Milsurp pistols... Polish P-64, Zastava M57 Tokarev

[Mullo98]

M57 hands down. X25 is a great round, but it can be hard to find in stores . The pistol is not far off from a 1911 in terms of feel and handling.

 

[barnetmill]

I have just blasted the bits and gas-system with G-96 right after shooting for years.
I'm not so concerned with immediate effect so mush as my getting back and forgetting about it.
The G-96 has been a hell of a backstop for me and besides.... It makes the guns smell like bananas!

For me, the greater concern is usually in protecting my gas systems.

Todd.

If you are least do a quick preliminary cleaning and lube job on the range, even if you forget and do not leave too long no real damage gets done. I live in a very high humidity locale. In Arizona you might be to forget if for months and not have too much happen to it.

 

[Mullo98]

When I use corrosive ammo in my tok, I just put the barrel under a tap and turn on the hot water. Run patches though it till it comes out dry and then oil it really good. Still no rust yet.

 

[Snowdog]

I have two Yugo M57s and a P64. Both are fun. The P64 has a rather abusive recoil characteristic but far from unmanageable. It would make for a fine CCW if one really wanted to carry it, but keep in mind it's not drop safe when the safety is not engaged.

The M57s are a completely different animal. It's quite pleasant to shoot and fun to boot (the 7.62x25 can get on the blasty side).

 

[Alte Schule]

Fear of corrosive ammunition is over rated. Remember that every country in WWII used corrosive ammunition. You don't have to race like mad for home to clean your corrosive fired gun. I shoot corrosive ammunition through Mauser's, M-1 Garands, AK's and SKS's. When finished shooting I run a soaked patch with old (REALLY OLD) GI bore cleaner through the bore, wipe the bolt face down with the same thing, and then clean as usual. Having ruined a rifle yet. You don't need GI Bore cleaner. Hot water works in a pinch. Some use an ammonia based cleaner. I don't know if that's needed or not. Most of the corrosive based ammunition is being used up so the question might well be moot soon. I have an awful lot of 8MM corrosive left that I intend to use.

Doing the preventive maintenance after shooting mil sup ammo and prior to putting your firearm away was my point. I forgot, one time, and four months later when I was going to the range with my Enfield I found the barrel corroded and pitted. I then remembered I hadn't cleaned it afterwards and realized my Tok hadn't been cleaned either. Upon inspection I found the Tok in the same condition.
You appear to be a responsible firearm owner and do what is required to keep your military surplus rifle in working condition. I never suggested that the OP "race like mad for home to clean his corrosive fired gun." I was just trying to make the OP aware, if he wasn't already, that military surplus ammo will probably damage your firearm IF you don't do the required preventive maintenance after you shoot and put your firearm away until next time. Cleaning your firearm within 48 hours or so would probably be OK but not four months like my dumb a__ did.

 

[Ignition Override]

The P-64 would have been my choice, and has been carried by three very gun-seasoned middle-aged friends ; one escaped East Germany in '84, and is 'departed'.

But I didn't enjoy shooting the P-64. By the way, you might be well aware that the true Makarovs' (EG, Bulgy, Russ. .380 and 9x18, Chinese) DA trigger and recoil are much better.

 

[Terry G]

Doing the preventive maintenance after shooting mil sup ammo and prior to putting your firearm away was my point. I forgot, one time, and four months later when I was going to the range with my Enfield I found the barrel corroded and pitted. I then remembered I hadn't cleaned it afterwards and realized my Tok hadn't been cleaned either. Upon inspection I found the Tok in the same condition.
You appear to be a responsible firearm owner and do what is required to keep your military surplus rifle in working condition. I never suggested that the OP "race like mad for home to clean his corrosive fired gun." I was just trying to make the OP aware, if he wasn't already, that military surplus ammo will probably damage your firearm IF you don't do the required preventive maintenance after you shoot and put your firearm away until next time. Cleaning your firearm within 48 hours or so would probably be OK but not four months like my dumb a__ did.

This wasn't directed toward you. I was stating a common misconception that corrosive ammunition will somehow "poison" the rifling immediately. By all means clean your rifle/pistol after shooting. You gave good advice.

 

[Alte Schule]

This wasn't directed toward you. I was stating a common misconception that corrosive ammunition will somehow "poison" the rifling immediately. By all means clean your rifle/pistol after shooting. You gave good advice.

My apologies sir. You also give good advice. Some of the worst mil sup corrosive ammo I bought was Korean War vintage 8mm that I used in my Zastava M 48.

 

[American_Fusilier]

I have a M-57. I got the thing from J&G years ago for $99. The Yugo Toks were (are) the best of the breed. Decent quality and the elongated grip fits larger hands, as well as giving an extra round's capacity. The add on safety is the best of its kind.

It seems that Yugo versions of firearms seem to generally be considered the best of it's kind by a lot of people, (Tokarevs, AKs, SKSs, etc). The Serbs always put their own twist to their version of combloc weapons.

I do have an n-pap m70, but I haven't shot enough AKs to really have an opinion of my own.

 

[American_Fusilier]

My Tokarev is the most punishing pistol I own WRT the web between my right thumb and right index finger, so it's only been to the range a few times.

Honestly, it looks like a gun that would do that. I've seen some aftermarket grips for them that give it a bit of a beaver tail, that might solve your problem, or at least help.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

Honestly, it looks like a gun that would do that. I've seen some aftermarket grips for them that give it a bit of a beaver tail, that might solve your problem, or at least help.

Thanks, but I have other makes & models to use as shooters, and I'd rather keep the TT33 'original'. Periodically I get some interest in purchasing a CZ52 but it always goes away before I reach the point to actually commit to purchase one.

Nothing I've shot fits my hand better than a P08 Luger.

 

[American_Fusilier]

Thanks, but I have other makes & models to use as shooters, and I'd rather keep the TT33 'original'. Periodically I get some interest in purchasing a CZ52 but it always goes away before I reach the point to actually commit to purchase one.

Nothing I've shot fits my hand better than a P08 Luger.

Yeah, I've had the privilege to shoot a P-08 once myself. Very nice pistol.

 

[jski]

I have a P-64. Call Wolff and get a complete replacement spring kit. Don’t think the sights were really ever intended for actual use in a combat situation. Strictly a point and shoot weapon in combat.

One BIG plus about it is it’s 100% reliable but be cautious of 3rd party mags. Bought some from keepshooting.com and they have a mouth that’s different enough from the Polish mags as to make them unusable.

 

[Edcnh]

I have a P64 and the double action trigger is horrendous. 20# that someone stated is probably close. Sights are tiny but mine is pretty accurate inside 12yds. If you can find a CZ82 grab it! Decent sights and very accurate.

 

[wojownik]

I have a variety of "all of the above". Random observations ...

M57 - a fine pistol but I am not fond of the magazine safety. They don't take "standard" Tokarev TT-33 magazines. The m57 different adds on additiional round in the mag over the TT-33. To be honest, my favorite Tokarev variant is the Polish ones - the Romanian ones are more common on the market today, and are the roughest finished of any of the variants. So the Yugo is better (IMHO) too the Romanian, even parts are not interchangeable.

P64 is a really nice pistol (solid fit and feel), but one drawback is an extraordinarily heavy DA trigger pull (you'll really want want to consider wolff springs to lighten that knuckle-straining pull), The other drawback are the tiny sights - which are fun at the range for target shooting, but less than optimal in an actual self-defense role. And firing the P64 is a snappy experience - packs quite the recoil, because its a little gun (think in terms of an airweight snub nose revolver ... you are definitely aware that you've fired the pistol). Cosmetically, the bluing on the P64 is really nice. Very attractive gun, with nice fit and finish. Despite the trigger pull and snappiness, its one of my favorite pistols.

If you can find a P83 (Wanad) Polish pistol, you might want to take a look at that as well. A different Makarov variant, with a nice trigger pull and sights that are actually usable.

 

[Edcnh]

I have a P64 and a CZ82. My P64 shoots good considering I can barely see the sights. I installed a 20lb recoil spring to try and keep the brass from going 30-40 ft away. Not much difference. I reload so like to get as much of the brass as possible. Only about a 60-70% success rate when shooting outdoors at my local range. The CZ 82 is a great shooter with decent sights. The CZ is a Rolls Royce while the P 64 is an Edsel.

 

[MikeInOr]

I'm always on the lookout for milsurp stuff, and these two pistols have really caught my eye.

The Tokarev more for the 7.62x25 round.

I had a CZ-52 in 7.62x25 and a Tokarev in 7.62x25. I traded off the Tokarev and kept the CZ-52. I personally believe the roller delayed CZ-52 is a better weapon... and is a lot of fun to shoot!

CZ-52 vs tt-33

CZ-52 is lower left

 

[Terry G]

Doing the preventive maintenance after shooting mil sup ammo and prior to putting your firearm away was my point. I forgot, one time, and four months later when I was going to the range with my Enfield I found the barrel corroded and pitted. I then remembered I hadn't cleaned it afterwards and realized my Tok hadn't been cleaned either. Upon inspection I found the Tok in the same condition.
You appear to be a responsible firearm owner and do what is required to keep your military surplus rifle in working condition. I never suggested that the OP "race like mad for home to clean his corrosive fired gun." I was just trying to make the OP aware, if he wasn't already, that military surplus ammo will probably damage your firearm IF you don't do the required preventive maintenance after you shoot and put your firearm away until next time. Cleaning your firearm within 48 hours or so would probably be OK but not four months like my dumb a__ did.

Good points. I wouldn't put a weapon firing modern ammunition away for months without cleaning it. The Army made me OCD that way.

 

[TTv2]

Have the Zastava, last gun I bought. I've only shot it once and I need more time with it. Mine shoots really low with PPU hollow point ammo and it was very flashy. Will try different ammo and see how it does, but as far as function I shot 25 rounds no problems with that hollow point ammo and while it's a bottleneck round JHP ammo is not common, but it ran it just fine.

Agree with others that it's not a tack driver, none of the Russian guns outside of the Dragonov are.

 

[WLDNWALT]

I have been shooting a P-64 for years and it is a reliable pistol.
Replaced the springs which helped a lot, avoid the aftermarket magazines because they do not work.

 

[Random 8]

I'd look for either a real deal Makarov or...this. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/864996588. I had one for several years, it was my deep carry gun. They are NOT particularly fun to shoot. With the aluminum frame, they bite a little bit, but the single, double action pulls are good and mine was absolutely reliable regardless of ammo or condition. Ran everything from commie steel case to high end defensive ammo with zero hiccups. A good commie knock off of the Walther PPK.

For a Tokarev style pistol, I favor the Romanian TT33. I think the fit, finish, and accuracy are better than the Yugoslav or Polish versions. Ignore the safety. Put it in fire position and leave it alone, it was never meant to have one. Yeah, it's ugly, but unless you find a Vietnam or Korea bringback in good condition and are willing to fork over the $$, you're stuck with it. Minute of pizza box???mine will bark clay pigeons at 25 and keep 8 in an IDPA silhouette at 100.

 

[Monac]

I am sorry to start a tangent to this thread, but I spotted some weird (to me) Makarov holsters on Ebay, and started a thread about them in the Handgun Accessories forum:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/self-loading-holster-for-makarov.867019/

(Moderator, please delete if this kind of cross link is bad practice.)