Looking for a solution to high ammunition prices? Consider a Yugoslav Md57 Tokarev in the inexpensive-to-shoot 7.62x25mm. (Photo: Laura Fortier)

When it comes to center-fire ammunition, the best deal available is surplus 7.62x25mm from former Warsaw Pact countries. Cold War leftovers, this ammunition is widely available at very attractive prices.

How attractive? Currently Aim Surplus (www.AimSurplus.com) has 1,224-round sealed tins for just $129.95. First fielded by the Soviet Union in 1930, the 7.62mm Model 1930 Type P cartridge has seen extensive combat over the years in both submachine guns and handguns.

Replaced by the 9x18mm in Soviet service in the 1950s, it soldiered on with the People's Liberation Army of China until very recently. It remains standard issue in a number of backwater countries around the world.

Based on the old 7.63mm Mauser, this bottleneck cartridge has an overall length of 1.35 inches (34mm) and a case length of .97 inches (25mm). Rim diameter is .390 inches (9.9mm). Projectile diameter is .309 inches. During its service life, the Soviets issued a number of loads in this caliber including ball, AP, Tracer and Incendiary ammunition.

Standard ball ammunition has a projectile weight of 86 grains, with both lead- and steel-core projectiles being common. Depending upon the country of origin and application, velocities range from 1,350 to 1,600 fps.

The Md57 is a nicely made Tokarev with a slightly longer frame that provides an additional round in the magazine. Also note the 1911-type frame-mounted safety. (Photo: David M. Fortier)

That said, the pick of the litter is the Yugoslav Md57 variant of the Tokarev. Nicely made with a longer grip, higher magazine capacity and recently imported with a 1911-type safety, it is the best choice there is. Available through Southern Ohio Gun, the Md57 is considered by many collectors to be the best of the breed when it comes to this widely copied Soviet design.

History of the TT-30/33 Tokarev

The 7.62x25mm Tokarev TT-30/33 was the standard service pistol of the Soviet Union from its adoption in 1930 until finally replaced by the PM (Pistol Makarov) in the 1950s. Designed at Tula Arsenal by Fedor V. Tokarev in the 1920s, it is a modified Colt-Browning design. It differs from the Model 1911 Colt, the basis for the design, in the lock mechanism and safety arrangements.

The lock mechanism is "packaged" in that the sear and hammer assembly are removed as a unit. This package also contains two machined guides which act as feed lips to aid reliability. Safety-wise, Fedor departed from the Colt design and threw out not only the grip safety, but also the manual safety. The only safety the Soviet issue Tokarev possesses is a half-cock notch.

Originally adopted as the TT-30, the design was further simplified and standardized as the TT-33. TT stood for Tula Tokarev, Tula being the Soviet Arsenal where it was manufactured. The TT-33 served with the Red Army for decades and saw combat in the border skirmishes with Japan in the 1930s, the Winter War and then the Great Patriotic War (World War II). It was also widely exported and licensed production was set up in China and a number of Warsaw Pact countries.

The Md57 pistols from SOG come with a leather full-flap holster, spare mag and cleaning rod. All in all for the money, it’s a great deal. (Photo: Laura Fortier)

The Yugoslav Connection

Unlike the TT-33 copies produced by other ComBloc countries, the Yugoslav Md57 variant is noticeably different. Not only is the quality substantially better than the run of the mill Romanian or Chinese knock-off, but the frame is also slightly longer. This makes this model a bit more comfortable.

The longer frame also adds a round to the magazine. So unlike the Soviet TT-33, which holds eight rounds in the magazine, the Md57 holds nine plus one in the chamber. Another departure from Tokarev's original design is a one-piece guide rod. In addition recent imports have had a 1911-type thumb safety fitted to allow importation.

The pistols currently available from Southern Ohio Gun range in condition from used to almost new and are a great value. They come with two magazines, cleaning rod and full- flap military holster.

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