peacebutready
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I never fired or held the CZ 75 clones Tanfoglio and TriStar. How do they compare to CZ?
Tanfoglio and TriStar compared to CZ
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gsbuickman
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I've never looked it up but from what I understand Tangfolio source's their parts from CZ
C-grunt
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I had a Tanfoglio back around 2006 for a short while. Was a very accurate pistol. Only problem I had with it was that I bought it used and the magazine that came with it was broken. The follower would not stay correctly interfaced with the magazine body and the spring. I ended up selling it after a fairly short time though. Not because of anything wrong with it though.
armoredman
Member
Tanfolgio never bought parts from CZ-UB. 
They were the only alternative is you wanted a CZ pattern sidearm until the Velvet Revolution, so Fratelli Tangolfio SA of Italy owned it. You could find them imported under TA-90 or TZ-75 through FIE or Excam, and as the Springfield P-9. Later, when CZ was establishing itself here in the US European American Armory started up as an exclusive Tanfoglio importer, bringing the Witness pistols to us. When Sarsilmaz of Turkey decided importing Tanfolgios was too much effort, they simply copied the design, which is where Klinq and other Turkish varieties of the pistol come from. Clones of clone, as it were. Incidentally, the Baby Eagle and Jericho 941 were alos made from Tangolfio slides and frames, and assembled in Israel. The older EAA magazines will work in all models listed and the original 15 round CZ-75 magazines generally also work. Since EAA made the frame size change a decade or so ago, that is no longer true.
I carried an EAA 40SW pistol for years before I bought my first CZ. Good, solid, reliable sidearm, did everything I asked of it. My wife carried a Witness Compact for many years as well, and I ever bought one for my late brother. I wouldn't feel bad about carrying a Tanfolgio product at all, good product at a good price.
They were the only alternative is you wanted a CZ pattern sidearm until the Velvet Revolution, so Fratelli Tangolfio SA of Italy owned it. You could find them imported under TA-90 or TZ-75 through FIE or Excam, and as the Springfield P-9. Later, when CZ was establishing itself here in the US European American Armory started up as an exclusive Tanfoglio importer, bringing the Witness pistols to us. When Sarsilmaz of Turkey decided importing Tanfolgios was too much effort, they simply copied the design, which is where Klinq and other Turkish varieties of the pistol come from. Clones of clone, as it were. Incidentally, the Baby Eagle and Jericho 941 were alos made from Tangolfio slides and frames, and assembled in Israel. The older EAA magazines will work in all models listed and the original 15 round CZ-75 magazines generally also work. Since EAA made the frame size change a decade or so ago, that is no longer true.I carried an EAA 40SW pistol for years before I bought my first CZ. Good, solid, reliable sidearm, did everything I asked of it. My wife carried a Witness Compact for many years as well, and I ever bought one for my late brother. I wouldn't feel bad about carrying a Tanfolgio product at all, good product at a good price.
John G C 1
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How does Tanfoglio service or Tri-star service in the US compare to CZ service in the US?
armoredman
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EAA used to be notorious for horrible service to their customers. I personally never had any issues with them. CZ-USA service has always been outstanding for me.
DT Guy
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I've owned 3-4 CZ's, and the same number of Tanfoglio pistols. My personal opinions:
I think the Tanfoglio's I own will be the last I own, but I plan to purchase a CZ as my next pistol purchase.
Larry
- Tanfoglios generally work fine-
- Tanfoglios lack the fit and finish of the CZ's
- Support for Tanfoglio's is, at best, hit or miss
- The CZ's have more aftermarket support
- It's WAY easier to disassemble a Witness than a 75B
- The Tanfoglios used to represent a better value than they do today; the price gap between them and a CZ has narrowed a great deal
I think the Tanfoglio's I own will be the last I own, but I plan to purchase a CZ as my next pistol purchase.
Larry
Saddlebag Preacher
Member
I have the TriStar L-120 which is a CZ75B clone with a lighter alloy frame. Mine has never had a hiccup and is very accurate. Came with two Metgar 17 round mags. I shoot a lot of different handguns, although never an actual CZ, but the finish and fit is great and the trigger is very smooth. The accuracy is actually better than my S&W and Glock, but's that is just me.
Tallball
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I don't know if it's still the case with the newer pistols, but my older Tanfiglio is a little larger than my friend's CZ75. It also has a slightly better trigger. They are both excellent pistols. We own about a half dozen 9mm pistols apiece, and those are our two favorites. I have no experience with the Turkish ones.
GooseGestapo
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I had the occasion to handle and shoot a TriStar S-120. I was impressed. It shot very well, but high left, at 15yds.
I had a Excam BTA-90 (compact) back in the 90's. The slide broke in half at the ejection port. I set it back to Excam, and got it back with a new slide and a wonderful trigger job. It shot well, but I sold it as I needed a SA 1911 to shoot in PPC service auto.
I'd dump my Taurus PT99 if I could get a S120 with a fully adjustable rear sight.
The S120 had a soft Hogue style rubber grip that fit my hand perfectly. Rare in a factory service gun. I liked the matte Lt. gray cerracote finnish. Owner got his with two mags at Venture Outdoors in Smyrna, Ga for less than Internet GB prices.
I had a Excam BTA-90 (compact) back in the 90's. The slide broke in half at the ejection port. I set it back to Excam, and got it back with a new slide and a wonderful trigger job. It shot well, but I sold it as I needed a SA 1911 to shoot in PPC service auto.
I'd dump my Taurus PT99 if I could get a S120 with a fully adjustable rear sight.
The S120 had a soft Hogue style rubber grip that fit my hand perfectly. Rare in a factory service gun. I liked the matte Lt. gray cerracote finnish. Owner got his with two mags at Venture Outdoors in Smyrna, Ga for less than Internet GB prices.
browningguy
Member
I've previously owned a couple of CZ's, the only one I still have is my 75B 30th Ann. model to wear to barbeques. Honestly I always felt CZ's were ok, but really weren't all that special. Years ago I bought a EAA Tanfoglio Elite Match in .40, after shooting it for a while I bought a second one. They are the most accurate pistols I have owned short of my Sig X6, and when I bought mine they were under $500, so 95% of the performance of the X6 for 1/6 the price. As far as fit and finish go the CZ doesn't have anything on the Elite series. The cheapest Tanfoglio's (Witness PS etc) are not so finely finished as an average CZ, but in my experience just as accurate as any of the CZ's.
I will say the fit and finish on my 30th Ann Model CZ is superb, it's better than the Tanfoglio Elite, and way better than any standard CZ. I understand most folks won't like the style of it, but the finish is superb.
I will say the fit and finish on my 30th Ann Model CZ is superb, it's better than the Tanfoglio Elite, and way better than any standard CZ. I understand most folks won't like the style of it, but the finish is superb.
armoredman
Member
If you like it and it works for you, fantastic! Very nice looking sidearm, sir, and that 30th Anniversary is gorgeous.
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