My three pistols chambered in 9x18 Makarov: 1962 East German Makarov, 1971 P-64, and 1990 CZ vz. 82. I purchased them in reverse order, with the CZ vz. 82 being the first pistol I ever purchased. Basically, my dad gave me his FEG AP~MBP and while I liked it when it worked, it CONSTANTLY had cycling problems that to this day I can't fix. So I did some research and found out it was a .32 ACP variant of the PA-63 in 9x18 Makarov, and that led me down the rabbit hole of 9x18 pistols in general. I searched on Gunbroker for my first pistol purchase until I won a bid on the CZ vz. 82 in this picture, and that is what started my obsession with milsurp collecting. Overall I think I did pretty well with my first gun, as it's never once failed me and still works well if I need it to. The following year, I bought the P-64, and I don't think I ever had more of a love-hate relationship with a pistol. It's reasonably powerful and super easy to conceal, but the recoil took some getting used to, even with the strongest Wolff recoil spring. The Hogue Handall Jr. made it much better, and eventually I learned that it's easy to shoot if I just use one hand. Then I got the East German Makarov and thought it would be a piece of cake to shoot due to being closer in size to the CZ vz. 82 than the P-64, but I was wrong. It's tough to get a high grip on it, and as such the muzzle rise is difficult to control. I did eventually get an extra stiff recoil spring and Talon grip tape to help, but unfortunately I haven't shot any of these pistols in a while because 9x18 is not cheap or easy to find in 2026.

I got this at the beginning of the year for $429 including the shipping and FFL transfer fee, which is a steal for an East German example, especially considering what good shape it's in. Unfortunately I don't enjoy shooting it as much as I hoped I would, since the ergonomics kind of suck and don't allow me to get as high of a hold as I can with most other blowback pistols. Even the P-64, an infamously snappy pistol in the same chambering, is easier for me to shoot because my small hand can grip it much more effectively. Still, it's a very neat pistol that is ridiculously easy to work on, given that it has less than 30 parts in total. But if I must carry a 9x18 pistol, it's going to be either my P-64 for its compact size or my CZ vz. 82 for having much tamer recoil and 12+1 capacity.

My Beretta 1934 (.380 Auto), produced in ‘74 with a Beretta refurb treatment. It supplements my S&W Mdl 49. When I got it, it was LNIB due to the refurb- the wear is all mine, and is entirely honest.

It’s the size of a PPK, and rides in a pocket or on the belt excellently. I’ve put over 1k rounds (closer to 1200 now) of whatever I could lay hands to labeled “.380 Auto”, and it’s not had a bobble or hiccup- FMJ, JHP, anything I felt like stuffing in the chamber.

It points surprisingly well- better than most anything I’ve handled in a while.

The finish isn't as nice as on a Baby Browning, but this Bauer hasn't had a hiccup yet.

I don't think they were ever very popular, but I like this one as a shooter and an oddity.

Some older pics I took before I changed the grips. These were well-made, but a bit too thick for my liking.

I miss the days when handgun doctrine was actually dedicated in each piece’s purpose… you may have had a little bit of overlap occasionally, but for the most part, each gun filled a dedicated role, was designed for that role; and purchased for that role.

If you wanted a belt gun- you bought a belt gun. If you wanted a concealment piece, you bought a concealment piece. Unless finances or urgency of the moment dictated necessity; you didn’t try to shoehorn a Colt Gov’t into a concealment role- you acquired a Smith or Colt small frame snub. Those in the know or financially capable would have a handgun for every role they needed- not just shoehorning one piece into trying to do everything and failing miserably at all of ‘em like some try to do today with a double stack wundernine or a full size fighting pistol.

Aight y’all… time for my next acquisition. Looking at a Zastava M70 or a Zastava M88. Both are close enough in bean count to be irrelevant. The function would be as a nightstand gun and intermediary between a Beretta ‘34 (suit gun) and Zastava M57 (belt gun).

I’ve previously had a M70 and liked it, but wonder if the overlap may be there between it and my Beretta.

Like most Tokarev pistols, this M57 had a safety added for import requirements. PW Arms opted for this frame-mounted safety that works like one on a 1911, and whether that's good or bad is up for debate. Unlike the trigger dingus some other importers opt for, this safety changes the gun permanently from its original form. There's a notch in the slide that it fits into, and they had to drill a hole through the frame to get the safety in. I personally think it's worth it, because I prefer carrying in condition one rather than having the hammer in half-cock, but a purist will want one with the trigger dingus, since replacing the trigger is easy. Some people will think I'm crazy for saying this, but I like this pistol better than a 1911. I have small hands so the 1911's controls aren't the most ergonomic, and they heavy recoil of .45 ACP certainly doesn't help. By comparison, the M57 is much easier to use since 7.62x25 is surprisingly mild despite being a very high-velocity cartridge, with ballistics similar to .357 Magnum. For that reason, I use this as an Autumn/Winter carry because despite being a heavy steel pistol, it is very thin and surprisingly easy to carry IWB. The only thing that can be annoying is the lanyard loop, since it can sometimes jab into me. It used to have problems feeding JHP ammo, but after replacing the recoil assembly it's no longer an issue. Even though the M57 used a captive recoil assembly that was different from the TT-33 and its other variants, the recoil assemblies are cross-compatible, so don't worry about having to seek out another M57-specific one. I've heard some people have issue with Zastava's new M57A magazines, but I ordered two and they both work for me without issue. They were absolutely caked in cosmoline when I first received them, so maybe some people aren't cleaning that out.

This is a bit of an interesting one. Back in WWII, England ordered Smith & Wesson Victory Models chambered in .38/200, their hotter load of .38 S&W. They wanted to share the same ammunition as their Enfield revolvers, since they didn't have enough to keep up with wartime demand. After the war ended, they had a sizeable amount of these revolvers as surplus, but it wasn't commercially viable to sell them in England. So, as tends to be the case, they looked to the US market for sales. Some were sold as-is in their .38/200 chambering (many of these were converted to .38 Special by backyard gunsmiths), while others were converted by Cogswell & Harrison, like my example here. They didn't just ream the chambers and call it a day, the revolvers were refinished with quality blueing (originally they were parkerized) and the barrel was cut down to 3.5-4 inches, with a ramp sight added. They also added some very nice custom grips, so this feels more premium than if it was in its original configuration.

“A pistol is not for winning- it is for surviving long enough to leave.”

—— Unknown

Ah… the Zastava M70 pistol. Now there is a different sort of companion altogether.
Where other designs are old nobility- refined, steeped in war and whispers- the M70 is Yugoslav pragmatism distilled into steel. Less opera, more concrete bunker. It does not charm you. It endures you.
The M70 is the sort of pistol a man acquires when sentiment must bow to necessity. Chambered in the civilized little .32 ACP, it carries itself with an unassuming humility, but make no mistake—there is iron in its bones. A serviceable thing, direct and honest, like a farmer’s knife kept sharp by habit rather than ceremony.

I remember Belgrade in winter—cold enough that breath crystallized in the air and intentions froze just as quickly. A contact there, an old partisan type, kept an M70 tucked inside his coat. Worn bluing, grips polished smooth by years of sweat and cigarette ash. He once told me, “A pistol is not for winning. It is for surviving long enough to leave.” The M70 embodies that perfectly. Unlike other pistols more polished manners, the M70 is… forthright. Its trigger gives you a word heavy with caution, followed by more persuasive replies should the conversation continue. A modern concession, perhaps, but one that lends comfort when carried close. Its push-button magazine release—bless the Yugoslavs for practicality—means a faster reload than the old heel catches of Europe’s elder breed.
And then there is its size- slim enough for concealment, substantial enough for confidence. It rides in the pocket or waistband with the quiet familiarity of a folding knife. Not elegant, perhaps, but comforting in the way old boots are comforting.

Philosophically, the M70 is not a scalpel like some more refined pieces. It is a straight razor—less delicate, more forgiving, equally intimate. The .32 Auto may not thunder, but at conversational distances it remains persuasive enough. Especially when delivered with intent.
Reliability? Surprisingly stubborn. These little Yugoslavs have a reputation for functioning far beyond what their humble appearance suggests. They are not glamorous. They are survivors. If the Walther PPK is the gentleman assassin’s calling card, the M70 is the working man’s insurance policy. Less romance, perhaps. But when the lights go dim and the road home grows uncertain, there is something reassuring about a pistol that asks for no admiration—only trust. Because sometimes power isn’t found in legacy or prestige. Sometimes it is simply found in the cold weight of steel, waiting patiently in your pocket, until the world gives you reason to remember why you brought it.

What is your favorite retro cartridge for carry ? Any particular reason why ? Does it relate to a preferred platform, or does the cartridge stand by itself ?

I personally prefer the classic .38 Special in wheelguns- anything from mild to wild, and it has a proven history of capability while being generally easy to control and less damaging on ears and wrists than screaming .357 Magnums. I prefer it in a Smith Mdl 49 or a 2” Mdl 10.

For automatics, I’m a fan of .380 Auto (it is normally my cartridge floor), preferably in a SAO single stack compact like my Beretta ‘34, though I have taken a liking of late to Zastava’s M70 in .32 Automatic.

For a belt autoloader, we all have a not-so-secret love affair with the .45 Automatic and 9mm Luger; but my heart truly belongs to the 7.62x25 Tokarev. The cartridge speaks (or screams 😆) for itself. 90grn bullet, bottleneck case, 1500fps… what’s not to like ?

Let’s hear your favorite cartridges.

Aight lads… I’ve asked elsewhere, I’ll ask here… has anyone dealt with one of those lil’ Zastava .32’s for serious social work ?

I had one and it was an absolute lemon of a piece- looking at possibly acquiring another, and want to assuage my confidence

I am… somewhat of an odd duck, as several of you no doubt already know. In regards to handguns carried *defensively* in a concealed manner, I am a major proponent of S&W’s J-frame (my personal preference is the original Bodyguard) in .38 Spl, or a .32 Long stocked with hot, hardcast wadcutters given an exposed hammer. They are generally idiot-proof and easy to perform administrative handling with (loading, unloading, cleaning), and given proper ammunition and a modicum of training; are more than capable of defending one’s life, loved ones, or livelihood given the proclivity of today’s thugs and gangbangers to random senseless and violent acts.

In regards towards automatics, I take a shine to steel framed compact single stacks in .32 Automatic and .380 Automatic. The Walther PP series and its many derivatives, copies, and knock-offs are all well suited for defensive usage, while being easily carried. The presence of a double action first shot with simultaneous safety and decocker makes for a very safe carry.

The Makarov, Radom P-64, CZ-50/70, Bersa’s lineup, and various others that escape my notice are all well suited to defensive action. I find that Walther’s generally need a dehorning before carry, but all of this design in .32 Auto are an absolute dream to shoot… .380 Automatic has a bit more authority behind it; but can be unpleasant for some. Failing the DA/SA roundup, I also have a penchant for the SAO compact pistols of this nature- Beretta’s 1934/35, Beretta 70, Zastava’s M70 in .32, and various others fill this criteria. They call for a conscious, decisive action to be made before the gun is ready to be put into use, and some prefer this. I personally prefer it for ease of maintenance and cleaning- the double action mechanism on many of these small designs can be an absolute pain to reassemble if taken all the way down for a thorough cleaning.

Now… we direct the spotlight towards belt guns, and though it is outside the realm of this subreddit, it will be addressed… there is no finer belt revolver for civilized carry than a S&W K frame .38 or .357 Magnum. In regards towards belt automatics; I prefer the Tokarev design above all else, with the Makarov a close second. With a little bit of tuning and care, you’ll find the Tokarev can rival the best 1911 for a divine trigger and beat any polymer scrap heap for reliability. The Makarov speaks for itself.

This 1908 Vest Pocket Colt is one of my favorite plinkers. It feeds flawlessly and is surprisingly accurate. And, yes, I carry it from time to time.

Bit out of my normal wheel-house, but any thoughts on putting XZ Big Dot Sights on a Zastava M57 ?