The Tokorev TT-33 military pistol.

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Today's post is about my Tokorev TT-33 Soviet military pistol. I've had this pistol since 1974, it was the first handgun I ever bought. I believe it probably came into the U.S. from Viet Nam as a "war trophy" in somebody's duffel bag. This is what it looks like.

This pistol has the Soviet era "CCCP" grips, they were on the gun when I bought it.

It has a date of manufacture of 1947 on it.

This pistol isn't all that different from the Cold single action semi automatic pistol, it uses a delayed blowback system with the same tipping barrel type of locking system as the Colt.

This pistol disassembles in a similar manner as the Colt semi auto pistols, using a cross pin to hold the barrel hinge in place in the frame. Pulling the hinge pin out allows you to pull the slide and barrel out of the frame. The hammer assembly is removable from the frame in one piece.

The cartridge for this pistol is the 7.62 X25 Tokorev cartridge, which is very similar to the 7.63 Mauser cartridge. The Mauser cartridge can be used in the Tokorev, but the hotter 7.62 Tokorev should not be used in the broomhandle Mauser due to the higher pressure of the Tokorev cartridge. The 7.62 Tokorev cartridge was also used in the Soviet submachine guns in WW2. The submachine guns were replaced in Soviet service by the AK-47, but the Tokorev pistols stayed in service until replaced by the Makarov. Che cartridge is still available from several manufacturers, including at least 1 U.S. manufacturer.
One more look at the pistol, and the magazine.