Pistole-M
The Pistole-M, sometimes known as the Pistole M, is the East German licensed-made Makarov pistol variant.
History
The Pistole-M was made from 1958 to 1965.Operational use
In East Germany, the Pistole-M replaced the P1001 and TT pistols in the National People's Army. It also gained usage in the Volkspolizei. The Pistole-M is issued with a shoulder holster and a.22-cal. conversion kit with an armorer's parts kit.The Pistole-M also found limited success in export to China and Vietnam.
Surplus
In the United States, PMs from Soviet and East German military surplus are listed as eligible curio and relic items by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, because the countries of manufacture no longer exist.Design
While the Pistole-M is a faithful East Germany Makarov copy, they can be recognised through the plain dark grip shells, higher polish bluing, and early features. Another way to tell it apart is the lack of a star insignia on the grip and a lanyard loop.Variant
Training variant
Special training cutaways with serial number prefix "SM".Users
- : Used by the National People's Army, including the Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic. Also used by the Volkspolizei, including the Volkspolizei-Bereitschaft. The pistol was used until German unification in 1990.
- : Saxony-Anhalt Landespolizei forces. Temporarily kept in the initial post-reunification times during lack of funds.