Learn about the types of handguns issued by the Vietnamese military.

Unlike assault rifles, which are more diverse, the handguns currently issued to the Vietnam People's Army consist only of the following types.

1. Tokarev TT-33 (K54) pistol

TT-33 (K54) pistol

Basic specifications: empty/loaded weight 0.84/0.91 kg; length 194 mm; width 32.1 mm; height 134 mm; barrel length 116 mm. The gun uses 7.62 x 25 mm ammunition with a muzzle velocity of 420 m/s; effective range 50 m; lethal range 150 m, magazine capacity 8 rounds.

The TT-33 (short for Tokarev Tulla 1933) is a Soviet 7.62 mm semi-automatic pistol designed by Fedor Tokarev in 1929, intended to replace its predecessor, the Nagant M1895. The TT-30 prototype passed national testing on December 23, 1930. In 1933, the pistol underwent its final improvements, replacing the rotary trigger with a push-action mechanism, and mass production began in 1934.

The TT-33 was produced and used in large quantities during World War II, with approximately 600,000 units supplied to the Red Army. However, production ceased in 1954 due to the Soviet Union's decision to switch to the more modern 9 mm Makarov PM pistol. Despite this, the TT-33 continued to serve in the Soviet military and police until 1970.

The TT-33 rifle body is made entirely of steel, and the mechanism is quite simple and reliable, using no bolts or screws but connecting the parts with slots, grooves, latches, and locking pins. Disassembly, maintenance, and repair are also very simple; only the magazine and bare hands are needed to take the rifle apart into individual parts.

7.62 x 25 mm ammunition for the TT-33.

The TT-33 uses 7.62 x 25 mm round-tipped bullets, an improved version of the 7.63 mm Mauser round, and comes in two main types: armor-piercing and tracer rounds. The design of the bullet's impact point on the target creates a height difference of 15.6 cm above the aiming point (at a distance of 25 m), allowing the user to observe the entire target while aiming. Although the magazine holds 8 rounds, a 9th round can be loaded directly into the chamber.

The TT-33 pistol was manufactured under license in several Soviet allies such as Hungary, North Korea, Poland, Romania, and Yugoslavia from the 1950s. China copied the TT-33 and called it the "1954 Model" pistol. When this type of pistol entered Vietnam, it was given a Vietnamese designation based on the Chinese name, K54.

Currently, the K54 remains the most common handgun in the Vietnam People's Army, often issued to junior officers or security guards. Although many other countries have switched to using more modern handguns, there is no indication that the K54 will be retired in Vietnam anytime soon.

Officers of the Vietnam People's Army test their marksmanship with K54 pistols.

2. Makarov PM (K59) pistol

Makarov PM (K59) pistol

Basic specifications: empty/loaded weight 0.73/0.81 kg; length 161.5 mm; width 30.5 mm; height 126.75 mm; barrel length 93.5 mm. The gun uses 9 x 18 mm ammunition with a muzzle velocity of 315 m/s; effective range 50 m; magazine capacity 8-12 rounds.

The Makarov (or PM) is a semi-automatic pistol designed by Nikolay Makarov in the late 1940s. The creation of the PM (Pistol Makarov) was the result of competition for the best pistol for Soviet Army officers. The PM was chosen because of its small size, compact size, light weight; simple construction with few moving parts; economical, easy to manufacture; high accuracy; convenient to use; and easy to maintain, repair, and adjust.

The original PM pistol body was made entirely of steel, while modernized versions are made of alloy; it has slots, pins, and compartments for installing the barrel, trigger guard, trigger ring, hammer, breech lock, magazine, buttstock, and safety catch. This type of pistol was widely used in the military and police until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Makarov 9 x 18 mm ammunition

The Makarov pistol uses the new 9 x 18 mm ammunition, which has a relatively low production cost and possesses strong penetration power at close range. The original magazine uses a spring-loaded recoil mechanism with a capacity of 8 rounds (up to 12 rounds in the improved version), and has a locking pin to indicate when the magazine is empty.

Like the TT-33, the PM pistol was also manufactured in Soviet allies such as Bulgaria, East Germany, and China. Vietnam's designation for the K59 is similar to that of the K54.

Officers from the Command of the Guard of President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum inspect the firing of K59 pistols.

Compared to the K54, the K59 pistol is less common in the military, mainly issued to officers from the rank of major and above. However, the K59 pistol, along with its improved version, the CZ 83, is widely used in the police force.

CZ 83 pistol

CZ 83 pistolThe CZ 83 is the export version of the CZ 82 pistol, manufactured in the former Czechoslovakia and present-day Czech Republic and Slovakia. Considered an upgraded version of the K59 pistol, it still uses 9 x 18 mm Makarov ammunition and has been present in Vietnam since the late 1980s.

The CZ 83 is equipped with a 12-round magazine, and its front sight and rear sight are fitted with reflective elements for excellent night-time aiming. Additionally, it has a longer and lighter trigger travel. According to those who have test-fired all three types of guns, the bullets fired from the CZ 83 have very good accuracy, often achieving significantly higher accuracy than when fired from the K59 or K54.

Vietnamese police officers practice with CZ 83 pistols.

According to dailo.vn