Surplus TT33 - Tokarev as first pistol?

I've actually shot 9mm and 45 a few times I'm just taking it upon myself to do everything right from the start. Now, I don't really like 1911's that much(I know you can flame me later), is there a similar.22 pistol that works well?
 
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I have a 1949 Soviet Izhevsk TT-33, and its a super fun little gun. Ammo is now cheaper than 9mm and out of 1000 rounds theres not been 1 malfunction out of the box.

It is not an accurate target pistol by any means but its great fun for great value. Really nice weight and feels nice in the hands. Out of all my more expensive guns, this remains one of my favorites. I should have bought one much sooner.
 
TheSmartShooter said:
I've actually shot 9mm and 45 a few times I'm just taking it upon myself to do everything right from the start. Now, I don't really like 1911's that much(I know you can flame me later), is there a similar.22 pistol that works well?
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That's a pretty big jump from the TT-33 but if you really consider a great 22LR pistol I can recommend the Grand Power K22S. I have both, the GSG 1911 .22cal with the ZRTS Performance Package and the Grand Power K22S and the latter is slightly better shooter. Very accurate, takes any 22LR ammo on earth without a hiccup. Unfortunately, it is about $300 more expensive than the TT-33.
I don't know what shooting club you belong to but like I said before, if you would like to shoot the TT-33 with surplus steel core/jacket ammo indoor, it would be most likely forbidden, anyway. Shooting the TT-33 with more expensive ammo than surplus, doesn't make too much sense to me. You could shoot the TT-33 outdoor though but I don't know if you are a member of an outdoor range.
 
SilverBaller said:
I have a 1949 Soviet Izhevsk TT-33, and its a super fun little gun. Ammo is now cheaper than 9mm and out of 1000 rounds theres not been 1 malfunction out of the box.

It is not an accurate target pistol by any means but its great fun for great value. Really nice weight and feels nice in the hands. Out of all my more expensive guns, this remains one of my favorites. I should have bought one much sooner.
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Good post.

If the OP is a bit handy, a few minutes work with a needle file can really improve the rear sight, and soften the corner of the mag where it tends to dig into the palm.

After that, it's a matter of adapting to the grip, but it's a fun, reliable centrefire pistol with some history.

You can even reload for it if you get tired of the snappy commercial or surplus ammo.

I believe this is one of those deals where we'll see people saying "I had a chance to buy one of those when they were dirt cheap, but I didn't and I regret it now". In fact, I'll bet that the TT33 you buy cheaply now, you can sell later for much, much more.
 
ben777lemay said:
While they are fun to shoot, they are not accurate pistols.
Not the best thing to build the confidence of a new shooter.

But hey, that's just my opinion ! :p
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Simply not true.
From someone who has shot many a different handgun over years the actual statement I would make about the TT33 is that it's a very accurate gun actually, it's just not easy to shoot it accurately for an inexperienced person.
The perpendicular grip, narrow frame and initially rough triggers can make it hard to shoot it initially.
But if you learn to adapt to the gun, they are actually very accurate guns I have found.
You can also smooth out the trigger with a file and some knowhow but you need to know what you're doing.
I love the design personally. It's my favorite handgun to shoot.
 
I think way better ones out there, but than again , if you can learn to shoot a T33 good, than you will shot target guns better when you get one.
And I don't mean plastic 9mm's
 
I had two of the super cheap 9mm M213 Chinese copies for a while. Both turned out to be real shooters. Neatly accurate.

But the guns are simply not comfortable to hold for anyone with larger hands. The grip area is too short and larger hands end up with their pinkies floating off the lower edge all the time. And the shape of the rounding from the back strap up into the extension that holds the hammer is a poor shape that drives itself hard into the web of the hand. And that creates a point of low contact support in the grip just under that rearward arching curve. I found that this made the gun rise more in my grip if held up high on the grip and even with a two handed hold.

These issues MIGHT be curable if the gun is equipped with a set of the "tokegypt" wrap around grips. But it'll still be too short and find the pinky falling off the lower edge.

On top of all this they are a single action which has no safety. So they don't fit in with any of our more common competitions. All of which is why I ended up selling them.

Now don't think it was all hate on my part. I really did like the design. The way the whole action group lifted out for cleaning is BRILLIANT! But there are too many other issues with how these guns fit the hands when trying to use a modern two handed hold over the classic one hand hold. That on top of the lack of a safety which renders the guns unusable in most competitions made me give up on them and sell them.

For casual plinking? Not a bad gun. For learning good habits as a first gun? I'd go with any of the better options.

So no, as much as I like them I don't think that they are a good idea as a first gun.
 
Travis Bickle said:
Simply not true.
From someone who has shot many a different handgun over years the actual statement I would make about the TT33 is that it's a very accurate gun actually, it's just not easy to shoot it accurately for an inexperienced person.
The perpendicular grip, narrow frame and initially rough triggers can make it hard to shoot it initially.
But if you learn to adapt to the gun, they are actually very accurate guns I have found.
You can also smooth out the trigger with a file and some knowhow but you need to know what you're doing.
I love the design personally. It's my favorite handgun to shoot.
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OK then lets class the TT33 in the same class than, lets say, a CZ 75 SP01 Shadow ! ;)
 
Not the best 'first pistol", i got one and even if its funny as hell to shoot, groups looks like a swiss cheese. If its because you're on a budget, consider the cheap S&w sd9ve, a Walther ppx or a norinco. If you really want a Tt-33 get one (it's only 200$). If you like historic handgun like the Tt-33, take a look at the beretta 71 in 22lr., its cheap, reliable and shoot good! (Its actually my favorite 22lr).... and for the historic part, i heard it was the pistol of choice for the mossad (munich revenge) and also sky marshall.
 
05RAV said:
By the way, instead of the TT-33 I can recommend the Star B Modelo Super, which is a Spanish milsurp pistol in 9mm Parabellum/Luger. It's much better than the TT-33 and perhaps the Zastava M57 in every aspect. Not much more expensive then the TT-33. It costs $299 at Tradex Canada. Since the Star B Super is a large, full steel pistol (resembling a Colt 1911), the recoil is very manageable. Perhaps, even less recoil than the TT-33. I have one for some time (from Tradex) and I'm happy with it.
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+1 for the Star Super B...Shot one a few weeks ago at my club...was very impressed with both feel and accuracy.
 
I am actually going to re-acquire one, it's been a while since I had one. They are wonderfully simple lil pistols.
I think if you put one aside with a decent kit, it'll turn out to be a good investment in years to come.
OP, if you really want to get one; consider the Tokeregypt grips, they are an nice option to improve the awkward grip angle
 
TheSmartShooter said:
I've actually shot 9mm and 45 a few times I'm just taking it upon myself to do everything right from the start. Now, I don't really like 1911's that much(I know you can flame me later), is there a similar.22 pistol that works well?
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Swiss Arms SA-22. Nice little 22. Fairly accurate once you get the right sight on it (comes with 3 different heights)
 
gewehr76 said:
I'm just going to leave this pic here
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Good one! With 3 already, I thought that I was exaggerating a bit. Glad to know that I am not the only one to like Toks. I can now add to my collection with pride. I should get me a Chinese one... And a military Yugo... :)
 
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