Not a great first pistol, but get one anyway. Sounds like you'll have more down the road. I'd get a .22 or a norc 9mm as a first. Converting the Tok to 9mm does nothing for the crappy trigger assembly. Still, its a lot fo fun to shoot, simple, rugged, and the rounds have "zaz"!
TT-33 As first Handgun Yes or No? Why?
- Thread starter thisismyusername
- Start date
My first pistol was the Glock 17. I had no issues shooting it. Not sure what people mean when the say the 22 pistol is a must before a centrefire pistol. My ten year old niece shot the 17 just fine, well she actually shot it very well as did her eleven year old brother.
I agree with this.
Most people I know just bought a normal 9mm/.45//40 and went with it. There was no need to do use a .22 first, just like most of us got an sks, 12gauge or enfield as a first rifle before getting a .22.
22lr is just a training aid to catch your self flinching "it is very effective and when you switch back and forth with 9mm, you will see big improvments in your 9mm shooting" Also you can shoot more for less with 22lr
The glock AA kit is great btw
Good to get but not your frst. I suggest the 9mm Norinco 1911, for about $400 with tax and shipping.
After a trigger job it is a great pistol.
I have several T-33 and only one shoots as well as I do.
After a trigger job it is a great pistol.
I have several T-33 and only one shoots as well as I do.
Last edited:
I know it's the boring 'safe' choice, but I recommend a .22 pistol first, and after that maybe a 9mm or other centrefire. If you start out with something that's hard to shoot or expensive to buy ammo for, you will regret it. This is not to say you shouldn't buy whatever you think is fun or interesting...just be prepared for it not to be what you really need to learn to shoot.
No, you don't NEED to start with a .22. However, I start nearly every range session with 50-100 rounds through my Ruger as a warmup. This costs me about $10. If I were to do that much shooting with my .40 or .45 it would cost me about $50 more, every range session. A .22 pays for itself both in terms of cash and low stress practice very quickly.
No, you don't NEED to start with a .22. However, I start nearly every range session with 50-100 rounds through my Ruger as a warmup. This costs me about $10. If I were to do that much shooting with my .40 or .45 it would cost me about $50 more, every range session. A .22 pays for itself both in terms of cash and low stress practice very quickly.
mmcintyre1220
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Tillsonburg, Ontario
Go for it lol, Are you planning to shoot dimes at 50 yards ? If not then buy it. I ordered mine this week 
can't wait. As for the triggers on the norinco's , I have not shot a match grade set up, some triggers feel heavier than other but I don't complain I just shoot the damn thing. The all go bang and all hit the targets
can't wait. As for the triggers on the norinco's , I have not shot a match grade set up, some triggers feel heavier than other but I don't complain I just shoot the damn thing. The all go bang and all hit the targets
I got one of the $99 Norc TT33 clones in 9mm as my first handgun, for the following reasons:
cheap gun - if I feck it up, not as big a deal as if I ruin a "nice" gun
low recoil - not as low as 22lr, but still easy for a beginner to learn on.
cheap ammo
I've been satisfied with it for all those reasons and then some. It shoots way better than you'd expect from a $99 gun, although it is a little fussy about ammo.
cheap gun - if I feck it up, not as big a deal as if I ruin a "nice" gun
low recoil - not as low as 22lr, but still easy for a beginner to learn on.
cheap ammo
I've been satisfied with it for all those reasons and then some. It shoots way better than you'd expect from a $99 gun, although it is a little fussy about ammo.
When did you get your Tok 9mm conversion barrel from Lever and how much? I know Marstar has been sold out for a while now. Tried Numrich but they won't export barrels to Canada.
The surplus ammo is available now but I can remember when it wasn't. As stated its hot and some indoor handgun ranges won't let you shoot it.
Let's not kid yourself, you wanna buy TT33 because it is one of the cheapest guns on the market, and you imagine that you will save money this way.
It is NOT a good first gun, as a beginner you have a lot to learn, and TT33 will not make learning any easier.
In fact, you might lose interest in handguns if this is your first gun, because acquiring necessary skills to be an effective handgunner will be needlessly complicated.
I own TT33 and like it a lot, but its intended use (in Canada) is fun plinking for an experienced shooter.
Also, surplus ammo is prohibited by most indoor and some outdoor gun clubs.
It is NOT a good first gun, as a beginner you have a lot to learn, and TT33 will not make learning any easier.
In fact, you might lose interest in handguns if this is your first gun, because acquiring necessary skills to be an effective handgunner will be needlessly complicated.
I own TT33 and like it a lot, but its intended use (in Canada) is fun plinking for an experienced shooter.
Also, surplus ammo is prohibited by most indoor and some outdoor gun clubs.
Would you care to elaborate? It's a handgun and while I don't own a tt33 I honestly don't see why it wouldn't make a good first. Buy the gun a case or two of surplus ammo and practice. Not like the fundamentals will be any different.
Sure.
As I said, I do own one.
- Recoil and bang equals 45ACP, which is not beginners game.
- Trigger less than stellar, which makes trigger control practice more difficult.
- Surplus ammo NOT allowed at most indoor ranges, and some outdoor ranges (my club, in fact).
- Commercial ammo not easily found, and more expensive than 9mm.
- Intermediate to advanced shooter wishing to have some fun plinking away at the gun club that allows surplus ammo, big THUMBS UP for TT33!
Thanks for info, and while what you list certainly doesn't make the ideal first pistol. I would say that basing it solely on recoil and trigger is wrong. The tt33 meets a fairly decent price point if somebody is looking for a cheap centerfire to start with. The only other I can really think of being the Hi point. I think it really comes down to the shooter, budget and their available ranges.
My first two handguns where a 44 revolver and a 1911, and personally had no problems starting in that recoil range fwiw.
My first two handguns where a 44 revolver and a 1911, and personally had no problems starting in that recoil range fwiw.
