MC55 (or MЦ55) versus Toz-35(m)?

[wiebebouman]

I am temporary living in Moscow, and have access to both (and a third one the Toz-60), however I am a novice and cannot differentiate between the three yet. I will want to continue this sport after I leave Moscow and I would like to take advantage of having access to Russian specialists being able to work on a gun for me to take with me. It can only be 1 of the three though and as the Toz-60 is completely unknown it does not make a wize choice re parts availability etc.

So: which of the two (MC55 or Toz-35m) to go for?

I know this question has been asked before on this forum, but already a couple of years back. Maybe there are some new insights.

Question 1: Which of the these two Russian pistols is the best and why? I have heard about balancing problems with the MC55 (although it was described as very balanced in the older forum topic), maybe because of lack of counter weights? But also about the angle of the MC55's grip which is for some the better. I realise that there will be different views but any comments would be appreciated.

Question2: I have no idea about prices, what are the price ranges for both pistols?

[F. Paul in Denver]

Our host sells the TOZ brand new for $1235. I'm not sure where you live but if you intend to import the gun to the US, you should factor in the significant red tape involved with the importation. The time and aggravation in dealing with the BATF can easily outweigh the benefits of saving a few bucks. I went through this process a year ago and it took nearly 7 months to get my gun in hand. I'm not sure I would make the same decision today.


Whether you buy a TOZ overseas or elsewhere, take advantage of the opportunity to at least stock up on hard to find spare parts like firing pins etc etc which you can hand carry back.

F. Paul in Denver

[Guest]

The time and aggravation in dealing with the BATF can easily outweigh the benefits of saving a few bucks. I went through this process a year ago and it took nearly 7 months to get my gun in hand. I'm not sure I would make the same decision today.

Whether you buy a TOZ overseas or elsewhere, take advantage of the opportunity to at least stock up on hard to find spare parts like firing pins etc etc which you can hand carry back.

I now live in Moscow Russia and do not know where we will go next (life of an expat, what a drag..?!). It might actually be the US! The advice on spare parts I will take serious. However this is not primarily about saving some money, but more about trying to find out for which gun (the Toz or the MC) I should try and take advantage of having Russian specialists at hand who could prime a gun for me, better than westerners, who may have more experience with western pistols... Than again, with so many Toz's around in the West I presume that it really depends if the forum advices me to go for an MC rather than a Toz.

thx for the reply

[Alexey931]

All the good advice already given. TOZ-35 and buy it Stateside. Spare parts is a good point too. Nobody mentioned the grip. With luck you can get/cut a good one, especially in Moscow.

Best regards, Alexey

[IPshooter]

I am temporary living in Moscow, and have access to both (and a third one the Toz-60

What is a Toz-60?

Stan

[Fred]

Here's a different way of looking at it. They are both excellent guns, and top shooters have had great success with both. Either one will be more than adequate for you. However, the TOZ35(M) is far more common and easily available just about anywhere in the world, whereas the MTs55 is very hard to find. If I were in your position, I would get the MTs55. If it turned out I didn't like it and could own only one free pistol, I could sell the MTs55 and buy a TOZ35 easily just about anywhere. The opposite would definitely not be the case.

HTH,
FredB

[Ted]

I agree with Fred. I live in the U.S and happen to own both a MC 55-1 and a TOZ 35M. My first free pistol was the MC-55-1 (It came from a gun show here in town. Talk about a find!) and shot it for about 5 years. It is a very nice gun . Definitely lighter than the TOZ. I then found a good deal on the TOZ and shot it some. I became worried about getting parts for the MC-55 and was told by several people that it was more of a collector item because it was hard to find (in the U.S) so I decided to just use it as my backup and use the TOZ primarily. So, as Fred said, they are both nice guns (the MC-55 is better finished overall though!). You are in a position to get a MC-55 so get one and if you don't like it, you will have no problem selling it and would probably be able to sell it for more than you paid for it and you could then but the TOZ and have moeny left over to buy a better grip if not so eqiupped.

[wiebebouman]

I am temporary living in Moscow, and have access to both (and a third one the Toz-60

What is a Toz-60?

Stan

Uhhhh, the only clue I can give you now is that if you google the image you should find one (!!) picture on the website of my shooting club in MOscow (Rosto). I have tried to attach it but I am not sure if I did it right. I was surprised not to be able to find any other mention on the web about it myself. I will ask the 1,5 soul on the club which speak english when I see them to fill me in and I'll let you know. That said, by the sound of it its probably even more scarse than the MU-55......

Wiebe

[wiebebouman]

Well not such a mistery after all. The club told me that first there was a toz 35 then it became the 35m and the next step was the 60. on the outside virtually the same....

Wiebe

[IPshooter]

Well not such a mistery after all. The club told me that first there was a toz 35 then it became the 35m and the next step was the 60. on the outside virtually the same....

Wiebe

Wiebe,

Thank you for the information. The 60 sure looks like the 35 I used to own. The only real difference I can see is the sights appear to be higher than I remembered.

Stan