[Darkrein]

Since others have asked, and they have been told welcome aboard, I'll assume this is fine.

I'm looking at buying an old used 9mm ta-90 Tanfoglio. My concerns are parts. Are parts and magazines readily available for the clones? I've tried to find mags and I'm very confused because there are so many different ones that some say will work and others say won't. They claim the gun functions flawlessly, but I don't want to buy something that I can't repair if needed.

Thx

Willie

 

[SloMo]

Not familiar with the model number. Is it the large frame model? (Larger than the CZ 75). Check CDNN for magazines, they frequently have magazines for various sizes of Tanfos.
SM

 

[Easy CZ]

For the most part, CZs are going to be easier to find replacement parts for than EAA, Canik and other clones. Some CZ parts will work with clones, some not.

 

[SloMo]

Did quick search:
The TA90 is the large frame all steel pistol. CDNN sells magazines for the pistol.

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/eaawi9mmfusi.html

I recently traded one of these pistols. I kept mine for about 10 yrs, and put just under 35k rounds through it. Good solid gun. I see many Tanfos in use in USPSA. They have a good support system, I'm pretty sure parts availability would not be a problem.
Do a search for Tanfoglio and you'll find a lot of good stuff. I'm thinking of buying one of the "Match Series" in .40 to build up for Limited Major.
In general, I'd say the Tanfos compare favorably to my CZs.
SM

 

[SloMo]

Parts:

http://henningshootsguns.com/shop/eaa.main.html

 

[FALPhil]

Did quick search:
The TA90 is the large frame all steel pistol. CDNN sells magazines for the pistol.

Are you sure? I always thought TA90s were small frame guns and use the same magazines as the CZ75. The major difference is that the safety is on the slide rather than the frame.

 

[Darkrein]

Thx for the replies guys. I guess stuff is more available than I originally thought. The mag says for a pre 05. I have no idea how old it is. And it says EAA. So is that basically an old EAA?

And as far as size if my memory serves me right it's about the same size as my cz75b. I've not seen it in a while. It's for sale in a friends shop and they have had it for like 2 years. No one will buy it. Since I like my cz 75 so good figured I give it a try.

What would u say is a fair price? It's either nickel or stainless. 1 mag, no box, excellent condition.

 

[SloMo]

Dug up a picture of my Tanfo. It's the large frame with the Wonder Finish. 4.5" barrel. No longer have the gun, but I think this is the model you're looking at. Hope this helps

 

[SloMo]

Here's a picture showing the Tanfo with a Hi Power and a Sig 220 for size comparison.

 

[Darkrein]

That looks like for the most part. It's been awhile. If I get off work quick enough today I think I'm going to go get it.

Thx

Willie

 

[Darkrein]

If i do get it I'll throw up some pics.

 

[Darkrein]

You said u no longer have it. Was it a good reliable gun? Any issues?

 

[SloMo]

The newer ones have an accessory rail. This is an older one. I think I bought it in 2003. Paid $380 out the door. Looks like used ones are going in the $350-$400 range. I don't have anything bad to say about the one I had. Hope you get the same service our of yours.

 

[SloMo]

I should mention the gun was a 10mm when new. I had to go to a 22# recoil spring and shorten the ejector a little to slow down the slide and get the brass to land in my zip code. I later bought the .45 and 9mm uppers from Reeds Custom Ammo. I replaced the rear sight on the 9mm upper. At the time the 9mm was the most accurate stock pistol I owned. The pistol was stone reliable, I even carried it for a while as a duty gun, in 10mm of course. Shot IDPA and USPSA in ESP and Production class with it for a few years. Kinda regretting letting it go. I traded it to a friend who wanted to hunt hogs with the 10mm. If I live long enough I'll likely get it back.

 

[Darkrein]

Sounds good SloMo.

The one I'm getting is definitely older then. It doesn't have a rail iirc.

So is that the difference in the pre05 and post05? Post 05 being with a rail?

 

[SloMo]

The only newer ones I've seen were the match and limited series. These are a bit different from the base models. I haven't seen the newer base models, so can't speak to the difference between those and the older ones.
Based on what I see at matches, and my own experiences I may own one of the Match or Limited series pistols in .40. It might even replace my mdl 35 limited.

 

[FALPhil]

Dug up a picture of my Tanfo. It's the large frame with the Wonder Finish. 4.5" barrel. No longer have the gun, but I think this is the model you're looking at. Hope this helps

They must have made the TA90 in 2 sizes then. I actually found one in the LGS this morning and it followed me home! It was a sweet deal. The LGS had taken it in on trade and it looked like it had rusted through the nickel plate. What they thought was rust turned out to be dried splattered grease (I checked with my thumbnail while looking it over), which cleaned up real nice with Ed's Red. I should have taken "before" pictures.

On the frame billboard in the first picture, it clearly says, "MOD. TA 90". Notice that it has a different scallop at the muzzle, and a more pronounced trigger guard hook than the CZ75B. Also, notice that the safety is on the slide - a defining characteristic of most TA90s, as the Israeli internal security organization specified that in their contract. It is a hammer drop safety, but it does not block the firing pin, which is curious.

Here it is compared to my lightly modified CZ75B.

They weigh the same, most of the dimensions are within 1mm of each other, and the CZ75B magazines (16 round and 17 round) both fit and function in the TA90. The large frame magazines do not fit.

Yours looks all the world like the Standard EAA Witness models from about 10 years ago, with the safety in the frame and the rounded trigger guard. I guess when EAA started importing the large frame guns, Tanfoglio retained the model designation for some reason. Market recognition maybe?

 

[SloMo]

Yours looks all the world like the Standard EAA Witness models from about 10 years ago, with the safety in the frame and the rounded trigger guard.

You are absolutely correct.
Very nice pistol you have there! Looks to be in great shape.

 

[Darkrein]

Picked up the gun yesterday. Looks like what falphil posted. Mine says imported my excam. Apparently they went out in 1990, so that dates mines pre 1990. I'll take some pics when I get off work today.

 

[Darkrein]

Also on the hammer drop safety.. It pulls the firing pin in before dropping the hammer. I believe too it does block the pin in some way. With the slide removed and safety off I can push firing pin in to make it protrude. Once engaging safety I can not push it far enough to protrude.