TOZ 17 review - Bargain priced Soviet workhorse.
I purchased my TOZ cheaply, initially just for its magazine (My Brother had lost his) as it was priced about the going rate for just Magazines. The plan was to keep the magazine and resell the rifle, however I made the mistake of throwing a scope on it and taking it to the range.
It is quite accurate for a cheap 22 and is not at all fussy about what ammunition is used, everything I’ve tried has shot acceptably.
The Timberwork is crude, like a year 10 project (that got a C), the stock has a Schnabel forend and some checkering and is adult sized, but is just not as well formed as it could be. The buttplate is blued steel. The inletting is functional.
The barrel and action show plenty of machining marks and the receiver is grooved for rings.The Muzzle has a large cone then flat section with the crown recessed a fair bit.
Medium to high rings are needed to clear the rear sight unless it is removed, these make a consistent hold a touch difficult to achieve.
The bolt has a very stiff spring and a lot of mass behind the firing pin, this combines to give consistent ignition, over a thousand or so rounds I have yet to have a misfire.
The trigger on mine has been worked on, and is much better than other TOZ’s I have shot, all part of the gamble with secondhand guns.
The magazine is similar to an old Sportco or Marlin (both of which can be modified to work in these) hold six rounds and is very crudely made and hand fitted to the rifle - when new they came with 2 matching numbered magazines and they are not necessarily interchangeable between rifles. The magazine release is very easy to use, even if you do not mean to…It sits just at the natural balance point carrying the rifle in one hand around paddocks and the Magazine is a loose fit at best. Reflective tape is a wise addition and makes them easier to find once you notice its gone.
Conclusion- Functionally almost the equal of My Model 2 BRNO, but incomparable aesthetically and in ease of use. Its my go to 22 for knockabout use or rainy weather, when the nice rifles stay at home. They are as cheap as anything, just make sure you get one or more magazine with the gun.