Short Stack Posted May 19, 2012 Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 I'm reviewing today the KWA TT-33 Tokarev, which may or may not be officially released and there is virtually no info out about this gun. So I'm here to provide some info! MSRP for this gun is $135. Magazines are around $30 each. Inside The Box The box itself is made of medium strength cardboard with styrofoam encasing the gun and parts. Inside the box, you get: -Gun -Magazine -Hop-up Adjustment Tool -Lube -Small bag of .25 KSC BBs -Paperwork -Manual The gun is held firmly in place in the Styrofoam bed, which has room for a spare magazine (one can be kept in the gun itself) with a spare slot for the usual bits and pieces that come with a new KWA. First Impressions At first glance the TT-33 looks pretty bad***. It has a finish in black that is slightly shiny. The coloring all over the gun is almost exactly the same, a deep black color. The gun is modeled to be exactly the same as the real TT-33, KWA did a great job on it. This gun is very, very light. 1.65 lbs actually, according to KWA. The balance is VERY good. This gun has both an aluminium slide as well as an aluminium frame, which helps aid it's lightness, compared to WE's heavy and clunky pot metal. Metal parts abound, so it is easier to tell you what is made out of plastic. The two grip sides, and the barrel....Yeah, there is a lot of metal. The only wobble in the gun, at all, period, is the magazine. Take the magazine out, and you can shake the gun around and hear nothing. The wobble is very minimal. Close Look The trademarks on the gun are as follows: Magazine Catch side: -O120301499U * KWA (engraved, black) Chamber side: -Manufactured in Taiwan (looks painted on, white) Top: BK989 * 1941 (engraved, black) Grips: -CCCP around a star The * is an actual star on the gun. The gun does not come with a safety, instead using a quirky trigger setup. You have to push from the top and angle slightly downwards, if you just push on the bottom the trigger will not move all the way backward. After some test firing, I got used to it pretty quickly. The KWA comes equipped with fixed sights. Both are very simple, very barebones, but they work. Remember, this gun is from 1941! The gun comes with a plastic outer barrel, mostly to use less wear and work better with the NS2 system. The KWA uses it's usual hop-up on the gun, adjustable with a tool by locking the slide open and putting the tool inside the chamber. Hop-up adjustment is right for less hop, and left for more. The magazine is no frills design. The big thing, it only holds 10+1 rounds. Yes, only ten. You may want to carry a speed loader and extra mags with you. The mag itself holds enough gas for around 25 rounds. Produced completely from metal (except for the rubber gas routing and the loading lip), the KWA magazine is actually rather light. Like most KWA magazines, the follower can be locked at the bottom for easier loading. Unlike the Marui, BBs must be loaded through the feed lips. The KWA comes with an orange tip painted on the barrel, and the barrel extends past the slight, unlike the real TT-33. I'm hoping for an aftermarket slide+barrel kit to come and fix this, along with adding some more trademarks. Shooting Impressions The gun has decent kick, with a good trigger pull and a decent hammer. Overall it's a lot like other KWA offerings. The slide locks reliably, and the action is completely smooth, with no jerkiness at all. When it comes to shooting performance, I found the gun has around 150 foot range, and accuracy up to about 115 feet. Using .25s of course. The accuracy is decent, and the hop works very well, almost on the lines of TM. On airsoftGI and some other websites, they say the gun chronoes at 340-350 FPS. I think this is exaggerated a little bit, and they do use .20s. KWA on the other hand, in their manual, says it's at 280 FPS. I suspect they used .25s and 134a gas for this chrono reading. I think the gun rests at about 310-330 with .20s and green gas/propane. Take Down I do not know how the real TT-33 takes down, but this is how the KWA version does. 1. Remove magazine, make sure there are no BBs chambered in the gun. 2. On the chamber side, grab the little straight line thing and pull on the tab, freeing the pin that is to the front of the gun. 3. Push the pin and pull the slide lock out of the gun. 4. Pull the slide off of the gun. 5. Push the spring guide forward, then let it come out of the gun. It is a two peice + spring affair, it does stay together though. 6. Spin the front part of the slide upwards. Pull it off. 7. Pull the barrel through the front of the slide. After you do that, you should be here. The gun comes stock lubed, and KWA also includes lube with the gun when that stuff wears off. Conclusion Overall, I think the gun is a great new offering to those who like older guns, or eastern euro guns. It's a great replica and I'll be happy to skirmish with it. Even though it only has 10 rounds, it's performance is very good and I can't wait to give you guys a skirmish report next time I go play. Happy airsofting! Realism: 7/10 (barely any trades, extended barrel) Quality of gun: 8/10 Performance: 9/10 Skirmishability: 8/10 Total: 8/10 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NonEx Posted May 19, 2012 Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 Thanks for the nice review, appreciate it! Love that there are more "odd" models coming out, not just 1911 variants and such, props to KWA for that! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bloodsword Posted May 20, 2012 Report Share Posted May 20, 2012 Yeah these rarer guns are nice to have, hope the makarov gets done too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
intinerious Posted May 20, 2012 Report Share Posted May 20, 2012 Can you please check whether they've used the new spring leaf design for their hop up like the new KSC m4s and the STI? Would be interesting to see if any of the new KWA pistols already adopt the new hop up design that's supposed to be miles better than the old ball bearing one Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Short Stack Posted May 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2012 I don't really want to take apart the hop system as I'm afraid I probably won't be able to put it together, but, it does look and feel a bit different from my older KWA pistols. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wingman Posted May 20, 2012 Report Share Posted May 20, 2012 (edited) I wouldnt worry about there being no trades on this pistol. At the height of WWII these things were flying out of the factory with little or no markings at all. They had tool marks galour and many had no type of finish other than a quick dunk into a paint can or spray painted. They were "rough" to say the least, but they were dependable (just like the 1911 which the TT33 borrowed several features from). This pistol can also be used for Vietnam style skirmishing as the pistol was quite popular there and was a prized "trophy" for many U.S. troops (being carried by many as back-ups). There are also stories of SF personell carrying them as well as in they worked quite well in that environment. While I'm not a big KWA/KSC fan (their hop-up mainly), this is definately a must buy for me. You mentioned that the outer barrel is plastic. I know you probably have not had a chance to fire the pistol a great deal, but have you notices any wear on the barrel from the slide action? I'm assuming the hop-up is the same KWA/LSC style that needs the wrench. The take down preceedure you described is just as the actual pistol is done. You did a nice job on this, it helped convince me to buy one. Make sure that you give us some details on the pistols shooting cabability (accuracy and range) after your through "breaking it in". Edited May 20, 2012 by Wingman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
intinerious Posted May 20, 2012 Report Share Posted May 20, 2012 I don't really want to take apart the hop system as I'm afraid I probably won't be able to put it together, but, it does look and feel a bit different from my older KWA pistols. Ah that's okay If you're willing to take it apart in the future and nobody's reported back the info I asked I hope you'll update us with the info on the hop Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Short Stack Posted May 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2012 (edited) I wouldnt worry about there being no trades on this pistol. At the height of WWII these things were flying out of the factory with little or no markings at all. They had tool marks galour and many had no type of finish other than a quick dunk into a paint can or spray painted. They were "rough" to say the least, but they were dependable (just like the 1911 which the TT33 borrowed several features from). This pistol can also be used for Vietnam style skirmishing as the pistol was quite popular there and was a prized "trophy" for many U.S. troops (being carried by many as back-ups). There are also stories of SF personell carrying them as well as in they worked quite well in that environment. While I'm not a big KWA/KSC fan (their hop-up mainly), this is definately a must buy for me. You mentioned that the outer barrel is plastic. I know you probably have not had a chance to fire the pistol a great deal, but have you notices any wear on the barrel from the slide action? I'm assuming the hop-up is the same KWA/LSC style that needs the wrench. The take down preceedure you described is just as the actual pistol is done. You did a nice job on this, it helped convince me to buy one. Make sure that you give us some details on the pistols shooting cabability (accuracy and range) after your through "breaking it in". There is no wear on the barrel, which I think is largely the reason KWA switched to these; to reduce wear. I've put around 20 mags through it and skirmished it at a CQB place near me. The hop-up is very touchy, 1 click over or under wouldn't work right, but once you hit that middle click the BB just flew and flew. Accuracy isn't amazing on the gun, I'm going to invest in a tightbore as soon as I find a compatible one (probably any KWA fitting one.) But the hop-up, even if you dislike it, works alot better then my other KWA pistols and is on par if not better then my TM desert warrior. This thing could hop .30s even better then .25s probably. The 10 round part of the gun is a bit of a hindrance, but a bit of a challenge I'm grateful for. I chose my shots more carefully and found I was just hitting more people because I always made sure that I wasn't wasting rounds. I only had 2 mags and a speedloader through 20 minute games and believe it or not I never had to re-gas and I never died from reloading the gun. EDIT: Got the gun chronoed at the CQB place, 340 on the dot with green gas and .20s. This thing hits HARD, I shot a guy and he showed me a bleeding BB hole after the game. Reassuring to know this thing will make people call their hits. Edited May 20, 2012 by Short Stack Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike_West Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 Yeah these rarer guns are nice to have, hope the makarov gets done too! Yes, it will. They shown the prototype at either ShotShow or IWA (maybe both, I saw the photos). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FireKnife Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 Humm, 10 rounds, not good, possibly a new hop unit, maybe could pass this off but what worries me is the 'safety' and how that will affect performance. Hopefully the Makarov PM will just have its usual DA safety and be a bit better than this. 'FireKnife' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteevoLS Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 I handled the more or less completed Makarov at an event last month; It had a traditional thumb safety on the slide. Trigger pull felt normal, but I wasn't really paying close attention to it vs. the TT33. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Short Stack Posted May 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2012 The TT-33s feels almost the same as a DA, just has up and down movement. I would recommend this pistol even with the 10 round mags. I also don't see the need for a new hop, this one works great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brigg Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Does anyone know if real steel tt33 grips will work on these? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FireKnife Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 The TT-33s feels almost the same as a DA, just has up and down movement. But it shouldn't, it should be breaking about the same weight as a 1911. This was on my buy list but after this revelation i don't think i will, time to wait for the Makarov. 'FireKnife' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Short Stack Posted May 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 But it shouldn't, it should be breaking about the same weight as a 1911. This was on my buy list but after this revelation i don't think i will, time to wait for the Makarov. 'FireKnife' Break weight is good, but the trigger pull is long, like a DA. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
howitzer Posted May 25, 2012 Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 Good review. With the Tokarev capacity low, I think I will just wait for the Makarov. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FireKnife Posted May 25, 2012 Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 Break weight is good, but the trigger pull is long, like a DA. Not good enough. If they wanted a safety make a damn Type 54 next time, stupid KWA. Good review. With the Tokarev capacity low, I think I will just wait for the Makarov. Reports say it has the same capacity, around the 10 or 11 mark so it won't be much different 'FireKnife' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
howitzer Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 (edited) Not good enough. If they wanted a safety make a damn Type 54 next time, stupid KWA. Reports say it has the same capacity, around the 10 or 11 mark so it won't be much different 'FireKnife' True the capacity is reported to be similar. I can just about justify purchasing one on my need for a compact pistol. Edited May 27, 2012 by howitzer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FireKnife Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 It isn't that compact though, but i suppose compared to the common full size pistols of the early Cold War it was Plus have yet to see one of these TT-33s in the UK. 'FireKnife' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
eece2011 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 Does anyone know if real steel tt33 grips will work on these? Probably won't. My Hudson TT doen't take real stuff at all I believe there is still some slight discrepancy btw this one and the RS. PS: Add some grip details as a reference I'd prefer those pre-war or war models: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
eece2011 Posted June 14, 2012 Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) Humm, 10 rounds, not good, possibly a new hop unit, maybe could pass this off but what worries me is the 'safety' and how that will affect performance. Hopefully the Makarov PM will just have its usual DA safety and be a bit better than this. 'FireKnife' I wish in the first place it would come up with a double stacked mag too! Just what TM did to their 1911.. Think about it for a while you would find that the grip size is completely different,additionally 1911 weighs a lot more than TT, which I guess was the primary reason to limiting mag capacity while making airsoft. Regarding the safety, yes this KWA one kinder stinks but I recall no one else has made a better safety than this maybe the baikal one is a full presentation of nearly every aspect of the RS so far but unfortunately it is merely an SA. Edited June 14, 2012 by eece2011 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Utty Posted July 6, 2012 Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 For those wondering about the type of hop-up on the KWA TT-33, have a look at the manual: http://kwausa.com/files/4613/3701/7768/MMD18_TT33.pdf Go to the exploded diagram and find part 91. It's a tiny ball bearing, I'm afraid. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FireKnife Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 *fruitcage* you KWA, making me spend more to buy a new hop unit just to make it worth while. Couple this with the 'safety' and capacity and i think they have ruined what should have been a winner here. 'FireKnife' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
3vi1-D4n Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 *fruitcage* you KWA, making me spend more to buy a new hop unit just to make it worth while. Couple this with the 'safety' and capacity and i think they have ruined what should have been a winner here. 'FireKnife' Haha Aren't you melodramatic. I will wait till I get my mitts on it before I comment. 11 rounds isn't the end of the world just means you need more mags and don't use a pistol for suppressive fire LOL If it can't take green gas, then that would be truly ruined. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FireKnife Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 Not really, this is a new gun, should have the new hop Though as a last resort or even a fleeting back up this would be ok, but that trigger mech i really don't get. 'FireKnife' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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