Author Topic: Tanfoglio opinions? (Read 3326 times)

Shane in WI · « **on:** February 11, 2003, 08:21:43 AM »

A local dealer had a few Italion pistols in his shop that I was looking at the other day. Tanfoglio brand and I believe it was either the Witness or the combat model in 45 acp. Double action w/ 10 shot clips. I see he also had a 9mm and a 40 cal in similar pistols with different finishes.
Looked to be pretty nice guns especially for $385 for the 45. smaller guns were alittle less.
Any experience with this brand? Quality and function?

I have a 1919 Model 1911 that was used in WWII in the collection. Really like that pistol, but don't know how much I should be shooting it. Just wondered about these Tanfoglio guns.

Thanks in advance.

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2003, 08:29:45 AM »

Shane: I do not have any experiences with that manufacture but I have read of them in Gun Tests and Shooting Times. Apparently they are fairly stout pistols that work the way they should. I cannot recall reading about any sort of a dysfunction with them, which menas that they work.

Maybe some of the other fellas have some more detailed comments for you. Hope this helps. Mikey.

Flint · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2003, 03:08:54 PM »

I had a Witness 40S&W, and it was excellent. The only problem it has is the lack of a hammerdrop safety. To use it double action after loading it, you have to carefully lower the hammer manually. Since the slide rails are reversed from the usual (Colt, etc), the slide is narrower, and the fingergrips are further in than you expect, but it never slipped out of my grip loading it. The pistol is built like a tank, probably unbreakable. Mine is gone only because I remarried and had to get rid of some stuff. (not everything, of course).

new snake owner · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2003, 03:08:44 AM »

The witness pistol I own is the full size steel in 45 and I love it. Feeds great, accurate, and it fits me well. It was mentioned earlier that it doesn't have a hammer drop safty but it does allow for cocked and locked positon. I have a range near me that has a rental program and I have tried alot of other pistols and for the money this one can't be beat. The only draw back is that you have to like it the way it is as no one really makes any aftermarket parts for them ie. grips etc. Last summer I took it to the rifle range with me and just for grins shot it at the 50 yard target (not exacty hand gun range) and shot a 3 shot 1.5" group with ball ammo. So if it fits you, you wont be disapointed.

Shane in WI · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2003, 06:16:11 AM »

Thanks guys,
Just the info I was looking for. That was the impression I got from the gun shop as well, but always better to check with others.
Now all I have to come up with is a reason to convince myself I need it and $385.

securitysix · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2003, 06:17:42 AM »

Tangfolio makes a good pistol. I have a friend who has a polymer frame 9mm, great gun. I've shot a few .45 ACPs, from 1911s to Ruger's P-90 and -97 to the convertible model Ruger Blackhawk, to the S&W 625. While I've never shot the Tangfolio (imported by EAA under the Witness name), I've handled a few of them. The next .45 ACP I get will probably be a steel framed Tangfolio.

Bob_K · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2003, 01:52:53 PM »

Tangfolio makes a fairly decent pistol. I had one of their CZ clones, and it shot reliably, was well finished, and overall was a quality product. They are a better than average Italian manufacturer. I only sold the pistol because I was more into 1911 .45's as a bullseye competitor. I always thought they were very good pistols for the money.

Tacoma · « **Reply #7 on:** March 26, 2003, 10:04:15 AM »

I had a EEA imported Tangfolio TZ-75 9mm in the early 90s. As far as 9's go, it was really nice. Fit my medium sized hands better than most double stacked 9's. Fit ,finish and features were excelent. ( Mine had a hammer drop safety.) Quality was as much better than the price tag would suggest. Accuracy was on par w other 9's I had tried. Sold it off ( regretably) when i went through my .45 only phase. I'd like to get another in .45 but they are tough to come by in my state ( which won't let us buy new ones due to some backdoor legislation.)
I doubt you'd be disapointed.

archivist · « **Reply #8 on:** May 19, 2009, 07:21:40 PM »

I have a .45 in steel with the "Wonder" finnish and I love it. I also had a poly version with a picatinny rail but traded it for a John Deere (I had to). Prefer the steel version as it is heavier and feels better when you are rattling off some rounds.

At 30 paces standing I am able to group nicely and put some rounds through the same hole (fixed rear site). To beat it you would probably have to spend twice as much but would only have a prettier gun. Oh yeah, no accessories so forget aftermarket tinkering.

This gun inspires so much confidence that I wouldn't mess with it anyway. A true combat pistol. Not one jam or misfire and everything I use are reloads. I like to sit with it and take it apart over and over again as it is sooo easy to do, very smooth and well crafted.

securitysix · « **Reply #9 on:** May 19, 2009, 07:36:31 PM »

Quote from: securitysix on February 12, 2003, 06:17:42 AM

Tangfolio makes a good pistol. I have a friend who has a polymer frame 9mm, great gun. I've shot a few .45 ACPs, from 1911s to Ruger's P-90 and -97 to the convertible model Ruger Blackhawk, to the S&W 625. While I've never shot the Tangfolio (imported by EAA under the Witness name), I've handled a few of them. The next .45 ACP I get will probably be a steel framed Tangfolio.

Been a while since I made this post. Never got around to getting a .45 ACP Tangfolio. I do have one in 10mm, though. Full size, steel, Wonderfinish. It's a fine gun, but throws brass too far (half or more of it is unfindable). Pretty sure I know how to fix it, just haven't had time to work on it.

archivist · « **Reply #10 on:** May 19, 2009, 07:57:25 PM »

Yeah I noticed that date. How would you fix the ejection "problem"? I have a hard time recovering my brass as well.

Savage · « **Reply #11 on:** May 20, 2009, 05:18:51 AM »

Have the Tanfoglio in 9mm/10mm w/.40 barrel, and .45. Great guns! The lack of a hammer drop safety is not an issue to me. I'm from a time when most all guns had hammers. Regardless of what the government tells us, most of us are capable of safely lowering a hammer without the aid of a hammer drop safety.
Securitysix,
Know what you mean about the 10mm launching brass into low earth orbit! I solved that problem by going to a 22# spring and shortening the ejector about 1/16". Now the brass lands in my zip code. Great shooter, especially now that I can find the brass!
Savage

securitysix · « **Reply #12 on:** May 20, 2009, 02:14:46 PM »

Quote from: archivist on May 19, 2009, 07:57:25 PM

Yeah I noticed that date. How would you fix the ejection "problem"? I have a hard time recovering my brass as well.

See the post below yours. The spring by itself won't do the trick, and may not be necessary at all, I'm not sure. The ejector needs to be shortened some, but not too much. 1/16" sounds about right, though.

Savage · « **Reply #13 on:** May 20, 2009, 02:29:40 PM »

IMO the 10mm Tanfoglio is under sprung. If you're going to shoot it a lot with full power loads, at least go to the 20# recoil spring. Be sure to install the extra power firing pin spring as well. I bought the Wolf "Calibration Spring Kit" and experimented until I found what I thought was the right one to control the slide velocity. I then shortened the ejector until ejected cases were no longer lethal.

Just shorten it a little at a time and maintain the original shape of the ejector. Enjoy your pistol!~
Savage
edit: One of the lighter springs from the Wolf kit works great with .40 barrel I bought from Reed's.

mauser98us · « **Reply #14 on:** May 20, 2009, 06:20:28 PM »

I have 6 Witness pistols. High quality at a lower price.Your gonna love them,especially if you like the CZ platform. These pistols run rings around the Ruger autos

Old Griz · « **Reply #15 on:** May 30, 2009, 12:15:48 PM »

One of the two really bad guns I ever owned. It was a .40 cal. CZ75 clone. It shot 6" high left at 7.5 yards. That means it wasn't on the paper at 20. The magazine would release every 7 or 8 rounds. My dealer took it back as partial trade for a S&W 19. (One of the best guns I have ever owned.)

Savage · « **Reply #16 on:** May 30, 2009, 01:12:58 PM »

Griz,
What kind of CZ clone did you have?
Savage

Old Griz · « **Reply #17 on:** May 31, 2009, 08:00:32 PM »

It was a Tanfoglio EAA Witness, but I don't remember the model number. It was just after the .40 S&W first came out. Didn't keep but about a week or two. I know the Witness is usually a fine gun and that mine was just an anomaly, but when they screwed up, they did so royally.

Savage · « **Reply #18 on:** June 01, 2009, 02:02:03 AM »

Wow, heard of a few cracked slides on the new model 10mms, but yours is the first I've heard of with the problems you mentioned. I'm seeing more of the Match guns locally these days. The guys speak highly of them. Guess there has to be a bad one now and then. If you liked the ergos on the pistol, you should give it another try. Heck of a deal for under $400!
Savage

Old Griz · « **Reply #19 on:** June 01, 2009, 07:18:30 PM »

The ergonomics were terrific, but if I decide to go that way again, I'd go ahead and get the original CZ. They were not available when I got the Witness, and the difference in price is not that much. Also, I'd go .45 instead of .40.

Savage · « **Reply #20 on:** June 02, 2009, 02:02:28 AM »

The .45 is pretty sweet! I have the Witness in 9mm/.40/10mm/.45. All are great shooters! The 9mm has got to be one of the most accurate pistols I've owned in that caliber. It has a short leade, so bullets have to be seated a little deaper to function properly. I had to adjust my COL from 1.125 to 1.09. The 1.125 length worked fine in my dozen or so assorted 9mms. I used the 1.125 for years in Glocks and Sig 226 without problems. Just a little something to remember for the guys out there starting to load for the 9mm Tanfoglio. Can't go wrong with a CZ! Don't think it's available in a steel frame .45, but not sure about that. Shoot well.
Savage

securitysix · « **Reply #21 on:** June 02, 2009, 06:55:17 PM »

Quote from: Old Griz on June 01, 2009, 07:18:30 PM

The ergonomics were terrific, but if I decide to go that way again, I'd go ahead and get the original CZ. They were not available when I got the Witness, and the difference in price is not that much. Also, I'd go .45 instead of .40.

I've handled the Witness in .45 and the CZ-97 (steel frame in .45). The ergonomics on the Witness are, IMHO, actually better, especially if you have small to medium hands. If you have particularly large hands, the CZ is probably a better choice. The CZ-97 is bigger than the CZ-75/85.