Best of the CZ 75 Clones?

The Tanfoglio Force has been imported at the TA 90, TZ 75, Springfield P9 and currently as the Witness series, good CZ clones. The Armalite AR24 is a Sarsilmaz of Turkey clone of the Tanfoglio, a clone of a clone.
The Cadillac of CZ clones is the Sphinx, but rare and expensive.

armoredman said:

The Tanfoglio Force has been imported at the TA 90, TZ 75, Springfield P9 and currently as the Witness series

Click to expand...

Actually, the current Witness is a Force-on-steroids. This is the one-frame-fits-all-calibers pistol that is incompatible with previous Tangfolio Cz-75 clones (or any other Cz75 clones).

The currently imported Force clone is the Rock Island Armory MAP-1 (steel) / MAPP-1 (polymer)

Do not forget the Sarsilmaz Kama Sport and Hancer that were sold by Academy.

There is the Bul Cherokee also out of Isreal. Mark

Jericho 941 "Baby Eagle" seems like a pretty interesting "clone." Not sure if thats what you are looking for though.

The best CZ clone is a Sphinx. They're more pricey than the rest of them, but well worth the money. I've had several, and still have a Compact.

These are semi-custom guns. You can find an older 2000 series (not the current "new" line) for $600 - $800.

Here's a photo of mine:

The Israeli police, both regular guys and elite groups, liked the TZ75 and the IMI Jericho.

EAA witness GOLD elite

Why not just get a real CZ75? I've seen them new <$500 and used in the $400 price range.

Prices being what they are now just buy the real thing and be done with it.

Prices being what they are now just buy the real thing and be done with it.

Click to expand...

There is some merit to that - surplus CZ-75 Pre-B's are available for $347 now. He may be specifically interested in clones though. In that case, though I've never shot one, all indications seem to be that the Sphinx pistols, though clones, are higher quality than the originals. Kinda like comparing a Les Baer to a Colt.

Just remember that while you say "clones", the Tangfolio guns (and all the others that are based on them) are not "clones" in that their parts do not all interchange with the original.

There is some merit to that - surplus CZ-75 Pre-B's are available for $347 now.

Click to expand...

yeah? where??

Just an FYI I recently bought my CZ 75 B in polished stainless (I know it's not for all, but it's typically a bit pricier) for $550 new in box.

dan's ammo just had a great run on cheaper surplus CZ75s, might still have a few left in stock, they were all sub $400 and looks very much like new

yeah? where??

Click to expand...

Robertson's Trading Post. Wideners has them for pretty close to the same price too.

EAA Witness by Tangfolio made in Italy, Also Armalite AR-24. Have owned both and they were both well built products.

abuelo said:

EAA Witness by Tangfolio made in Italy

Click to expand...

. . . but only the pre-"one frame fits all" models.

Today Armscor produces the original Tangfolio "Witness" pistols under license, which Rock Island Armory distributes in the USA and Tangfolio distributes in the rest of the world.

I'd get a real CZ-75 unless you specifically want a clone. Price difference vs. the better clones is minimal.

I'd get a Sphinx if your budget is large, and the Armalite AR-24 if it's $500 or a bit less.

I own an IWI Jericho 941 (via Charles Daly), it has good and bad points. Reliability hasn't been 100% in break-in, and one grip panel doesn't fit all that well. On the plus side the trigger is very good to excellent, and the shape is great. It's a big steel brick though. If Ruger made a hybrid of their P89 and a CZ-75 clone, out of steel, it would be the Jericho.

can u still get a CZ 75 w/ the rounded trigger guard, and old plastic grips?

I love me some Tanfoglio. I have a cz75 lookalike that was buit in the 70's or 80's with the "Mossad" inscription on the slide. Got it used on gunbroker for a song. Got it home, cleaned the sucker and took it out to the range. Not a single problem in over 3k rounds. Never replaced any springs or anything. They just run. You will not be disseminated with one of the older guns.

I hope the mods dont get upset with me but here's a few examples under $300!!!!!!!
Full size:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=216266901
Compact:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=216311504

You cant beat that with a stick!
V.

I got a pre B about a year back and I've used it a lot for my local IDPA shooting as well as for general range plinking. Superb gun with a great trigger feel. If you trust it and yourself to handle and carry in ways that don't require the added safety of the firing pin block feature it would be a great way to go. Especially at the deals noted so far and if you are looking at the clone option as a cheaper way to get the same gun.

can u still get a CZ 75 w/ the rounded trigger guard, and old plastic grips?

Click to expand...

Not from CZ. You can probably pick one up used on Gun Broker or Auction Arms, or here on the SALE boards.

CZ did introduce a RETRO model a few years back that looked very much like the pre-B, but had the "B" firing pin Block. I wish they all looked like that.

If you get a pre-B, you need to understand that you can't get some pre-B parts. I think I have a pre-B slide stop stashed away somewhere, and once had a set of the "waffle" grips, but sold the grips. Parts for some of the older "safety" levers are more rare than hen's teeth, now, too. Sights are different, and not compatible... and replacements generally aren't available. Finding hi-cap mags for the pre-Bs can be a problem, too, as most of the new mags won't work unless you have the pre-B modified.

The clones are fine if you don't want to do any major mods. Tanfoglio heat treats virtually everything with the exception of the sear and hammer. Even the trigger is heat treated.

This means if you want to install and over-travel on the trigger, or cut the slide for new sights . . . . ain't gonna happen. I like many features of the Tanfoglio guns, but I prefer a CZ for the ease of mods.