Anyone who's in the market for a semi-auto pistol has probably seen at least one or more of these pistols sitting down on the "affordable" rack in any given gunshop pistol showcase....you know, those "less expensive" models that are generally overlooked when one is drooling over the latest version "wonder-nine" to hit the market. 8-) Compared to these upscale pistols the "Tokarev" models aren't that impressive....9mm Luger versions hold 8+1 rounds in a single-stack magazine. The pistols are sturdy, all- steel single-actions of unremarkable appearance....most consider "Tokarev" design dated and somewhat ugly, but it is affordable and comes in several useful calibers....9mm Luger and 7.62x25mm, for example.
First a little history....please bear with me; much of the following is taken from an article "From China With Love" by Gary Paul Johnston found in the February 1995 issue of _Modern Gun_.
In 1930, while working at the Soviet Tula Arsenal, Russian arms designer Fedor V. Tokarev, conceived the pistol which bears his name. The gun was chambered for the Soviet version of the 7.63mm Mauser (7.62x25mm) cartridge. The Tokarev pistol was officially adapted in 1933 as the Tula Tokarev pistol Model of 1933 (TTM1933....also called TT33) and served the USSR faithfully for over 40 years in both active and reserve military service.
The Tokarev resembles the old Colt Model 1902 Military or 1903 Pocket Model in .32ACP/.38ACP, but the similarity is only external. Firing a much more powerful round, the Tokarev is not a simple blowback operation; it uses the conventional Browning short recoil system where the barrel and are locked together during the first fraction of an inch of travel, when high pressures are present. The recoil spring, its guide and bushing are similar to those of the Colt Model 1911. Field strip of TT33 is very much like Colt M1911.
It is interesting to note that there is no manual safety on the TT33 except for a safety notch on the hammer....ideal for condition one carry... not!!
The Tokarev TT33 was made and issued in Hungary as the Model 48, and in Communist China as Type 51. In 1958, the Hungarian arsenal of Fegyvergyan, at Budapest, developed a variation of the Tokarev for the Egyptian Police. This gun was chambered for 9mm Luger cartridge and was called the Tokagypt 58. It also differed from the standard Tokarev in its wrap-around stocks and the addition of a positive thumb safety located at the upper left rear of the receiver. The PRC, quick to spot a good thing, copied the Tokagypt features to their Type 51, creating a new model....the Type 54.
So much for history....how do "Tokarev" models fit into our market today?
For some time Norinco (subsiderary of the PRC's China North Industries) imported their clone version of the Tokarev in several types and calibers. When I bought mine several years ago it was called the Norinco 213-B, it came with wrap-around stocks (cloned from Tokagypt) and in 9mm Luger. At that time price ran $139+ tax....not a bad price for a NIB service/combat style pistol. Recently I've seen newer Norinco 213's, also in 9mm Luger, but without the wrap-around stocks....they have standard straight stocks and standard magazines. My magazines came with plastic finger forms at the bottom that enhanced the grip and control of the pistol, along with the previously mention wrap-around stocks...new 213's lack these features. Not really sure why, however it's well know Norinco changes models and/or features at the drop of a hat....China North Industries operations are sometimes a great mystery to me, and to many others I'm sure.
Norinco also offers a Tokarev Model 54-1 in the original 7.62x25mm for those who want that caliber....pistol is identical to the 213. Price on both types has fluctuated up 'n down over last year or two but generally run between $119 to $149+ tax.
Now there is a new kid in town....the ORIGINAL Soviet TT pistols are being imported. They are in original 7.62x25mm caliber and sell for right around $100+ tax. Note that these do come with a manual safety....this was added so that they could be imported under our rather arcane import laws.
Someone looking for an inexpensive 9mm Luger or 7.62x25mmm semi-auto pistol for recreational shooting (BTW...these aren't match pistols...'nuff said) or glove box backup can go with a NIB Chinese "Tokarev" 213 (9mm) or 54-1 (7.62x25mm) --or- choose a used, genuine Soviet TT in 7.62x25mm (with a retro-fitted safety, of course).
My Norinco 213-B wouldn't shoot reliably with anything except 9mm hardball at first, but after "wearing in" it shoots just about anything I feed thru these days with very little fuss. But let's be honest about it, all of these "Tokarev" models are plain vanilla, single-action combat pistols... they were designed to work best with *standard TMJ hardball* ammunition. IMO these Tokarev pistols are fun to shoot and are surprisingly accurate as service pistols go. One could even use one as a "carry" pistol in a pinch, as long as you recognized its limitations. Or as Gary P. Johnston summed up in his article concerning the Chinese clone "Tokarevs"......
"They are slightly modified versions of the original Tokarev pistol, and they seem to work about as well. They are suitable for collecting or plinking, and will serve for defensive purposes if you are so inclined to stake your life on them. As far as any customizing, forget it."
It seems a fair and honest appraisal to me....your mileage may vary. One shouldn't forget the Tokarev was the GI issue service pistol from early 1930's until as recent as 1970's in many Communist Block countries.
It gave yeoman service to its owners throughout this period.