The TT-30 is a Russian semi-automatic pistol, chambered in 7.62x25mm Tokarev. It was designed by Fedor Tokarev, and manufactured at Tula Arsenal.
History[]
In 1930, the Soviet Revolutionary Military Council approved a resolution to seek out and test new sidearms to replace their Nagant M1895 revolvers. The TT-33 (then the TT-30) was one of the entrants, and it was noticed during the tests as having potential.
1,000 TT-30s were ordered for further trials, and the pistol was adopted. As it was manufactured, a lot of changes were made to make manufacturing simpler and cheaper; the barrel, disconnector, trigger, and frame were altered. This pistol, with the simplification of the manufacturing process, was known as the TT-33.
The weapon was put to great use during WWII, being exported to other allied nations. The pistol also found a home in the Wehrmacht, where captured pistols were designated Pistole 615(r), and fired the almost exact 7.63×25mm Mauser cartridge.
In 1951, the Tokarev was replaced by the Makarov pistol, with production ceasing in 1954.
Design details[]
The TT-33 is a semi-automatic, short recoil-operated, single action pistol, chambered for the 7.62×25mm Tokarev round. Externally, it looks very similar to the M1911; it is essentially a highly modified M1911. The hammer and sear assembly is simpler than that of the 1911, and the hammer is external. The feed ramp was machined into the receiver itself, rather than as part of the barrel assembly.
Variants[]
TTC[]
Licensed produced copy made in Romania. Also known as "Cugir Tokarov".
Type 54[]
Licensed produced copy made in China, it is an improved version of the earlier Type 51 pistol.
PW wz. 33[]
Licensed produced copy made in Poland, it was manufactured from 1947 to 1959.
M48[]
Licensed produced copy made in Hungary, re-chambered to fire the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge
M57[]
Licensed produced copy made in the former Yugoslavia. One major difference in this version was the ability to accept 9-round magazine.
Type 68[]
- Not to be confused with the Type 68 assault rifle
This was a licensed produced copy made in North Korea. It is also known as the M68.
Tokagypt 58[]
An export version of the M48 made for Egypt, but was never adopted. Chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum round, it was produced in Hungary during the 1960s and trialed in Egypt. Although not accepted for the military, after the trials it was sent to the Egyptian police and other eastern bloc clients.
Trivia[]
- The TT-33 has been reported as having quite a bit of recoil, as well as being noisier than most other pistols.