The Tokarev TAR-12 Semi-Auto Shotgun

Overview of the Tokarev TAR-12 M81

The video focuses on the Tokarev TAR-12 M81 semi-automatic shotgun with an 18.5 inch barrel and M81 camouflage Cerakote finish. It is a 12 gauge platform intended to be familiar to users of AR-style firearms, offering similar control placement and handling characteristics. The shotgun is described as reliable and versatile within its intended role. The overview sets the stage for a closer look at the external features, control layout, ergonomics, and basic specifications such as capacity, overall length, and weight, emphasizing how these elements contribute to practical use on the range.

Front sling mount and quad rail handguard

At the front of the Tokarev TAR-12 M81, there is a rotating sling mount that can be configured for left- or right-side use, allowing flexible sling placement. The handguard features a quad rail section, providing mounting space for accessories such as front iron sights, lasers, flashlights, or a vertical or angled foregrip on the bottom rail. The 18 inch barrel runs back into the camo Cerakote handguard, which is shaped to allow a solid C-clamp style grip. This configuration is intended to give the shooter good control when putting 12 gauge rounds downrange while accommodating a variety of front-end accessories.

Rails, optics options, and AR-style controls

Behind the handguard, the shotgun includes an additional Picatinny rail mounted on the bottom rear portion of the forend, a somewhat unusual placement that offers another option for accessories. A long top Picatinny rail runs along the receiver, giving ample space for mounting optics such as a red dot or rear iron sight, depending on user preference. The TAR-12 M81 uses an AR-style control layout, including a bolt hold-open and bolt release on the receiver. On the opposite side, there is an AR-style magazine release button. The magazine is easiest to insert by pulling it back slightly and then locking it in, and the magwell has a slight flare to help guide the magazine during reloads, especially if alignment is not perfect.

Trigger characteristics and grip ergonomics

The trigger on the Tokarev TAR-12 M81 has almost no traditional take-up. The shooter encounters what feels like a firm wall almost immediately, with a small amount of movement under increased pressure before the break. The break occurs toward the back half of this perceived wall, and the reset has a bit of movement with a tactile feel. Overall, the trigger is characterized by minimal slack, a consistent wall, and a defined break. Behind the trigger, the shotgun uses a rubber pistol grip contoured to the hand, including a single finger groove. This design aims to improve purchase and reduce slipping, which is useful when managing the recoil of 12 gauge loads during extended shooting.

Magazine capacity, safety, and stock features

The TAR-12 M81 uses a 5+1 capacity magazine, and one magazine is included in the box, with the note that included accessories can vary by listing. The safety is a Tokarev design using a 90-degree throw, differing slightly from a typical AR but operating on the same basic principle and maintaining the AR-style feel. At the rear, the buttstock includes QD sling mounts on both sides, allowing ambidextrous sling attachment. There is an attachment point for a cheek riser, though the riser itself is not included and would need to be purchased separately. The stock ends in a rubber buttpad about a quarter inch thick, intended to help mitigate 12 gauge recoil and improve shooting comfort.

Specs recap and closing thoughts

The video concludes with a summary of the Tokarev TAR-12 M81’s key specifications and features. The shotgun has an 18.5 inch barrel, a 5+1 capacity magazine, an enhanced loading port, an AR-style safety, and a bolt release. A quad rail at the front supports various accessories, while the overall length is approximately 38.5 inches and the weight is about 7 pounds. These dimensions and features are presented as contributing to a practical, tactical-style semi-auto 12 gauge platform. The closing remarks encourage viewers who have experience with the Tokarev TAR-12 M81 to leave reviews and comments, and then the presentation ends.