Tokarev TT-33
Tula Arms Plant · Pistol · Discontinued · 1933
Also known as: TT, Tula Tokarev, Pistol TT, Tt-33, 7.62mm TT
Overview
The Tokarev TT-33 (Tula Tokarev, Model 1933) is a Soviet semi-automatic pistol designed by Fedor Tokarev and manufactured at the Tula Arms Plant. It was adopted as the standard Soviet military sidearm in 1933, replacing the Nagant M1895 revolver. The design borrows heavily from John Browning's short-recoil tilting-barrel locking system used in the M1911, while externally resembling the FN Model 1903. Chambered in the high-velocity 7.62x25mm Tokarev cartridge (derived from the 7.63x25mm Mauser), the TT-33 is notable for its simplicity, ease of manufacture, and the innovative removable hammer/sear assembly that slides out as a complete module for field maintenance. The pistol served the Soviet Union through World War II and the early Cold War before being replaced by the Makarov PM in 1952. It was one of the most widely manufactured and copied military pistols of the 20th century, with licensed and unlicensed production in China, Yugoslavia, Romania, Poland, Hungary, North Korea, and Egypt.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 854 g (30.1 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 940 g (33.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 196 mm (7.72") |
| Barrel Length | 116 mm (4.57") |
| Height | 135 mm (5.31") |
| Width | 34 mm (1.34") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 20 N (4.5 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 420 m/s (1378 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 485 J (358 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x25mm Tokarev · primary — also known as 7.62mm Tokarev, 7.62x25mm TT, 7.63x25mm Mauser (parent)
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Features: Removable Hammer Assembly, Integrated Feed Ramp, Swinging Link Locking, No Manual Safety, External Hammer
Variants
- Tokarev TT-30 — Early Model
- Type 51 — Chinese Copy
- Type 54 — Chinese Copy
- Zastava M57 — License Production
- TTC (Cugir) — License Production
- PW wz.33 — License Production
- M48 (Femaru) — License Production
- Type 68 — North Korean Copy
- Tokagypt 58 — License Production
Service history
Operators
- Soviet Red Army · adopted 1933 · as TT-33
- Chinese People's Liberation Army · adopted 1951 · as Type 51/Type 54
- Korean People's Army · as Type 68
- Yugoslav People's Army · as M57
- Romanian Armed Forces · adopted 1952 · as TTC
- Polish Armed Forces · as PW wz.33
- Hungarian People's Army · adopted 1948 · as M48
- Egyptian Armed Forces · adopted 1958 · as Tokagypt 58
- People's Army of Vietnam · as TT-33
- Afghan Armed Forces
- Iraqi Armed Forces
- Mongolian Armed Forces
- Pakistani Police · as TT pistol
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Chinese Civil War (1945-1949)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Production
Estimated total produced: 1,700,000 · Production years: 1930-1954
Approximately 1.7 million produced in the Soviet Union alone. Millions more manufactured by China (Type 51/54), Yugoslavia (M57), Romania (TTC), Poland (PW wz.33), Hungary (M48), North Korea (Type 68), and Egypt (Tokagypt 58).
Origin
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Designer: Fedor Tokarev
Discontinued: 1954
Notes
The TT-33 is notable for having no manual safety in its original Soviet design, relying only on a half-cock hammer notch. This was considered a deliberate design choice to simplify the mechanism and speed up deployment in combat. Many imported variants have had aftermarket thumb safeties added to comply with civilian import regulations. The earlier TT-30 (1930) featured removable barrel bushings and other minor differences that were simplified in the 1933 model for mass production. The 7.62x25mm Tokarev round produces extremely high velocity for a pistol cartridge, capable of penetrating early soft body armor and steel helmets at close range. The Zastava M57 variant extended the grip to accept a 9-round magazine. Over 1.7 million TT-33 pistols were produced in the Soviet Union alone, with millions more manufactured by foreign licensees.
Background
The TT-33 was deliberately designed without a manual safety -- a controversial choice that Soviet doctrine justified by prioritizing simplicity and rapid deployment in combat. Adolf Hitler used a gold-plated TT-33 captured from a Soviet officer as a display piece. The 7.62x25mm cartridge's extreme velocity could penetrate early body armor and steel helmets at close range, making it feared well beyond its modest appearance.