Vostok TOZ–35 Free Pistol

When a layperson first encounters the TOZ–35, two things immediately stand out. One is the sheer size of the firearm: the barrel length is 300 mm — almost rifle-like. The other is the massive walnut grip that completely envelops the shooter’s right hand. It has to be slipped on like a glove, providing a secure and stable hold.

The TOZ–35M (произвольный целевой пистолет, “free target pistol”) is one of the gems of Russian firearms manufacturing. It was developed between 1959 and 1961, with production starting in 1962 and a later modification in 1978. Its spread at 50 meters is just 25 mm — approaching the precision of target rifles. It is a particularly elegant sporting weapon designed for the free pistol event. It is becoming increasingly popular in Western Europe and can be acquired for around €200–350 depending on condition. In Hungary, the price typically ranges from 75,000 to 125,000 forints, but it is very difficult to sell — sometimes it can be purchased for laughably low prices. For comparison, a Western model like the Matchguns MG5 (also with mechanical trigger, but convertible to electronic), or a Hammerli 150, costs around €1250.

The free pistol event has been part of the modern Olympic Games since the very first in Athens, 1896. At that time, shooters fired 5 series of 6 shots at a distance of 30 meters. Today, the event consists of 60 shots at a target 50 meters away, within a maximum time of two hours. The diameter of the 10-ring is 50 mm, and the inner 10-ring (the “X”) is just 25 mm — requiring extremely high precision. There are almost no restrictions for free pistols: only the .22 LR caliber and the requirement that the weapon be single-shot. In every other respect, designers have free rein to pour all their skill and creativity into meeting the sport’s high standards. The engineers of the Tula Arms Plant certainly rose to the challenge — and the result is the masterpiece known as the TOZ–35M.

The Tula Arms Plant (Тульский Oружейный Завод, [http://www.tulatoz.ru]), located 165 kilometers south of Moscow, was founded in 1712 by Nikita Demidovich Antufiev, a free blacksmith, on the orders of Peter the Great. Within a few decades, Tula had become the center of East European steel craftsmanship. The Demidov family, who were later ennobled, became the wealthiest Russians after the Tsar himself.

During the Cold War, Tula was of strategic importance to the Soviet Union. The plant produced numerous military weapons, including the AK–47 assault rifle, the SKS semi-automatic carbine, and Mosin–Nagant rifles. The abbreviation “TOZ,” referring to the factory’s name, appears on many weapons. Examples include the TOZ–34 12-gauge over-and-under shotgun, the TOZ–87 semi-automatic shotgun, the TOZ–99 .22LR bolt-action rifle, and, of course, the TOZ–35M free pistol — though, sadly, it is no longer in production.

The TOZ–35M is a single-shot, small-caliber weapon that fires .22LR ammunition. The designers placed the barrel line unusually low, nearly in line with the shooter’s hand. The slender barrel is threaded into the frame, which is topped with a micrometer-adjustable rear sight. Both the rear notch and the front sight are interchangeable — the original wooden case includes a full set of spares housed in a small wooden box.

The action uses a tilting block mechanism, which is opened using a lever at the bottom of the grip. To cock the pistol, the lever must be pushed forward until it clicks. Once the mainspring is tensioned and the firing pin is locked in the rear position, the lever becomes loose and can be left to hang. It can also be latched in the rear position with a small catch. After opening the breech, the cartridge must be inserted manually and pushed firmly into the chamber — this requires some force. Once the round is seated up to the rim, the breech can be closed. Extraction is done the same way: pushing the operating lever forward activates the fork-shaped extractor, which pulls the casing out of the barrel. If done energetically, the spent casing will be ejected forcefully and doesn’t need to be removed by hand.

Trigger Adjustment

The TOZ–35M is equipped with a set trigger mechanism (also known as a “schneller”), which is cocked using a forward-extending lever on the left side of the frame. The lever must be pressed down until it clicks — but this should be done only immediately before firing, as the mechanism is so sensitive that even the slightest touch on the trigger can cause it to fire. The trigger travel can be adjusted between 0.2 and 1 mm, while the trigger pull weight ranges from 0.1 to 0.75 newtons!

The trigger itself is rather minimalist in design, but extremely comfortable: it is adjustable in height, depth (forward/back), and can be rotated sideways. It is most commonly used tilted slightly to the right, as this aligns best with the last joint of the index finger.

Note: The schneller, or set trigger (from the German schnell, meaning “fast”), is a mechanical device that allows a shot to be fired with very minimal force and reduced reaction time. It can lower the trigger pull to just a few hundredths of a kilopond, compared to the 1–2 kp typical in regular firearms. While it enables extremely precise shooting, it requires patience and focus from the shooter. It is also quite dangerous, as even a slight accidental touch — such as brushing the trigger from the side — can result in an unintentional discharge. A demonstration of the schneller in action can be seen in this video: https://youtu.be/hUsllZHmhFg

Correct Trigger Adjustment Procedure:

First, cock the pistol, then turn screw #4 clockwise until the pistol fires. Then turn the same screw ¼ turn back counterclockwise. Cock the pistol again and test the trigger. Finally, adjust screw #1 to set the desired trigger pull weight.

Sight Adjustment

For vertical adjustment, turning clockwise raises the point of impact.
For horizontal (windage) adjustment, turning clockwise moves it to the right.
In both directions, 1 click shifts the point of impact by 1 cm at 50 meters.

Checking for Unloaded Condition and Storage

To check if the pistol is unloaded, gently push the breech lever forward — this allows the chamber to be inspected without cocking the firing mechanism.

To de-tension the mainspring:

1. Cock the set trigger.
2. Push the breech lever slightly forward (just enough to avoid cocking again).
3. Pull the trigger.

At this point, the mainspring is no longer under tension, which is also indicated by the breech lever snapping backward under spring pressure.This is the proper storage condition for the pistol.

If the breech lever moves freely, it means the mainspring is compressed — do not store the pistol in this condition.

Dry-Fire Training

Before beginning, ensure the pistol is unloaded and the mainspring is not under tension, following the steps described above.

With the breech lever latched in the rear position, the set trigger can be cocked, and the pistol can be safely dry-fired without damaging internal components. This allows for dry-fire practice without ammunition.

Disassembly, Reassembly, and Cleaning

For routine cleaning, disassembly is not required. With the breech open, the cleaning rod can be inserted from the rear through the hole in the grip.
Never insert a cleaning rod into the barrel from the muzzle!

The pistol should be cleaned after every shooting session. Even if unused, it is recommended to clean and oil it every three months. During maintenance, always check that all screws are tight.

The barrel and chamber can be cleaned using a plastic-bristle brush and an alkaline cleaning solution to remove stubborn powder residue. After cleaning, all metal parts should be dried thoroughly and lightly coated with gun oil. The wooden components can be cleaned using a dry cotton cloth.

Disassembly

1. First, unscrew the wrist rest retaining screw at the base of the grip.
2. Then unscrew the grip panel screws on both sides.
3. The grip panels can now be removed. Note: the nut for the wrist rest screw may fall out during this step.
4. Next, remove the larger screw in front of the trigger guard. This allows the lower fore-end (under the barrel) to swing down and be removed.
5. This exposes the trigger mechanism and the set trigger.

Further disassembly is generally not necessary for regular maintenance.

Firing Pin Replacement

1. Push out the pivot pin of the tilting breech block to remove the breech assembly from the frame.
2. If the mainspring is cocked, manually depress the front lever to dry-fire the mechanism and release tension.
3. The screw at the rear of the breech block (actually a bayonet-style lock) must be rotated about 45 degrees, which allows it to open.
4. The mainspring can now be removed, followed by the firing pin.

Reassembly

To reassemble the pistol, follow the above steps in reverse order.

When reinserting the breech block, it must be firmly pressed down while simultaneously cocking the mainspring with the breech lever.
Otherwise, the breech block won’t seat fully, and the pivot pin cannot be reinserted.

Storage Case

The TOZ–35M was supplied by the manufacturer with a sturdy wooden case. Inside, one could find a range of accessories, including:

• a bottle of thick, sticky Russian gun oil (in this case, a black plastic bottle originally meant for the MCM pistol — the original container was aluminum),
• cleaning brushes,
• a screwdriver,
• a cleaning rod,
• and a small wooden box resembling a powder compact, containing spare parts and replacement sights.

Original technical drawings

Specifications

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Magazine Capacity: Single-shot
• Weight: 1.1–1.4 kg
• Overall Length: 440 mm
• Height: 160 mm
• Material: Steel
• Grip Panels: Walnut
• Barrel Length: 300 mm
• Locking Mechanism: Tilting breechblock
• Trigger Mechanism: Set trigger (schneller)
• Trigger Pull: Adjustable, 0.1–0.75 N
• Sights: Micrometer-adjustable rear sight
• Sight Radius: 375 mm
• Safety Mechanism: None
• Intended Use: Precision target shooting (free pistol)

Customization and Tuning

Like most Russian firearms, the TOZ–35M is a rugged and durable design. As long as the muzzle remains undamaged (which would seriously compromise accuracy), it can last a lifetime. Unfortunately, many surplus pistols — especially former club or military models — often show signs of crude modifications: carved, glued, or patched-up grips. This is because each shooter had their own idea of how to improve the grip and make it fit their hand better — often using primitive tools like pocketknives or hatchets.

As mentioned earlier, the pistol is enjoying growing popularity among German buyers, for example. It’s quite common for demanding customers to repair or replace the grip if it isn’t in good, original condition. Replacing the grip isn’t cheap: a Morini grip for the TOZ–35 costs around €250, while a Marschal grip set runs about $170.

Matte-finished, moisture-absorbing grips offer a better hold and are often lighter as well. With a Morini S grip, the overall weight of the pistol is reduced by about 100 grams, which can make a noticeable difference. Some users even replace the cocking lever with one made of duralumin or carbon fiber, saving another 30–40 grams. A few go as far as drilling holes into components to reduce weight — a practice I personally consider rather barbaric and irreversible damage.

The grip is the most practical place to reduce weight — either by using lighter materials or a more minimalist design. However, altering the weight affects the balance of the pistol. Our German friends swear it improves handling — but I’m not convinced. In my opinion, the TOZ–35M is already somewhat front-heavy.

Some shooters even add barrel weights or compensators, transforming the pistol’s appearance until it’s almost unrecognizable. Sure, it can make the gun look very cool — but does it actually serve a purpose beyond aesthetics? Personally, I doubt it. Still, as long as second-hand TOZ–35Ms are available, there will always be people making accessories of questionable utility — and others happy to buy them…