Norinco Tokarev TT-C
China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) · Pistol · Discontinued · 1954
Also known as: Norinco Type 54, Type 54, TT-33 (Chinese)
Overview
The Norinco Tokarev TT-C is a single-action, short-recoil semi-automatic pistol chambered in 7.62x25mm Tokarev. It is the commercial export designation applied to surplus and Norinco-produced examples of the Chinese Type 54, the licensed Chinese copy of the Soviet TT-33 designed by Fedor Tokarev. The pistol retains the hallmark Tokarev layout: an exposed hammer, a removable hammer and sear assembly that drops out of the frame as a single module for cleaning, and a Browning-derived swinging-link locked-breech action. The 7.62x25mm cartridge it fires is a high-velocity bottlenecked round noted for its flat trajectory and strong penetration. The TT-C designation marks examples imported and sold on the civilian surplus market, where they remain prized for their robust all-steel construction, simplicity, and Cold War service pedigree.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 854 g (30.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 195 mm (7.68") |
| Barrel Length | 116 mm (4.57") |
| Height | 130 mm (5.12") |
| Width | 30 mm (1.18") |
| Sight Radius | 156 mm (6.14") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Trigger Pull | 27 N (6.1 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 |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Bakelite |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x25mm Tokarev · primary — also known as 7.62x25mm, 7.62 Tokarev, Type 51
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Removable Hammer Group, Exposed Hammer, Fixed Sights, Captive Recoil Spring
Service history
Operators
- People's Liberation Army · adopted 1954 · as Type 54
Conflicts
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
Production
Production years: 1954-present
Produced in large numbers as the standard Chinese service pistol and widely exported; later marketed commercially as the TT-C and in 9x19mm conversions (Type 213).
Origin
Country of origin: China
Designer: Fedor Tokarev
Notes
TT-C is an import/commercial designation for the Chinese Type 54 Tokarev as marketed by Norinco and surplus importers. The Type 54 lacks the manual safety found on later Western-market conversions; safety relies on the half-cock notch.
Background
The 7.62x25mm Tokarev cartridge that the TT-C fires was derived from the 7.63x25mm Mauser, and its high velocity earned the pistol a reputation for punching through soft body armor and intermediate cover at close range.