Match Pistols

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pm8675309

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So, I've been looking into a match grade pistol.

I really love the Tanfoglio Stock III and I have read they perform great.

The downside being the customer service at EAA.


Of course, everyone will tell you the CZ75b is the way to go.

That, or some iteration of a 1911.


What are your thoughts?

Do you know anything about Tanfoglio or it's lineup?

Any recommendations for a range/match pistol (hoping to get into competition someday)

[budget under $1,000]


Thanks,
 
What is the goal at the range and what type of competition?

If BE, then the Stock III is heavier, a tad longer sight plane and better, adjustable sights.
If IDPA or similar, the CZ75 might be easier to run around with.
Back to BE....to me....really depends on the trigger. I *think* these triggers can be worked on...but certainly someone will let you know.
And vs 1911....1911's have a long track record of being able to be modded in any way you wish. If your intent would be to work on the gun yourself, my recommendation would be to get a 1911.

I like to tinker so....I shoot a Kimber Target II 9mm 1911, in local BE contests and do very well with it. I made some simple mods: FO front sight, replaced the barrel with a match grade threaded one and added a comp (did not need to...just for interest), replaced the internals with C&S ones, including the leaf spring to bring the pull down. New VZ G10 grips to keep it solidly in my grip during the timed fire portion. Small things that make a difference to me...and easy for me to do. But, even stock, this gun is amazing.

Hope this helps, best of luck.
 
I don't compete............ cuz I don't care, but the Wilson 92 Brigadier Tactical is a fine running machine. I have no idea if it is optimal or right for you, but I would compete with it. Mine has the Wilson Trigger job and it's great.

Nothing over the top, super duper about it, but IMO it's what a Beretta 92 should be. Unfortunately the price is higher than you are looking for, but I'm throwing it out there with the possibility you will save a bit more and allocate a bit higher budget.

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Just a few suggestions. SA XDM 5.5, FN Long Slide guns, HK VP9L, can all be had for under $1000.
 
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Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

Now I have some thinking to do.

Looked into the Kimber Target ii - everyone seems to love it except 1911 purists who don't like the caliber for that platform.

Other people say the CZ75 / SP01 are the best choice for the 9mm.


Not sure which competition yet, but obviously that will play into the choice.


The Tanfo is gigantic, but I think it's beautiful.


The burden of choices.


I have an FNX45 - like it a lot, but it's a battle gun. Also, I really like the P30L.

The XD to me is so ugly, so I don't think I'd ever get that.

Wilson anything is amazing, but out of my price range.
 
If you are unsure of the kind of competition you might want to get into....don't worry about it. Get the gun that you will have the most fun shooting.

Or, get a 1911 framed 9mm. You will never regret it. It will help you learn the 1911 platform, while serving as a excellent range gun, very well behaved and nice to shoot.

Was just giving my personal experience, I love my Kimber, but for the money, the SA RO cannot be beaten. I had one and loved it so much that I wanted to upgrade and get an all stainless steel version for match shooting...but also at a good price....which led me to the Kimber. You can get a Kimber for just under $1000. The SA RO, may be around 700.

I saw a Tangfolio with a vertical, straight faced trigger once....very nice. You might find a good deal on a slightly used one that had a trigger upgrade. One thing....I may be wrong, but that gun is big and so, really dedicated to BE and so might not be a great choice for IDPA (or whatever).

Anyway...always fun to talk about what gun to get. Get one you will enjoy most. If for BE, you want a long barrel and sight radius (nothing less than 4.4 inches (SIG 226, CZ75)).
 
While there generally is a class in every competition for a good 1911, you should really figure out what competition you want to try first.

Some guns will barr you from certain disciplines (or at least classes) or hinder you in others.
 
I shoot a pair of Witness Elite Match models in .40, sorry to say the two CZ's I had weren't really close in the accuracy game.

witnessrailed3_zps417b6eac.jpg
 
I had a Witness Elite Match in .40 and it was a great gun. If it had been a 9MM I would still have it. Just couldn't learn the love the .40.

I bought a retired .38 Super 1911 with an Aimpoint mounted on the frame and it is SWEET!

I recently bought an XDM OSP and it is a great shooter as well. (Not ugly to me. :))

Red Dots are such a good thing for old or poor eyes. The frame mounted small dots are really nice.
 
You can get into IDPA or USPSA with your FNX as well as anything.
Bullseye shooters use almost none of the guns mentioned above; you would eventually need a good .22 and a good .45, normally an accurate 1911.
 
I wouldn't let EAA's reputation stop you from getting the Tanfoglio. Many have them, and never need their customer service. My shooting buddy has a CZ SP-01. All he did was put a lighter mainspring in and the trigger is awesome. I have several CZ pistol, and all are accurate, and reliable. The 75B would be fine, especially if you had it tuned a bit by CGW.
 
Springfield Range Officer in 9mm would be my choice. I have one and it is definitely my most accurate pistol. Once I found a load it liked it put 7 rounds in a hole that measured .71" freehand at 25'. This is bone stock factory.

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I use a Tanfoglio Limited to shoot USPSA (in LTD class). Used to use a Match for the same thing.

They're terrific guns. You should be willing to do a little work on them yourself.

As others have said, it really, really, really matters what kind of "match" you intend to shoot. Something well suited to bullseye may be near-useless in USPSA or illegal in IDPA.
 
One other note: for gun games, relatively few serious competitors use the CZ-75b... they use a variant of it, usually with more weight, better sights, trigger, etc., such as a Shadow.
 
What kind of match? Highpower, USPSA, IDPA, Steel Challenge, etc. etc. etc.??
THAT is the crucial question. Saying "I want a match handgun" is like saying "I want a race car." You're going to have real issues trying to do NASCAR with a top fuel dragster.

For NRA Conventional Pistol, I wouldn't waste my time on anything besides an M1911, and if you can only afford one gun for centerfire, one in .45acp. It'll get you through centerfire and the .45 match of a 2700. M1911 triggers are as well known as the wheel, and it doesn't take much to get a decent 4lb. EIC legal trigger. Likewise, it's no dark art to make an M1911 reliable with bullseye handloads. Shooting hardball or self-defense loads in a 2700 is essentially shooting yourself in the foot. You're going to get slaughtered in the timed and rapid fire, ESPECIALLY in the centerfire match, by guys like me shooting a [Giles] .38 Special M1911.

The CZ75 series are good guns, but I wouldn't use one for NRA Conventional PIstol, and if I did, I'd convert it to single action. Of course if I ever buy a CZ75 type gun, I'll convert it to single action, since I hate double action triggers (I don't include Glock) anyway.
 
What match? There's so many classes. But popular pistols:

3 gun: Glock 35 (G41 if anyone decides to make a darn magwell for it)
IDPA: Glock 34, 41, 19, 23, Dan Wesson Valor, Any CCO 1911, Cz75 Shadow
USPSA: all of the above and SVI, STI, CZ Tactical Orange
 
.

The CZ75 series are good guns, but I wouldn't use one for NRA Conventional PIstol, and if I did, I'd convert it to single action. Of course if I ever buy a CZ75 type gun, I'll convert it to single action, since I hate double action triggers (I don't include Glock) anyway.

Hey Deanimator. Pilot from PA here. You don't need to convert one. CZ sells an SA version of the 75.
 
After decades of shooting a 45 ACP.
9MM in a 1911 is hard to beat for a do it all target pistol.
I bought a STI Trojan a couple years ago. My wrists and shoulders are happy.
 
Under $1,000, I'd say look at a Springfield Armory Range Officer in 9mm, a Glock 34 with an aftermarket barrel and perhaps a 3.5 trigger connector, or an HK USP Expert.
 
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