The 7.62 x 25 Tokarev round, originally hailed for its velocity and penetration abilities, once stood as a pillar of Soviet ballistic ingenuity. Derived from the earlier 7.63 Mauser, used widely by the Chinese and the Soviet Union, and employed in a variety of firearms including the PPD-40, PPSh-41, and PPS-43 submachine guns, it played a significant role during World War II.
Although mechanically impressive for its low recoil and commendable trajectory, it ultimately suffered from a higher-than-optimal flash for handgun use. As a submachine gun cartridge, the 7.62 x 25mm was peerless in its time, offering a combination of low per-round mass and flat trajectory that made it incredibly efficient. However, as firearm technology and tactical requirements evolved, so too did the calibers in demand.
The 7.62mm outperforms the 9mm Parabellum but falls short of the .30 Carbine, placing it squarely between the two in terms of performance. In terms of mass, the 7.62x25mm Tokarev is comparable to modern Russian 5.45x39mm ammunition, weighing approximately 10.6 grams per shot. While impressive by historical standards (about half the mass of the US’s .45 ACP), it lacks the punch of modern SCHV weapons like the AKS-74U. Despite its somewhat dated ballistics, with some modifications, the 7.62×25 still serves as a robust model for modern personal defense weapon calibers.
Prior to World War I, the 7.63×25mm Mauser C96 pistol gained global popularity, particularly in the Tsarist army where it was approved as an officer’s sidearm. During the Russian Civil War, Mauser pistols and ammunition were obtained from German and Turkish forces, and in the 1920s, the Red Army purchased batches of the smaller Bolo version. The Soviets eventually licensed and manufactured the cartridge, which became the standard caliber for Soviet pistols and submachine guns. Despite being dimensionally similar to the Mauser cartridge, the Tokarev cartridge had significantly increased power, making it unsafe for firearms not designed for the added pressure.
The 7.62×25mm Tokarev cartridge gained notable use in the Soviet Union’s TT-33 pistol, Yugoslavia’s Zastava M57 pistol, and the Czech ČZ vz. 52, serving as their standard service pistols for several decades. It was also employed in various submachine guns such as the PPD-40, PPSh-41, and PPS-43. Despite its limited adoption outside COMECON countries, it remained in production post-Cold War, with aftermarket conversion kits available for firearms like the AR and AK platforms to fire the Tokarev round.
Relevant articles:
– why did 7.62 x 25 Tokarev round fall out of favor? [Archive], The Firing Line Forums, Dec 13, 2020
– Modern Personal Defense Weapon Calibers 007: The 7.62x25mm Tokarev –, The Firearm Blog, Feb 23, 2017
– What’s the deal with 7.62×25 Tokarev? [Archive], Cast Boolits, Oct 30, 2018
– Why isn’t 7.62 x 25 Tokarev more popular?, AR15.com