Tokarev TT-33. Trigger doesn't like to reset with mag out: is this an issue?

Hello everyone,

New-to-me TT-33 and I am doing my due-diligence of cleaning/lubing/inspecting before I take it to the range. Snapcaps to check for hammer follow, etc.

I ordered some spare parts to have on hand for the future, as I want to get them before 20 years pass and they aren't available. Specifically, a hammer/sear pack.

In the process of my cleaning and inspection of all parts I noticed something that seems wrong to me, but I don't know if I should worry, and/or what to look at to fix it.

Specifically, with one of the two hammer packs the trigger won't reset if the mag is out.

With either hammer pack and the magazine in, all moves 'normally' [the slide moves the hammer back, finger back on trigger, let slide go forward, release trigger to the 'reset' point, fire, repeat]. The trigger resets with no problems.

With one of the hammer packs and the magazine out, the trigger won't return to firing position. The disconnector seems to be staying 'down', until the mag is pushed in. However, the mag seems to touch the sear and not the disconnector.

I've done a full on parts swap, piece by piece, and I can't tell if it is only the sear, or the sear and disconnector.


Any suggestions?

Anyone I don't know that you can recommend to send the trigger pack off to [other than Bill Springfield/trigger works- I already am familiar with him]?

Since this only happens with the mag out, should I not worry and just call it a mag disconnect? [even though it is the SAME design as the other trigger pack- and isn't a true mag disconnect.]

Is this a risk of doubling or other misfiring issues?

Thanks in advance. I put it here as I figured I'd get more responses on a Tokarev in this forum than the smithing one.

These guns aren't exactly made to the highest standard, they need fitting.

I have never encountered that issue, but BAR is right on with these guns.

I have two Russian built guns, one is an excellent (1945 produced) refurb but bends firing pins, I suspect the firing pin hole is drilled slightly off center.

The other is a 1938 produced gun that will not drop the magazines free, they drag on something in that frame, regardless of swapping pieces between the other 1945 gun.

However they each shoot well, and cycle flawlessly which is most important.

Now with your guns, you haven't indicated if yours has been fitted with a safety catch, my observation is that many US market guns have some afterthought safety fitted. In some instances these add on safeties can give the guns odd foibles outside their normal operation. If your pistol is fitted with a safety catch of any sort, I would examine the interface of that safety mechanism with the trigger group.

If your pistol does not have a safety (as original) then we are down to examining for a regular gunsmithing/fitting issue. Look at the relationship of the moving parts both with and without a magazine and try to figure out what is different.

I cannot comment on risks of doubling or misfiring, this is an unknown TT-33 problem to me.

If you can post photos of the part is may help, as I have two gun that I can share photos to compare against for your reference, and keep us posted of your findings as you go along, it can be a very valuable discussion in the future.

Thank you both.

I am unable to take effective pictures, because I can't get both light and camera lined up to shoot what is happening inside the frame when the action is doing this.

Mine does have the rolling block trigger safety behind the trigger. Here is the link to the gun itself from the people I bought it from- to see the type of safety: Romanian Cugir TT-C [TT33]

I can understand what you are saying about the trigger safety causing problems. However, what makes me believe that is an unlikely source of problems is the fact that the issue only emerges with one sear/disconnector combo. I have two sear/hammer groups, and I have swapped parts out between all of them on a one-by-one basis. The metal hammer group bracket has been swapped.

The problem is directly connected to the sear and/or disconnector. It doesn't happen with the other. The problem is I cannot figure out WHY it is happening with this one.

I cannot tell if the magazine is realigning the trigger shoe, causing the situation to disappear. Or if it is pressing on the sear spring, causing the situation to disappear. All I know is that it happens on the same frame, with the same trigger, with the same trigger block, with EITHER hammer, with either hammer assembly bracket, and with one of the two sears. I am not sure if the disconnector is contributing or not.

So, it is a gunsmith sear/hammer/trigger shoe fit issue. sigh.

ok. Thanks!