins). Thanks to you I know now that when the Zombie Apocalypse comes my trusty Makarov will fire 9x18, and when that runs out 9x17, and finally 9x19 as I make my final stand manually feeding each round. Fortunately, the Makarov is all steel and heavy enough that when all my ammo runs out I can still bludgeon the zombies with it 😂.

[@g54b95]

I am a mil-surp fan, so I have a slew of guns in 9x18 Makarov (my first pistol was a Hungarian PA-63). Of course, that led to other direct blowback variants and J. M. Browning knockoffs (I own some great .32 ACP as well as .380 ACP and 7.62x25 Tokarev pistols). I carry a Polish P-64 (1977) as my EDC. I hardly notice it, and I would not want to be on the receiving end of a single round from that thing. At any rate, 9x18 Makarov will always have a place in my heart. Ammo is impossible to find locally but plentiful online. Solid gun choices for this caliber: The Vz.82 (the Czechs did their own thing designing a pistol for the 9x18 caliber, and it has a double stack magazine), the aforementioned Radom P-64, it's newer cousin the P-83 Wanad, of course the OG Russian PM (and many of the U.S.S.R.'s satellite republics made excellent ones, like Bulgaria, East Germany, Etc.) and the must-have FEG PA-63, the Hungarian alloy frame with a blued slide variant. Classy!

[@theclamhammer4447]

In a crazy world we can all agree on pop tarts!

[@tylermorrison7051]

Maybe. It's definitely strawberry over chocolate.

[@theclamhammer4447]

@@tylermorrison7051 s’mores and fudge are pretty good but you’re right. Nothing hits quite like the old tried and true strawberry.

[@SkillZgetKillZ]

Strawberry was good but, we need to have a conservation about cinnamon Goddamn I could destroy a box of cinnamon in a day

[@hughmac13]

Unfrosted strawberry.

[@theclamhammer4447]

@@hughmac13 Oh hell nah. Take that nonsense outside.

[@markh.6687]

Two deer off to the side while Paul's filming: Deer 1: "What's he shooting today?" Deer 2: "Not us!"

[@n7565j]

My wife carries a Ruger LCPII and loves it!! She is a small(ish) woman, (5'8" & 120lbs), and she's 61 years old so even a 9mm kicks more than she likes so it's the LCP for her. Would I prefer her carrying a 9mm?? Hell, I'd prefer her carrying a 500 Magnum but that aint gonna happen ;-) I've always said that in a life or death situation the 22 thats in your pocket, (or 380 in this case), is 100% better than "your preferred self defense weapon" at home!!! Carry, Practice, and Pray you never have to use it!!! Thanks Mr Harrell!!! Your videos are always entertaining and insightful :-)

[@BryanTorok]

Regarding the ammunition interchangeability from a FIRST PERSON EXPERIENCE: About a couple of decades ago, when the guns and ammo were inexpensive, I bought a very nice East German Makarov in 9x18 and a bunch of 9x18 ammo. The markings indicated the gun was once owned by the East German police, but it was in like new condition. I also bought several boxes of .380 ammo. The Makarov would chamber, fire, and cycle the .380 just fine. However, the .380 rounds seemed to be a slightly looser fit in the chamber, the report was louder, and the felt recoil seemed a bit stronger. My father thought that perhaps the .380 wasn't sealing in the chamber properly allowing some gases to get around the case and back into the chamber. Those hot gases caused the slide to cycle faster and being released through the ejection port contributed to a louder report. So, our experiment showed that in a pinch, the Makarov could chamber and fire .380. However, it probably wasn't safe to do that long term both to the pistol or the user. I also agree with Paul that if it was all you had, and if you could find a suitable holster (not necessarily a given), the Makarov would make an OK CCW pistol. But, there are much better options in .380 or, better still, 9 mm.

[@VinnyS9143101982]

In addition to the 9x19 being the most powerful there are like five times as many guns available than 380 and 9x18 combined

[@charleshuyck6641]

they are also highly collectable now. I saw a video of a Russian police officer killing a grizzly that was pulling a man through a mini van window 4 fast shots in head bear was very dead and stopped mauling on 1st shot. He had fmj in it.

[@ReubenOaks84]

Excellent presentation, as always,, Mr. Harrell. God bless

[@tomt810]

Every time I watch one of your videos you have more subscribers! It's great to see!

[@BryanButcher]

Truthfully, I wouldn't want to get hit by any of them...they will all penetrate, and do damage to your inner being. I have a 9x18 Mak and the accuracy is outstanding. It would be nice to see an accuracy test as well Mr. Harrell.

[@bradcampbell7253]

Oh one more thing, currently working on a 2015 Vette. It was shot numerous times with what I think is a 380. Car has carbon fiber doors, penetrated outer door and stopped in the window regulator. Other shot grazed fender, and thru master cylinder reservoir and onto valve cover plastic cover. Only broke plastic.

[@reaperthemad8731]

Carrying a CZ-82 would have made sense 15 years ago or more when they were going for $250 in excellent/unissued shape and under $200 for a shooter. Great little gun with great accuracy. But now that they're over $500 most of the time and with way more newer carry options, it wouldn't make much sense to go buy one for carry. Just restating what you said more or less about the economics with a specific example.

[@drewmunny]

I absolutely love my CZ82, and it's undoubtedly the most accurate handgun I own, and I don't think I've ever had a malfunction with it, but I agree with ya. It's usually not a practical firearm to buy unless you already have a 9x19

[@reaperthemad8731]

@@drewmunny fun story, from the before times of firearms pricing. Back when I didn't know a lot about guns, I picked up a CZ-82 from Aimsurplus for I think $159. Took it out to shoot at my buddy's farm. 3rd or 4th magazine of shooting, something flew off the gun rendering it inoperable. Don't remember what part it was, and I didn't do a thorough check of it before firing because I didn't know any better back then. Contacted them, sent it back, they sent me a new one in unissued condition. I absolutely love the gun but haven't shot it much because of the condition. Sadly by the time I started looking for a shooter grade again, they're over $500. 😢

[@drewmunny]

@@reaperthemad8731 oh wow! I wonder what flew off-- that's wild. But yeah it'd be hard to justify picking up yet another one. I think the 82 is particularly popular because of its (surprising) addition to the C&R list. Don't see that price going down anytime soon. Maybe the 83 is cheaper, I'm not sure

[@visageliquifier3636]

7:00 - Another way to describe it: Even if the projectiles themselves are entirely identical, the casings may not be. Their width and the position and cut of the recess and anything else may be different. You demonstrated that directly with the LCP, but it may be worth stating. The fit is like hanging a door. If you are the smallest bit off on one side, the whole thing doesn't fit. Those tolerances are often quite tight. Is it possible that it might fit? Sure. Is it likely? No.

[@WardenWolf]

Hey Paul, it's well known by those that carry / carried 9x18 pistols that PPU's hollowpoints suck. It's not a problem with the caliber, it's a problem with that particular bullet construction. If I'd known you were doing this, I'd have sent you some Silver Bear. Those expand quite nicely. I retired my 9x18 guns from duty use and no longer need hollowpoints. Regarding 9x18 vs. .380: 9x18's velocity, with comparable projectile weight, is solidly in the range where hollowpoints expand, whereas .380 is right on the fence and gets unreliable expansion even with the best ammo. 9x18 IS a better round. Unfortunately, the guns that shoot it are 100% obsolete. Other than rebarreled Ruger LC380's (Lone Wolf makes a 9x18 barrel for it), they are all blowback. This means they recoil very hard for their power, to the point where some are downright painful. And, other than the CZ-82 (which is too large for concealed carry), they are all single stack. 9x18 is a great little round, but the guns that fire it are simply obsolete. For the same size as my old P-64, I now carry a Ruger LC9S which is MUCH more pleasant to shoot while also firing a much more powerful round.

[@WillWoods-qg5pu]

You can get 9x18 hard cast from Buffalo Bore in 115 grain rated at 1,000 fps and 255 ft lbs energy. That is certainly closing in on lower end 9mm parabellum. They also offer a 95 grain HP rated at 1125 fps or so with about 267 ft lbs. it is a decent self defense cartridge and the fixed barrel of Makarov-caliber pistols enhances accuracy if you can get used to the brisk recoil.

[@ammohoarder]

I friggin love the Pop-Tart ads🤣🤣🤣

[@samuelmorado70]

All I can find is Ball ( FMJ) Ammo but does it sure shoot straight . Thanks for this video. I bought my CZ-82 for 200 from a friend 2 weeks ago and I’m happy.

[@aaronanderson2092]

I’ve wanted this video for a long time. Thank you.

[@Glock-Tec1]

Great comparisons of the three cartridges' respective diameters. The subject of interchangeability of those three rounds is always coming up, and that diameter comparison cleared up a lot of the confusion out there.

[@boogerdog5247]

I have several PA-63's and a CZ in 9x18. Combloc thought it was just fine for police and military. Yes, 7.62x25 Tok is badder on the bone, but 9x18 works just fine imo.

[@boogerdog5247]

First batch of very nice PA-63'S... $99.00 ea. The CZ 82's, $179.00 ea. J&G. One CZ was a beater, dog...sold...the other, nice, and frankly, the BEST TRIGGER of any handgun I have in single action mode, crisp glass break, no over travel on reset. The PA-63's, as superb conseal weapons, you can wear half a dozen and never print, lol, but the MAIN REASON, I like them, is once used defensively, $99.00 on an evidence room shelf with a case number tag beats the hell out of a high dollar pistol taking a multi year shelf nap. Just sayin... If you have to have more "ass" to be crass, just get a .357 or .44 mag snubbie, and don't mess around because when compared with 9x19, the 9 anything isn't even in the discussion, and if you need 12 to 15 rounds to get things done, odds are, you're in over your head already before the first round goes off.

[@dabmitri1597]

I'm glad to see this video, especially with testing on Critical Defense 9x18 Makarov ammunition. I have one box of it that I managed to get for a really good deal in late 2020 for a Makarov I bought, and I'm glad to see it's fairly viable defensive ammo, I keep 3 magazines loaded with it, but I don't conceal carry it.

[@Brykk]

38/357, 9mm, 40 - these are the calibers i stick with. Ive owned a makarov in the past in 9x18 and although it was comfortable to shoot, it was extremely unreliable and the damage it could do was nearly laughable. Its just hard to beat 357mag for shootability and power in pistols that can reasonably carried. Btw paul, i highly recommend the pachmayr diamond pro grip for the lcr. It is amazing and makes for much more accurate shooting, imo.

[@kenincairns9025]

Another quality video Paul.

[@elijahlorenzo2974]

Go Paul

[@jacka55six60]

20:38 " in this case where the projectiles hit ribs..... *Shatneresque Pause* ......ricocheted off of it"

[@garrettschienschang4399]

For compatibility my dads high point c9 functions just as well with 380acp as is does with 9x19. That being about 2-3 rounds per mag jam.