With this article we will begin a review of pneumatic versions of the TT. Like Makarova, many world arms brands have this copy in their collections - Gletcher, Crosman, SOBR, Smersh, KWC, etc. Today we will start with a domestic manufacturer - the TT MP-656k air pistol from the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant.
The combat pistol was developed in 1930 by Tokarev to replace the already established revolver and a number of other types of foreign weapons that were in the hands of the Red Army at that time. After winning the competition, its serial production begins at the Tula Armory or simply TT. The pistol proved its effectiveness in many tests, survived the Second World War, and gained a crowd of relatives in many countries of the world. Officially, the era of the pistol in the army ended with the arrival of Makarov, unofficially the TT is still being passed around.
The pneumatic “Tula Tokarev” from IzhMech is almost a copy of its combat brother, because Traditionally, everything here is made from combat pistols. Currently, the MP-656 TT air pistol has been discontinued, so only remnants of this part of history remain on the market.
Review of the MP-656 TT air pistol
Production of the model was launched in 2009-2011. A characteristic feature of the pistol is that it matches the firearm version as closely as possible for a pneumatic pistol. Its design used parts from a combat prototype that had original numbers and production dates.
Due to the subsequent ban on converting firearms into pneumatics, the assembly and sale of the pneumatic MP 656 was temporarily suspended. After a short break, production of the model was resumed, but soon it was completely stopped due to a decrease in demand caused by a noticeable deterioration in the quality of new components.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of the MP-656 pistol:
- high surroundings;
- reliability of the design, mostly copied from its combat counterpart;
- up to 60 shots from one cylinder;
- availability of independent modernization.
Disadvantages of the model:
- the need to manually cock the hammer or jerk the bolt to fire;
- lack of adjustable sights;
- insufficient power;
- The numbers and dates on the frame and slide rarely match each other (each sample was assembled from different weapons).
Photo of the MP-656 TT air pistol
Purpose
The pistol is used for recreational shooting and is popular among fans and collectors of air guns. The original appearance of the model is largely ensured by the factory blued finish, which has minor defects in the form of small scratches and abrasions. Users often do not modify the weapon, leaving its power at the same level and being content with authentic weight and size parameters.
Rating of TT air pistols from AirSoft-RUS
A detailed examination of each pneumatic TT model allows us to draw up a logical rating.
| Place | Pistol model | Advantages | Flaws |
| 1 | Crosman C-TT | The product is entirely made of metal (except for the lining). High initial speed. Magazine capacity. | Price. There is no blowback function. Non-adjustable sight. Large weight (objectively, can be considered an advantage). |
| 2 | Gletcher TT-P | Low price. The mechanism parts and the magazine are made of metal. Low weight of the product. | Blowback is not provided. Plastic case. There is no possibility of adjusting the front and rear sights. |
| 3 | Borner TT-X | Price. Bargain. The main parts of the structure are made of steel. Light weapon weight. | No blowback. Plastic housing. The open sight cannot be adjusted. |
The pneumatic version of the TT from Crosman, naturally, took first place in the rating. The buyer receives a working device in metal design, with a spacious magazine, and high shooting performance.
One could argue with the final position of products from Gletcher and Borner, but given the small difference in price and quality, it is the first sample that is most reasonable to buy.
October 19, 2022
Specifications
Technical characteristics of the MP-656 TT pneumatic pistol:
| Characteristics | Indicators |
| Caliber, mm | 4,5 |
| Shot speed, m/s | 90 m/s (in the basic version); 120-150 (modernized) |
| Magazine capacity | 13 |
| Weight, kg | 0,900 |
| Length, mm | 190 |
| Energy source | CO2 (cylinder) |
| Bullet type | steel balls |
| Material | steel; handle cheeks - plastic |
| Power, J | |
| Barrel type | steel, threaded |
| Barrel length, mm | 96 |
| Descent | single action (without blowback system) |
| Fuse | absent |
| Main sight | rear sight, front sight (non-adjustable) |
| Installing an additional sight | not provided |
Upgrade
There is little point in improving this particular modification of the Glacier TT. But if the owner wants more power, it is worth performing the following procedures:
- Slightly enlarge the hole through which CO2 exits; this will inevitably increase gas consumption.
- Install a small gasket at the point of contact between the barrel and the magazine.
The Gletcher TT-P air pistol is recommended for novice shooters and people who like to shoot for entertainment purposes. Low price, reliability and simplicity of design, reliable reproduction of details are qualities that speak in favor of the model.
Device
The all-steel mechanism of the MP-656 TT pistol with a caliber of 4.5 mm ensures strength and a specific clang during disassembly. The extension of the barrel at the muzzle creates the illusion of a combat caliber of 7.62 mm, while the real barrel (4.5 mm) is made in the form of an internal insert.
The compartment for balls and a cylinder with liquefied carbon dioxide is located in a removable magazine, which, due to its individual fit, is suitable only for “your” pistol. Each additional store has to be modified separately.
The balls are poured into the neck of the magazine after the spring-loaded feeder is pulled down. Arranging the balls in one row reduces the duration of continuous shooting, but prevents delays and increases operational reliability.
The cylinder is screwed into the magazine using a screw stop. Its prominent elongated ring at the bottom distinguishes an air pistol from a combat pistol and can be replaced with a countersunk screw. At the top of the store there is a bypass chamber for carbon dioxide and a valve system.
The presence of rifling in the barrel increases the accuracy of hits compared to smooth-bore versions. Twisting the balls, which are fundamentally not intended for accurate shooting, stabilizes the flight path and has a positive effect on accuracy.
The trigger is almost completely copied from the original prototype. The trigger is cocked with the thumb of the shooting hand or by jerking the bolt frame. There is no “blowback” mechanism for self-cocking, since its presence would greatly reduce the number of shots fired from the cylinder due to the tight return spring.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the Crosman TT are:
- High level of copies;
- Full metal alloy body;
- Good workmanship;
- High ball release speed;
- High-quality paint coating, resistant to abrasion;
- Possibility of firing both self-cocking and pre-cocking;
The disadvantages of the Crosman TT are:
- Requires disassembly and adjustment immediately after purchase;
- The fuse is made of fragile plastic, which raises doubts about its performance and durability;
- The gun is made of a rather fragile metal zinc alloy, prone to cracks from minor loads;
- The system for simulating shutter operation has not been implemented;
- Third-party inscriptions placed by the manufacturer reduce the level of copying;
- The pistol as a whole is a compilation of features from TTs of various years of production.
Operating principle
Before shooting, you need to screw the cylinder into the magazine, fill the balls and cock the trigger. The last operation has to be carried out constantly, which causes inconvenience during frequent shooting. The magazine release button is located behind the trigger guard on the left side.
The pistol uses incompressible (steel or copper-plated steel) balls, the diameter of which is 0.1-0.15 mm less than the diameter of the barrel. Lead bullets, which are relevant for pistols with a rifled barrel, are not used in this model.
Pneumatics as a means of self-defense
Most experts believe that using an air pistol as a means of self-defense is not very wise, since such a weapon can at most scare a petty hooligan. If you are attacked by serious criminals, then you won’t even be able to harm them with such a pistol. In this case, more harm can be done to the attacker by hitting him with a pistol than by shooting him with one.
Much more often, pneumatics are used for sports or entertainment purposes, but if you decide to opt for an air pistol, then we will consider in more detail all the characteristics and properties of this type of weapon, and also find out how to choose an air pistol and which model to choose.
If you decide to purchase pneumatics, but do not know how to choose an air pistol without a permit, then without it you can only buy weapons with a caliber of no more than 4.5 mm, as well as energy no higher than 3–7.5 J.
Disassembly
The procedure for disassembling the TT MP-656 pistol:
- remove the magazine with the cylinder installed;
- use a screwdriver or a drift to move the bolt stop latch (bracket) on the right side of the bolt frame;
- remove the bolt with a longitudinal movement forward;
- pull out the trigger;
- get the mainspring;
- remove the retaining ring;
- remove the barrel.
It is recommended to clean the barrel and components with pneumatic oil, which does not destroy the rubber seals. In the absence of special lubricant, silicone oil can be applied to the gaskets to seal the metal-to-rubber contact points.
The video shows the disassembly of the MP-656 pistol:
Disassembly and care
To partially disassemble the TT air pistol, remove both cheeks from the handle, remove the cylinder and magazine. Unscrew the screw located under the muzzle. In front of the barrel, hold the plug held in place by a screw and pull the bolt back. Lift the back of the bolt mechanism, then pull the mechanism forward and remove it along with the plug.
To completely disassemble the gun, unscrew the remaining bolts and separate the two parts of the body.
The rules for caring for an air pistol are simple, but require regularity:
- after direct use, clean the weapon from dirt, sand, and wipe dry;
- Clean the barrel bore with a cleaning rod, apply lubricant for air guns, remove excess lubricant;
- clean and lubricate other parts - trigger, pressure screw, connection to the gas cylinder;
- Reassemble the gun in the reverse order, tighten the connections tightly.
Detailed information on disassembling and cleaning the Gletcher TT-P pistol is given in the instructions.
Technical advantages
It is known that in several countries the TT is produced in different versions. At the same time, it is equipped with a caliber of 4.5 mm explosives for a CO2 cylinder. Structurally, the models are identical to the prototype, but there are differences in design. Experts also note differences in the use of materials and technical abilities.
As practice shows, the Gletcher TT pistol, produced by the company of the same name, is in greatest demand. According to experts, this is an “evolved” TT. But the model has not been fully developed. Which models are most in demand?
MP-654K - an exact copy of the legendary PM
The pneumatic MP-654K was produced at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant and is the most accurate copy of the Makarov pistol, and the similarity is not only external, but also in the handling techniques of the weapon. This pistol, like the previous one, is a gas-cylinder type weapon. Like its prototype, it is equipped with a clip, but with a can of CO2.
The magazine can be loaded with 13 sphere-shaped bullets of 4.40-4.41 mm caliber. Their initial speed is 110 m/s. Just like its legendary prototype, the MP-654K has a safety catch that ensures safe handling.
Such an air pistol is ideal for you not only for self-defense, you can also use it for training if you are going to buy a real Makarov pistol in the future. It is also worth mentioning that this pneumatic is almost entirely made of high-quality steel and will serve you for a long time.
Maintenance
1. Correct handling and timely maintenance of the gun increases service life and guarantees reliable operation. If there is no need, you should not completely disassemble the MP-654K pistol.
2. Use for shooting only the bullets specified in the “Purpose” section.
3. Partial disassembly of the MP-654 pistol should be done in the following order (Fig. 1):
- separate store 6;
- pull the trigger guard down;
- separate the shutter 1 from the frame 3 by moving the shutter to its rearmost position and lifting its rear end.
4. Reassemble the MP654 pistol in the reverse order.
5. Every 1500-2000 shots, lubricate the trigger mechanism.
6. To clean and lubricate gun parts, it is recommended to use clean rags or gauze and gun lubricant RZH TU 38-1011315-90.
7. To replace a failed ring 5 or valve ring 7 (Fig. 2), it is necessary to unscrew the valve seat 3 and remove the components of the valve mechanism from the body 1. After installing new seals, reassemble in reverse order.
Rice. 2. Diagram of the MP-654K pistol magazine 1 - valve body; 2 — washer; 3 - valve seat; 4 - valve; 5 - ring; 6 — valve spring; 7 — valve ring; 8 — feeder; 9 — feeder spring; 10 — clamping screw; 11 — sealing element; 12 — sealing ring; 13 - filter; 14 - ring; 15 — sealing ring; 16 — adapter; B - loading hole.
Description
The Gletcher TT model range includes three varieties:
- Gletcher TT, with a blowback, made of metal;
- Gletcher TT NBB, without blowback mechanism, made of metal;
- Gletcher TT-P, without blowback, made of plastic.
The energy source for all three models is a carbon dioxide cylinder located in the handle. The weapon is equipped with a double-action trigger mechanism; firing is carried out with both a pre-cocked hammer and self-cocking. All pistols are marked in white on both sides of the slide with the model name and manufacturer's logo.
The body of the Gletcher TT-P is made of plastic. Like its predecessor, the Gletcher TT NBB Tokarev air pistol, the plastic model does not have a blowback mechanism.
WALTHER CP88 – pistol with German quality
The WALTHER CP88 pneumatic gun is a complete copy of the regular WALTHER P88 firearm and has excellent German quality. To fire such a pistol, lead bullets of 4.5 mm in diameter are used, which at the muzzle end reach a maximum speed of 120 m/s. Such bullets are placed in an 8-round drum, and the safety of such pneumatics is ensured by two fuses.
As a means of self-defense, such a weapon is ideal, because it looks like a real military weapon, and its use is not particularly difficult. In addition, do not forget about the quality of the presented model.
