TT (Tula Tokarev)
Tokarev pistol (TT) - Soviet self—loading pistol developed by Fyodor Tokarev and adopted in 1930. It became the first mass-produced army pistol in the USSR and was used as the main weapon of NKVD officers and staff. The TT has a caliber of 7.62×25 mm, which provides high penetration and effective range. The pistol uses automation based on the recoil of the barrel with a short stroke and locking with a swinging larva. The TT magazine holds 8 rounds, which is the standard capacity for pistols of that time. TT is characterized by its simple design, reliability and compactness, which makes it convenient to carry and use. The pistol was actively used in the Great Patriotic War, as well as in the post-war period, including the Korean and Vietnam Wars. TT was supplied to the countries of the socialist camp and participated in numerous local conflicts around the world. After decommissioning, TT remains popular among collectors and gun enthusiasts due to its history and iconic status.
Photo of the constructor:
Main features:
Caliber: 7.62×25 mm TT (Tokarev cartridge).
Barrel length: 116mm.
Total length: 195mm.
Weight: about 854 g (without cartridges).
Magazine capacity: 8 rounds.
Type of automation: operation based on the recoil of the barrel during a short stroke (Short Recoil).
Aiming range: about 50 meters (effective range).
Muzzle velocity of the bullet: about 420 m/s.
Other features:
Powerful Cartridge: The 7.62×25 mm TT cartridge provides high muzzle velocity and good penetration, making the TT an effective melee weapon.
Simplicity of construction: TT has a simple and reliable design, which makes it easy to produce and maintain it in the field.
No fuse: There is no separate fuse in the original TT design. Instead, a safety trigger is used, which simplifies the design, but requires care when handling.
Compact and lightweight: The TT is compact and lightweight enough to make it comfortable to carry and use.
Wide application: TT was used not only in the Red Army, but also in other countries, including China, North Korea and Eastern European countries. After the war, it continued to be used in various conflicts.
Advantages:
High reliability and easy maintenance.
Powerful 7.62×25 mm TT cartridge with good penetration ability.
Compact and lightweight, which makes it comfortable to wear.
Simple design and low production cost.
Disadvantages:
There is no separate fuse, which requires careful handling.
Limited magazine capacity (8 rounds).
Moderate accuracy at distances over 50 meters.
Interesting facts:
Unlike most pistols, the TT did not have a classic safety catch – safety was provided only by a half-cocked trigger.
Due to the simplified design, the TT often misfired in conditions of mud and frost. The Germans even called it "Russian roulette."
The Germans captured TT and converted them to their 7.63×25 mm cartridge, designating it as Pistole 615(r).
The KGB used TT with a silencer ("BraMit") for covert operations, and in the 1990s TT became a symbol of Russian banditry (because of its cheapness and penetrating power).
The abbreviation "TT" stands not only for "Tula Tokarev", but also as:
"T-34 tank" (the troops joked that TT has a penetrating power, like a tank).
"Terminator Tolya" (criminal nickname of the 1990s).
Photo:
Sailors aim TT pistols
The famous photo "Battalion Commander", in the hands of a soldier holding a TT, 1942
Scouts at the Malaya Zemlya bridgehead are armed with PPSh submachine guns, a TT pistol and a revolver, 1943
Author: Natalia Asnina