Tokarev TT33 any good for first gun?

Depends on your goal. New to shooting and want to accurately punch paper, probably not. More in to history and collecting, as well as working on flinching, definitely!
Tt-33was my first hand gun, and was a great bargain to get in lots of low priced plinking when ammo was cheap.
 
Personally, I think a decent .22 would be a better choice for learning the basics of pistol shooting.
Look for a good used one. Hard to beat something like a Ruger Mk. I or Mk. II.
 
tiriaq said:
Personally, I think a decent .22 would be a better choice for learning the basics of pistol shooting.
Look for a good used one. Hard to beat something like a Ruger Mk. I or Mk. II.
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Agree 100%.

My first pistol was a Browning Challenger that I paid 82.50 for back in 1968. I still have it and have several of the Mark series in the Ruger blue bull barrel. They are an excellent choice from the point of view of quality, accuracy, reliability and value that you will not regret.
 
slarsen47 said:
Agree 100%.

My first pistol was a Browning Challenger that I paid 82.50 for back in 1968. I still have it and have several of the Mark series in the Ruger blue bull barrel. They are an excellent choice from the point of view of quality, accuracy, reliability and value that you will not regret.
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Got a good Ruger mk1 ( tapered bull and Factory muzzle brake ) when the son of the local Police Chief got busted with a Kilo of Coke, a Sten gun and an FN...he knew the legal one's were going to be forfeit.
I drove tractor for the arresting officer...got a Mk 1 in Grade 9, lol.
Cool.
And despite my moniker...I can't hit squat with a Tokarev
 
I would suggest that the Tok is a very poor first time pistol. Super cool historical value for sure! Horrible ergonomics, very aggressive round, surplus is not allowed in many indoor ranges. A used S&W M&P range kit in 9mm would be light years ahead and given the package actually brings more to the table - three mags, Uplula, holster etc.
 
The TT33 is a fine weapon has stood the test of time is a tank in it's design however not the easiest as a learning pistol , takes time to get accurate with and packs a wallop as far as size power
a true piece of history and i think everyone should have one i love mine.
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That being said as for a first pistol price wise look at Norinco copies of fine pistols but at budget price , may lack the polish and finish of the originals but well made and solid
np22
,
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or np29 both great
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Now for a few bucks more i would suggest a 22 to get your skills in order then move up the calibers sig 1911 22
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After that the prices go up Beretta 92fs
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Glock 17
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Probably the best advice is try a bunch before you buy most ranges have to rent or will even let you try before you buy
Hope this has helped
safe shooting
 
I have a Russian TT-33 (1941 Tula). It is actually tight, very accurate and has a good trigger. All of which is the opposite of every other Russian gun I have owned.

Fun gun, but not the greatest first pistol. The grip angle is different from most other pistols. I also find it too slim and 7.62x25mm has a very snappy recoil.

A steel framed double stack 9mm of some sort is best to learn on IMO. CZ, Sig or Beretta, or Norinco copies if you can't afford the real deal.
 
Save just a little more and wait just a little longer and buy a decent used Glock or S&W in 9mm. No use buying the Tokarev with the weird ergos and uncertain reliability and have to learn shooting handguns all over again when you finally get something decent. First impressions in any hobby are important - no sense in degrading the experience with a junker.

Before anyone #####es I'll just say I owned a Tokarev with a barrel so I could convert to 9mm. Glad I was finally able to flog it. No regrets at all!!

A good used Ruger MK1 or 2 in 22 long rifle is also a very good option. Cheap shooting in a quality handgun while you learn the fundamentals!!

If you want the gun for its historical significance that's one thing but if you're looking to learn how to shoot that's something else.
 
I bought one as my first. They were only $159 back then, it was a cheap way to get into ownership of handguns. It’s surprisingly accurate, goes bang every time, feels good in my hand and has an adequate trigger. I lucked out. It now has 3000+ rounds through it, with no issues. I clean it every time I shoot it, because I am still shooting surplus. It is a snappy cartridge. But my Jericho is much nicer. 22 rim fires are much cheaper to feed, if you plan on shooting a lot.
 
I bought a Tokarev and CZ75 as my first pistols. The Tokarev is a great surprisingly accurate pistol for what it is and costs. I'd recommend the Shadow hands down first thou and if you can have only 1.

i learned the Tokarev is a terrible guest gun. For some reason new shooters obscess with safeties and like to wave the pistol around looking for one.

As a 3rd pistol get a GSG1911 great value and nice pistol.
 
The people saying don’t buy a Tok obviously don’t know how to shoot it is a great pistol accurate enough and powerful learn how to shoot properly it is great
 
My Chinese Tokarev is as accurate as my Glock, there is nothing wrong with it. The fact that it fires 9mm and 7.62 is a plus.

Edit: And the Tokarev never jams, unlike the Glock.
 
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Cory24 said:
The people saying don’t buy a Tok obviously don’t know how to shoot it is a great pistol accurate enough and powerful learn how to shoot properly it is great
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The people aren't saying don't buy a Tok, they are saying don't buy a Tok AS A FIRST PISTOL, much better choices available
 
edgy said:
The people aren't saying don't buy a Tok, they are saying don't buy a Tok AS A FIRST PISTOL, much better choices available
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When Tok’s were under $200, some people would have bought them because there was nothing else priced that low. Now that their price has crept up, there are better options in the same price range.
 
Cory24 said:
The people saying don’t buy a Tok obviously don’t know how to shoot it is a great pistol accurate enough and powerful learn how to shoot properly it is great
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The people saying don’t buy a Tok as a first pistol know enough that better options for a first pistol that is more user friendly to learn on and that has cheaper range friendly ammo. I love the x25 surplus ammo but show me an indoor range that will let you shoot it lol. A modern handgun in 9mm or a .22 is more range friendly and ammo choices are available almost everywhere.
 
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