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Makarov PM vs MP-443 Grach: how to tell them apart

Two military pistols that are easy to mix up at a glance. Here is what tells them apart.

Makarov PM, pistol from Soviet Union

Makarov PM

Pistol, Soviet Union. In service since 1951

What gives it away

Small, rounded pistol with a fixed barrel, an external hammer, a slide-mounted safety and a lanyard loop at the base of the grip.

Used by

Russia, Ukraine and most former Soviet states

Photo: Agazoo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
MP-443 Grach, pistol from Russia

MP-443 Grach

Pistol, Russia. In service since 2003

What gives it away

Large, slab-sided steel slide, external hammer and an ambidextrous frame safety; much bigger and blockier than the Makarov.

Used by

Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan and others

Photo: Vitaly V. Kuzmin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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