Tokarev question

[Pector55]

I just got a Tokarev and I have a question. When I try to pull the slide back I cannot unless I first pull the hammer back. Is that normal? It's not like that on any other gun so I assume something isnt quite right. Other than that, the piece is really nice.

[shiloh]

I have a Tokarev but have not had that problem. How hard is it to pull back the slide once you have the hammer cocked? Could it be a very stiff return spring? Have you disassembled the gun to see what might be causing a problem? I'm not a Tokarev expert by any means but taking it apart, cleaning and reassembling might do the trick. If not I'd take it to a gunsmith.

Also might want to ask on gunboards.com forum or thefirearmsforum.com.

[wizzegun]

What is the country of origin on your Tok? IIRC these are single action only and it just may be a little harder to pull back. Either that, or like Shiloh said, clean and lube the hammer group. There may be gunk jammed in there if it's right from the importer. Also, is the safety on? Some safeties also lock the slide.

[knight0334]

Sounds like a killer hammer spring. lol

My Beretta 21 Bobcat is like that. A motha of a b!tch to rack the slide with hammer down.. But a breeze if I cock it first. ...the only difference = the tension from the hammer spring and the friction of the slide against the hammer face.

[shiloh]

What is the country of origin on your Tok? IIRC these are single action only and it just may be a little harder to pull back. Either that, or like Shiloh said, clean and lube the hammer group. There may be gunk jammed in there if it's right from the importer. Also, is the safety on? Some safeties also lock the slide.

The recent Tokarev imports are Romanian. maybe some Polish ones too. Like the Russian ones they did not have safeties originally but ATF made the importer Century Arms add them -- they're butt-ugly, crudely done additions; I think it just blocks the trigger from being pulled back, but I'll have to look on mine to see if it blocks the slide.

[Pector55]

The recent Tokarev imports are Romanian. maybe some Polish ones too. Like the Russian ones they did not have safeties originally but ATF made the importer Century Arms add them -- they're butt-ugly, crudely done additions; I think it just blocks the trigger from being pulled back, but I'll have to look on mine to see if it blocks the slide.

That seems to make sense. I watched two Youtube vids and in both cases, the person pulled the hammer back prior to pulling the slide back.

[shiloh]

Just took apart and tested my Tokarev. I think I found the likely problem. The Tok has a very strong half-cock notch. If you cock the hammer, rack the slide, then pull the trigger just enough so that you ease the hammer down, it will catch on the half-cock notch. In half-cock position, I can't rack the slide. It completely locks up the hammer, slide and trigger. With hammer fully cocked, or with it fully down, it racks with no problem. Pector, see if that's the issue -- dry fire it and then without cocking the hammer see if the slide racks easily.

I looked at the safety too -- it's just a trigger block. Doesn't interfere with the slide.

I like the Tok but ComBloc metal work isn't the greatest in the world -- when I took off the slide I saw some burrs and tool marks on the slide rails. Works fine, though.

[Pector55]

Just took apart and tested my Tokarev. I think I found the likely problem. The Tok has a very strong half-cock notch. If you cock the hammer, rack the slide, then pull the trigger just enough so that you ease the hammer down, it will catch on the half-cock notch. In half-cock position, I can't rack the slide. It completely locks up the hammer, slide and trigger. With hammer fully cocked, or with it fully down, it racks with no problem. Pector, see if that's the issue -- dry fire it and then without cocking the hammer see if the slide racks easily.

I looked at the safety too -- it's just a trigger block. Doesn't interfere with the slide.

I like the Tok but ComBloc metal work isn't the greatest in the world -- when I took off the slide I saw some burrs and tool marks on the slide rails. Works fine, though.

Frigging BINGO!!! After 1 dry fire, it racks with the hammer closed.
FYI, to answer a previous question, mine is Romanian. I have to say that while I like this piece, I can see how the Czech's definitely made the better 7.62x25 sidearm.

Gonna rep ya for the help. Thanks!

[shiloh]

Glad to help figure it out. The Tok and the CZ-52 are nice guns, especially for the $200 or so they go for now. That 7.62 round is a loud little beast, for sure.

[Eddie O]

This is absolutely normal. The 1/4 cock position is the safety setting for the Weapon. In that position the Weapon is in the designed Safe Position and will not fire nor will the slide function. If you pull the trigger back or drop it fully the Weapon will go into Battery and ready to fire with a full clip or lock back on an empty clip. If you then hold the hammer and drop it to the 1/4 cock position the Weapon will go into it's designed Safe Position and will not fire unless manually cocked.
ATF did not like the idea of a person manually holding and dropping the hammer to the safe position, a finger slip and BANG, thus Century Arms being forced to alter the Weapon with the thumb Safety, and what a piece of cheap crap they added, a real diservice to a fine weapon.
The 1/4 cock Safety designed is the same on all of the Tokes.
I have a PDF Copy of the original manual on the Tok supplied by Century, If you would like a copy let me know and I will upload it.
Later
Eddie O