Not the same variation. Early thin slide, no hex pin. Late version also has white dot sights.
Yup. I just realised that at about the same time you posted.

Not the same variation. Early thin slide, no hex pin. Late version also has white dot sights.

Mine is Chinese, but I believe it works with Russians too. It prefers FMJ, but is it as accurate as much more expensive 9mm pistols (I did fit the bushing).The surplus Russian toks can get swapped for an new aftermarket 9mm barrel?
where is this hex pin? do you guys have a pic?
Both the Tokarev and P1 are good buys, though I would tend to favour the P1
I picked up a P1 with the heavier slide and hex pin in the frame when Tradeex had some on sale for $225 about two years ago. I researched it ahead of time and was told that this was the best version on account of some of the frames cracking on the earlier models. For the most part, these pistols were used in German military service, at some point rearsenalled and put back into storage with little or no use.
Handguns are a secondary shooting hobby to me after my hunting firearms and milsurp rifles, but I've managed to pick up several surplus guns or inexpensive Norincos (1911A1 and Woodsman clone) over the years. I find the P1 the most accurate of the bunch, probably due to a combination of its ergonomics and inherent accuracy. My 9mm Yugo Tok is in similarly great shape, fun and relaible to shoot, but harder to shoot as accurately.
More recently I have picked up a TT33 from Tradeex but hadn't been able to shoot it yet, firstly because it took time to find some ammo, and then because the main club that I shoot with goes to an indoor range in the winter (no Tok ammo allowed). So I'll have to wait until the spring before I can say much about the Tok itself, but in the meantime can vouch for the fact that my Tradeex example arrived in great condition. I've found milsurp, commercial ammo and reloading components, and will probably put together some reloads until I can shoot outside again.
On last but not insignificant point regarding availability. TheP38/P1s were imported into the US and to Canada in considerable numbers a few years ago, which made them available at very reasonable costs. I have been advised however that since then, Germany and a few other Western European nations signed on to arms control treaties that oblige them to destroy their military surplus firearms rather than releasng them to the market. The German pistols have been effected by the applicable treaty, and it appears as though further stocks will not be forthcoming. It's something worth considering if you see one at a reasonable price.
A feww other friends of mine picked up P1/P38s on account of my telling them about them, and thusfar all were happy with their pistols.
Regards,
Frank
Is the frame failure a common issue with non-hex pin models? Im starting to think I alread made a mistake getting this pistol.
If you are a volume shooter, tt-33 is your gun. Accurate, they are not. Fun, they are.
P1 on the other hand, was an early alloy frame experiment to replace the steel framed P 38. Some frame weakness problems followed. Hex. pins and beefier slides were later introduced to address these problems. Both versions are good, if you are not a volume shooter.
tt-33 is your gun. Accurate, they are not.
I think the people cracking their frames are using hot loaded ammo designed for SMGs or +P type ammo.
Stick to standard 115gr FMJ or the equivalent and your P1 will be fine. The German Army basically had these guns in service in one form or another for 50 years!
Personally I prefer my steel frame P38 FWIW.



























