Does anyone own, has anyone shot or does anyone have any first hand knowledge of the Russian TOZ 35m free pistol? My local gun store has a new (old stock) one in the box and I’m tempted. Problem is that I would have to shape the very elaborate grips.

Thanks,
Ed

They are somewhat crude( I think they are a copy of a old Hammerli design) and an old design. But they can still perform, in knowleged hands. The word I ear about the grips, they have a tree attached to the pistol. It is your job to make a suitable grip to fit your hand. ISSF free pistol 50 meter discipline is a highly competitive and demanding discipline.

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Expect the unexpected

I've seen one some time ago but don't have much knowledge otherwise. As I remember, it was also a NIB specimen. Seems like it might have been in a fitted wood case, but I don't remember for sure. Depending on the price being asked, it might be of interest to someone interested in doing serious competitive free pistol shooting. Or possibly a collector of Russian guns. Otherwise, there wouldn't be much interest in one, so not much demand. No idea what the going price of these might be. If I had one to sell, I would probably list it in GunBroker to get a wider audience. Your local dealer might have it in his display case for a long time.

They used to be really bargains even new in a World of expensive "ugly" pistols.

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Expect the unexpected

My local dealer is Buds Sevierville and I sense that the have several here and in Lexington. The price seems down right cheap. Don’t know if I can mention it here but it’s pretty easy to look up.

Ed

Like many of the Russian target guns, rough and not really very pretty on the outside, but extremely well done inside where it matters.

I shoot a IZH35M .22 target pistol that meets (and exceeds) all the requirements for initial Olympic competition. Finish looks like a sandblast, and when new was rough enough when you wiped it down would snag bits off the rag, but the barrel was perfect like a mirror, the trigger was adjustable for length of pull, take up, over travel, sear engagement, pull weight. It will digest any ammo as long as magazines are kept clean, and it will out shoot anything any capable person can do with it.

The grips are not original, were build by Arnie Vitarbo, and modified by me.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I have been a free pistol enthusiast and competitor for years.
I've owned about a half dozen TOZ35s, and have assisted many new shooters who have owned them. No more. They are my least favorite free pistol. They tend to break down. A lot! Fixing them is usually cheap, in that it mostly involves changing the very poor quality springs. But, more serious problems are not uncommon. The metallurgy is very inconsistent. With extended use, it's not unusual to find the lockup get out of whack to the point where the firing pin strike won't align with the cartridge rim. The usual fix is the weld up and reshape the camming surface of the operating lever. Firing pins break and are difficult to find replacements. You can get creative in having them repaired.
Later ones used plastic parts in the trigger mechanism. Didn't fill me with confidence.
The sight adjustments are crude. The sights are often crooked, especially the front.
The barrels are generally not accurate enough to hold the 10 ring of the FP target @ 50m.

By the way, they are not a Hämmerli copy. The trigger and striker design is totally unrelated.
On a personal note, I find the grip angle and weight to be uncomfortable.

Their one attribute is that they can take rough handling better than the more precision free pistols. But, that's like saying a Timex is better than a Swiss watch because of the abuse it can take.
OK, maybe one more attribute: you can cut them up in various ways and tinker with them without feeling bad. Bubba's dream free pistol!
One last caveat: the vast majority of used, import marked Toz35s are former club guns from the EU that have seen a lot of rounds through them. When they were $299 a pop they were a good source for parts.

Lastly, there is what I call the "Myth of the TOZ"....many erroneously attributed Olympic records, etc. People often confuse the TOZ with the far superior, and much rarer MU55 free pistol (aka MC55), as used by Moritz Minder.

Best Regards,
Jim

Attached Images

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I know the Russian nagant revolver will never win a bueaty contest but this Toz is ugly to me.

Thanks 6string (great name, by the way). Your observations told me all I need to know. Believe I’ll just walk on by.

Ed

In my good years(read that late '80s til the new century)I used to have one.The wood part was left large enough for you to carve in what ever fits your hand.I sold it because the grip angle didn't quite fit my wrist angle.But with it I managed to shoot few good for medal enough scores.
I sold it and bought a MU 55 which has a grip angle better suited to my hand.But I must say thay had the grip angle fitted my hand I would have kept it since the thing was mind buzzing accurate.50 meters(aprox 51.5 yds)single hand,the thing shot within 5'' and I've seen good shooters do a lot better than I did with it.
All in all if it fits your hand,it is a very good,accurate gun.

If anyone is interested, here's a copy of the excellent manual for the MU55 free pistol. I especially like the parts lifespan info on page 24.... Hammer, trigger spring:125,000 shots!
Oh yes, and the warranty: 24 months or 250,000 shots.

http://www.pistoliers.com/manuel/Man...1M_English.pdf

In case I was a bit harsh on the TOZ, if you see one imported and marked by Don Nygord, you can trust he's gone through it and gave it a good tuning. By the way, a properly fully equipped TOZ should come with a round wooden box containing several spare parts.

But, for artistic quality workmanship, it's hard to beat a classic Hämmerli!

Best Regards,
Jim