7.62 x 25 Tokarev

The 7.62x25mm Tokarev is a type of bottlenecked pistol cartridge developed in the Soviet Union in 1930 for use in their semi-automatic pistols. It was designed to be a compact and powerful round, much like the 7.63 Mauser it was based on.

The 7.62x25mm Tokarev uses a lighter 87 grain FMJ bullet that produces velocities approaching 1,500 feet per second with an energy level of 593 ft/lbs at the muzzle, making it one of the fastest handgun rounds available today. This makes it ideal for close quarters combat or hunting small game at short ranges – while still remaining capable of penetrating body armor up to NIJ Level IIIA protection (though some reports suggest higher protection levels as well).

Due to its rather unique properties, various weapons have been chambered for this caliber over the years; from submachine guns, rifles and shotguns to even full-size handguns. The most notable firearm designed for it is obviously the famous Soviet TT-30 and later TT-33 semi-automatic pistol – which saw service with numerous armies around the world and remained one of Russia’s standard military sidearms until 1951 when it was replaced with the Makarov PM pistol using a 9x18mm cartridge.