7.62 x 25 is a great round, but how about some alternatives?
Hello Riktoven,
Great thread...glad you posted it. The Tokarev round is a great round- proportional, penetrative, etc. Indeed, some folks might feel uncomfortable with pistols which cannot be readily decocked like the Tokarev or concealed easily on their person. We can debate all day as to whether it is the grip or the barrel length that affects concealability. Let's just agree that concealability and daily carry are best served by overall compactness and lightweight (folks will hate me for saying it but my grandfather daily packed his thin Colt 1903 .32 under hi waist band and did not believe in any other caliber for the intended purpose, "don't mess with me!").
Now let's turn to some options based on what you requested. I want to emphasize that I can understand you afición or passion for 7.62. It's a hot round. No ifs ands or buts on that. I happen to also appreciate that round but also all bottlenecked pistol bullets. As reasonable persons we can agree that the big bullet mythology of "knock down" power is just that myth. Placement, trauma, and psychological shock are keys to DETERENCE in a self defense setting (see my discussion in the link below). I know that someone will chime in here with some remark about "knock down" power. That idea defies Newton's 3rd law of physics: every action has an equal and opposite reaction (
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/newton3.html ). If any bullet could knock a man down, the recoil would knock the shooter down too- a comical scene. Now, let's move on to some reasonable alternatives to your question (after all we are here to help each other).
1. Obtaining the Tokarev round in another platform. The 7.62 x 25 round is in some ways unique for its period. If I am not mistaken, it was designed for the TT-30 and its progeny. The CZ-52 I believe was designed to fire a higher pressure version of the 7.62 x 25 (I cannot confirm this but some evidence is consistent with my perception,
http://www.gunblast.com/RKCampbell_CZ52.htm ). That being said; it appears that TT30, 33, etc are the sole platforms for this round at this time. But, don't despair. Even though it may be wisest carrying the Tokarev uncocked, you could carry customize one to shorten the grip not unlike the many compacts on the market today (Toks are relatively cheap to start with). Yes, indeed, I know that the Tok is not for you, but I just wanted to share that idear.
2. How about some alternatives? I have a feeling that you value bottlenecked bullets. In the link below I made a few suggestions for caliber alternatives for Mexico where bullet diameters of 9mm and wider are prohibited. This provided a fertile opportunity to suggest calibers that are narrower than 9mm- bottlenecks! One of the kings of the bottlenecks is the .30 luger. The .30 Luger is a bottlenecked, hot performer, (in a .30 cal, i.e.7.65 mm) like the 7.62. Indeed, it does not have the velocity of the 7.62 but it is hi velocity nonetheless. Any 9mm handgun can be a platform for a .30 Luger custom barrel made for it.
Here are some bottlenecked alternatives:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=267029&page=2
The truly closest competitors to the 7.62 Tokarev are .357 sig or 5.7 FN. Each has advantages and disadvantages (.357 sig can be built on any .40 S&W cal. pistol, but the custom barrel can be costly. 5.7 FN is a teeny rifle bullet, but the ammo is costly for a non concealable pistol). Barrels for .400 Corbon are readily available for commander size 1911's but I don't think that's what you really want. Custom barrels could be made for the other compact decocking .45s, but I don't think you are looking for that.
To wrap it up, I feel your pain with regard to 7.62. I wish other arms were chambered for this round. I would have liked to have seen ergonomic, compact pistlols chambered in 7.62 x 25. Perhaps, something like a Taurus, Beretta Cougar, or today's QSZ 92 pistol from China (a more manageable pistol),
http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg122-e.htm would fit the bill.
Sorry for not pointing you in the direction you really wanted. Hopefully, my post will help you to some acceptable alternatives.