Tanfoglio Quality

I don't have a polymer tanfoglio ....yet. I was hoping to get the force pro.etc with rail in either 9mm or .40. I tried a .40 at a local shop and liked that I could reach the mag release easily, and since I use the stock 2, Limited custom, and recently got a 38 super open gun..it is very easy to adjust to the polymer grip. I felt the trigger was a little heavy, but was smooth enough in DA and SA to be competitive. Some light polishing and in IDPA, you could get a lighter spring set up. Not sure about holsters...but my research suggests a fobus (blech,...cough blah)...for a sig works. The model is named as witness P on the fobus website. I assume the sig model holster that shares the model number for the witness may also work for the bladetech series.
My older stock2 9mm has at least 60-65000rds thru it. I broke my rear sight last year about 1 week before the NS provincials. Sean at Freedom Ventures had me a new rear sight in about 2 days. Great service. Why did the sight break....? Parts break...and after that many rounds and dryfire, handling..etc... I would expect something to have broken.


My .40 might have 10,000rds thru it, only thing I ever did was trim my slide release lever because I was using aftermarket 10mm mags....my back up gun stock 2 might have 5000rds thru it....no serious issues. Might have 1000-1200 .22 rounds thru my .22 top end....
 
I have both a Tanfoglio Stock and a CZ Shadow.My stock is the gun I use in production division while the Shadow is my backup.They are both great and you cant go wrong either way.
However I find that the Tanfoglio is a bit more refined than the CZ,the fit and finish is better,it gives a general impression of better quality than the CZ which can be a bit rough.Ive put about 15K of rounds through my Tan and have had 2 malfunctions in that time.The parts have worn very well,and the gun has many rounds left in it still.I havent had any parts break and have only needed to replace springs.
They are more expensive than the CZ(at least the stock is),but its money well spent.I would recommend freedom ventures as a Tan dealer,they give great backup service for parts etc,I would happily buy another Tanfoglio
 
Ok, I haven't played with any of the polymer framed stuff; only the steel so I can't speak to durability with the bottom ends of them. Ergonomically they should interface pretty much the same as the steel frames. The uppers will be the same as the steel versions so that will all be fine. The adjustable sights come in very handy as opposed to drifting and filing with fixed units. Typically you will find Tanfo's pull a little heavier than CZ's in D/A with some stacking at the back end of the stroke. This can be smoothed out considerably. For all practical considerations S/A pull is basically a wash between CZ and Tanfo.

If memory serves the finish on these guns is bluing, so scratches and nicks can be refinished more easily than the CZ'd backed finish. The CZ finish is quite tough however.
 
What are your plans for IDPA and IPSC. Do you want to be real competitive or just enjoy the shooting aspect of the sport and as recreation?

If you want a relatively inexpensive polymer gun for both sports I would suggest the M&P FS or Glock 17. Both are rugged very reliable guns that will serve you well in both sports. If you decide neither sport is for you or you want to specialize in one over the other than you can either to continue with the platform you have or look for something else. Both guns ave very competitive in both sports.

If you prefer the hammer fired polymer guns the STI GP6 has quite a following

I am not knocking the Tanfoglios but you don't see many of their polymer guns in either sport. I have the Tanfoglio "L" model in 9MM with a 40cal top end. Dead nuts reliable and very accurate. For me I prefer the Tanfoglio grip over the CZ and I have CZ's as well.

Take Care

Bob
 
I'd like to be competitive with whichever pistol I pick.

I've tried the M&P and found it to be quite nice though I can't say the same about the Glock. Having fired both, the M&P is the clear winner between the two. I'm down to the M&P vs a polymer Tanfoglio. If I was buying steel I would have bought the Shadow (I didn't really like the phantom).

Having an uncommon piece is not really a drawback for me. As long as the parts are there I'm happy.

Go with the M&P PRO, the longer sight radius helps. Nothing wrong with the FS either.

Take Care

Bob
 
The M&P Pro and the Tanfoglio Force L both have the same barrel length if I'm not mistaken. The Tanfoglio is heavier though.

I'd like to note that I'm not trying to be difficult -- just to have no regrets.

I was referring to the FS M&P at 4.25" and the PRO at 5".

Take Care

Bob
 
...I'd like something in 9mm for IDPA and IPSC...
I'd like to be competitive with whichever pistol I pick...
M&P Pro or M&P 9L + apex kit?

You should read the rulebooks before you buy anything.

IPSC Production Division specifies a minimum trigger pull weight - which some M&P models do not meet - and does not permit the substitution of most parts - such as Apex kits.

IPSC Rules - handgun
<http://www.ipsc.org/pdf/RulesHandgun.pdf>

IPSC Production Division List
<http://www.ipsc.org/rules/proddiv.php>

IDPA Rule Book
<http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf>
 
Wendall has given you some good advice. You cannot use the the APEX parts under IPSC rules for Production Division. The parts are legal for use in IDPA.

My M&P PRO came with a 5.25# trigger pull. Some IPSC shooters have failed the trigger pull test because their pistol either started out with a >5# trigger and with use, fell below the threshold or came with a <5# trigger.

In order to ensure the trigger pull remains >5#'s the PRO owner can replace the striker block spring in the PRO with the spring for the full size model and if necessary replace the spring for the sear with the spring designed for the full size gun. Both replacement springs should keep the gun over the 5# trigger. Both spring replacements are factory parts and would be legal under IPSC rules.

The stock Long version of the gun, as far as I know, does not have the lighter spring installed in the striker block and has the regular sear so I would think the 5# limitation would not be an issue.

Take Care

Bob
 
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