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Used to sell Tanfoglio's back in the late 80's early 90's when I worked at a gun range. Have also seen several since then. Quality is pretty good, think along the lines of Taurus compared to Beretta. Tanfolglio was basically just copying the CZ series of pistols, but if you can afford it get the CZ instead. Most Tanfoglio's I see are usually selling between 200-300. |
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Tanfoflio makes both 75s and 1911s in Italy; they only import the 75s into the USA. Colt makes a high quality 1911 copy called a "Gold Cup." Colt also makes a cheapo 1911 series 80 called a "Model 1991." NO ONE would argue that those two models are of equal quality or capability, despite both being Colts. Tanfoglio's Gold Team and Silver Team 75s are of excellent quality. Their "wintess" line is good quality - but its a budget-minded gun. They also produce the slide and raw frame for the IMI baby Desert Eagle 75 clone. |
The "witness" line, being "budget minded", is that bad? Should you stay away from it? What about Polymer vs Steel for their weapons? |
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No-one mentioned they have been IPSC open-gun champions for 6 of the past ten years with Eric Graufelle? Excellent guns with two levels of fit and finish. The lower priced guns are as strong as any gun made, fit is not as tight as CZ and accuracy OK. The higher end guns starting with the Match are superior to the CZ, these were not imported to the US until relatively recently. The Match, Limited, Limited Custom and Super Match are all less than 1" at 25yd guns with fantastic nickel finish. The Match is just about the best deal in a handgun you will find anywhere; 3lb single-action trigger, match 5" barrel, match sights. Hogue grips for a CZ75 will fit the Match. |
They are fine guns. The 75 design is the most copied gun in the world beyond the 1911 and today's Tanfoglios are very well made. One note though: ONLY USE QUALITY MAGAZINES!!!! That means Mec-Gar mags or Tanfoglio brand magazines only. Many of the problems in the past came from 2 places: aftermarket magazines and the 10 round mags. Avoid both and you will be fine. Also, if you drop them in sand or dirt, the mags must be taken apart and cleaned. No exceptions. But thats the same as for Berettas, Taurus, Smith/M&P, etc. |
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I never owned one, but back in the early/mid 90's I knew lots of people in Europe who used them for IPSC competition. They were a favorite platform for shooting Major Powder Factor 9mm Parabellum (something that was prohibited under USPSA rules at the time). While they shot and handled great (good ergonomics, trigger, controllable etc.) I saw a lot of them break under the battering of Major 9 loads... IIRC the slide stop was a particular point of failure, and fixing with a hardened stop would sometimes cause other problems. With the above said, I can't comment on their robustness/reliability now. Furthermore, if you are running regular minor 9mm loads, they should hold up just fine. However, I'm not sure I would bother with one when the original CZ-made guns are so available and reasonably priced. |
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In the 90's our local gunsmith used them as a base for a 9x21mm IPSC open class race guns. The frame was a bitch to checker. So the front strap was cut out & a premade checkered part was welded in. I bought my first race gun used w/ a Nowlin barrel w/ close to 20K down the barrel. The Jet Comp died after I put close to 5K down the barrel. I replaced the Jet Comp w/ a titanium, 5 port, progressively angled port comp. I shelved the gun when I reached A class~ran out of money & time to push on up. I never had any problems w/ the trigger group or slide to frame fit. I know after the comp was replaced I burned 25K of 115 gr FMJ at 1550 to 1600fps down that same Nowlin barrel with 1.5" groups at 25 yards. No you have me thinking about getting back into IPSC w/ that race gun again... 7mm |
Point of clarification: the "9Major" ammo he referes to is this: hand-load a regular 9mm casing to BEYOND the velocity of .357 Sig. THAT is the old "9Major" loading. Sometimes the slide stop would wear out. That is true. But the same loads would destroy most 9mm handguns quickly - while many of the Tanfoglios are still running (granted, with hardened EGW slide stop pins). Thanks for posting Stealthyblagga, and DVC!
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This is all awesome info! Cant wait to go out and buy one!!! This is what im looking at purchasing! http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk311/taurus9mil/20063-1.jpg |
The CZ series does have a problem with the slide stops. They break infrequently on SP-01s and the old CZ .40s beat them to hell. Our local CZ man assures us that the ST problem has been "fixed to some extent" on the new CZ TS in .357SIG that are coming soon. 
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I think you are right. My Dad bought a used Witness 45 about 10 to 12 years ago and it would often have FTE and FTF. He traded it for something else. I now own a CZ97B 45. I like the gun, but the Witness fits my hands better. |
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I own a new Witness in 10mm. I had some issues with the mags feeding reliably, so I replaced the mag springs with some +10% springs from Wolf. Gun runs 110% now. I will also probably replace the recoil spring sooner as well. It would seem the eye-talians don't value a strong recoil spring as much as they perhaps should, IMO. Yes, the Witness is a budget gun for the $425-450 range. But for 15rds of 10mm in a VERY ergonomic grip, this gun is indeed more value than the price would indicate, IMO. My .o2 |
| I recently bought one of the Witness "Match" guns in 10mm. I'm overall very happy with it. Had a few FTF's that I attribute to mag problems (need to get the wolf 10%'s) and it doesn't like cast lead very well but runs good on FMJ's or hollowpoints. The Match is right at $100 more than the regular Witness and I think it's well worth the money. Better trigger, slightly tighter, single action only and it's an outright beautiful handgun, just need to replace the factory rubber grips with some nice Cocobolo's. Heck, the fancy felt-lined, locking case it comes in is alone worth the extra $100. |
Lets see it 
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