Differences in TT-33 ( Tokarev) Models

[Snowdog]

I have never been a believer in owning two identical pistols, but after purchasing an M57 (Yugoslavian Tokarev), I was so absolutely impressed that I had to buy two....

They are absurdly inexpensive for what you're getting: a quality Tokarev with well placed 1911-esque manual safety, a magazine safety that doesn't appear to negatively affect the respectable trigger, an enlarged magazine release button and a slightly longer grip that both fits my hand far better and supplies one extra round. The only downside is a magazine that isn't compatible with any other Tokarev. For some reason, this doesn't bother me.

I don't know how the safeties work on other Toks, but the safeties on both my M57 positively and crisply snap into and out of place. I'm quite happy with them.

 

[WardenWolf]

So, are their Firing Pins not an inertial type? - ie: if Hammer is 'down' the Firing Pin end would be protruding into the Breech?

Correct. If the hammer is fully lowered the firing pin will be protruding into the breech. HOWEVER, the Tokarev has a very strong half-cock position that compensates for this, and it is very easy to safely lower the hammer to half-cock by wedging your opposite thumb behind the rear sight and lowering the hammer down. With your thumb in this position, the hammer cannot fall far enough to strike the primer or bypass the half-cock notch even if you lose your grip on it. The procedure is this:

1. Place opposite thumb behind the rear sight to prevent hammer from fully falling.

2. Disengage safety.

3. Grip the hammer with primary thumb while pulling the trigger and gently lower it down. Release the trigger after it has cleared the primary cock position and it will settle safely into half-cock.

This two-handed method ensures complete safety and while doing this. Once on half-cock, the trigger cannot be pulled nor can the slide be racked until the pistol is cocked again.

 

[Lakeshore]

Has anyone experienced a safety failure (ND) on any of these Toks?

If you call the safety preventing the gun from firing even in the safety-off position a safety failure, then yes. My Yugo M-57 from SOG needed some amateur home gunsmithing on the safety before the thing would even shoot.

Ironically the much maligned safety on my Romanian Cugir works perfectly and I consider the Romy the superior TT-33 of the two.

 

[Shadow 7D]

HALF COCK
that was and is the only safety mechanism designed into the pistol
it LOCKS both the trigger group and slide

much like Mr. Browning's other single action designs there have been numerous manual's of arms designed around the weapon, most carry in condition 3, or 1, it's a combat pistol for the masses, the poor, untrained huddling communist masses, something a conscript can master.

It's not a kimber, it's not a glock or sig, but it will go bang every time.

OH, and if you want condition 1, the yugos safety blocks the sear.

Um, Lakeshore, you do realize that the Zastava M57 has a Magazine safety, that blocks the sear unless the magazine is in place.

 

[Lakeshore]

Roger that^^^.

Apparently some of the M57 manual safeties were installed a fraction of a millimeter off which caused them to impede movement of the sear even in the off position. Nothing a little file work won't fix but I'll bet a few were returned to SOG because of it. All these Tok manual safeties are a PITA imho.

 

[Shadow 7D]

AH, yes, but like much on the pistol very easy to correct with a little work and due diligence.

My favorite so far is the number of threads, afew here, but most else where, complaining about how the POS wont "shoot" (dry fire) but for some mysterious reason works at the range.... Nothing like a mag disconnect to throw the unaware under the bus or out the back in a tizzy, I image a number have been returned for that too.

 

[Oyeboten]

Part of my fascination in the TT-33 family of variations, is for having heard they can be converted easily to .38 ACP or .38 Super.

Not trying to take anything away from their original Chamberings, but this is a considerable part of what would interest me to own one - having it converted to .38 ACP or .38 Super.


Anyone here done that or had it done to give me some pointers?

 

[Shadow 7D]

You rechamber a 9mm barrel and use the x25 magazine

 

[stchman]

Polish, Russian, and Romanian are virtually identical. The cheesy safety on the Romanian one is easily removed, but does leave a hole.

 

[Snowdog]

Oyeboten, I find that interesting as well. I've been amazed some have actually converted Tokarevs to 9x23 Winchester. As I've read of these conversions but not yet of any exploding Tokarevs, I believe the Tok is a fairly strong pistol.

 

[WardenWolf]

Ultimately, despite some detractors, the Tokarev is a very safe pistol. It has a somewhat different manual of arms than most people are used to, but once it is learned and followed it is just as safe as any other design. Any firearm, if you fail to learn and follow the manual of arms for that specific model, can be unsafe. It doesn't matter if you're shooting a bolt action rifle or the latest whiz-bang. You have to know your weapon. That's what it all boils down to.

 

[Oyeboten]

Well...thanks for the continueing info everyone.


9x23 Winchester would not be my choice, for several reasons, among which, is that I would be more than satisfied with .38 Super and it's range of loadings!! Lol...that'd be plenty for me!


And even at that, I'd want to spray 'Dye' the Cartridges to make sure none could wander into any of my old .38 Autocolts.

 

[shootr]

No expert on Toks, but I like a Romy I picked up a while back. Removed the safety and plugged the holes. Looks / works fine. Half cock seems very sure and I'd have no problem carrying it with one in the chamber. IMO no less dangerous than a 1911 cocked and locked. BWTFDIK