Posted on 06/07/2014 9:39:03 AM PDT by servo1969
This is no cheap surplus pistol.
The Zastava M70A is a new production handgun of a very proven design. It is produced on modern CNC machinery in Serbia by skilled craftsman. What results is an amazingly high value gun that shoots better than some guns five times it's price. Cranking off many rounds through 'The Nutnfancy Project purchased M70A proved the pistol to be worthy of its acclaim, much of which was garnered through war time use. Advancing the Tokarev TT 33 design, this iteration incorporates a manual safety, better slide milling, better sights, firing pin safety, and one more round in capacity.
Features and quality covered in the review along with solid data points on reliability, accuracy, ergonomics, accessories, Space/Size And Weight Constraints, and value. 'Philosophy Of Use' is diverse for such a high value gun. The gun inspires confidence in handling and shooting, similar to a good 1911. Few other guns can come even close to achieving this level of performance for just $200. It may not be my first choice as a 'Go To War' option but every TNPr should have one of these.
Caliber -- 9 mm PARA
Capacity -- 8 rounds
Weight -- 0.88 kg [31 oz.]
Barrel length -- 116 mm [4-9/16 in.]
Height -- 130 mm [5-1/8 in.]
Total length -- 200 mm [7-7/8 in.]
The design of the pistol M70A is similar to design of Soviet pistol TT, that is, model M57.
The pistol is a semi-automatic weapon with a safe system of locking and triggering.
It functions on the principle of short recoil of the barrel.
It is the ideal defense weapon, easy to handle and maintain.
The pistol is fed from a detachable magazine with secure fitting and releasing.
The pistol is put to safety position when the hammer is pulled "to the first cam".
The pistol has fixed iron sights.
Metal parts of the pistol are made of high quality alloy steel.
Handgrip covers are made of selected walnut or of polymer.
Standard finish is blue.
My cousin owns a Chinese copy in 9mm Para. Not a bad pistol, although I wasn’t a big fan of the hammer.
I had a similar Chinese made Tokarev and around 20 years ago the selling price was just under a hundred dollars. The finish was nothing extra but it functioned perfectly.
Also about as accurate as most other auto pistols.
I remember killing a large rattlesnake with it. If it was all you could afford then why not?
Of course at the same time there was a glut of police trade in .38 revolvers. I got a Colt Official Police for also just under a hundred and that was an outstanding gun. That used Colt had probably the smoothest action of any revolver I have ever owned and it was also way above average in accuracy.
Since those revolvers have dried up, I would say get the Tokarev.
http://www.shotgunnews.com/2013/06/11/tokarev-m70a-review/
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1YM70
I have a surplus Yugo Tok 7.62mm. Love that pistol. It is the only one that didn’t sink in a boating accident that I shoot. You can still get milsurp ammo. I got cans of 1000 for $59 pre King Obama and can still find it.
You’re right. I misused the word ‘clone.’ I should have said ‘like’ or ‘style.’
Also, the "safety" on the TT33 stinks. I don't trust safeties anyway but the one on the TT33 is the least trustworthy I've ever seen. Hope the M70A is better.
MTodd5325 wrote: May 03, 2014 I've given up. It looks like no one is going to import 9mm mags for the M70a. I don't know why not. It's a great gun. But it looks like it's being abandoned. No parts. No spare Mags. Zip in the way of support. I'm going to take out the spacer for the magazine (in the frame) and sell one 9mm mag on Ebay while I use the rest as spares (I have two). The remaining M70a will be converted to use Tokarav M57 mags (which I see in other posts the weapon does very reliably). Out.
Thanks for posting this.
The Ruskies have always designed wonderful weapons that won wars against “better” designed weapons, and often beat out those weapons in side-by-side historical comparisons on certain TV series. They were at the top of the list, not because they were necessarily the best, but because they could be cranked out cheaply in bulk and had rudimentary maintenance requirements. AK-47, Mosin Nagant, and the T-34 tank are great examples: Inelegant and crude, yet plentiful, cheap and highly effective, they were great weapons that won wars.
For those who carry and appreciate the ballistics of the .45 round, but have trouble with the bulk of a 1911 or the kick of the XD-S .45 ACP, how about this: http://store.bobergarms.com/collections/firearms/products/xr45-s-standard
1911 clone? No.
The Polish made Toks are better quality.
That`s a lot of good, who imports them, and how could you order one?
Thanks.
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