Sometimes a firearm gem is found by accident. Such is the case with the Century International Arms Polish TTC semiautomatic pistol chambered in 7.62×25. It is a “Made in Poland” Tokarev TT-33. The Poles used wz48 nomenclature for their Tokarev version. Many of the Russian/Soviet designs are coming to be better appreciated since the Cold War and may be a result of the easing of import restrictions allowing for easier access; thus more familiarity as the decades have passed since the late early 1990s.

The Tokarev TT-33 was adopted in 1933 to replace the aging Nagant 1895 revolvers in Soviet service. An earlier variant, the TT-30, was originally adopted in 1930, but design changes were incorporated involving the trigger, barrel, omission of the removable backstrap, and frame to simplify production that led to the change of nomenclature to TT-33. For reference sake, the Tokarev blends exterior aesthetics of the 1903 Browning with internal workings of the Browning 1911. The pistol is a single-action, semiautomatic, recoil operated weapon patterned after Browning’s swinging link design, but modified in the Tokarev to simplify production. Essentially, the barrel and slide are locked together for a fraction of an inch during recoil allowing for the bullet to exit and pressures to drop before the empty case is extracted and ejected. The Tokarev is not a direct copy of Browning’s design and exhibits unique features of its own. The Tokarev’s trigger assembly is a modular unit and has locking lugs the full circumference of the barrel compared to only the top of the barrel in the 1911. Most semiautomatic reliability issues stem from defects in the magazine. This is addressed in the Tokarev design with cartridge feed lips machined into the receiver versus the magazine to enhance reliability and prevent damage that occurs when magazines are slammed home. The Polish TTC is fed from an eight-round single stack magazine and weighs 30 ounces with an overall length of 7.6 inches and a 4.6 inch barrel. The TTC’s width is less than that of the iconic 1911. Grip width is often commented on as being important for carryability and allowing for people with smaller hands to hold comfortably.

The Tokarev was the issue handgun for Soviet officers during World War II though many Nagant revolvers were still in use. The Tokarev fires the bottlenecked 7.62×25 cartridge, which is very similar to the German .30 cal. Mauser Automatic 7.63×25 design. The 7.62×25 was also used with the PPSh-41 submachine gun and other weapons in the Soviet armed forces. Sources report that German troops frequently used Tokarevs picked up on the battlefield. The purported interchangeability between the Soviet and German rounds further encouraged this practice. This is cautioned against since the Soviet 7.62×25 cartridge is loaded to higher pressures compared to the German round. The Tokarev’s proven ability to function under the harsh conditions of the Eastern Front was appreciated then by soldiers on both sides and now by collectors.

Ballistics are eye opening with 85-90gr bullets accelerated to 1,300+fps. The round had a reputation for potency compared to other contemporary pistol cartridges of its era and even now is capable of penetrating modern soft body armor due to its high velocity. The Tokarev’s reputation for reliability, accuracy, and lethality was proven in the greatest land conflict of the 20th Century. The Tokarev stayed in service with the Soviets until 1952 when it was officially replaced by the Makorav. The Tokarev could still be found in use with Soviet armed forces in the 1960s and Soviet Police into the 1970s. It is still in service with North Korea and China. Versions of the Tokarev were manufactured in Poland, China, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Romania, North Korea, and Egypt.

Two of the most common complaints of the original design were the lack of manual safety and grip angle. The Polish Tokarev version imported by Century has a manual thumb safety retrofitted on the frame behind the trigger to satisfy import regulations. The installed safety is a simple trigger block and is done in a fashion better than most safety add-on modifications that can be found on various other versions of Tokarev imports. Grip angle, while different than a 1911 or Glock, was not problematic during testing and evaluation. The only grip issue detected was the tendency for the hammer/slide to come into light contact with webbing around the thumb of the firing hand. This was only noticed after shooting several magazines and was remedied with a shooting glove. Importantly, the Polish Tokarev’s functionality was not compromised. The TTC was put thru the same regimen of testing as any other handguns evaluated. Century includes two magazines with the TTC and a leather holster with chest strap that also allows for spare magazine to be carried. Recoil/muzzle blast was as expected with any handgun sending rounds downrange at 1,350+fps.

. Multiple range visits over several months taking advantage of inexpensive surplus ammunition and affordable Wolf Ammunition 85gr 7.62×25 in both FMJ and JHP configurations produced no malfunctions with over 900 rounds fired. The Tokarev seemed to always find its way to the range no matter what was being tested with a few magazines fired with it. The inexpensive surplus ammunition supply is a major factor in the upsurge of popularity with the Polish TTC handguns. Solid reliability and surprising accuracy only reinforces this trend as word is spread about what is being received for well under $300.

The Polish TTC handled numerous runs through handgun courses designed for competitors using more modern pistols without an issue. Holsters designed to handle a 1911 served to carry the TTC during range visits. This worked as long as holsters were not custom or form fitted for the 1911 profile. The TTC’s magazines were not drop free, but once this was determined reloads went smoothly. The basic U-notch rear and small, narrow bladed front sight gave a decent sight picture as plate racks, steel poppers, and paper silhouette targets were engaged. The narrow front blade proved an asset in longer range shooting as daylight was still present on either side of the front sight in the rear notch allowing for a way to gauge hold better than the three-dot configurations commonly found on more modern handguns. Accuracy was impressive both in terms of group size and effective engagement distances. A steady two-handed hold combined with slow fire produced constant hits on steel popper targets at 50 yards. This is a combination of flat shooting ballistics and solid design and construction.

Take-down of the wz48/TTC is very similar to anyone familiar with a bushing barreled 1911 barrel design. Cleaning was a simple matter with no idiosyncrasies. The Century Arms TTC proved a pleasant surprise along with the potency of the 7.62×25 cartridge. Everyone with an interest in owning an operating piece of history is encouraged to try a Century Arms TTC offering for themselves.

Sites of Interest

Century International Arms
430 South Congress Ave. Suite 1
Delray Beach, FL 33445
(800) 527-1252
www.centuryarms.com

Wolf Ammunition
PO Box 757
Placentia, CA 92871
(888) 757-9653
www.wolfammo.com

The caliber of the new pistol has been subject to discussion. The service handgun at the time was a .30 caliber, and not a very strong one. The concept that the caliber was selected so that the same machinery could be used to rifle both pistol and rifle barrels is unlikely. It’s more plausible that the popularity of the Mauser pistol and stores of 7.63mm Mauser ammunition made the adoption of the Tokarev in caliber 7.62mm more acceptable. The Tokarev shot flat at longer range than the 7.63mm Mauser round and had plenty of penetration against soldier’s web gear. It would eventually prove an acceptable submachinegun cartridge.

The TT33 has always been given high marks for reliability and handling in service. The Soviets and most other Europeans regarded the pistol as a badge of office, used to direct troops and for personal protection. The Tokarev was as good as any. Only the High Power and the M1911 were superior among World-War-II service handguns. The TT33 gave good service during the Great Patriotic War. After the defeat of the Third Reich, Soviet satellite nations produced the pistol. Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and China produced the Tokarev in substantial numbers. When Egypt was in the thrall of the Soviets, the Tokegypt was manufactured in the old United Arab Republic. This pistol was exported as the Firebird. This pistol was a favorite of the Soviet sponsored terrorist band known as Baader Meinhoff. Carlos the Jackal preferred the CZ 52, but this German based gang preferred the 9x19mm Parabellum Tokarev.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the old Evil Empire was hungry for cash. The Chinese followed suit as each exported great quantities of pistols. Some are old, many unissued, and numerous special variants exist. I have seen a Chinese produced variant with a high capacity magazine. The most common modifiction, other than the simple rebarreling to 9x19mm Parabellum caliber, is the concession to the US ATF point system. Intended to preclude the importation of crude ‘Saturday Night Specials’, these points are given for each step toward becoming a ‘respectable’ handgun. Sights, safety, grips and other add-ons are graded. The Tokarev has been fitted with target grips, but most modifications are limited to the addition of a safety. These safeties can be found just behind the trigger guard or just at the rear of the frame. They lock either the trigger or the hammer. The version tested for this report featured a hammer blocking safety which moves in the opposite direction of the usual Browning safety. How does the Tokarev shoot? I selected a like new example in 9x19mm Parbellum for evaluation. The pistol was in excellent condition. Fit and finish were not up to the pistols I saw brought back from Vietnam, but it was more than acceptable. The pistol was purchased for less than $150. My RCBS trigger gauge showed that trigger compression broke at 6 pounds. The sights are large and easily acquired quickly.

I have fired the original type Tokarev and expected no surprises. I had found the pistol in its original caliber fed reliably, ven with handloaded soft point ammunition. I selected a number of full metal jacket rounds for this test firing session, and a number of hollowpoints. Some of these hollowpoints featured a rounded bullet oglive which has always fed in military 9mm pistols, even the Luger. The Tokarev would prove more difficult. I lightly lubricated the pistol with Birchwood Casey gun oil and began an evaluation. The initial rounds were Wolff surplus ammunition, in keeping with the budget theme of this pistol. There were no failures to feed, chamber, fire or eject. I found the Tokarev comfortable to fire. The grip is slim and rounded, with no sharp corners. The pistol is heavy enough for a 9mm, and the pistol simply does not kick very much. Muzzle flip was light. The sights were well regulated for ball ammunition.

The Wolff ammunition was a surprise, more than worth its modest price. However, I was disappointed that the pistol would not feed hollowpoint ammunition. Even a special full metal jacket bullet, designed to expand, would not feed. It had a slight dimple in the nose. I sacrificed a magazine of my Lapua CEPP anti terrorist loads. The first bullet hung on the feed ramp. I hand fed this round. It fired and the others all fed, but this could not be counted on. Mark the Tokarev as suitable only for ball ammunition. I have polished and radiused the feed ramp on many 1911’s and could do the same on this pistol, but this is not something the average purchaser of an inexpensive pistol would wish to do.

As for accuracy, I fired several three inch seventy foot groups from the bench rest with Black Hills 124-grain ammunition. The heavy trigger was easy to manage off the bench. I would not expect I could do the same with only my arms as a platform. Just the same, the Tokarev handled smartly in combat drills. It was fast on target with little muzzle flip. It was easy to put a magazine in the X ring to ten yards. The Tokarev is easily reloaded in Browning/Colt fashion. As a must-have addition to the armory of the collector of military handguns, this gun is interesting and worthwhile. It can be fired safely and accurately and is pleasant to fire. It would not be a bad choice for introducing any shooter to center fire semi automatic handguns. As a defense gun, there are much better choices available for a few more dollars. The inefficient safety and an inability to feed hollowpoint ammunition make the 9mm Tokarev a poor choice for defense. Just the same, it is reliable and handles quickly. This is an interesting handgun well worth consideration by the handgun enthusiast of historical or practical bent.

For the serious student of firearms accurate and comprehensive works on the weapons in question are a must. When it comes to “accurate and comprehensive” Collector Grade Publications leads the way. All the other works from this publishing house have been most impressive in their content. This latest offering is no exception, it is superbly researched, written, and illustrated.

Covering the Browning Automatic Rifle, Mr. Ballou offers a comprehensive in-depth look at the B.A.R. from concept to current semi-auto copies. Starting with John Moses Browning himself, the book slowly unwinds this devastating gun’s long history. From gearing up for World War I, into the trenches, post war development, gangster use during the Roaring 20’s, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam this book covers it all. It offers a looks at the weapon itself in all its different models and variations along with their ancillary gear. The changes made over time to “improve” the B.A.R. as it gained weight are well documented. But this book offers much more than that. It offers substantial insight into the men who carried, fought with, and sometimes died with the B.A.R.. Combat reports abound, as do comments by users about what they thought of the weapon, and how quickly they tossed the bipod into the nearest ditch. Foreign variations are not ignored, and even models for the Police and FBI are covered, as are modifications performed by such notorious criminals as Clyde Barrows.

To be frank, $80 is a lot of cash for a book. However this is not your run of the mill firearms book. Extremely well illustrated it covers the B.A.R. from A to Z. If you want information on the Browning Automatic Rifle, this is your one stop shopping. I highly recommend this work, the amount of research that went into putting it together must have been staggering. If you love B.A.R.’s you’ll love this book.

1900 Luger, US Test Trials
By Michael Reese II
Published by Pioneer Press
Union City, Tennessee 38261
Library of Congress # 71-117532
Price $6.00 plus $4.50 shipping and handling
105 pages
Reviewed by Stephen Stuart

One of the most sought after variations of the Luger handgun is the 1901 US test specimens. Early in the spring of 1901 two test Lugers were bought and tested through the United States Board of Ordnance and Fortifications under Lieutenant Colonel Frank H. Phipps. After an initial test of these two pistols, he ordered a field trial to be conducted. This field trial would include a thousand model 1900 pistols, 200,000 round of ammunition and extra magazines. The first shipment arrived in October 1901.

This test trial of the Luger handgun came up with mixed results. Some commands like the pistol, others did not. These trials proceeded until finally DWM, the manufacturer of the Luger handgun stopped the trials. Some arms historians have pondered the question why they stopped the trials. Many believe that DWM would no longer put up with the requests of the US Ordnance Department. Still some say it was because DWM knew that the Luger was going to be accepted by the German Military in large numbers. In Mr. Reese’s book, 1900 Luger, he provides insight into the trials of the 1900 Luger by providing the test results of these pistols for the reader to discern what is fact and fiction. Included in the test are photos of actual surviving specimens and some of the holsters specially produced for them by Rock Island Arsenal.

Even though the photos are sometimes of poor quality and the Xeroxing of documents are a little fuzzy, the book as a whole is well worth the six bucks. It gives the reader insight into the minds of the Luger testers almost ninety years ago in their own words. It is also a wonderful piece of reference by providing the serial numbers of all the pieces actually tested. Even with some of the problems in printing I found this a worthy edition to my reference library.

The Official Soviet 7.62 mm Handgun Manual
Translation by
Major James F. Gebhardt,
U.S. Army (Ret.)
Paladin Press
P.O. Box 1307
Boulder, CO 80306
1-800-392-2400
ISBN 0-87364-907-9
$20.00 plus S&H
104 pp
Reviewed by David M. Fortier

Underneath the title it says “Instructions for use and maintenance of the Nagant 7.62 mm Revolver Type 1895 and the Tokarev 7.62 mm Semi-Automatic Pistol Type 1933” and that’s exactly what this book is. Here is a translation of the original Soviet handgun manual for these two combat pistols. The Nagant served from its adoption in 1895 to the end of the Great Patriotic War in front line Soviet service. The Tokarev served from its adoption in 1930, through its simplification in 1933, until it was replaced by the PM Makarov in the early 1950’s. Like all Soviet weapons these two handguns earned a reputation for being tough and reliable no matter the abuse they were subjected to.

Now with large quantities of these handguns in the United States there is an English translation of the Soviet manual available to the American shooter. Piece by piece identification and explanation of each parts function is given. Step by step disassembly and then assembly of the Nagant and Tokarev is given. Trouble shooting and repair work is taught. Accessories and cleaning equipment are covered, as well as ammunition. The Soviet military method of sighting the weapons in is detailed, as well as cleaning, and maintenance. The deployment of the handguns in combat is explained, not only with and without the use of cover, but even from horseback!

Anyone who owns a Nagant or Tokarev will find this manual informative and useful. The drawings (original Soviet)are excellent. The translation is extremely good and reads perfectly. Now you can have the information directly from the source on how to use and maintain your Nagant or Tokarev pistol.