[bkd1986]

I just bought a TT-33 Tokarev from Classic Arms and so far have had nothing but problems. The safety was installed backwards, which I realized after a short while of completely baffled looks and a full disassembly and have already corrected. Everything was finally looking good today and I decided to finally take it out to the range, only to find that the magazine will kind of stay in sometimes but generally will just fall out the bottom of the gun. I think the magazine catch might be broken, or stuck, or something (looking down the magazine well you wouldn't even notice something was supposed to be jutting out at all) and am hoping if I can get in and get a better look at it I might be able to turn this into a usable gun. Other than the problems with the function, its otherwise beautiful and accurate (I held in the magazine and fired off a few rounds anyway).

Anyway, on with the actual question: How the heck do I remove the magazine catch!?

 

[bkd1986]

As a side note, the hammer assembly has some space allowing movement back and forth while sitting in the frame. I was thinking it might be possible that it isn't applying enough pressure on the magazine, any thoughts? I've never owned a pistol similar to this so for all I know this is completely normal, but any thoughts
on this would be much appreciated.

-Thanks

 

[acirema]

I would call Classic Arms and send that TT-33 right back. Why should you have to fix your own gun? I've got three Toks and have never had any problems with them. Send it back. But if you prefer to remove the mag catch, you'll need a home made tool...basically a nail or metal rod with a "V" filed in one end. Use this tool to unlock the split end of the mag catch...then use a drift or punch of a smaller diameter to drive it out. Remove the catch button and spring out towards the left. Take the mag catch off toward the right. Send it back!

 

[bkd1986]

Yeah I have a feeling you're right. I'd just hate to deal with shipping things back and forth for an issue which may have been caused by a $5 part. We shall see. Thanks for the post.

 

[acirema]

I agree sending things back is not fun, but neither is dealing with the issues this particular gun is giving you. I saw a post by Vic about email he received from IO...mentioned the Cuigar factory closing and the quality control issues. Don't know if yours is one of the affected pistols, but I would return that Tok if it were me. Good luck. You deserve a trouble free TT-33.

 

[Begemot]

You say tt's accurate and cycling. So dismount and assemble the mag catch correctly. Take it out to the range and put it though its paces. If the Romanians are shutting down production and they have quality control issues then the next one you get may have more serious issues. Mine is a mis-matched gun. I expect yours is as well. Numbers on that fire control group don't match the last ones on the frame, right? And no -- a little bit of play in that area shouldn't affect the magazine retention.

 

[9.3x57]

Ok, all's probably not lost...

The mag catch can be easily removed but I do not think that is your problem.

I've had a few mags that performed similarly. All they required was a few strokes of a file across the catch notch in the mag casing to allow the catch to sink in and grab it. If you file and test you can have very firm and reliable grip of the mag while also eliminating any looseness. In fact, in a way I consider it a plus as I've had poorly made 1911 mags that were very loose and rattled noticeably.

Anyhow, by your description I think that is your problem.

Look at the mag button closely when you insert the mag. Does it sink a bit then pop up and engage? If the button doesn't sink and then pop up, it isn't catching.

 

[bkd1986]

When I insert a mag the button does not move (at any point).

 

[9.3x57]

When I insert a mag the button does not move (at any point).

OK.

First, sorry for the first post. I reread it and I was a bit confusing. I editted it.

What you describe is happening probably because the catch at no time dips into the mag catch notch. Meaning, the notch needs to have a bit removed from the top/flat portion of the notch to allow the catch to grab it. The catch itself can be filed but I prefer to mod the mags as not all of them have to be and I do not want a sloppy fit to those that don't.

As for removing the catch, easy. First, remember the slot is NOT a screwdriver slot. The slot is the space between two "wings" that are spreading out and gripping the frame.

If you want to remove the catch, merely apply pressure on both side of the slot and push to the center, to close the wings of the catch. It pops right out.

 

[bkd1986]

I've been tinkering with the tok for a while now. I'll give the mag filing a try once I take a look at the catch outside of the pistol. I've also been wondering if maybe there is too much travel for the hammer assembly, it has some travel space back and forth while it is sitting on the rail. I can move it slightly back and forth while its seated, if I hold it forward while its in its position the mags click into place properly, do you think this could be the problem? For all I know this is normal, most of my collecting has been with bolt action rifles, I'm not nearly as familiar with pistols and this design in particular is all new to me. Let me know if that kind of travel sounds wrong to you or if it should just be expected, meanwhile I'm going to try filing a mag (I have 2 mags, neither of which click into place) and popping out the catch to take a closer look.

 

[bkd1986]

I think I must be doing something wrong trying to take out the mag catch. I fabricated a forked tool to try to force out the wings. Just to check, am I supposed to be pushing the ends in between the catch's wings and the wall in the well to force it together?

If anyone has any pictures of how to properly do it, they would be much appreciated.

 

[9.3x57]

Push from out, IN. That is, to close the slot shut. Forget the forked tool. Some guys like that method for the mag catch and the fp retaining pin {same concept} but I don't. I take two leather-working awls and simply push in. Putting the gun in a vice might help, but on my two Toks is unnecessary.

Please understand this is my long-distance diagnosis. It MIGHT not be the problem, tho it sounds identical to the problem I experienced.

 

[bkd1986]

Awesome, I finally managed to knock out the mag catch! It's hard to tell whether or not there is a problem with it. The edge seems to have been ground down a bit (no bluing left), but I don't know whether or not it was enough to impact the function of the gun like I've experienced. I'm going to take one of the mags and file it down to see if that's the issue (like you suggested). Worst that could happen is I need to replace a mag and tok mags are cheap enough so it's worth the experiment.

 

[9.3x57]

Awesome, I finally managed to knock out the mag catch! It's hard to tell whether or not there is a problem with it. The edge seems to have been ground down a bit (no bluing left), but I don't know whether or not it was enough to impact the function of the gun like I've experienced. I'm going to take one of the mags and file it down to see if that's the issue (like you suggested). Worst that could happen is I need to replace a mag and tok mags are cheap enough so it's worth the experiment.

Bravo!!

It's one of those gun jobs that is certainly impossible until you do it once, and they it's easy!!

File and test, file and test. Don't take off too much at once and you shouldn't ruin the mag.

Hopefully it'll work AOK.

By the way, mine is like yours; blued than filed. I suspect it fit for whatever mag fixture they used in assembly. Too bad it didn't fit on the real thing!