Selected Handgun Detail

Manufacturer
	China North Industries Group More Info

About the Gun

The M-201C is based on the Chinese Type 54 Tokarev. It features a frame-mounted manual safety and wrap-around grips with a contoured humpback profile, drawing from the design of the Hungarian Tokagypt 58, a 9 mm variant of the TT-33 produced for Egypt in the late 1950s that incorporated ergonomic grip improvements and a safety.

Production

Production ran from the early 1980s through the late 1990s, with the majority of output occurring during the mid-1980s to early 1990s for export markets.

Market value

Current market value for used examples in good to very good condition (typically 80–95%) ranges from approximately $285 to $400.

Cartridge Specifications
Cartridge:	9 mm Luger
Alias:	9 mm Parabellum
More Info

Analysis

The addition of the manual safety addresses a common critique of the original Tokarev design, which relied solely on a half-cock notch. The Tokagypt-style grips provide a more substantial hold and alter the grip angle slightly for some shooters compared to the standard flat panels. User reports indicate reliable function with 9 mm ammunition and respectable accuracy attributable to the fixed barrel. The safety lever operation differs from more conventional designs and may require familiarization. This model represents Norinco's effort to adapt the proven Tokarev mechanism for broader ammunition availability while introducing select handling enhancements. The M-201C is distinguished from the related M-213 by its Tokagypt-pattern grips and magazine finger rests.