AFTE Store - Safety Issues in a Makarov Pistol

A Makarov pistol was submitted to the laboratory relative to a homicide for routine examination and test firing. Subsequently, additional testing was requested to determine if, during firing, the slide could come off and be separated from the receiver. Testing and examination revealed that with the gun cocked and ready to fire, the trigger guard could be disengaged from the receiver and the gun could still be discharged by pulling the trigger. As the slide moved to the rear to extract and eject the fired cartridge case, and began to return to battery, it was capable of lifting off the rails at the rear and becoming separated from the receiver.