The Tokarev TT-33 was a semiautomatic handgun, which was designed by the Russian engineer Fedor Tokarev. It was one of the most dependable pistol of WW2. Its main characteristics were the reliability of its moving parts and its capacity to resist intense hard use in combat situation and in any kind weather condition. It was in service with the Soviet Army from 1930 to 1991.
Like the Colt 1911 pistol, the Tokarev TT-33 was used world-wide as it was employed in several wars of the 20th century, like World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Six-Day War, the Lebanese Civil War, etc. It was the standard issue side gun of communist countries armies as well as Arab countries armed forces during the Cold War period.
Compared to most pistols, which are chambered for a 9mm caliber cartridge, the TT-33 was manufactured as a 7.62mm caliber pistol. However, the 7.62×25-mm cartridge it employed was a powerful one, which could even pierce thick aluminum plate, as it was aided by its flat trajectory and the fast spin imparted by its barrel grooves. Its moving parts used a recoil operation for ejecting the empty cartridge casing and reloading a new round. Like the AK-47, it always worked as it never got jammed.
Specifications
Type: semiautomatic pistol
Caliber: 7.62 mm
Cartridge: 7.62x25mm
Barrel length: 11.6 cm
Weight: 0.830 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 420 m/s
Magazine: detachable 8-round box
Below, the famous Tokarev TT-33 pistol, which gained a high reputation in WW2
