Worth It: Yugo Tokarev M57 ?

Well, I have handgun fever (again) and now that the person selling the Ruger P93 (in my last post) does want to sell it at the price I'm willing to buy and I'm not willing to buy at the price he wants, I have turned my attention to the Zastava Arms Yugo Tokarev M57 in 7.62x25 Caliber.

I found some ar Classic Firearms and JG Sales Good and Very Good in the price range of $250.00. Surprisingly the Tokarev is much more expensive on Gunborker and at the local gun stores.

I'm actually new to the MILSURP Handgun game having only ever like Bolt Action Rifles, So I was hoping you fine forum folks could tell me if these handguns are worth their salt and worth adding to my collection.

THank you Bill

**UPDATE** Well ended up ordering one. I did find them at MidwayUSA but all they have is Fair Condition at $169.99 and Good at $184.99 (Very Good, out of stock, was $204.99). I opted to get Vary Good $199.95 Hand Select: Shiny Bore & Nicer Finish $40.00, and with the crest $10.00 from JG Sales. It was a bit more than Classic and MidwayUSA but I'm sure to get a nice gun rather then spinning the wheel of chance.

https://youtu.be/3lGQGDzaxeU

They are fun to shoot. I was going to suggest getting one with the trigger safety. Then you can swap out that trigger for an original trigger, and have a gun that is very similar to the original TT-33. I don't like the aftermarket frame safety that some of the importers put on them. Anyhow, see that you ordered one. You will enjoy it.

I just saw three different dealers selling them at a gun show today for $195. They have not gone up much since released. Probably because they are still available. I bought one about five years ago for $150 or so with two mags and a holster. Some ammo also but not a lot, maybe a box. They are nice, somewhat similar to a 45 in size, it's one of my stashed guns hidden around the house. A 45 1911 and a Star B in 9mm largo form the home defense triad.

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Originally Posted by Ernest T

I was going to suggest getting one with the trigger safety. Then you can swap out that trigger for an original trigger, and have a gun that is very similar to the original TT-33

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I had no idea about the safety. I'll have to see what I get once it gets here. I've not looked at a TT-33 so not sure what the difference is, but will look it up!

Since I'm in CA (even though I have a Type 3 FFL) I had to have it shipped to a type 1 FFL. I'll have to wait until it gets to her and then set-up an appointment.

Thanks

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

I just saw three different dealers selling them at a gun show today for $195.

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I should have *maybe* waited for the gun show on the 14th. But I've not had much luck finding good MILSRUP at decent prices at the show and them most of the sellers live a good distance from me. You can buy at the show and leave with it in CA.

I just purchased one a couple of months ago. Definitely fun to shoot and the 7.62x25 round is pretty hot. I did have problems with the frame mount safety on mine not allowing the trigger group to properly seat in the frame but once it was fixed it worked great.

As others have noted the import install safety is a pain in the forth point of contact. I ended up pulling mine out to get the weapon to function...Mine is a range only weapon and the internal "half cock" safety the pistol was built with has not been touched.

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Originally Posted by AFJon

As others have noted the import install safety is a pain in the forth point of contact. I ended up pulling mine out to get the weapon to function.

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Originally Posted by Singer B

I did have problems with the frame mount safety on mine not allowing the trigger group to properly seat in the frame but once it was fixed it worked great.

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I have been seeing a lot of posts and videos about this added safety issue. If its an issue I might tread the holes and make some plugs. But I will have to see first if its a problem and also what the mod holes look like, depending on how the hole are cut and the design (I'm assuming that the one I will get will have detends cut as well) it might not be worth messing with it.

Worth it for a fun, zippy and LOUD shooter. I pulled the installed safety as well, although have it to reinstall when and if I sell.

There are several different types of safeties on these and some are better than others. There is one on the trigger that is supposed to be miserable. There are maybe three types of thumb safeties, one of which was supposedly installed at the Zastava factory prior to import and two that were installed by the importers. I have the one installed by Zastava and haven't had any issues with it. I have seen complaints about the other types.

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

There are several different types of safeties on these and some are better than others. There is one on the trigger that is supposed to be miserable. There are maybe three types of thumb safeties, one of which was supposedly installed at the Zastava factory prior to import and two that were installed by the importers. I have the one installed by Zastava and haven't had any issues with it. I have seen complaints about the other types.

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Yea, some of the frame safeties are better done than others. The first one of these I got had a safety done by the importer, and it was poorly done and didn't function properly. It was actually loose in the frame. I sold that gun and waited until I found one with a trigger safety. The trigger safety was also not the greatest, and seemed to significantly increase the trigger pull. I knew that I was going to replace the safe trigger with an original trigger (no safety) anyhow, so I didn't care. The original guns did not have safeties, unfortunately the ATF requires one to be sold in the US, so that is why they are added. At least the trigger safeties don't alter the gun.

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

I have the one installed by Zastava and haven't had any issues with it. I have seen complaints about the other types.

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From what I have been reading only the Zastava Tokarev M57A has a factory safety which was on the slide, if you is not 57A, Would you mind posting a picture of the safety yours has? Thanks for the info

My M57 has the crest, and safety mounted on the rear of the frame. I found it annoying under recoil, chewing into my thumb. I removed it, and filled the holes with plastic plugs used for automotive body panels.
Keep in mind the M57 uses it's own mag, which accepts one round more than a standard TT-33.

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Originally Posted by Low & Slow

My M57 has the crest, and safety mounted on the rear of the frame. I found it annoying under recoil, chewing into my thumb. I removed it, and filled the holes with plastic plugs used for automotive body panels.

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That sounds like the same as the one I bought. I will know for sure tomorrow or Wednesday when I get time to pick it up from the FFL.

The Zastava M57 from J&G Sales came in and I just picked her up and brought her home. She was shipped in a packing envelope, the same one its laying on in the pictures, which surprised me. Looks like I got a nice one. It needs to be cleaned but I'm happy with it. The 7.62x25 Tokarev Polish FMJ Ammo in 70rd Boxes came in as well. Now I just need to get to the range!

Attachment 106240Attachment 106241Attachment 106242Attachment 106243Attachment 106244Attachment 106245Attachment 106246

Here is the Ammo as well

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That looks way better than the one I have.

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Originally Posted by AFJon

That looks way better than the one I have.

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That might be because it was manufactured on or after 1964 (1964 - F and G Prefix, 6 torch crests only ) I was hoping for an older one. Its pistol doesn't even have any holster wear on the muzzle faces hard edges and none on the side hard edges. It does have a mighty 8 pound trigger pull.

That's the same safety that mine has. I wouldn't expect you'll have any issues with it.

Actually, after looking, that is not the same safety that mine has. It looks similar but is all in one piece. Yours looks like it has a separate pin.

Found mine already on here. Paid more for it than I remember but I also got a lot more ammo for it than I remembered, 180 rounds.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=46773

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

after looking, that is not the same safety that mine has. It looks similar but is all in one piece. Yours looks like it has a separate pin.

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Yes it is different, I like the safety in yours better, it looks cleaner.