Gunsmithing Tokarev Specialist needed, I got problems!

[dlxcupid]

I kinda inherited a Norinco Tokarev (Type-54) from my dad. He said he hasn't fired it much and it was stored under his bed for over 10 years. He's got a 7.62x25 barrel and bushing along with a 9mm barrel and bushing. He also had 1 mag for the Tokarev round and 1 mag for 9mm. He figured I could have fun with it since he doesn't shoot much anymore. So there's some sentimental value to this piece.

The magazine was loaded with ammo when I received it and the magazine was hard to remove. It seems like it was catching on the trigger or frame. I used a sharpie and marked the magazine, it's contacting the back of the magazine and the sides of the magazine. I figured maybe the magazine has expanded? I went out to a local gun show and bought new magazines and it didn't make any difference.

I did field strip the gun to clean and lube everything before I shot it. It shot fine for the first mag, but the on the second mag, it did 3 round bursts. I shot 2 more mags knowing it might go full auto. It did a total of 4x 3 round bursts out of 24 rounds! I stopped shooting it and took it all apart again and made sure everything was clean and not sticky. Everything seems to look fine.

I'm lost here, does anyone know anything about these pistols? Is there any gunsmith out there who works on these things? Maybe I can send it in to have work done? Perhaps replace all the springs and firing pin?

Thanks!

 

[Clark]

Re: Tokarev Specialist needed, I got problems!

I have a lot of Tokarevs and have worked on them, but I don't know what is wrong with yours. If you can take pics of what is wrong, and I can take pics of what is right, maybe I can help, maybe.

 

[jwSubMOA]

Re: Tokarev Specialist needed, I got problems!

Howdy.On those pistols once you disassemble it you will notice that the fire control group is a one piece unit.With the slide off you can simply pull the hammer,sear and springs out as a unit from the top.Take this and the pistol to any competent gunsmith and see if he is willing to repair it.If not check Numrich or Sarco and get a replacement fire control group.You may have to do a little filing inside the grip to get the mags to fit right.

 

[buffybuster]

Re: Tokarev Specialist needed, I got problems!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jwSubMOA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Howdy.On those pistols once you disassemble it you will notice that the fire control group is a one piece unit.With the slide off you can simply pull the hammer,sear and springs out as a unit from the top.Take this and the pistol to any competent gunsmith and see if he is willing to repair it.If not check Numrich or Sarco and get a replacement fire control group.You may have to do a little filing inside the grip to get the mags to fit right. </div></div>

This..

 

[dlxcupid]

Re: Tokarev Specialist needed, I got problems!

basically when I hit the mag release button, the mag don't drop. It just stays in the frame. I have to manually pull the mag out. I also removed the grips to see what was wrong, it's the same either with or without the grips installed.

 

[frog5215]

Re: Tokarev Specialist needed, I got problems!

Is the firing pin stuck or does it move freely?

 

[dlxcupid]

Re: Tokarev Specialist needed, I got problems!

it moves freely. it doesn't bind or anything.

 

[buffybuster]

Re: Tokarev Specialist needed, I got problems!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dlxcupid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">basically when I hit the mag release button, the mag don't drop. It just stays in the frame. I have to manually pull the mag out. I also removed the grips to see what was wrong, it's the same either with or without the grips installed. </div></div>

Make sure the trigger bow is not "bowed" or tweaked. It could be dragging on the sides of the magazine, explaining why your mags don't drop free but ALSO explain your doubling problem, as the sear spring is not able to reset the trigger fast enough, due to the trigger bow drag.

 

[BigDKC]

Re: Tokarev Specialist needed, I got problems!

Just out of curiosity have you extensively cleaned it? I'm no gunsmith and it may or may not have anything to do with your problem, however the amount of cosmo in these old surplus pistols is bordering on ridiculous! I couldn't believe how much was in both of mine, and I mean EVERYWHERE! Even the firing pin channel! Maybe old dried up gunk is locking things up..?

 

[Clark]

Re: Tokarev Specialist needed, I got problems!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigDKC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just out of curiosity have you extensively cleaned it? I'm no gunsmith and it may or may not have anything to do with your problem, however the amount of cosmo in these old surplus pistols is bordering on ridiculous! I couldn't believe how much was in both of mine, and I mean EVERYWHERE! Even the firing pin channel! Maybe old dried up gunk is locking things up..? </div></div>

I have Chinese, Romanian, Russian, and Polish Tokarevs, and I can't remember a dollop of cosmoline.

But 1903 Turkish Mausers, 1938 Turkish Mausers, VZ24 Mausers, 1908 Brazilian Mausers, 91/30 Mosin Nagants, and the worst, 7.62x51 Ishapore 2A all left memories of cosmoline in my shower.

 

[gunnergirl81]

Re: Tokarev Specialist needed, I got problems!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: buffybuster</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dlxcupid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">basically when I hit the mag release button, the mag don't drop. It just stays in the frame. I have to manually pull the mag out. I also removed the grips to see what was wrong, it's the same either with or without the grips installed. </div></div>

Make sure the trigger bow is not "bowed" or tweaked. It could be dragging on the sides of the magazine, explaining why your mags don't drop free but ALSO explain your doubling problem, as the sear spring is not able to reset the trigger fast enough, due to the trigger bow drag. </div></div>

+1
Look at the mags and see where the wear is and if its in line with the trigger then that would explain it. My first 1911 build did something similar.

 

[BigDKC]

Re: Tokarev Specialist needed, I got problems!

Mine are the yugo M57's, and it took me half a day to get it all out!

 

[dlxcupid]

Re: Tokarev Specialist needed, I got problems!

*update*

I finally figured it out! While I was assembling the trigger group, I didn't tuck the sear spring into the housing. Now it ejects fine but it catches again. The magazine pops out about an inch and it catches on something. I think it's catching on the trigger spring. I'll get one of those on order. I think it's only $10 or something.

I've got a chinese one and there's no cosmoline at all. Either way, it's clean. I took the firing pin out to clean the spring.

Anybody know how to improve trigger pull on these?