Thinking about picking up a Tokarev TT-33

[kingpin008]

So, I'm coming to a point where I really need to be careful of my money, but yet I really want a new pistol.

I've been meaning to get my C&R license, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Anyhow - I've been looking at the TT-33 as my first (and main) purchase when I do get my C&R. I like the style and looks of the gun, I like what I hear about the cartridge, and I definitely like the price of ammo right now.

What I'm looking for, is opinions and advice on the pistol. How many here have them, and what do ya'll think of them? I'm really not interested in any other C&R pistols currently, so please save the recommendations for other guns - I'm just looking for reviews of the TT-33.

Are there any problems I need to look out for that are present in this particular gun? I'll admit that I don't know a heck of a lot about them mechanically, but I trust ya'll to shoot me straight.

Oh yea, and pics of your own Tok wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Thanks!

 

[Mastiff]

Check out the following link, it is a Tokarev Only Forum:
http://www.gunsnet.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=513

I now own 3 of them. I bought two Norinco 213's for $89.00 a piece in 1992. I am still shooting the first one, I am keeping the other one (NIB) for a spare. It is the most reliable and accurate pistol I own.
With a simple barrel change in most cases, you can shoot 7.62x25, 9x19mm, or .38 Super/9x23 Winchester or 9mm Largo. (9mm Largo is now selling for about 15 cents a round mail order, the 7.62 is about 10 cents a round).
I just bought one of AIM's Romanian Toks for $209. The pistol was refurbished to as new condition.
The pistol is a concealed carry delight. It is much thinner than the 1911, and the grip is much shorter top to bottom, which is the hard part of concealed carry.

 

[kokapelli]

I had a couple of Toks in 9mm and really liked the pistol, but there are way, way better choices for a primary weapon.

As for 7.62X25 ammo, sure it's cheap and plentiful right now, but that's not going to last. There was all kinds of cheap 380 ammo available from European countries, but since they don't use 380 for police or military anymore, that ammo has dried up and the same thing will happen to 7.62X25, but worse, because there are very few guns that use that caliber.

If I had some extra money laying around, I'd definitely like a 7.62X25 tok, but just for fun and as a primary.

 

[kingpin008]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I'll definitely check out that link, Mastiff. Currently, if/when I get one, it'll only be for range use, since CCW is virtually non-existant in MD anyhow. :banghead:

And I definitely hear ya on the ammo argument, Kokopelli - part of why getting one now is so attractive is because next to .22, it seems like one of the cheapest rounds out there currently. When/if I end up buying one, I'll also be buying at least 3-4 spam cans of the surplus stuff to go along with it. I figure that way, I've got some ammo to spare and if I ever decide to start reloading, I'll have plenty of brass to start with.

 

[Mastiff]

I use these as primaries both because I am very cheap and I have extremely small hands. I can not shoot a double stack 9mm, not even the Hi-Power. I can barely reach the trigger on my 1911. As for double action, forget it! Follow that up with how accurate and reliable these pistols are, plus the option of firing .38 Super or 9x23 Winchester as well as the 9x19 and the 7.62x25 with a simple barrel change (sometimes you need to change the barrel bushing also, it depends on the pistol you have).
With the 9x23 Winchester you get .357 Magnum power in a smaller, easily concealed auto-loader with 8+1 capacity, less recoil and less muzzle blast.
With the 9x19 you get access to unlimited brass if you reload, and you can buy it off the shelf anywhere.
With the 7.62 you get one honking round that can defeat Level II body armor. At 10 cents a round you can stock up on thousands of rounds with the $$ you would save on a more modern pistol.
Sometimes newer isn't necessarily better.

 

[wally]

I'll also be buying at least 3-4 spam cans of the surplus stuff to go along with it. I figure that way, I've got some ammo to spare and if I ever decide to start reloading, I'll have plenty of brass

I don't think any of the surplus "spam can" ammo is reloadable. Its also corrosive.

--wally.

 

[kingpin008]

Is it? I'll have to double-check. Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[tinygnat219]

I have a Russian without the ATF add on safety, and I have a Romanian with the Add on safety as well. Both are fun little guns to take to the range. Just watch out for hammer bite! My webbing between the thumb and the index finger got caught once. It STINGS! The Russian was 350.00, and the Romanian was 289.00 (before it was declared C&R). I am happy with both and recommend them. They are easy to disassemble and frighteningly tough.

Also, surplus ammo is cheap right now, so you can stock up on it. Just remember, it's CORROSIVE and Berdan Primed. The best stuff out there is the Romanian Surplus. Skip the Bulgarian stuff it's got hard primers. S&B also makes the new stuff. Don't get the Winchester stuff, it's the same round as S&B (since Winchester buys it from them) and is 4-5 dollars higher a box.

What's not to like?

Just DON'T use these as carry guns. These are SA pistols with no safeties originally built into the guns.

 

[Mastiff]

The original safety the Communists used was the half-cock position. They were not big on adding stuff to their guns that were not needed. Half cock works quite well as a safety. You can not fire the gun with it in the half cock position, and I drop tested it with a primed case in the chamber. I couldn't get it to shoot.
I can't carry in Illinois, but I have no qualms about carrying it when and if I get to a state where it is legal.

 

[bdfinst]

I had a Chinese in 9mm. I had to stand within slapping range of the target to get it to hit paper. I sold it for what I had in it, s no loss.

 

[tinygnat219]

bdfinst,

I had a Chinese in 9mm. I had to stand within slapping range of the target to get it to hit paper. I sold it for what I had in it, s no loss.

Interesting. I can bullseye womp-rats in my T-16 at 25 yards with mine in the original chambering.

 

[Teapot]

I have a Norinco Model 54 and have just ordered a Soviet Tok made in 1942 and made in Izhevsk. It has black plastic grips. I have also ordered two more Norinco Model 54's and 4,560 rnds of 7.62x25 Czech Bxn 53
I cracked the bushing on my Tok after 2,000 rnds. Nothing spectacular just a hairline crack. Due to the warranty I was sent another. The bushing was rather bent when it came with the pistol so I suspect that caused the cracking and not the hot ammo. Moreover there were two small inclusions in the bushing and the crack zigged first to the one and then zagged to the other. So the bushing was to blame.

I truly love these little pistols and find myself shooting them almost exclusively. At first the sights are difficult to shoot accurately but after one gets use to them all is good. Indeed, being so careful in following my principles of marksmanship when shooting the Tok (have to otherwise I don't hit anything) has greatly improved my shooting ability with my Glock and 1911. What a great consequence of Tokarev shooting!

They are great pistols and I prefer them to my other pistols. I will be getting a Burris Fast Fire and the appropriate mount for my present Tok. It shoots well at 50 yards. Indeed the time lapse between the 'bang' of the round and the 'ting' of the metal plate being hit at 50 is almost non-existant. A good long distance round for a pistol that is to say.