Rear Target Sight On a TT33

Cowboyfireman

Cowboyfireman

Member
Rating - 100%
46   0   0
Location
South of Cowgary
I have recently become a fan of the Russian TT33 (Mainly because it's also known as the Russian 1911) and I was wondering if anyone has previously installed a rear target sight on one. I was discouraged by one gunsmith who said machining out the dovetail may result in grinding through to the bolt mechanism. I told him I would assume all responsibility and if my plan resulted in a ruined slide I knew where I could get a another one for $200...and which point he gave me a look as if to say, "I don't work on 200 dollar guns". Any help appreciated.
 
Buy a real gun. Why waste your time and money trying to polish a turd? It's not a target gun by any means, so don't try and make it into one. In fact, you will spend more money on the sight and work being done than the gun is worth, and it will still perform just as dismally as it did before spending all that money.
 
Cowboyfireman said:
I have recently become a fan of the Russian TT33 (Mainly because it's also known as the Russian 1911) and I was wondering if anyone has previously installed a rear target sight on one. I was discouraged by one gunsmith who said machining out the dovetail may result in grinding through to the bolt mechanism. I told him I would assume all responsibility and if my plan resulted in a ruined slide I knew where I could get a another one for $200...and which point he gave me a look as if to say, "I don't work on 200 dollar guns". Any help appreciated.
Click to expand...

Buy the sight you want with a larger dovetail; have your gunsmith (or local machinist) mill the dovetail to fit your slide
 
Blastattack said:
Buy a real gun. Why waste your time and money trying to polish a turd? It's not a target gun by any means, so don't try and make it into one. In fact, you will spend more money on the sight and work being done than the gun is worth, and it will still perform just as dismally as it did before spending all that money.
Click to expand...

That's a little harsh, but OP, maybe try something like this first...You can do it yourself with a Dremel tool and some high viz paint. Be sure to check out the TT stickey in the Pistols & Revolver sub-forum.
The TT-style pistols are great for do it yourselfers, not so good if you have to take it in to have work done.
View attachment 96230
 
Last edited:
As machman said, you can improve the sight yourself: I used a very small file to open up the corners of the U-shaped rear sight, so that the U became squared off at the bottom.
 
It sounds like your gunsmith is too high brow to take a working man's money.

Time to find a new Smith whose world includes people who don't hunt in Africa and don't shoot trap.
 
Cowboyfireman said:
I have recently become a fan of the Russian TT33 (Mainly because it's also known as the Russian 1911) and I was wondering if anyone has previously installed a rear target sight on one. I was discouraged by one gunsmith who said machining out the dovetail may result in grinding through to the bolt mechanism. I told him I would assume all responsibility and if my plan resulted in a ruined slide I knew where I could get a another one for $200...and which point he gave me a look as if to say, "I don't work on 200 dollar guns". Any help appreciated.
Click to expand...

If you want a target pistol, you would be better off with buying one. TT-33 is military pistol from previous century, not a modern target pistol. It is what it is, worth collecting and shooting as it is.

Blastattack said:
Buy a real gun. Why waste your time and money trying to polish a turd?
Click to expand...

What is real gun? These "unreal" TT-33s killed more than anything you can suggest as "real gun".
 
The TT-33 is far from inaccurate at least my Polish one is bang on with the issue sights.Harold
 
Last edited:
Blastattack said:
Buy a real gun. Why waste your time and money trying to polish a turd? It's not a target gun by any means, so don't try and make it into one. In fact, you will spend more money on the sight and work being done than the gun is worth, and it will still perform just as dismally as it did before spending all that money.
Click to expand...

I am sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with the TT33...or did you? I too used to think a TT33 was a waste of $200. I told many people "Look, they're dirty, ugly, noisy, have no safety, and are held together with a roller chain connector clip. Why would anyone buy one?" Then I read about how they came to be and thought "Even if I never shoot it it'd be cool to have another John Browning inspired gun." I bought one and it came with a couple of boxes of 40 rounds, the sight was off to the right but with a few hard taps I got it on target and discovered it was sighted in for about 75 yards, but like my Grandfather always said "It's easier to aim low than to aim high." I have seen many expensive S&W and Colt revolvers in .357 or .44 magnum struggle to knock down heavy chest sized steel plates but my TT33 does it with ease hitting anywhere above the top 1/2 of the target. I have since purchased a compensator bushing and fashioned my own target grips for it. I appreciate your concern for my financial well being but in conclusion Mr. Blastattic, I'll leave you with some advice Johnny Carson (descendant of Kit Carson) gave "Never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes. By then you will be a mile away and he will have no shoes."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom