(TT-33) Refurb vs Non Refurb, Izhevsk vs Tula

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Gurkha

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Hi,

I was wondering other then "collectability", is one better then the other? Refurbished versus non refurbished and Izhevsk vs Tula?

I don't care which is more sought after for collectors or for their rarity. The most important thing to me is if it is reliable and how it shoots. Is one more reliable then the others or is it pretty much all the same?

Thanks,

Gurkha
 
I don't believe that the arsenal manufacturer makes any difference in terms of collector value for the tt33. For example Not like an Izhevsk SKS. A non-refurb from either arsenal will have more collector value than a refurb in the long run.
 
As I understand it, the Polish ones use an earlier pattern hammer that encourages excessive firing pin wipe and may contribute to failure of the firing pin.

If I were to buy another as a shooter I'd just get the cheapest Russian refurb I could. It's a blaster, not a target pistol.

The chief purpose of the TT33 is to spit fire, make noise, and pelt the guy 20 feet to your right with casings ;)
 
Okay, thanks for the information guys. So as far as reliability and shootability there is no difference between a refurb and a non refurb and a Izhevsk and a Tula?
 
At least with a refurb you know that it's been through arsenal and inspected and worn parts replaced. non refurb doesn't mean unused, on the other hand, and certainly not worth a premium to anyone but a collector who doesn't want refurb marks and/or forced matched parts on their guns.

If it's just going to be a blaster I don't see the point in spending too much on it. Like I implied - I paid more for what I thought was a premium condition gun - the Polish - and it has issues (I've still not found the proper length firing pin for it, so the current issue is that it doesn't work), so in the end to me it was a waste of money.

If you're not collecting then treat it as a consumable item - one that you might not be able to fix if it breaks. Get a cheap gun, a crate of ammo and blast away. Maybe buy a new spring set for peace of mind if you like (that surplus SMG ammo is pretty hot stuff).

If you're just looking for a cheap gun in general, I'd get a Norc, be it a 1911, SIG clone, or whatever. My brother has their P226 clone and as a plinker he likes it a great deal. And unlike 7.62x25 you'll never be stuck with the problem of what to do when the ammo dries up (I reload, but I can't see myself reloading 7.62x25).

In the end, if Marstar doesn't run out in the next few weeks, I might buy a refurb Russian myself, just to shoot off my ammo. It does make for a nice winter gun, where you're not worried about your brass vanishing under the snow.
 
You might look for a post war refurb. I have one built in the early 50's as well as a wartime production. The post war is a lot nicer looking pistol. Being refurbs they both came with new or as new barrels on them. They shoot about the same.
 
Mark-II said:
At least with a refurb you know that it's been through arsenal and inspected and worn parts replaced. non refurb doesn't mean unused, on the other hand, and certainly not worth a premium to anyone but a collector who doesn't want refurb marks and/or forced matched parts on their guns.

If it's just going to be a blaster I don't see the point in spending too much on it. Like I implied - I paid more for what I thought was a premium condition gun - the Polish - and it has issues (I've still not found the proper length firing pin for it, so the current issue is that it doesn't work), so in the end to me it was a waste of money.

If you're not collecting then treat it as a consumable item - one that you might not be able to fix if it breaks. Get a cheap gun, a crate of ammo and blast away. Maybe buy a new spring set for peace of mind if you like (that surplus SMG ammo is pretty hot stuff).

If you're just looking for a cheap gun in general, I'd get a Norc, be it a 1911, SIG clone, or whatever. My brother has their P226 clone and as a plinker he likes it a great deal. And unlike 7.62x25 you'll never be stuck with the problem of what to do when the ammo dries up (I reload, but I can't see myself reloading 7.62x25).

In the end, if Marstar doesn't run out in the next few weeks, I might buy a refurb Russian myself, just to shoot off my ammo. It does make for a nice winter gun, where you're not worried about your brass vanishing under the snow.
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kennymo said:
You might look for a post war refurb. I have one built in the early 50's as well as a wartime production. The post war is a lot nicer looking pistol. Being refurbs they both came with new or as new barrels on them. They shoot about the same.
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Okay, thanks you two, I appreciate the responses. It makes a lot of sense what you are saying. For me, the cost isn't an issue and I am not buying it because it is cheap and the ammo is cheap, it is actually because I have interest in these pistols and their history. With that in mind, I still don't see any reason to spend extra money on a non refurb if I have the chance of getting a just as good shooter or possibly better with the refurb since they have been inspected and had worn parts replaced. I never buy guns to sit in my safe, they are always purchased to shoot and to shoot a lot.
 
Gurkha said:
Okay, thanks you two, I appreciate the responses. It makes a lot of sense what you are saying. For me, the cost isn't an issue and I am not buying it because it is cheap and the ammo is cheap, it is actually because I have interest in these pistols and their history. With that in mind, I still don't see any reason to spend extra money on a non refurb if I have the chance of getting a just as good shooter or possibly better with the refurb since they have been inspected and had worn parts replaced. I never buy guns to sit in my safe, they are always purchased to shoot and to shoot a lot.
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From my four Tokarev TT33 (two Izhevsk 1945 - one refurb, one not) & (two Polish 1950/1951 - non refurb), my most flawless is the Izhevsk 1945 non-refurb.
 
tazik said:
From my four Tokarev TT33 (two Izhevsk 1945 - one refurb, one not) & (two Polish 1950/1951 - non refurb), my most flawless is the Izhevsk 1945 non-refurb.
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Hmm, that is interesting. I wondering if that is to be expected or if you just got lucky?

Does anyone know which arsenal is better, Tula or Izhevsk or does it not make a difference?
 
kennymo said:
You might look for a post war refurb. I have one built in the early 50's as well as a wartime production. The post war is a lot nicer looking pistol. Being refurbs they both came with new or as new barrels on them. They shoot about the same.
Click to expand...

^^ Kenny has it right.

If you want a shooter then purchase a Russian post war pistol. (Fine slide serrations) It will have much tighter tolerances and will be better made with more care. The war time ones are much more hit / miss. (Coarse slide serrations) My first Tok was a war time model and it took a great deal of work to get it to perform properly. It is a lovely gun now though. The 2 post war Tok's I have were perfect from day 1. No problems. When you compare them side by side the improved quality of the post war guns is very apparent.
 
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