Post
by timmy » Mon Feb 23, 2015 2:37 am
As many know here, I have a 213, which is the Chinese TT in 9mm.
These pistols are a good design and very functional, within limitations. There's no way I would dispose of a Colt Cobra in order to get one, however. Vikram's solution of getting both would be the way to go in this situation.
Some brief observations:
All of the TTs I've seen, whether in 7.62x25 (sometimes called .30) or 9mm are good, serviceable, stout pistols. The design is quite strong. They are made from machined forgings.
The finish of these pistols varies, but does not affect their serviceability in any way. All are perfectly good to shoot. The most well-finished ones that I've seen are the pre WW2 Soviet ones and the Polish ones. These can be very nice. The Chinese ones, like the one I have, can be "basic" (which is one step above rough in my book).
The hammer and sear assembly is quite novel, as it sits in the top of the frame and can be easily removed without any tools when the pistol is disassembled. This assembly has built-in feed lips, so that the magazine lips can be damaged without affecting feeding.
The downside to the integrated firing mechanism is that the mainspring is largely contained in the hammer. It is a short stiff coil spring and the pistol is not easily cocked by thumbing the hammer.
The pistol is based on the 1911 short recoil system. It is about the size of a Colt Pocket Pistol.
The originals did not have a safety at all -- remember, these were made for military use, not for modern "self defense." Import laws of the USA have forced the TTs imported here to have safeties. One is a lever next to the trigger, and another version is back where a 1911 safety is. The first kind blocks the trigger and the second blocks the sear from moving. Neither are like a 1911 safety that positively blocks the hammer.
Also, the TT does not have an inertia firing pin, like the 1911, so the hammer cannot be lowered when there is a chamber in the round. There is a half-cock, but this is useless as a safety, since dropping the pistol on half-cock will break the notch or sear and fire the pistol if it lands on the hammer. This especially applies to people who carry in their waist band or pocket, where a gun is very likely to slip and fall.
Three points to sum up:
1. The TT is quite strong and safe by design, however it looks from the outside
2. The Colt Cobra is infinitely more desirable than a TT
3. The TT is not a good self defense weapon, because it cannot be safely carried with a round in the chamber. As a previous poster noted, if a self defense pistol in 7.62x25 (.30) is wanted, get a Czech CZ-52. They are very well made and very safe. The Czechs took care to mill out the frame and slide so that all unnecessary weight is removed. Even though the CZ-52 is a bit larger than the TT, it is lighter. (BTW, I also have a CZ-52.)
I cannot say exactly what the ammunition situation is in India. I understand that .22 Long Rifle, .32 S&W Long, and .32 ACP are available. That makes weapons chambered for these rounds very practical. I understand that cartridges like .380 and .357 are not easy to come by. If you can get a supply of 7.62x25 ammunition, this may be a good bet for a more powerful loading in a handgun.
“Fanaticism consists of redoubling your efforts when you have forgotten your aim.”
saying in the British Royal Navy
