Info on a Norinco 213 (Tokarev Knockoff)

[EddieCoyle]

I bought this the other day for $150:



It's a Norinco copy of the Tokarev but chambered for 9x19. I always like the looks of the Tokarev and bought this in a package with two other guns that I really wanted.

Does anybody have one of these? How well do they hold up? I understand that Norinco made some junk in the past. Does this qualify? (Some would argue that Norinco makes junk in the present but I recently bought their '97 Trench Gun copy and like it. A lot).


This Model 213 is unfired. I'm not sure whether I want to shoot it or sell it. If they are fairly durable, I might make this my 9 mm "beater". If not, I'll keep it unfired and sell it.

 

[doublebarrel]

I didn't know they're still making Type 54's, and changed the caliber and put a manual safety on it (when I was little back in China, this bulky thing was what the PLA guards at our local barracks carrying...)

 

[EddieCoyle]

I don't think they're still being made. From what I can find out, these were imported by IAC for one year only (1988). This one is from that batch. The guy I got it from bought it then and never shot it.

 

[mordechaianiliewicz]

Why did you do that? Atleast get it in .30 tok if you get it at all.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Why did you do that? Atleast get it in .30 tok if you get it at all.

Mordechai, I would love to get one. Unfortunately the rules here in the Commonwealth prohibit me from getting one from out of state. Unless a handgun is either on the AG's list or was in the state before 1998, an FFL is prohibited from transferring it. A private sale is OK, but I haven't been able to locate one in-state.

 

[Manedwolf]

Mordechai, I would love to get one. Unfortunately the rules here in the Commonwealth prohibit me from getting one from out of state. Unless a handgun is either on the AG's list or was in the state before 1998, an FFL is prohibited from transferring it. A private sale is OK, but I haven't been able to locate one in-state.

You can get the 7.62x25 barrel and link for it from sksman, I believe, for about $30, and the mag for another $20.

BTW, where did you get one for $150?

 

[EddieCoyle]

Will those parts fit a Norinco in a safe way? I got it from a local guy. Why, is it worth more?

 

[EddieCoyle]

Oh yeah, and who's "sksman" and how do I find him?

 

[joab]

I used to have one imported through Navy Arms
Even after thourough cleaning it would double and sometimes empty the magazine.

The after market compliance safety may have been the reason.

I traded it to a com-blok collector friend for a non functioning Velo Dog Gun.
I don't know if he ever did anything with it

 

[EddieCoyle]

I used to have one imported through Navy Arms
Even after thourough cleaning it would double and sometimes empty the magazine.

The after market compliance safety may have been the reason.

I traded it to a com-blok collector friend for a non functioning Velo Dog Gun.
I don't know if he ever did anything with it

Wow. That's a glowing endorsement. So you don't think I should give to my kid to shoot?

 

[joab]

Mine just sucked
I have heard better reports from other owners.
My friend wanted it because some guys in his group had them, I doubt that he wanted it because they said that they were crappy guns.

Mine was also nowhere near NIB condition and was about $60

I did see one at a gunshow for $300, don't know if it sold though.

Take it out and shoot it, alot. Torture test it and see how it fares

Didn't mean to cause any undue alarm

 

[Stasher1]

I've had one for approx. 12 years now, and the only time it didn't go bang was when I tried feeding it some cheap reloaded hollowpoints I bought at the range. They're not pretty (downright ugly, actually) but fairly accurate and pretty reliable...as long as they haven't been abused.

They've gone up quite a bit in price since they stopped importing them into the US, and you could probably make a few bucks off of it if you decide to sell it...as long as you have the box, paperwork, spare mag, etc. that came with it originally.

I've bought and sold my fair share of Kimbers, Colts, Walthers, Dan Wessons, CZ's, etc., over the past several years, but that ugly little Norinco is still in my safe.

 

[robertbank]

They are still being made and Marstar continues to import them.

http://www.marstar.ca/gf-norinco/index-hg-T33.shtm

Some place up here sell them with both barrels. May get one just to have. I have heard from a few guys they are very durable and reliable - not real pretty though.

Stay Safe

 

[kokapelli]

I had two of them that I considered very accurate and reliable.

I forgot who the importer was.

The insruction manual indicated that the gun was only intended to last for 2,000 rounds.

I actually put more than 2,000 rounds through one, but the part of the slide that reco(ck)s the hammer began to spread (soft metal) and drag on the frame rails.

I filed down the problem area and put probably another 1,000 rounds through it before I sold it.

I remember that the first time I went to the range with the Tok I had to wait for a cease fire before I could put targets out, so I fired 10 rounds at an 18" metal gong at the 100 yard line and hit it 9 times out of the ten shots. I thought that was pretty good accuracy for the first itmeI shot it.

 

[MCgunner]

I had two of 'em. Triggers were aweful, but easy to lighten up. Accurate is not a term I'd use to describe 'em and most of the reason I sold 'em both. They functioned well on ball or some 115 grain HP ammo I fed 'em and were easy to hide IWB. They're all steel and I modified a 1911 shock buffer to fit 'em, which was kinda cool. I can't see where they'd not hold up, very stoutly built. I can tell you this, the slide, barrels, etc wouldn't even come close to interchanging on 'em, hand fitted by political prisoners I reckon. It was almost as if the guns were built on different tooling, though, cause the slides, frames, etc had totally different dimensions.

Both guns would at best put 5 shots into 4" off sandbags at 25 yards, good enough for self defense, but not exactly match grade. I wasn't satisfied with the accuracy or the sights or the fact that it had to be carried condition two as the safety was awkward to operate. I only gave a hundred a piece for 'em and sold 'em at gun shows, one of 'em for $150 (was new in box) and the other for $120 (some wear on the finish). So, I was happy to sell and don't really want another one.

Being as they did function, were easy to carry, and adequately accurate, are a proven design (basically a 1911) and all steel, I would, however, recommend them for the financially challenged. That's about as cheap a gun as you can get that is reliable, functional, and all steel to boot! Even the Makarovs are higher. And, these guns were locked breach full 9mms that could take a decent diet of +P.

 

[MCgunner]

The insruction manual indicated that the gun was only intended to last for 2,000 rounds.

Come to think of it, I think I did read that in the instruction thing that came with it. I didn't see at it was that poorly made and it was all steel, but steel quality has been a question from Chinese stuff.

Was it the tok or the SKSs I got from Norinco, but I think it was the tok manual that kept referring to the gun as the "bullet launcher"....

 

[EddieCoyle]

Come to think of it, I think I did read that in the instruction thing that came with it. I didn't see at it was that poorly made and it was all steel, but steel quality has been a question from Chinese stuff.

Was it the tok or the SKSs I got from Norinco, but I think it was the tok manual that kept referring to the gun as the "bullet launcher"....

That does it. I'm selling it unfired.

 

[Helstrm]

Man I love mine. It is not my 1911 but it is dependable and I am converting mine back to 7.62x25

I have fired many of them in 9mm and I think they make a great glovebox pistol and like the 1911 it is a steel gun with a history.

 

[destrux]

I have one and shoot it more than my other pistols (maybe 100rds a session, one session per week... I am one of those who are "financially challenged") and it has the same problem with the recocking area spreading out. It never stopped the gun, but it did make it require more effort to retract the slide with the hammer down. I filed the area into a ramp (which is how it should be, and is on all my other guns). The slide works much smoother and easier, but we'll see if I solved the wear problem, or made it worse. Now the hammer contacts a larger area on the back of the slide during recocking, so it should slow down the wear. I wouldn't be surprised if the metal would deform after enough shooting to cause the firing pin to stick and cause slamfiring. It hasn't happened on mine though, and I keep a close watch on how tight the firing pin fits... assuring it stays loose.

 

[kokapelli]

I had two Norinco Toks and had the same thing happen. I also filed the the slide cocking area and it held up for a long time, but eventually I had to retire both pistols.

I really like the Tok and would buy another one in a heartbeat as long as it's not one of the Norinco pistols.

By the way, the importer stated in the instructions for mine that they are intended to only have a 2000 round life.

With a little filing mine lasted at least twice that.

 

[SuperNaut]

If not, I'll keep it unfired and sell it.

How much? I've always wanted one in 9x19. PM me please.

 

[KeithET]

I had my local gun shop order 2 NIB Norinco 213's from an add I saw in Shotgun News about 12 years ago. Both guns came in nice hard plastic cases with 2 mags and a cleaning rod. Price from the importer was $75. After shipping, tax and paper work I was out $200 for the pair. Got sequential serial numbers too for what that is worth. They are both ugly like all Tok's but the fit was ok and they did function fine. I have only fired FMJ or LeadRN in them no HP's. They never gave me any problems. Only issue is they are not 25 yard guns. Fifteen yards or less is what they are good for. Fun plinking guns.

 

[Z71]

I've owned two Norinco 213 pistols, both 9mm.

The first was some years back, it had a TokaEgypt type wrap around grip, carry case and was near new.

The first was a pretty decent shooter. Accurate enough, but did have issues with one mag that came with it. Came with two matching numbered mags, one worked perfectly, the other jammed a lot.

I never did try to fix the other mag, and just traded the pistol on something I really wanted.

The only thing I vividly remember about that 213, was shooting next to a pal who had just bought a new Baby Eagle .40S&W. With it's one good mag, the 213 was just as accurate or better than the Eagle.

I bought another Norinco 213 last summer. Went to a gunshow, and not much interesting stuff to spend my money on. I ended up with a used 213 9mm, and a bubbized French Berthier rifle.

This "new" 213 is similiar to the other, except it has normal starred grips, and some differences in the safty lever. I have no idea when it was made, however it has been a pretty decent shooter too.

In my opinion, the Norinco 213 is a higher grade of "Saturday night special"! Not particularly user friendly, not really exceptional quality, not all that reliable, not very pretty either. However the price is generally right, they are steel, they do work ok with good mags, and for some reason or other seem to be fairly accurate.

A perfect truck pistol. I would buy another in a heart beat. Provided I could get two working mags with it.

Not a high end gun for sure, but not too bad.

 

[KiltedClaymore]

they have a tendancy to wear out after 5k+ rounds. but the tok design means you can just swap out parts and get shooting again.

 

[woad_yurt]

I have two Norincos, on 7.62 54-1 and one of these, a 213. The 213 is my most accurate centerfire pistol. It's totally reliable, rugged, simple, pleasant to shoot, and it's built like a rock.

Shoot it and enjoy it. It's a great carry gun, too, as it's very flat. You got a lot of gun for only $150.