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What is Tokarev?

The 7.62 Tokarev is a handgun cartridge that was developed in the early 1930s in the Soviet Union by Fedor Tokarev. It was designed for use in the Tokarev TT-33 semi-automatic pistol, which was the standard sidearm of the Soviet military during World War II and for several decades afterward.

The 7.62 Tokarev cartridge is derived from the 7.63×25mm Mauser cartridge used in the German Mauser C96 pistol. The Soviet Union sought to develop a similar cartridge that would provide greater penetration and range. The 7.62 Tokarev round features a bottlenecked design with a tapered case and a pointed bullet, which helps improve its ballistic performance.

The cartridge fires a 7.62mm (.30 caliber) bullet at high velocities, typically around 1,400 to 1,500 feet per second (430 to 460 meters per second). It is known for its flat trajectory and relatively high muzzle energy. The 7.62 Tokarev round is primarily used in military and sporting handguns and has also been used in submachine guns.

While the 7.62 Tokarev cartridge was widely adopted by Soviet Bloc countries and saw significant use during the mid-20th century, it has been largely replaced by more modern ammunition in military applications. However, it remains popular among firearms enthusiasts and collectors due to its historical significance and availability of surplus ammunition.