I was searching and posting on other forums on the subject of using Baikal Makarov for IPAS, and about the mod/upgrade with a longer barrel. This is info collected on Baikal Makarov so far:

No responses about its usefulness for IPAS.

No responses about an IPAS holster.

New models cope better with Gamo lead balls, the trick is to start the load (First in last out) with a steel BB. Reason: CO2 on firing sends a shock wave down the magazine and lead balls deform starting with the last. H&N lead 4.4mm balls OK for old and new versions.

Tighter grouping with Gamo balls than with steel BBs of H&N lead 4.4mm. Another test (different Baikal gun but similar barrel) shows a smooth bore prototype barrel is more accurate than rifled one with steel BBs.

I understand from posts that there are several versions of Baikal Makarov, and for collectors the year of production is the issue. All models are done in steel. All models have inner parts interchangeable with the 9mm original, but for the hammer which needs modding. Apparently original 9mm parts are of superior quality and finish. Very early models might had used the same parts, not for some time now. When buying new some reported getting old stock versions ( but not old enough to contain genuine 9mm parts) that would not accept Gamo balls.

For the shooters, more important is the valve power, it looks like the EU imports, white or grey, have 1.8J while those ordered from rusmilitary.com claim to be true 3J.

But rusmilitary.com offers specification of 90m/s and that calculates as only 1.4J with a typical steel BB of 0.35g. Full declared valve power of 3J should produce 130m/s or 430ft/s. All very confusing. As with cordless drills, and hammer SDS drills, they all lie about the power.

Taking apart and polishing is easy. Magazine design is such as to waste CO2 into shocking the balls, there are no mods for that.

Some reported successful valve mods for more power, but some reported destroying their valves in process.

Barrel is rifled, causing CO2 to leak in front of the BB slowing it down. Gamo balls grip the rifling, but are of poor quality, misshapen and of various diameters. H&N balls are copper-plated and 4.4mm, they do not grip the rifling and behave like steel BBs.

There are longer barrels of other Baikal guns that would fit Makarov with little mods, but all are rifled.



The question remains, how accurate Baikal Makarov actually is?

Are there any chrono readings?

Ayosha