Tokarev TT-33 troubleshooting and modification thread

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Home3

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It seems like TT-33 is on its way to become the most owned pistol in Canada, if already not there. A lot of questions and troubleshooting help requests are posted in different threads here, sometimes taking space from others threads. So a few of us decided to open this thread to allow people post their requests and questions here..

Personally, I have no problem with my TT-33s to shoot though! ;) So I have nothing to start this thread with.
 
repeat question in appropriate tread

quick question , if i was to make these a safe queen would it be better to clean and oil or leave cosmo gunk thats on them and what would be say the best" long term storage, cover in grease or oil or just take them out and clean and oil every 6 months.... wanted to keep new" as i have other tok's to shoot.
 
airtruck63chev said:
repeat question in appropriate tread

quick question , if i was to make these a safe queen would it be better to clean and oil or leave cosmo gunk thats on them and what would be say the best" long term storage, cover in grease or oil or just take them out and clean and oil every 6 months.... wanted to keep new" as i have other tok's to shoot.
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I picked up a '53 Izvhesk SKS that I wanted to keep nice. I did a basic cosmo clean but not super in depth. Didn't take the time to get it out of every single nook and cranny. I liberally sprayed things down in G96 and fluid film in some spots. I then put it in a silicone impregnated gun sock and put it in my safe (which has regularly cycled desiccant bags in it). I figured that has to be good enough. I'd do something similar with yours.
 
If anyone gets a mag that is sticky/pain in the butt and you can't operate the slide release on an empty mag because its sticking... Try turning the spring upside down inside the mag. I know its a directional spring but it appears to function upside down and got rid of the sticky mag issue I was having. My follower would jam on the spring and follower would jam on the front of the mag edge when empty... resulting in the slide release being inoperable.
 
Syphen said:
If anyone gets a mag that is sticky/pain in the butt and you can't operate the slide release on an empty mag because its sticking... Try turning the spring upside down inside the mag. I know its a directional spring but it appears to function upside down and got rid of the sticky mag issue I was having. My follower would jam on the spring and follower would jam on the front of the mag edge when empty... resulting in the slide release being inoperable.
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Very true. I recently learned it on my own.
 
Wondering about cleaning out the cosmoline on a "new" one. Best to take it apart and soak it in mineral spirits or varsol or whats the best solvent?
For cleaning after shooting corrosive primed ammo I've been told that windex will dissolve/remove the corrosive primer salts and read that boiling water will also do it. I'm curious as to what are common practices for post range cleaning? I assume it requires a full take apart as the primer residue will find it's way throughout the gun?
 
be2man said:
Wondering about cleaning out the cosmoline on a "new" one. Best to take it apart and soak it in mineral spirits or varsol or whats the best solvent?
For cleaning after shooting corrosive primed ammo I've been told that windex will dissolve/remove the corrosive primer salts and read that boiling water will also do it. I'm curious as to what are common practices for post range cleaning? I assume it requires a full take apart as the primer residue will find it's way throughout the gun?
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I wouldn't worry too much about soaking in mineral spirits although that is an option. G96, a roll of shop towels, a toothbrush and microfibre rags tend to do the initial Cosmo-cleaning process for me without soaking. I guess its a more labor intensive process that I do, but I like to clean the guns.
Haven't shot my TT33 yet, but when I've shot corrosive 7.62x39 before, I like to take the gun apart in the safe area and spray everything down with Windex D (With ammonia). I let it all sit for a minute then wipe it all off. At this point, I'll re-assemble and pack up the gun. When I get home, I'll take it apart again and run through my standard cleaning of Hoppes 9 if needed, and G96/BreakFree CLP. So far neither my SKS or 858 has seen any surface rust from following this procedure. I plan on doing the same with the Tokarev.
 
Home3 said:
It seems like TT-33 is on its way to become the most owned pistol in Canada, if already not there. A lot of questions and troubleshooting help requests are posted in different threads here, sometimes taking space from others threads. So a few of us decided to open this thread to allow people post their requests and questions here..

Personally, I have no problem with my TT-33s to shoot though! ;) So I have nothing to start this thread with.
Click to expand...

I have several 1952 Soviet TT-33's. The first one I bought had an occasional FTF problem. have replaced the return spring, the magazine spring and polished the feed ramp. It now functions without any problems. I don't know if was just a breaking in period, but the springs are cheap to buy.

http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?page=items&cID=1&mID=68
 
KNO3- said:
Im looking to get a modern holster for my TT33 (which im waiting for a transfer on so i dont have it yet) I have heard that a 1911 holster may work. Anyone have any luck with that? I was looking at the following holster on ebay...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nylon-OWB-B...639?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7a95a127

What do you guys think?
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A lot of guys don't like those,but I kinda do. I have a couple of similar holsters and the reason I like them is because they don't scuff or scratch the firearm. I have the version with the stiff plastic snap strap so it can easily be broken free with my thumb. I think a different seller has them for around $19. I took the clip off though, I found it rode out a little. With a good nylon web belt,these holsters fit nice and close and are very comfortable.
 
Newfoundlandrover said:
A lot of guys don't like those,but I kinda do. I have a couple of similar holsters and the reason I like them is because they don't scuff or scratch the firearm. I have the version with the stiff plastic snap strap so it can easily be broken free with my thumb. I think a different seller has them for around $19. I took the clip off though, I found it rode out a little. With a good nylon web belt,these holsters fit nice and close and are very comfortable.
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Thanks for your input, i will probably try one out

On another note, has anyone found a source of 7.62x25 snapcaps? Im having trouble finding any.
 
Newfoundlandrover said:
I found them on ebay...but they're about $30 with shipping from the States.
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I checked ebay but didnt see any, maybe ill have to change how im searching...i would pay $30 if it was for 5-6 of them. Kind of expensive but where else are you going to get them? I may try to make some buy removing the poweder and primers from a few rounds, maybe i can replace the primer with some type of hard rubber or something.
 
KNO3- said:
I checked ebay but didnt see any, maybe ill have to change how im searching...i would pay $30 if it was for 5-6 of them.
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The common A-Zoom brand of dummy rounds lists the calibre as 7.62 Tokarev, so search for snap cap tokarev or similar, and play with the international settings or whatever. (Pistol rounds tend to come 5 to a package, revolvers 6 to a pack, and rifle or shotgun only 2 to a pack.) Right now I'm just finding the one listing near $30, but I personally bought some from seller grayhawk19 closer to $22. He has set his account to ‘on vacation’ so it doesn't currently show up in searches, and also it displays the default Priority shipping charge of almost $20, but you can opt for First Class at three bucks and change.

Kind of expensive but where else are you going to get them? I may try to make some buy removing the poweder and primers from a few rounds, maybe i can replace the primer with some type of hard rubber or something.
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That is an excellent and proven idea. Pull the bullet and dump the powder (it's good fertilizer for your potted plants), then you can pop the primer (I won't say to cycle it through your pistol in your basement, but technically you are not discharging a fire-arm; always make sure there's nothing else in the chamber or barrel). Or just scrounge your casings from the range floor. Remove the spent primer and fill the primer pocket with a hot glue gun, then cut it flush. For looks and handling you can put ballast in the case and re-seat a bullet, but make sure you drill or mark the round as a dummy so it cannot be mistaken.
 
Thanks red_bailey, good info there. Maybe i can cast a bullet out of something else like hot glue or epoxy, that way there would be no mixing them up with live ammo.
 
Buchanan121212 said:
I have several 1952 Soviet TT-33's. The first one I bought had an occasional FTF problem. have replaced the return spring, the magazine spring and polished the feed ramp. It now functions without any problems. I don't know if was just a breaking in period, but the springs are cheap to buy.


http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?page=items&cID=1&mID=68
Click to expand...
IJust ordered 4 kits and 10 mag springs, I am sure this will cure most or everyones problems if included with a really good cleaning!! Does anyone know where to get the split pin punch! I want to have the right one for the job, I have 4 toks now so should get the right tools for the job!
 
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I found a manufacturer online that carries modern, custom-fit leather holsters and dual mag pouches for the T-33; I've ordered a holster and pouch but am still waiting. Falco holsters (http://www.falcoholsters.com/) sells them, they take (FRAUD ALERT) and CC, but they have a reputation for very good quality. They'd want to, because they also have a reputation for very slow service. The holsters are made to order in Europe somewhere, on an as-ordered basis. But $50 for a custom-made leather holster for a pistol I haven't got yet (dealer put one aside that I've paid for while I wait for my RPAL approval), I can be patient. From what I've found out about them online, they are worth the wait. Think Galco quality, Uncle Mike's prices and second coming of the Messiah wait times.
 
Hi, new to pistols and just purchased an "new" unissued 1953 polish TT-33.

A few questions:

1. Field stripped it in the store and it looked pretty clean no traces of Cosmo. Do I need to strip it down completely just in case. If so, can anybody point me to some reference material? I'm old school so would prefer a document rather than a YouTube video but would be happy with either.
2. If I strip it down and find some Cosmo any comments on the hot water vs. WD-40 vs. G96 methods of removing?
3. What are the ongoing regular maintenance concerns and/or are there any helpful hints?

Thanks in advance
 
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