We have started a lot of new shooters at our club. .22 handguns are superior learning tools, and are preferable to centerfire. Something like the M&P .22 or Glock with a conversion kit is an excellent starter, and facilitates the transition to centerfire.
Tokarev TT33 any good for first gun?
- Thread starter Philip 1911
- Start date
To the OP
At this point you're probably pretty confused as to what to think. There are almost as many proponents of the Tokarev for a first pistol as there are detractors.
The best thing now is to see if you have access to some handguns that you can try in as many different calibers as possible including the Tokarev. Range rentals would be a good place to start. Good Luck!!
At this point you're probably pretty confused as to what to think. There are almost as many proponents of the Tokarev for a first pistol as there are detractors.
The best thing now is to see if you have access to some handguns that you can try in as many different calibers as possible including the Tokarev. Range rentals would be a good place to start. Good Luck!!
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I learned with a 22LR and IMHO it is the best for new shooters. It teaches sight alignment and grip/trigger control without worrying about any recoil.
Phat Eagle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Fraser Valley, BC
As others have said, probably not the BEST first pistol even though they are a lot of fun... Ergos suck, trigger is lacking, sights are tiny, super snappy round, cheap ammo is no longer around. As edgy suggested, consider a used M&P9 or Walther PPX for a cheap first pistol.
Slipnslide
CGN Regular
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
I bought one as my first pistol and absolutely hated it. Really turned me off handguns for awhile as my impression was they were hard and not fun to shoot. Eventually shot my buddies 92fs and loved it. I still have the Tok but it doesn't get much use. Maybe like once a year if I take someone to the range with me and want to show all my handguns.
It would also rust overnight. Took it to the range and didn't clean it until the next day, it had a very light patina beginning on the slide and around the grip. It was a very hot, humid day though and I shot a bunch of rounds out of it.
I bought it when it was like 200 bucks all in. I wouldn't pay upwards of the 400 they seem to be going for now.
It would also rust overnight. Took it to the range and didn't clean it until the next day, it had a very light patina beginning on the slide and around the grip. It was a very hot, humid day though and I shot a bunch of rounds out of it.
I bought it when it was like 200 bucks all in. I wouldn't pay upwards of the 400 they seem to be going for now.
Best not as a first. I picked up a GSG 1911 22 and a S&W M&P 9mm as my first handguns, and they've been great for me, and for teaching others to shoot. I have friends who've owned Tokarevs and said for how much money people are asking for them now, not worth it.
Just like some old cars, sometimes its better if someone else owns them.
Just like some old cars, sometimes its better if someone else owns them.
When I first shot about a tt33 15 years ago I constantly made less than 3 inches groups perfectly centered in a 6 or 8 inches target at 15 yard with surplus ammo and of course a good rest.
For lest then 180$ at this time and with ammo at 0.10 each was made best deal ever...
For lest then 180$ at this time and with ammo at 0.10 each was made best deal ever...
My first gun was a Norinco M213 9mm (basically a TT33) and if I was to do it again I would of chosen a different gun. I have nothing against starting off with a 9mm but you need something with a decent trigger that has a constant trigger travel and pull. It will help alot
Mine was a 213 too. What a pos. Its sprayed everywhere. Even a friend who had guns for years couldn't hit the target with it. Some say they are good. But mine was ####.
I cant say enough good things about the gsg1911.
I bought a hi power as my second pistol...and I can stay on target now.
I cant say enough good things about the gsg1911.
I bought a hi power as my second pistol...and I can stay on target now.
Nope. We have had members at our club who bought these as their first gun; some of which only came out a couple times, and gave up. Either could not hit paper at 20 yards, or were scared of it. Not the pistol to learn to shoot with. We not only want to bring people to the sport, we want to keep them.
Still alive
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rainy mosquito infested part of BC
Its decent enough to group but the Chinese one I tried from another CGNer, bought new from Marstar, went FA on its first time out! It was quite funny actually!
Ironically it was his first handgun too. I don't think he owns it anymore.
Well.. I kinda think of alternate logic here. I remember my IPSC teacher once told me that if I can master the Glock17 factory I might have an easier than to adopt to another pistol compare to my training buddy who starts right off with the Shadow2. So same logic IFF you can shoot the TT-33 good you probably have good fundamentals =P Well.. how to get there ... is another question LOL.
My first gun is a Beretta 92 and I will stand by it being one of the best shooting mass produced gun ever made but I also was intrigued by the history, mystique, the thinnest and price point of the Tokarev. I wanted a copy in 9mm and did a bunch of research on the Norinco and decided to go for the Zastava m70a1. Zasatava made the m70a1 along side the TT so I figured that it was as close to the original as I can get in a 9mm and at $230 for a brand new pistol, I was not disappointed.
But if I was getting my first pistol I would not get a .22 because I feel that a cheap .22 is a waste of money. It will have all sorts of reliability problems and in the end it will just frustrate the heck out of you. A good .22 like a Ruger mk iv or a Browning 1911-22 is ideal because they will eat everything but their price point begins at $600. You could get reliable 9mm for a fraction of that price. The Tokarev prices a hard to beat but Norinco comes pretty close. You could get a Sig clone for under $300 and that is including tax. The pricing on the Girsan mc28 is not too bad at $330 but if you are planning to go stricker fire anyways, for a few dollars more you would be in to the S&W sd9ve. If you are counting your pennies, Torks are pretty hard to beat, especially one in 9mm.
OP I’d like to share some of my experience and thoughts.
Started with 2 Tokarev (Russian & Chinese type 54 KSI Pomona CA)
Didn’t know much about pistols and different pistol caliber. Prior to that only had couple of rifle experiences and jump started pistol with Tokarev.
Because I didn’t know, everything was normal to me. Every time trigger is pulled, it was breathing fire like a dragon and made relatively big fireball. It was pure fun to shoot.
Then tried 9mm handgun made of polymer. Wow it felt feather light, compared to full metal frame Tok.
Aimed then pulled trigger and experienced quite different feeling. It felt rather snappy. Less recoil, less bang, and there was no fireball.
Next was 45 ACP 1911 STI. Full metal like Tok. Again it felt totally different. It was not snappy at all.
Medium to light heavy weight power travelling through your arm and all the way to my back.
It was fun. Different fun.
Next was 38 Special. Heavy revolver. It had light recoil and was fun to shoot. Didn’t feel snappy.
Next was 357 Mag. Same gun. Different recoil. Not snappy but felt it’s got some power.
Next was 357 Sig polymer gun. It was very very snappy. Din’t enjoy.
Realized lighter the gun more snappy they could be, and requires/ demands some good amount of practise. On the flip side, heavier the gun less recoil could be felt, and could practise while having fun.
Next was 1911 in 22lr.
No recoil at all, and ammo is real cheap.
Can shoot and hit anywhere you want within reasonable distance, but always felt something is missing. Going through 150-200 round quick, and the thirst is still there.
Then Another 1911…….etc
Perhaps, I started with Tokarev which is made of metal and heavy, I still like to shoot metal guns over polymer, and prefers single action over others.
These days, often times, ,at the range, I would start with 22lr in 1911, then finish with Tokarev.
22lr is for concentration, accuracy practise, and practise in general. Not much fun there though.
7.62x25, for me, is for pure fun. Big fireball, loud bang, and recoil that is in between 9mm and 357 Mag.
(Correct me if I am wrong, I read sometime ago that 7.62x25 is very similar to now forgotten 327 Magnum)
At least for me fun factor is significantly important, unless I am training for a competition.
For Tokarev,
Type 54 KSI Pomona version has nice trigger pull compared to Russian. (I would say same of better feeling than double action guns and 75% of $2000 single action gun…)
Muzzle break is cheap and does help with recoil. (Also creates bigger fire ball….like fire spitting dragon)
After market grips are available and makes night and day difference.
Commercial ammo is more money to shoot but more accurate.
Started with 2 Tokarev (Russian & Chinese type 54 KSI Pomona CA)
Didn’t know much about pistols and different pistol caliber. Prior to that only had couple of rifle experiences and jump started pistol with Tokarev.
Because I didn’t know, everything was normal to me. Every time trigger is pulled, it was breathing fire like a dragon and made relatively big fireball. It was pure fun to shoot.
Then tried 9mm handgun made of polymer. Wow it felt feather light, compared to full metal frame Tok.
Aimed then pulled trigger and experienced quite different feeling. It felt rather snappy. Less recoil, less bang, and there was no fireball.
Next was 45 ACP 1911 STI. Full metal like Tok. Again it felt totally different. It was not snappy at all.
Medium to light heavy weight power travelling through your arm and all the way to my back.
It was fun. Different fun.
Next was 38 Special. Heavy revolver. It had light recoil and was fun to shoot. Didn’t feel snappy.
Next was 357 Mag. Same gun. Different recoil. Not snappy but felt it’s got some power.
Next was 357 Sig polymer gun. It was very very snappy. Din’t enjoy.
Realized lighter the gun more snappy they could be, and requires/ demands some good amount of practise. On the flip side, heavier the gun less recoil could be felt, and could practise while having fun.
Next was 1911 in 22lr.
No recoil at all, and ammo is real cheap.
Can shoot and hit anywhere you want within reasonable distance, but always felt something is missing. Going through 150-200 round quick, and the thirst is still there.
Then Another 1911…….etc
Perhaps, I started with Tokarev which is made of metal and heavy, I still like to shoot metal guns over polymer, and prefers single action over others.
These days, often times, ,at the range, I would start with 22lr in 1911, then finish with Tokarev.
22lr is for concentration, accuracy practise, and practise in general. Not much fun there though.
7.62x25, for me, is for pure fun. Big fireball, loud bang, and recoil that is in between 9mm and 357 Mag.
(Correct me if I am wrong, I read sometime ago that 7.62x25 is very similar to now forgotten 327 Magnum)
At least for me fun factor is significantly important, unless I am training for a competition.
For Tokarev,
Type 54 KSI Pomona version has nice trigger pull compared to Russian. (I would say same of better feeling than double action guns and 75% of $2000 single action gun…)
Muzzle break is cheap and does help with recoil. (Also creates bigger fire ball….like fire spitting dragon)
After market grips are available and makes night and day difference.
Commercial ammo is more money to shoot but more accurate.
I have an unnisued Polish Tok and case of Czech ammo and found it very accurate especially @ 100yds and was able to hit the 12" gong almost every time. Mind you I've been shooting handguns since the 1970's. For a beginner it might be fun, but the sights are not the easiest and I did a trigger job on it. Most people buy them for collection.
