Tokarev 9mm conversion question - Do you NEED to change the magazine?

[WardenWolf]

I'm wanting to buy the parts to convert my Tokarev to 9mm. However, I'm confused as to whether you actually have to replace the magazine with a 9mm model. As near as I can tell, a 9mm round will fit quite well in the original 7.62x25 magazines, and since the feed lips are in the hammer assembly rather than the magazine it really shouldn't matter. I don't have a 9x19 round laying around to test it with, but I was able to fit a 9x18 round in the magazine perfectly. Can anyone tell me, definitively, whether or not the original 7.62x25 magazine will work properly with the 9mm rounds?

 

[harmon rabb]

better question - WHY on earth would you do this? do you like paying 4x the cost for ammo?

 

[keyboard commando]

magazine

The magazine will work with both the 9mm and the 7.62 x 25...

 

[makarovnik]

You don't need to change the mag. You can hear/feel the rounds flopping around back and forth in the mag but they feed just fine. At least it worked in my TT-33.

 

[WardenWolf]

Thanks for the info. I'm mostly just wanting the ability to shoot 9mm, although I'll probably keep it 7.62x25 most of the time. The only problem now is finding a 9mm barrel bushing. Anyone got a lead on one of those? I could buy the 9mm compensator for it, but that's rather expensive.

 

[Mastiff]

I have had no problems firing 9x19 Luger in the 7.62x25 magazines. I bought 6 9mm barrels from Brownell's years ago. I converted a couple of them to fire the 9x23 Winchester round. Since the price of the case is so high, I roll my own from once fired 223 brass *(2 cents a case). It is the equivalent of the 357 Magnum round.
I recently bought 2 more Yugo Toks from SOG during their $189 sale. I wanted to convert them also, but I was unable to find a dealer selling the barrels. I've been thinking about firing up the lathe and try making some myself. I've never made a barrel before, so this may take me a while:banghead:.

 

[wnycollector]

Wardenwolf, I may be able to help you with your conversion. I PMed you with the specifics.

 

[wally]

You can use your 7.62x25 mags if they work well enough for you. They make the 9mm Tokarev mags which are just a shorter follower and a spacer, so I suspect enough guns had problems it was cheaper to mod the mags than hassle with the complaints.

Non-corrosive 7.62x25 is not-common and not cheap, so if you don't want to shoot corrosive ammo, the 9mm conversion does make some sense. Back in the late 80's early 90's Tokarevs converted to 9mm were pretty common and many were available with both 9mm & 7.62 barrels and mags as a package deal, as were the CZ-52.