Makarov .22 LR Rimfire Conversion Kit

[Interesting concept - might be applicable to the FsN]

History

For many years, both Military and Civilian shooters have used sub Caliber conversion kits for training, low cost plinking, introducing new shooters to the shooting sports, and many other reasons. The Makarov pistol was no different, and the East Germans made and used a .22 LR conversion kit for Training, indoor target shooting, and even qualification in areas where time or range facilities did not allow the use of center fire ammunition.

The East German Conversion made use of "Carrier Cartridges", where a 22 Rim fire round was inserted into a steel "Cartridge", and loaded into the standard Magazine. A new slide and barrel insert were installed on the frame of any Makarov, and it could be loaded, aimed and fired just as it would be if center fire ammunition were being used. The recoil would be much less of course, and cost per round fired would be about 1/10 that of center fire pistol ammo.



For reference, the East German kits (when they can be found...and we've never seen one) reportedly fetch in excess of $2500.00!

The Russians and Chinese never made or used a sub-caliber conversion kit for the Makarov, that has been reported. The Bulgarians however, did develop their own .22 rim fire conversion kit for training purposes. It used a barrel insert and new slide, much like the East German units, however the Bulgarians opted for a new Magazine that would feed the 22 LR (Long Rifle) cartridges straight from the magazines, rather than fool with a separate carrier cartridge. This resulted in a better and easier to use system, and was much cheaper to manufacture.