Yugo M57 Tokarov

[Aragorn243]

Looks like I'll soon be the owner of an M57. I've done some research on them but there isn't a lot of detailed stuff out there that I can find. I know it's a "copy" of the Russian version with some improvements like an extra round. It does have the added safety. I've also viewed the various videos out there and see it has extreme penetration power for a handgun.

Surplus ammo seems to have dried up.

Any insights? It's a bit after my WWII period of interest but it caught my eye and will go nicely with my M48.

I'll post some photos when I actually get it. Comes with a very nice holster which seems out of the norm for these. Most look like crap. The one grip appears to be upside down, I'm hoping this is an easy fix, can't imagine why it wouldn't be, take if off and put it back on the right direction.

I read there is some safety issues possibly. Something about not carrying it with a round in the chamber but I"m wondering if that is when they do not have a safety or if the safety isn't that reliable.

Information

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[Aragorn243]

Picked up the handgun today. Looks fine. Some finish wear. Late production series H which from what I can tell would be in the mid 1960's. The grip did rotate easily as I figured. Bore looks good, needs cleaned but nice and crisp. Possibly chrome or stainless from the looks of it but simply may not have a finish. Came with 70 rounds of Yugoslav ammo and 70 rounds of Polish ammo. Does not appear to be any issues with the safety. Previous owner said it worked smoothly. Trigger pull is a little heavy but not bad.

Issues I read about with the safety were that the hammer would fall if the trigger was pulled and the safety released. It only does this if you are still pulling the trigger when you release the safety. Take your finger off and it does not fall. Another issue was that the trigger pull is terrible and sometimes impossible with the safety in place.

As I said, none of these seems to be an issue with this one. It feels like a 45, operates somewhat similar but not identical and takes some getting used to in cycling the action. You can't close it with an empty magazine in place or cycle it. Trigger will not pull without a magazine in place. These have a magazine safety of some sort. If you pop the magazine but leave it mostly in you can cycle the action and pull the trigger.

Holster is brand new unissued.

I'll post photos tomorrow if I get a chance. Seems like a very nice little gun.

[Aragorn243]

Here are the promised photos. Condition is a bit better than I originally thought which wasn't bad to begin with. It still has cosmoline in the nooks and crannies which makes it look "brown". To me if feels almost exactly like a 1911 to hold and operates much the same. I partially took it apart but did not fully disassemble it. I think I got a pretty good deal on it. I got the pistol with holster/cleaning rod and 180 rounds of ammo for $250. I found another new magazine from Wideners for $31 delivered. Gunbroker is listing them with poor bores and rust on the exteriors and no holster or ammo for that now.

[vintage hunter]

Last I looked(couple weeks ago) Liberty Tree had some surplus ammo available.
Nice looking pistola BTW. I had a Chinese Tok years ago and never did get used to the almost 90 degree grip, definitely not a natural pointer and as a result it shot low. I have a CZ52 now and while the grip isn't quite as straight I still tend to shoot under the target.
The 1911 is better IMO but nothing compares to a Luger.

[WarPig1976]

Definitely good deal. Went to the Oaks show yesterday and one guy had 4 iirc. The guns where beat, maybe 50% finish...$279 with nothing.

[WarPig1976]

Did you get to shoot it yet?

[MJ1]

Mine shoots well to point of aim at 100 meters and I solved finding a source for reloadable brass.

[Aragorn243]

No, haven't fired it yet. I don't get to the range very often. I've been wanting to go but I don't like going alone and I can't talk anyone else in the family into going along.

[jonnyc]

If you're ever free on a Sunday morning, and you happen to be in the Phoenixville area, give a shout. I shoot with a small group every Sunday AM, rain, shine, snow, etc.

[WarPig1976]

Picked this up awhile back, it's in 9mm. New manufacture imported by C.A.I the edges were razor sharp and the safety STILL looks like an after thought. Cheaper to feed then 7.62 which is the only reason I bought it.
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If a 1911 and Hi-power had a baby it would be a Tokarov....in .40 S&W...