As you may have guessed, I carry a Tokarev, specifically a Zastava M57A. My carry load is the PPU 86 grain JHP.
I personally feel the Tok is an exceptional carry gun, like a thinner, better, 1911.
I have a few tokarevs but I carry the M57A because of it's great safety, which is drop safe and allows cocked and locked carry (locks the firing pin and trips the disconnector). The 9 round mag and captive recoil spring doesn't hurt either.
Mine is mostly stock. Besides general tuning, the magazine safety is removed, I have a tuned hammer group, and I am using the slightly shorter firing pin out of a 9mm Zastava.
You're probably wanting me to justify my "improved 1911" views... and I will. FIrst off, know that I am not a 1911 hater. To the contrary, I enjoy working on them and carried one for years. It is my love for the 1911 that made me love the Tok.
First lets clear up some misconceptions:
- The Tok and the 1911 share the exact same John Browning short recoil system.
- It is not a "simplified 1911" as is commonly said. This misconception is due to the vestigal locking lugs on the bottom of the barrel, left there to cut one machining step and to add strength. (they are removed on the compact models)
- Though the Tok looks like a 1903 pocket hammerless or the Fn Model 1903, the similarities are purely cosmetic.
- The half cock (more of a 1/4 cock) safety is solid and dependable, when in good condition. The poor reputation is from 60 year old surplus examples that are well out of spec. Smiths in the com bloc countries have a test fixture for this.
- 7.62x25 does not overpenetrate... Assuming you aren't using FMJ. As a matter of fact JHPs hit the FBI spec sweet spot of 12" to 16" of penetration, while carrying a potent 560 foot pounds of sweet justice. Of course if you shoot FMJ, especially milsurp, you will experience deep penetration, same as any other FMJ.
- 7.62x25 is not naturally inaccurate. This myth is furthered by people who are feeding 60 year old ammo through old corroded sewer pipe bores. Decent ammo or handloads running through a decent barrel deliver excellent accuracy enhanced by a very flat trajectory.
So, why did I switch to the Tok as a carry gun over my beloved 1911?
- Much more compact. Even the full sized Tokarev is quite a bit thinner and shorter than the 1911. I pocket carry the longer handled M57A variant in carharts.
- Accuracy. I've spent a lot of time and money tuning up a 1911 to punch tight groups, but a $200 Tok will outshoot many 1911s, and easily match some very high dollar examples (looking at you Kimber).
- Price. I sold one nice 1911 and bought 4 Tokarevs and a bunch of spares.
- Low recoil. Nuff said.
- Very flat trajectory.
- Reliability. The bottle necked round and modular feed lips make for dead reliable feeding regardless of nose shape, without throating or polishing.
- Easy caliber conversions. I can switch between 7.62x25, 38 super, 9x23 winchester, 9mm in seconds. For all but 9mm it is a barrel & spring swap. The 9mm uses a different mag.
- Removable hammer group! As quick as a field strip I can swap out the unitized hammer, sear, disconnector assembly. I have a few spare hammer groups, target trigger, half cock removed, a carry group. I paid about $25 each for them.
- Great holster selection. Ok, this is not really a difference, as Toks fit in most 1911 holsters (I haven't tried kydex).
- Power. Most 7.62 loads beat .45 by 150 foot pounds. A hot 9x23 is almost 50% more powerful than .45 acp.
- Penetration. If you want penetration, the heavy jacketed and/or steel cored stuff does what it was designed to... Provides a nice hole through 30" of meat, or 12" after defeating IIa armor.
In conclusion:
The 1911 in .45 is a fantastic gun with great potential, and if you pay for a great example, you will get great performance. But the Tokarev does a great job for a lot less money, and performs better in stock configuration.
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Originally Posted by Kevinakaq
