Armalite's new pistol line: They want input!

[c_yeager]

Tanfoglio clone competing with the parent gun and real deal CZs.
Whether they are actually improved over the TZ (Tanfoglio)
is yet to be seen.

I gotta agree in principle, but then again I gotta think about how much the Springfield stamp added to the price of the HS2000.

 

[asiparks]

Artists impression....keep the lightened slide and frame of the white chrome one, add the checkered front/ backstraps from the pro, add a couple extra cocking serrations to increase the gripping area, add some nice sights that stick up a bit less than a foot from the top of the slide. Sell it for $349

 

[Hawk]

If the manufacturer has some flexibility perhaps they could make something that nobody else is selling? That might be more productive than tilting at CZ and Witness.

I'm not much interested in a 250.00 clone of a CZ-75, but I'd be all over a 600.00 clone of a P7M7. How 'bout it?

 

[only1asterisk]

10mm

David

 

[nero45acp]

I'd seriously consider buying a "Professional" in 9mm if it was available sans compensator.

Is the compensated part on the end of the barrel removable?



nero

 

[otomik]

If the manufacturer has some flexibility perhaps they could make something that nobody else is selling?

yeah, totally, developing world manufacturers need to grow a pair. At least sell me something I can't already get, like how about a classic style Dragunov SVD and a modernized "tactical" Dragunov in .300 win mag? Heck you could import some of the parts from russia and combine it with just enough Turkish parts to evade the weird russian rifles import ban executive order.

Armalite, don't import this pistol, back out of this deal now, it will fail because the market is saturated like the Kimber P9 failed.

 

[Grayrider]

That was actually the Springfield P9, and it failed due to issues other than the pistol itself. The AWB hit right when Tanfoglios were doing well in competition use, and suddenly the ammo capacity limit made them less appealing in the then totally open sport. Right as that happened, double-stacked 1911s hit the market. Competitors had no trouble getting magazines for those (we all know how that worked), even though expensive. Market forces then drove shooters to the 1911 platform even though many liked the CZ pattern guns. I know a bunch of competition shooters who switched for that reason, yet say they really liked the CZ-styled pistols. After years of shooting 1911s and now Glocks, I don't think many would switch back. However, there are many new shooters joining the sports of IPSC and IDPA all the time. I think CZ would tell you there has been dramatic growth in competition interest in their guns since the AWB went away. Of course they have always had a presence in the rest of the world (along with Tanfoglio).

Armalite is also broadening its line by this move. We see this happening across the industry. Makers with a rifle line are seeking a pistol line, and vice versa. Look at Smith and Wesson. I also hear another major US gun maker with no pistol line will adopt one this year, seeking to get a broader grasp on the LEO market.

Regardless, Armalite can do well with this if the guns are quality. I think choosing the CZ platform is a good move as it gives them the recognition of a trusted pistol design. Much the same reason many makers just choose to produce a 1911 (again see S&W). To me the CZ is much like the 1911 in being a trusted (thus safe) design to work with. Or course Armalite was already working with Sarsilmaz, so that made the deal even easier.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I am sending off another batch to Armalite today!

GR

 

[scubie02]

i like the kilinc model, because then you could use your yakov smirnov voice and tell people it was for 'kilinc badguys"...

 

[Tecolote]

Make sure the Made in Turkey is written in English in size 5 font on the inside of the frame's dust cover. Armalite couldn't have picked a worse time to introduce their Turkey. Anti-American feelings are running high in Turkey and the anti-American film "Valley of the Wolves Iraq" in which Americans massacre innocent Iraqi civilians is playing to packed theatres.

 

[otomik]

Make sure the Made in Turkey is written in English in size 5 font on the inside of the frame's dust cover. Armalite couldn't have picked a worse time to introduce their Turkey. Anti-American feelings are running high in Turkey and the anti-American film "Valley of the Wolves Iraq" in which Americans massacre innocent Iraqi civilians is playing to packed theatres.

to quote Derek Zoolander: "Put a cork in it, Billy Zane!"

 

[enc0re]

Here is my purely subjective wishlist:

1) Bigger control levers, especially for the safety.

2) H&K Variant 1 style, combined safety-decocker.

3) All models should have free falling magazines.

4) Standard sight mounts on all models.

5) .357 Sig

 

[Tecolote]

to quote Derek Zoolander: "Put a cork in it, Billy Zane!"

 

[HankC]

Doc,

EAA recently moved their Tanfoglio imports to "large frame" model giving the 9mm and 40 the capacities of the 38 Super and 10mm respectively (18 and 15 rounds).
GR

Since EAA changed to the wider frame for 9mm, they lost mag compatability to other CZ clones and the only choice is buying the expensive mags from EAA, this is what turn me off. I would rather they go with the old 16 nd mags that are compatable with others and readly available from many sources. Glad to see they get rid of the 75B firing pin stop roll pin.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Here is my purely subjective wishlist:

1) Bigger control levers, especially for the safety.

2) H&K Variant 1 style, combined safety-decocker.

3) All models should have free falling magazines.

4) Standard sight mounts on all models.

5) .357 Sig

+1 enc0re

different calibers than CZed offers is a great way to get market that they aren't bothering with. I know I get tired of perusing the CZ catalog and having 3 or 4 calibers to choose from. Some of the hotter new rounds can pimp slap some of the older rounds still hanging around. There's no reason they shouldn't be included. Note the amount of 10mm requests.
CZ makes a great product. I suggest that they not go the cheaper knock-off route. Rather, they should go the other route and make a totally functional and top shelf product that's more expensive and, more importantly, BETTER. A top notch guide rod, no roll pins. no firing pin blocks, bigger/better controls, drop free mags, etc. I'd pay more to get more.

 

[Longbow]

Unless they can sell it waay cheaper than CZ or EAA, I don't see a reason why Armalite would bother importing them.

 

[otomik]

watch the movie Zoolander and realize that the turkish film mentioned stars billy zane, the line is one of the funniest in the movie.

Obey My Dog!

 

[Rumpled]

Being that I live in CA - get every model they sell approved for CA.
Unfortunately, that's going to mean either a chamber load indicator or a magazine disconnect if done in '06. If not 'til '07 they will need both.

 

[Grayrider]

I have passed along both the calibers requested and noted that multiple people have asked for multi-caliber options, with 10mm coming up several times (including from yours truly).

The biggest points I have stressed from feedback are keeping it CZ compatible as possible (which of course is counter to an extent to the caliber requests), and keep it cheap at least for an introductory period. So many of you here and at other forums have said "why buy a copy of a CZ if it costs more than a CZ" that I made it one of my strongest points. Mind you I also offered some reasons why, including forged frames/slides, multi-caliber, enhanced features. Still, I think you are all right in saying that a base model equivalent to a 75 better be cheaper than a 75. While I have been willing to plunk down more for the Elite Witness series than a 75 costs, I would not have paid more for a base Witness under any circumstances regardless of caliber options.

Also I wanted to tell Asiparks that I sent your picture along with my endorsement (for what that is worth). I did suggest adding the broad-flat safety like one gets on the Witness Elite line or the CZ-75SA. With or without that you put together a really nice package for carry. Nice work!

GR