Tanfoglio in .45ACP

Specifically a Tanfoglio Gold Match or Gold Match Xtreme.
https://www.freedomventures.ca/products/tanfoglio-gold-match
(and before someone gets uptight about the price, those prices are in Canadian)

Anyone have any experience with any of the models? Worthwhile purchase? Accurate?

Mostly marketed to the IPSC and 3 gun crowd it seems, so I've not seen an group size information.

I'd put my money in a Range Officer and have a bullseye smith build an accurate wad gun.

AllAces...maybe difficult inCanada.  You used to be able to bring a gun to the US for maintenance and repair.  Now I’m not so sure.

Slartybartfast:  I’d seriously consider a Springfield 1911 over anything else.  Preferably something like this. https://www.dantesports.com/en/shop/springfield-armory-trophy-match-stainless/

Okay guys, I know "the gun to get" in here is any type of 1911. So asking a question about anything else for CF or 45 is a little like asking about the best import roadster while standing in the middle of a classic Mustang owners club.
To address the suggestion I buy a 1911 and have a smith build me a great gun: I don't know of any Canadian 1911 gunsmiths with any sort of reputation, and I don't know that I'll ever be interested in building/having a 45acp wad gun. If I build a wad gun, the likely resale will be $0 as competition shooting here doesn't include anything that required even 45acp shooting let alone 45acp wad.
I really doubt I'll be shooting anything other than over the counter factory ammo (or the local reloads). But, as a friend has recently purchased a SIG 1911 (https://www.cabelas.ca/product/33608/sig-sauer-1911-stx-2-tone-pistol) we might both one day try our hands at reloading if I do get a 45 as well. If that is the case, there are Tanfoglio recoil springs a plenty if I was to try and tune down for lighter loads.
I primarily want a 45, just because. And want one that I can develop a proficiency with and on the off chance I actually fill all the paperwork in and make the road trip one that would serve me well in the very occasional US bullseye shoot.
So, what advantages/disadvantages would I have with the Springfield ($1495) vs the Tanfoglio ($1889)?
Both shoot 45, both have 5" barrels, both are SA.
The Tanfoglio wins in the looks and cool factor IMO.
Big difference certainly seems to be the trigger. Takedown on the Tanfoglio seems more straight forward IMO.
A colleague and others at the range love their 9mm CZs. But I've yet to be able to shoot one.
1911 and CZ clones share the world stage as most copied handguns. So, I'd really like to try and find an unbiased opinion/comparison of the two.

Never handled a Tanfoglio, but they are based on the CZ75 which I have fired.  The Tanfoglio would be a good gun for target shooting.  Down here and most on this site have FAR more experience in the 1911s in 45.  With any other pistol, you’re pretty much on your own even for information.  So a Tanfoglio will be a bit of a leap of faith.  The basis is solid and sound, but there will be that uncertainty.  

With the 1911, you and your buddy will at least be able to support each other if things go south with one of yours.  You’ll be in the same pot so to speak.  As an added plus you can share in reloading equipment.  Shooting even store reloads gets expensive.

I get that the best known here is the 1911, do want to find anyone who has experience who can compare the two.

And damn you for linking to Dante Sports. Had a look at their used firearms listings and saw they have a really nice Anschutz in stock.
https://www.dantesports.com/en/shop/anschutz-model-1403-match/

I'm saving up for the pistol. But that rifle screams "RUN AND BUY IT NOW!" and I know for a fact my budget can't handle it right now...

You’re welcome.  

I’d opt for the Springfield right now..  the Anschutz fit the weight limit for DCRA smallbore shooting some years ago so there are a few more of those around up there.  I’m not sure what the hot setup is now for DCRA smallbore or even if they still do that?

Wobbley wrote:With any other pistol, you’re pretty much on your own even for information.  So a Tanfoglio will be a bit of a leap of faith.  The basis is solid and sound, but there will be that uncertainty.

That's me. Swimming against the current. Looking into the unknown.

Searching around I just found this:
https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/11/14/racing-to-the-top-eaa-witness-pistols

Not the model or calibre I'm looking at. But it bears witness to the accuracy potential of the platform and build quality of the manufacturer I think. Tester got groups between 0.76 inches and 1.64 inches and averaging 1.44 with different 9mm ammo at 25 yds.

Any of these guns shoot better than I do currently (or likely ever will).

As for the Anschutz, the rifle club I belong to (Pointe-Clare Rifle Club PCRC which is currently on hiatus and not operating because the city kicked us out of the city hall basement range) uses older Anschutz rifles for their SFC sport rifle target program. I know they're not the hottest thing out there, but I don't have the thousands required to get something modern and "hot" with the requisite peep sights. Those damned peep sights are a few hundred all on their own, impossible to find and fit on rifles not made for them, and annoyingly absent on most of the rifles that once had them I've seen for sale used.

(Noticed that the Springfield you linked is used. So that works into the price comparison.)

My 2cents;

The Tanfoglio's, CZ's and EAA's that I have owned in the past have all been very accurate guns.
Never owned any of them long enough to shoot them loose, but when new up to a couple thousand rounds they have worked for me.
Why did I not keep them you ask...
My carry guns have changed over the many years 
Currently two Sig's.
Anyway, back on topic.
The above pistols are some of the best kept secrets of good manufactured and accurate guns out of the box for the money.
If you are not intent on shooting precision pistol for many years I think they will do you well because I do not know what is needed to tune these guns up after shooting multiple thousands of rounds like we do in bullseye shooting.

Clarence

I have shot with Canadian Marines at the Atlantic Fleet Matches here in the US. My recollection is that for their shooting in CA they use the Sig P210. I know that the 210 is an exceptionally accurate pistol. If you don't plan to shoot matches in the US, and you don't want a wad gun, why not think about one?  Or you could see about buying a Rockriver Service Pistol maybe. You could try the Les Baer, it might not be the first choice, but parts and accessories are readily available and they can be accurate. 

Then again, I am someone that will take a dremel and wood epoxy to a brand new $275 to $300 custom grip to make it fit better. I have a spring gauge and keep my spare springs in bags marked with the poundage from my gauge rather than the factory. My cold weather .45 loads are .2 gr of Bullseye heavier than Summer. 

What I'm saying is that your choices depend a great deal on your goals.

jmdavis wrote:My recollection is that for their shooting in CA they use the Sig P210.

The modern P210 seems to be available in 9mm only.

jmdavis wrote:What I'm saying is that your choices depend a great deal on your goals.

Gave my goals, more-or-less, in previous post. Have something accurate in 45, have fun, practice, maybe compete rarely.

I have been looking at a EEA in 38 Super. Don't need it just want one. I understand desire. I don't have one yet that I can report on but I do have a question. Can you use the SA XDM up there and what do they think about wheel guns? The XDM comes in 45 and is very accurate with lots of upgrades. I do have one of them. I also have some great shooting 45 wheel guns. Just curious.

Len

LenV wrote:I have been looking at a EEA in 38 Super. Don't need it just want one. I understand desire. I don't have one yet that I can report on but I do have a question. Can you use the SA XDM up there and what do they think about wheel guns? The XDM comes in 45 and is very accurate with lots of upgrades. I do have one of them. I also have some great shooting 45 wheel guns. Just curious.

Len

"Up here" I have yet to see any form of precision competition with 45's. So, I can use whatever the heck I like. My only concern is that if I ever did venture south for an actual competition that I be able to use the pistol there.
Lots of wheelguns in practice. Both at my target shooting focused club and the spray&pray club I'm shooting at now.

Got to say shooting at the spray&pray club must be helping my concentration and flinch control. Last time I was there I managed to maintain my average scores while in the booth next to me someone was shooting a 44 magnum revolver.

Slartybartfast wrote:
Got to say shooting at the spray&pray club must be helping my concentration and flinch control. Last time I was there I managed to maintain my average scores while in the booth next to me someone was shooting a 44 magnum revolver.

Try shooting at a public indoor range where the guy next to you is shooting an over gassed AR-15 pistol with a 10 inch barrel...the boom and muzzle flash is accompanied by being pelted with hot brass.  I still have a burn scar on my left arm.

Canada seems to follow the ISU games much more than the NRA games for Precision Pistol.  So the 45 seems to be confined to the run and gun games up there.  The ISU limits centerfire pistols to 9mm/38 caliber.  The issue with 9mm is that it is maddenly frustrating to make it shoot well and not have snappy recoil.   The 38 Super is easier to tame..but..many more pistols are made in 9mm.  

All that said, if you want a target 45, the Tanfoglio will do okay.  The issue is support for difficulties.  On this forum there are at least 4 to 5 active gunsmiths who combined have 50 plus years of experience on 1911s.  CZ and Tanfoglio experience can be counted on one finger and still have room for a super bowl ring.

Wobbley wrote:Try shooting at a public indoor range where the guy next to you is shooting an over gassed AR-15 pistol with a 10 inch barrel...the boom and muzzle flash is accompanied by being pelted with hot brass.  I still have a burn scar on my left arm.

Thankfully my club indoor range has good solid dividers between stalls. Just the noise and concussion and flash of light to contend with. The only brass I have to deal with is my own. The FAS seems to spit the brass out in a random arc. Last person I introduced to shooting had the brass go in her shirt. The S&W is well behaved and always throws brass quite a distance forward.



When all stalls were filled and everyone was just firing rapidly, I took two hits on my legs from ricochets. One a sharp jagged and split flattened jacket and the other a big piece of mangled lead. A little disconcerting. But I was more pissed at the collection of 9mm and larger holes accompanying my 22 holes on my target when I retrieved it.

Wobbley wrote:The ISU limits centerfire pistols to 9mm/38 caliber.

IMO, as worthless as it is from someone who has yet to compete and who is also a foreigner, I'd think that I'd rather compete in a three gun competition that specified 22, CF between 9mm and 38, and 45ACP than one in which many/most are shooting the same gun for two legs of competition.

Well, there are reasons.  The Europeans adopted 9mm pistols at the turn of the 20th century.  The US adopted the 45.   

I’d like to see centerfire limited to 38 or 9mm down here too.  To me, the 32s are gaming the system.

The reason so many shoot the 45 in centerfire is to get more 45 time and in the bad awld days, more time on the 45 got you distinguished that much faster.

I actually didn't mean to limit to two choices. Same as ISSF CF anything between .30 and .38.

Personally, I think that shooting .45 in two stages is "gaming" the system.

Considering the competition scene here, I'll probably end up with a .32 one day. Just hoping I can gt something off the beaten path and not become yet another person with a Pardini in .32 and .22.

Need to win the lottery and get my hands on an MG2 and MG4. :p

I fondled a fellow shooter's tanfo stock ii xtreme in 9mm. Very well built gun and nice trigger. A potential downside is the huge double-stack grip. It's challenging to get a good grip with just one hand. Same problem others are reporting with the Pardini GT series.

Wobbley's right, we focus more on the ISSF/ISU sports here in Canada. Something in 32, 38 or 9mm will let you participate in the ISSF centerfire match as well as any NRA 1800. Just saying