[angebar]

This week I bought my first Mak (Bulgarian) and a Ballester-Rigaud. Both are in great shape and I can hardly wait to try them today!!!
Aside from my trusty P3AT and my Hi-point .40 all my pistols are C&R's (well not the MAK)...hmmm is this a sign of aging?
Barry

 

[alamo]

You'll sure enjoy the Makarov, great pistol. What is a Ballester-Rigaud?

I've been trying to find another Makarov-like pistol by which I mean a great practical handgun with some interesting/notable history. Most guns with some history aren't practical pistols for use today for carry/self-defense. The Makarov is a great piece of Cold War history & I also carry it in my car.

SOG has some new pistols on their website. The Nagant revolver looks interesting. Not practical for use today though except to shoot for fun. Last year, I got a Walther P-1 that they have again on their website now.

http://www.southernohiogun.com/surplus_hand.html

 

[HardShell]

Re:

...What is a Ballester-Rigaud?...

The Ballester-Molinas/Rigauds are pseudo-1911s with a very interesting history:

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/history/ballester.htm

I had one & it was a decent shooter.

 

[alamo]

Thanks, the link wouldn't seem to open for me but it gives me an idea of what it is.

 

[Flyer]

The Ballester/Molinas are essentially Spanish M-1911s made by Star, with a few notable changes...
No grip safety...
A different thumb safety which blocked the hammer, not the sear...
Not-very-good parts interchangeability with a 1911, and
A different grip shape.
A few more minor things were changed, but if you're at all familiar with the Star PD you've got the idea. Same mechanism.
In all though, these were good, reliable pistols.
Flyer