P1 vs TT33
- Thread starter MiG25
- Start date
I picked up both a P1 and TT33 from TEC. Am very impressed with the condition of both considering they are used/surplus. TECs description good/excellent is right on. If I was to chose only one it would be the TT33 and find a 9mm barrel for it (they are out there, I found one). 7.62X25 is really cheap center fire shooting when available. When 7.62 pickings are slim switch to 9mm.
Last edited:
P1s have an aluminum alloy frame and a tendency to crack the frame if fired quite a lot. If you plan just shooting occasionally (as I do with mine), no problem (as long as the previous owner didn't shoot it to oblivion). If you can, find one with the hexagonal pin in the foreward frame, put there specifically to counteract the tendency to crack. The P4s (P1s with slightly shorter barrels) all have that pin. The all-steel P38 doesn't have this problem.
Like GNM I bought a P1 and TT33 from Tradex, actually my first two centre fire pistols. The P1 was intially more difficult for me to shoot accurately than the TT33, I've since improved with practice. I still shoot the TT33 better. The TT33 is louder. The P1 seems to me better quality. Both are relatively easy to field strip to clean. The TT33 ammo is very cheap, but corrosive and can be scarce.
I would choose the P1, as carbide dies are available in 9mm, which makes for less work reloading. Keep in mind that surplus supplies of 7.62x25 will dry up eventually and that some indoor ranges do not permit steel cored or steel jacketed bullets.
P1/tt33
I could not disagree more
P1 or P38
CONS:
-They are not accurate bulleyes pistol it's hard to hit less than 6" at 15 yards & most of the time they tend to shoot very low. These are SERVICE pistol only
-Aluminum frame can be damage with sustain fire or +P ammo but goeas fine with normal load, hex pin frame are also better
PRO:
-Double action
-Smooth cycling
-Full sized grip
-Easy to find 9mm & easy to reload with carbide dies
TT33
CONS:
-clunky mecanism
-no safety
-small grips
-small sights
PROS:
-when availble milsurp ammo is cheap
-surpringly accurate for a service pistol
-mostly indestructible
Switching barrel on TT33 is also a good idea but you also need a 9mm barrel bushing & at least one 9mm magazine
both are fun to shoot.
Larry"Caporal"Marcotte
I could not disagree more
P1 or P38
CONS:
-They are not accurate bulleyes pistol it's hard to hit less than 6" at 15 yards & most of the time they tend to shoot very low. These are SERVICE pistol only
-Aluminum frame can be damage with sustain fire or +P ammo but goeas fine with normal load, hex pin frame are also better
PRO:
-Double action
-Smooth cycling
-Full sized grip
-Easy to find 9mm & easy to reload with carbide dies
TT33
CONS:
-clunky mecanism
-no safety
-small grips
-small sights
PROS:
-when availble milsurp ammo is cheap
-surpringly accurate for a service pistol
-mostly indestructible
Switching barrel on TT33 is also a good idea but you also need a 9mm barrel bushing & at least one 9mm magazine
both are fun to shoot.
Larry"Caporal"Marcotte
Architect_SA
Member
- Location
- Hamilton, Ontario
I would go with a P1, personally. 7.62x25 is too rare for my tastes. I wouldn't buy a gun who's ammo isn't readily available (I made an exception for the K98).
I just picked up a nice P1 from Gunnar at ARMco ( site sponsor ) - first impressions are that it is a very well made firearm. The alloy frame is, of course, a bit light which makes the pistol feel a tad top heavy because of the steel fat slide but with a full mag in the well the balance should be much better. Very precise machining - really doesn't feel like a military service piece more like a well made civilian gun. Haven't fired it yet but looking forward to doing so. Walther has always made good stuff and is a European premium brand, Germans ain't known for making bad stuff, 9mm is available pretty much most places and it is relatively inexpensive.
