I recently sold my only 9mm Luger pistol and I now own 4 pistols chambered in the Makarov round.

Yes, you can trim back Luger cases for use in reloading for the Makarov.

Regarding the ammo availability, .. there is usually a decent amount of throw away (non boxer primed) stuff available but right now EVERYTHING is sparse.

I just got an email from Midway yesterday and replied immediately. They let me know that the Starline Brass for Makarov came in so I ordered 500 cases. I think it is a wonderful round, sitting right between the 380 and the 9mm luger ... I actually think the Makarov ammo generally runs cheaper than the 380.

Some of the guns chambered in Makarov are gems, but not all. I have a East German all steel framed pistol that is a beauty. I also have a CZ 82 that is a real shooter as well. Then I have a couple Walther PPK knock-offs that are ok but have alloy frames and are not the best in fit and finish. One is a PA-63 from FEG in Hungary imported by KBI. it's a 7 plus one, and the other is a smaller model of the same thing, also made by FEG of Hungary imported by KBI and called the SMC-918, it is a 6 plus one.

I think the Makarov round is underutilized and ignored by many mostly because of the perception that the ammo is hard to come by.