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.

[@millardmoore479]

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

[@theironknight597]

Started playing S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl the other day and the starting weapon is a Makarov PMM in 9x18. Thought I'd see if Paul made a video on the Makarov and lo and behold here I am. Rest easy Paul 💔.

[@longbow6416]

Ian over at Forgotten Firearms did a vid too, found a Bulgarian Mak for $300. They do make a .380 conversion barrel but might keep the 9x18, they cost just about as much as .380

[@acid6urns]

@@longbow6416if you buy a conversion barrel you just have to swap barrels when you want to switch. but since the mak is a fixed barrel that’s a bit harder than swapping a barrel for a glock.

[@charleswade2716]

Rest in Peace Paul. I still have my Makarov, and will carry it in perpetuity. It IS my go-to carry gun.

[@SugarMilkbro]

Legend has it, he was born in that jacket.

[@dr.floridamanphd]

Ah you think the jacket is your ally? You merely adopted the jacket. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't know the jacket was clothing until I was already a man, by then it was an extension of my body!

[@christopherchambers9314]

Would like to see Paul just once as a special in modern kit with a decked out AR, maybe we can PATREON it?

[@tinsoldier5621]

The pimp jacket?

[@JB-pu6ek]

@@christopherchambers9314 It's his shooting jacket so I can't see him wearing anything else.

[@williamflowers9435]

Nah… baby Paul stole it from the doctor🥼 that delivered him and then dyed to make it more practical 🧥

[@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.

[@seanmiller7187]

Miss you Paul.

[@Jibble-jobble]

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.

[@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.

[@YoDude0013]

Paul, being from generation X, I appreciate that you've gone to such great lengths to make your Pop Tarts ads resemble the back of magazine cigarette and alcohol ads from the 70's/80's. The best touch that might be lost on people who didn't actually see them in person is the use of the ever-so-slightly yellow filter. Details like that are key.

[@chrisgolden2587]

"Like a ballistic tip" for the next week or two everyone around me will get tired of that phrase. Great video Mr Paul

[@sombra6153]

The maple brown sugar Pop Tarts were calling me again the other day on a grocery run. My midsection quickly admonished my appetite and I left them on the shelf. I think you presented a pretty good summary of the 9x18 for self defense. I’ve run into a few people over the years who ask about carrying a Makarov for SD. They are usually the ones who are always looking for something cheap. Surplus Soviet/Warsaw Pact handguns and FMJ military ammo used to be really cheap - not so much now. I seem to recall one importer offering Makarov-style pistols thst were actually originally chambered for, or re-chambered for .380 - which was sort of a poor man’s PP(K). .380 versions did at least provide someone with a greater selection of available hollow point ammo.

[@machinis]

I agree with your point... Like a ballistic tip.

[@yoshiike1]

Like a ballistic tip sir.

[@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).

[@gus9376]

I bought my Russian makarov back in the late 90's for 159.00 . It's a great gun and very accurate . Thanks for a another great video !

[@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

[@darrenhaywood7924]

Thanks for hanging out and talking to me Paul. Hope you had a Happy Easter

[@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.

[@RobRoyR8R]

You are my go-to for just a review. No jokes or opinions. "Just the facts". Love you. Anything is better than throwing a rock.

[@Headcrabman9999]

No jokes? What about 9x18 "PU" 😂

[@e_loy2752]

I like a little bit of his dry humor sprinkled in

[@jic1]

Actually, he's got a lot of opinions and jokes. What makes Paul different is that he doesn't treat opinions and jokes as if they were facts.

[@Dangus35]

@@e_loy2752 Paul might be the most masterful dry humor artist on this planet, lmao.

[@paisleyprince5280]

There's plenty of humor and opinions. Perfect amount of each

[@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.

[@basedwalnut3937]

Rest in Peace, Paul. Even after you have passed, you continue to bring knowledge and enjoyment to us. God Bless.

[@humansvd3269]

I used to carry a 9 x 18 mak. Good to see your take on it.

[@nucleargrizzly1776]

I have a sweet E German Mak. Smooth as a Sig with a sweet trigger. If it had better sights I'd carry it.

[@humansvd3269]

@@nucleargrizzly1776 My bulgy mak was new and looked pretty goid. Trigger was not bad, never failed me. I do think the E Germans were the best.

[@nucleargrizzly1776]

@@humansvd3269 Fortunately I bought my 20 something years ago when they were $50. 😁😁😁

[@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!

[@aaronschowe9037]

Miss this dude

[@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!

[@danqodusk8140]

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

[@DARTHDANSAN]

Exactly! I’m binge watching a lot of his videos today ! Such great info . May he RIP

[@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.

[@Saltpork305]

I was one of these cash strapped shooters back when 9x18 milsurp was cheap. I even carried one for a time. As such, I have several and enjoy my collection of them. However, 9x18 is Soviet 380 and should be treated as such. Carrying a 500 dollar milsurp gun with meh ammo in 2022 when there are so many good 9mm pistols on the market just doesn't make sense.

[@A.Clifton]

Been carrying mine since they were a $200 surplus gun. But I switched to a P320 for primary carry and the Makarov has been relegated to a 'I don't want anyone knowing I have a gun' duty

[@HollidaySpessa]

they're fun and rough shooters with a lot of history behind it. some ppl jus like carrying history. i carry a tokarev (with hp ammo that actually expands dont worry!!) because i shoot it well, i like the round and i like the history. occasionally when it doesn't fit in an outfit of mine, i carry my m1895 nagant (w handloads pushing it quite dramatically compared to surplus and commercial) which is the handgun i shoot best even out to 50y (besides my ruger mark 3 ofc.) it's cool to carry something with a lot of history, esp if you have confidence in it; same as how many ppl carry 1911's when there's plenty of good modern 45's, they just like 1911's and what 1911 means to them. i love my ij70a (i got one in 380 cus the price) tho the fixed sight has made it shoot really, really low so i gotta deal w that sometime.

[@jimmyrustler5801]

But they look cool

[@timetraveler1973]

you hit it on the head. looooovvvved my pa 63 which i got for 90 bucks not long ago. about 2017. silverbear jhp and brownbear fmj, they chrono over advertised usually about 1070 fps , and they were cheaper than the target 380 ammo. the pa63 was my fav cuz even with fixed barrel (very very accurate) the spring on the slide made recoil like a standard 9mm g19. I did switch out the hammer/trigger with the wolf kit because that first triggerpull was god awful . that cost about 10 bucks plus shipping. but made for a dare i say, better than and LIGHTER than ppk with more punch.

[@BigSmartArmed]

PM + Underwood JHP = ultimate reliability

[@geofftimm2291]

Thank you Paul and Company.

[@Brandis56]

The 9x18 has one benefit of stopping inside the target when you have to be always backstop aware . Also the makarov has a fixed frame barrel it is accurate, and is double action.

[@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!

[@AFSWAT]

The pop tart intros are always welcome. I'll have to be sure to throw a pack in my GO/camping bag in honor of Mr. Harrell

[@WayStedYou]

Doesn't he ironically have them there because he thinks they are trash and to make fun of people taking advertising deals?

[@AFSWAT]

@@WayStedYou I watched his top 5 survival wilderness tips video recently and he said that's what he had on him for food at the time, but there is a chance I'm missing a joke too

[@PaulHarrell]

I love Pop tarts. But the "ad" is an homage to the old camel ads while simultaneously mocking people who have become corporate shills.

[@kmieciu4ever]

@@PaulHarrell Thank you for not selling out!

[@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.

[@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.

[@fakename9282]

Hey Paul, a gun that can fire 9x17, 9x18, and 9x19 is the Phillips and Rodgers M47 Medusa, there truly are no absolutes in the gun world. Thanks for the amazing content, makes mondays a bitt easier.

[@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.

[@NetoperekMordulec]

Great as always!

[@iboopedyournose]

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

[@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.

[@billjenkins687]

I own pistols in each of these calibers. I only use the tiny .380 or the not so tiny Makarov only when I am venturing into a "less than friendly to concealed carry" state. The tiny .380 (Ruger LCP) normally serves as a backup pistol. Fabulous presentation as always, Mr. H.

[@MelodusDethicus]

It's a legit pocket pistol. If I can't take anything bigger because of circumstances, I just slip that LCP into my pocket. Not my first choice of firearm, but it's infinitely better than none.

[@bluelinepatriot]

I literally fall asleep to these videos whenever the long drawn-out shooting groups stuff is going on. Sometimes when I can sleep I put these videos on. I fell asleep to this one but I went back and watched the whole thing. I truly do like the videos and don't always pass out but sometimes they knock me out. Don't change a thing! Another awesome 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 !

[@ws2940]

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

[@deplorableb.r.4211]

Thanks for the 9x18 review. I have an East German Makarov and a CZ-82.

[@itsapittie]

The CZ-82 is an ergonomic marvel and sweet to shoot but it's just as large as a lot of 9x19 pistols. I love to shoot mine but it's pretty much last on the list when I think of something for concealed carry/self defense.

[@flightparamedic505]

Great video. Thanks Paul !

[@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

[@jameshenryarchbold5061]

all good points. do love my Czech CZ -82 though

[@jorgecolon4741]

Paul is a legend.

[@donaviaetheridge5609]

Happy Easter Paul great video.

[@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.

[@fratercontenduntocculta8161]

I'm a newcomer to 9x18, but it's been a rewarding journey in accepting a new caliber. I now carry a P-64 with Hornady Critical Defense ammo and totally trust my life to it. In my experiences with gel tests, it performed much better than I thought and is now my choice carry round. My other favorite aspect is that it's a great full power round to instruct new shooters with while instilling confidence without excess cost of Parabellum ammo. That 1mm difference really doesn't matter!

[@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.

[@alcidchaiser1582]

Thank you, Paul. Great information.

[@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.

[@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.

[@bertg.6056]

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

[@joshiles]

I didn’t realize that 38acp was a “9mm” cartridge, learn something new every day. Paul has taught me a lot in a very short amount of time, I’m glad this stuff is here for everybody to see, especially people like me who never knew this channel existed. In today’s environment to me (Paul has often said something similar) is to get what you can afford & can actually find ammo for. All that said I absolutely love the meat target & chronograph testing, shows the actual “real world” power & gives even a dummy like me better understanding of how much impact you have on target with various calibers.

[@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.

[@cheshire928]

I worked at Ruger in prescott loading ammo for a short time. This allowed the testers to shoot the finished product much faster. And yes ruger function fired one mag for each pistol. One day we got orders to loaded 200 mags with 9/21 ammo. It seems an order was placed from the Italian police and that’s what they carried. They had ordered 200 sr9 full size pistols. With all the ammo boxes loaded I put all the ammo cases right next to me with tape on the lids with 9/21 labels everywhere.

[@eddyeikdal6741]

Big fan of your Pop Tarts sponsorship.

[@skipdreadman8765]

During your discussion of the 9mm FTX, you made me laugh out loud. I leaned into the preparatory command of, "FTX projectile," almost falling over before the command of execution, "like a ballistic tip," was issued. That pause was perfect.

[@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!

[@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.

[@clukinvar]

Thanks for making the 9x18 video.

[@pgeorg01]

@23:33 The delay before saying "like a ballistic tip" makes me chuckle every time. I feel like Paul intentionally waited longer as the video went on. I am waiting for the day when he does not say it until right before firing the first shot at the meat target. As always Paul thank you for outstanding information!

[@makarov138]

I wish you had used a CZ82 for your MAK tests. No flutes in the barrel!

[@bowencreer3922]

Happy Easter Paul!

[@artsuomi]

That is a good calibre for unprotected objects on a short distance. I had an experience with 9x18 and Makarov pistol. Entirely accurate on short distances, and PM itself is not bad, especially the 70-80-s series.

[@AlexZanderMuro]

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

[@BMan100]

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

[@pe4958]

Probably with a C&D letter lol

[@gwidwock]

I bought a 9x18 as a collector piece, not for carry and I love it. I shot those Hornady Critical Defense ammo and they had very little recoil. I also shot those Fiocchi 9x18 and they has one hell of a recoil. Thanks for the video and I pray you get well soon.

[@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...

[@davidedward13]

The summation was brilliant.

[@georgehorner1578]

I once talked to a Russian gentleman about this , he told me he served in the Russian army and had seen combat in Afghanistan , he said the Makarov was a good weapon in combat and is why the Soviets used it for so long , like the US. 1911, he said it was a reliable and extremely accurate killer , his words.

[@brianpartlow5530]

I have liked the Russian people I met over the years. Their President might be a bit crazy but I don't hold that against the people.

[@N238E]

I agree, I have one too, but keep in mind they were using FMJ ammunition.

[@Mirokuofnite]

Not sure if you will see this or not Paul. But the Medusa Model 47 would probably be the best candidate for multi caliber revolver. That gun could shoot as follows: .380 ACP .380 Revolver 9×18mm Ultra 9×18mm Makarov[note 1] 9mm Browning Patronen 9mm Export 9mm Glisenti 9mm Kurz 9×23mm Largo 9mm Long 9mm Luger 9mm Mauser 9×19mm Parabellum 9mm Rimmed 9×23mm Steyr 9mm Winchester Magnum .38 ACP .38 Auto .38 Colt Super .38 Midrange .38 Short Colt .38 S&W .38 Special .357 Magnum

[@thereindeertherabbitthebat592]

I remember the "Medusa" revolver. Had these spring loaded rim catches in each chamber, sorta like the Charter Arms rimless cartridge revolvers. The Medusa was supposed to be safe to fire most center fire 38cal & lower cartridges... but even then, the revolver wasn't really designed to adequately fire the various cartridges. The lack in ability to properly seal the cartridges upon firing, lead to extremely poor performance from the revolver. Technically, the revolver will successfully detonate the different cartridges but accuracy, stability & velocity will all suffer greatly. The interchangeability wasn't really practical.

[@tubeguy4066]

Anyone who actually owns a Medusa wouldn't be watching this video lol

[@Zundfolge]

I would suspect that even the Medusa M47 wouldn't be able to chamber 9x18 (since its actually 9.27x18)

[@mattnw42]

Yes, but it still won't run 9x18. The bullet and case diameter is too large. The soviets did that deliberately to make interchange impossible.

[@0neDoomedSpaceMarine]

The Medusa is a great example of trying to do too many things but doing none of them well, and also a gimmick that will sound great to a person who doesn't know a lot about guns, but dubious to many people with some experience. Aside from the wide cartridge interchangeability (which numbers well over 100 different cartridges which could be loaded and fired in the gun), which is of little to no value, the special extractor is a very delicate part which leverages awkwardly on its own weird geometry when extracting rimless cartridges. As headspacing and extracting rimless cartridges is the idea of the Medusa, that means that its gimmick will defeat itself because you're going to quickly break this extractor and be unable to shoot rimless cartridges. And yes, the practical accuracy was generally quite abysmal, you're looking at a lot of freebore and an undersized projectile with most cartridges.

[@0neDoomedSpaceMarine]

@@tubeguy4066 I think the overwhelming majority of people who own a Medusa revolver today do so because it's a really weird and novel gimmick gun that makes it an interesting collectible, most people don't shoot them very much at all, and I'd be shocked if there was anyone who relied on it as their one gun. It's like a Gyrojet rocket pistol, you own one because it's cool and weird, not because it's good, so it doesn't matter that it's technically a horrible weapon.

[@ranger175a2w]

Thanks from Texas Mr. Harrell

[@Super-Kuper]

I've heard .380 is one way compatible with 9x18. As in you can chamber and shoot a .380 ACP in a 9x18 but not the other way around. The projectile is 0.010 smaller, but that just means you don't get as much engagement into the grooves of the rifling. The idea was that you could use .380 in a pinch but it wouldn't be as accurate or have as much velocity.

[@W1ldt1m]

False. The length difference makes it not work and the diameter difference screws things up as well.

[@theshotgunscientists]

My carry gun is a PA-63 in 9x18. I love that gun and the caliber.

[@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

[@tomt810]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@Troy_Built]

I've always liked the 9x18 pistols but most would be pretty heavy for a carry. The PA-63 is the exception that come to mind.

[@JD-tn5lz]

Thr CZ offerings are outstanding when you can find them.

[@g54b95]

I pocket carry an absolutely sick Polish P-64 (with French walnut grips) in 9x18 Makarov in a Sticky holster and you don't even notice it's there. A baller little gun. 6+1 capacity. Made in 1977, Radom circle 11. A CZ-82 or CZ-83 is a great choice...12 round capacity but a chunkier gun. But, hey...fat girls need love, too.

[@eddaugherty7779]

Excellent presentation.

[@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

[@heyheyhophop]

Heck, didn't expect this on a Sunday afternoon, thank you :)

[@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

[@ReubenOaks84]

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

[@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

[@kenincairns9025]

Another quality video Paul.

[@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.🤷😜

[@j.taylorrr]

crazy that he made this video, me and my friend were having a lengthy conversation about this just last week. perfect timing.

[@_kp_556]

I was hoping for a Paul Harrell Easter special

[@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 :-)

[@jim99west46]

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

[@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.

[@everydaycarrymonkey2691]

I absolutely love shooting my Bulgarian Makarov at the range, but it's most definitely the last gun in my collection I'd use as an EDC...

[@Troy_Built]

It is heavy enough to club someone with.

[@everydaycarrymonkey2691]

@@Troy_Built Oh if I were gonna factor that in I'd carry my Hi Point C9...😄

[@georgeorwell126]

Good presentation on the topic!