Yugoslavian M57 Tokarev copy?

[A Person]

I have been thinking about getting a Yugoslavian M57 Tokarev to use as my nightstand personal defense and SHTF handgun. (Now to all admins out there please do not delete the SHTF part, as I can promise you this won't be a SHTF thread which I know you guys do not like, I was only explaining what I would use the handgun for. ) I know the 7.62x25mm is mainly produced in FMJ, which can result in overpenetration, and is not normally recommended as a defense round, but I have found something that might change that a bit: m.sportsmansguide.com/Product.aspx?a=891185&tab=1 The product is designed specifically for 7.62x25mm, appears to be easy to use, and has great reviews. Have any of you had any experience with it? Will it make the 7.62x25mm a more effective defensive round? Also, as far as the pistol itself goes, is it fairly reliable and accurate?

 

[WardenWolf]

That's a scam, I guarantee you. True hollowpoints are engineered specifically to expand. Wolf makes good hollowpoints in 7.62x25 that expand to around .45 on a soft target. Hornady also makes some VERY nice hollowpoint bullets that can be fitted if you reload. Those expand to around .50. Some people have done tests with both the Hornady and Wolf bullets against ballistic gel. Short answer: you name the organ, and it will explode it.

 

[A Person]

@ WardenWolf I have been having trouble finding any hollowpoint 7.62x25, and when I do it's overpriced. Also sportsmans guide has always been trustworthy to me, why would they bamboozle me on this product?

 

[Snowdog]

Despite what I think of the 7.62x25 (it's an excellent round), I don't consider it a round you'd want to try looking for without the aid of the internet & mail-order (read SHTF/TEOTWAWKI) unless you're stocked up and plan on staying put.

As a bed-stand pistol, I don't see why not. Ideal? Probably not. Feasible? Absolutely! I doubt it will penetrate any further through multiple layers of building material than a errant .357magnum and the like (which is still popular for HD). In terms of performance using JHP or JSP, it's certainly capable. The sights aren't exactly ideal for this use, but with practice and close ranges, point shooting should be acceptable.

Sierra 85gr SportKing JSP


And the M57 is plenty accurate for the task, as I've discovered of both my specimens.




If you're wanting a C&R defensive pistol on the cheap, I'd suggest the similarly priced CZ-82 over any Tokarev. Better sights, better trigger, better safety (all IMHO), and a few extra rounds. However, these blasty M57s pistol will put a real hurting on any intruder. I like 'em!

 

[Snowdog]

BTW, something to consider if JHPs are hard to find, would be to invest in an inexpensive Lee hand press, kinetic bullet puller, 7.62x25/.30Mauser dies and 85gr JSP bullets.

Already owning a puller and press, I went this route when it was absolutely impossible to find anything other than FMJ for the 7.62x25.

What I did was pull some of the surplus I had, use the existing primed brass and powder and load/crimp some Sierra Sport King 85gr JSP (essentially swap the military FMJ with commercial JSP). It works great! Best of all, the POI is exactly the same as the surplus I plink with. Obviously it's not as convenient as simply purchasing JSPs or JHPs, but it works for me.

 

[morcey2]

I don't know about 7.62x25, but 'hollow-pointing' most FMJ rifle rounds will result in a lead core in a copper tube with little bonding betwixt them. That can result in a jacket hung up in the bore, just waiting for the next pill to wreak havoc on the firearm.

Matt

 

[Dentite]

Snowdog,

I'm jealous of that stack of Yugo surplus. If I could go back in time...

I still have some but it won't last forever feeding my two M57s.

 

[Snowdog]

I'm down to 2000 rounds on the Yugo stuff, so when that runs dry, I have to start cracking open some of my Polish tins.

I am so glad I stocked up when I did. Not only was it available back then, but it was dirt cheap.