The Tanfoglio Limited Custom HC .40 Calibre Pistol

Tanfoglio

From the late 1980’s Tanfoglio has produced sport pistols that have given thousands of shooters around the globe the possibility to compete and win in hundreds of IPSC competitions around the world. To arrive at this high level of use Tanfoglio have continuously modified and renewed their line of products due to their engineering technicians and with the input of the “Team Tanfoglio” shooters worldwide. The large variety of the pistols for competitive shooting listed in Tanfoglio’s sport and competition line is one of  largest you can find in the handgun manufacturing market and gives the competitive shooter the possibility to choose the most suitable sport pistol to suit their needs.

Appearing on the IPSC circuit in the 1980’s Tanfoglio now has a range of pistols suitable for the different IPSC Divisions.

CZ75 Heritage

The design of the Tanfoglio pistol is based on the Czech made CZ 75 9mm pistol. During the first year of production of the CZ 75 the factory at Uherský Brod manufactured some 2000 pistols. This rose in subsequent years to over 20,000 pistols, which did not keep up with demand. To help fill the large demand in the West for the CZ 75 licensing rights were sold to ITM of Solothurn, Switzerland. I have shot the ITM produced copies of the CZ 75 and can personally attest to quality of manufacture, accuracy and reliability.

The design of the Tanfoglio pistol is based on the Czech made CZ 75 9mm pistol. Tanfoglio have manufactured the largest number of pistols based on the CZ design.

The Italian firm of Tanfoglio is the largest producer of copies the CZ designed pistol. The pistol has been produced in 9mm Parabellum, 9 x 21, .40 S & W, .41 Action Express, 10mm Auto and .45 ACP. Two things popularised the Tanfoglio copy; one was the reasonable price and the other was that Tanfoglio modified the basic design making the pistols suitable for IPSC practical pistol shooting in Open, Modified and Standard Divisions. The basic design has both been expanded into a full blown IPSC race gun and also reduced in size to be a compact concealable carry gun. In the 1980’s Tanfoglio solved the supply problem and importation problem, especially into the USA, with this copy of the Czech CZ 75 pistol, as at this time the Berlin Wall had yet to come tumbling down. Tanfoglio products are imported into the USA by European American Armory Corporation in Rockledge, Florida.

In the 1980’s Tanfoglio was able to fill the gap in the market in the USA for the CZ style pistol, as at this time there were still trade restrictions with Czechoslovakia.

Custom

Limited Custom HC

The Limited Custom is a full race single action semi automatic pistol specially made for IPSC Standard Division competitions. This model is the latest evolution of the Limited model that was modified following the suggestions and help of the Team Tanfoglio shooters that have won many international and national championships using this model. The Limited Custom model has the same dimensions of the Limited model but it has different technical characteristics like the barrel that, aside from the polygonal rifling for better accuracy and longer life, has a coned external profile that dimensionally matches up with the inside of the slide. The frame has a longer dust cover that runs up to the front of the slide for a better balancing of the pistol. The extended magazine well is flared for a fast and easy magazine change. This new pistol uses the N2 recoil spring kit.

The Limited Custom is made for IPSC Standard Division competitions and is the latest evolution of the Limited model that was modified from the suggestions of Team Tanfoglio shooters

Each pistol comes with two magazines, each with an aluminium base pad. The magazines have a chrome finish. The HC model is available in 9 x 19, 9 x 21 and .40S&W. The magazine capacity in 9 x 19 and 9 x 21 is 18 rounds for either caliber and 15 for .40S&W caliber. The 9mm parabellum round uses a 9mm diameter bullet with a 19 mm long cartridge case. In countries were the 9mm parabellum cailbre is not permitted for civilian ownership ( such as Italy ) Tanfoglio make their pistols chambered in 9 mm x 21 mm as well. This calibre uses a 21 mm long cartridge case.

With the CH Limited Custom Tanfoglio how have a pistol that can compete with the other top manufacturers in the world IPSC market place.

The front sight on the HC is dove tailed into the slide and is available in plain black or with a fibre insert, usually red, but other colours are available. The rear sight is a plain black target serrated blade that is adjustable for windage and elevation. The slide has groves on either side at the rear to allow it to be retracted rearwards and also houses the firing pin and extractor assemblies.  The slide also has three slots milled at the front just behind the front sight. This has the effect of lightening the slide, thus reducing the slide mass during the cyclic action during the recoil sequence.

The empty case has ejected from the pistol and the slide is travelling forward back into battery. Note the lack of muzzle climb, which is assisted by the weight removed from the slide.

The new Limited Custom in the HB (Black Finish) is a full race ready semi automatic pistol specifically designed for IPSC Standard Division and target shooting events. This model is the latest evolution of the Limited Model that was modified following the suggestion and help of the Team Tanfoglio Shooters that have won many National and International competitions using this model. The Limited Custom HB has the same dimensions of the Limited Custom HC model. It has a cone polygonal rifling barrel for greater accuracy. The frame has the full length dust cover to keep the weight up front for better balancing. The extended magazine release and extended magazine well provides the opportunity for lightning fast magazine changes. This unit comes presented in a custom gun case with two magazines and extra recoil springs.

The Barrel

Lothar Walther Barrel

The barrel is 121 mm long and has a six grove rifling twist of one revolution in 400 mm  ( or 16 inches ). All the competition and sport models have a polygonal rifled barrel made by Lothar Walther GmbH in Germany. The barrel and slide use the Browning short recoil locking system where the locking lugs on the barrel mate up with those on the slide. During firing the barrel and slide move back together as one for a short distance until they unlock. Unlike the Browning designed M1911 that uses a swinging link to unlock the barrel and slide, the HC uses a kidney shaped enclosed lug under the chamber of the barrel. This enclosed lug reciprocates on the slide lock lever to lock and unlock the barrel and slide during the firing cycle. There is also no separate barrel bushing. This improved locking system was first developed by John Browning for his last pistol design, the Browning High Power and was modified into its present form in the Sig P210 and has been used in a number of pistol designs over the years. The design is capable of handling the pressures generated by centre fire cartridges.

One of the features of the HC is the way that the slide rails fit inside the frame aka the Sig P210 as opposed to the outside of the frame as found on the M 1911 / Browning High Power. I find that the grip of the HC to be very comfortable. The grips are made from aluminium. After market grips are available. The curved back strap extends into a beavertail which positions your hand so the hammer will not come into contact with ( or bite ) your hand. The front strap and rear strap of the frame are checkered to improve the griping of these metal surfaces. The pistol has a minimum of sharp edges that could snag a draw or cut up your hands during rapid manipulations of the pistol. An excellent magazine well is attached to the bottom of the grip and is relieved and flared to speed up reloads.

Henning’s Tang

During the Extreme European Open IPSC match, held in the Czech Republic this summer, I had the opportunity to examine the Limited Custom Tang that Henning Wallgren uses in competition. Starting out with the Tanfoglio factory pistol, Henning has made the following custom modifications: 

• Custom lightening cuts on the slide
• Front sight narrowed to 0.090 inches
• The square edges of the rear sight have been rounded to prevent snagging
• Ejection port has been opened to allow the empty case to eject easier
• Evolution Gun Works prepared hammer and sear, Wolff 13lb hammer spring
• XL Firing Pin made out of 420 Stainless Steel
• Checkered contour grips
• Magazine release button extended
• Wolff 10lb Recoil Spring

Henning is currently working on a new Fiber Optic front sight which will measure 0.090" width x 0.165" height and use a 0.040" diameter fiber rod. He is also bringing out a straight, easier adjustable trigger and an enlarged magazine well to speed up reloading. He carried out the trigger job himself. I tried it out and it breaks at about two pounds weight. The XL firing pin and checkered contoured grips are also his own design. The slide, frame and sights have been Ion Bonded, which is a surface finish coating. Ion Bonding was first used for coating cutting tools and medical instruments to provide corrosion resistance and longer life. The applications have now spread into decorative coatings for numerous applications.

These grips are ergonomically shaped to fit your hand and are machined from 6061 aluminium to be a precise fit on the frame. Optional custom colours are available.

The magazine well bolted to the bottom of the grip speeds up reloads and the magazine release button has been extended. Note the slide lock lever has been replaced with a single hardened steel pin. 

The rear sight is adjustable for windage and elevation and the front sight is a high visible target post type. 

The front of the slide has lightening cuts to reduce the slide mass, with a corresponding reduction in felt recoil. Note how the front sight is dove tailed into the slide and is held in place with an Allen key screw. 

The slide, frame and front and rear sights have been Ion Bonded, which is a surface finish coating. Ion Bonding was first used for coating cutting tools and medical instruments to provide corrosion resistance and longer life, but have now spread into decorative coatings for numerous applications. 

Tanfoglio Trigger System

The trigger guard is large enough to allow firing with a gloved hand. The forward vertical face of the trigger guard is curved to allow the index finger of the support hand to be position here in a two handed grip. The trigger has a smooth surface and is curved to assist the double action firing stroke.

The Tanfoglio trigger system comes in two configurations, which are single action or double action / single action ( DA / SA ). In this system the pistol is loaded and the hammer is manually lowered. The first shot is fired by cocking the hammer with a long double action trigger pull. Once the pistol fires the reciprocal action of the slide cocks the hammer into the single action mode for all subsequent shots. It is possible on all Tanfoglio models to convert a pistol from single to double action or vice versa. The main part that makes double action system function possible is the "interrupter". It allows the trigger bar to push, cock and release the hammer to fire the first shot in double action mode. Every shot fired after that is regular single action. If you want to convert your pistol from one to the other there are three parts you will need to consider changing or getting; which are the hammer ( DA / SA ), trigger (DA / SA) and interrupter. Tanfoglio offers their guns in either large or small frame sizes. All trigger system parts interchange except for the trigger bar (often called trigger bow).

The Custom Limited CH model is carried cocked and locked with a round in the chamber, the hammer cocked and the safety catch applied. The safety lever is up for safe and is swept downwards to fire the pistol and is ambidextrous to enable it to be used by either hand.

Disassembly

To strip the pistol for cleaning first remove the magazine and lock open the slide and first ensure that the pistol is unloaded and then let the slide forward. Move the slide rearwards until the dot on the rear left of the slide matches up with a corresponding dot on the frame. While holding the slide and frame in this position push on the right side of the slide lock lever, which protrudes from the right hand side of the frame with your finger or thumb. On a new pistol you may need to use a small mallet to move it. If you are stuck you can use the base pad of the magazine. After removing the slide lock lever the slide and barrel assembly can be removed from the frame. The recoil spring can be removed by slightly compressing it and the barrel can be lifted out. This is as far as you need to go to clean the pistol. Do not attempt to strip down the HC any further as there are a lot of small parts and springs, which interlock with each other, so leave any further dismantling to a qualified gunsmith.

One of the features of the HC is the way that the slide rails fit inside the frame. Sig adopted this process for their P210. Most other manufacturers have the slide rails on the outside of the frame.

The magazines are made from chrome plated steel and hold 15 rounds. The magazine is easy to load including the last few rounds. The base plate of the magazine can easily be removed allowing for occasional cleaning of the inside of the magazine, spring and follower. The magazine release button is conventionally located on the left of the frame just behind the trigger guard. The button is enlarged and extended to make pushing it easier. The magazines drop free, which will allow you to perform a speed reload with your support hand while the empty or depleted magazine falls clear of the pistol.

The HC Limited partially disassembled. Note the kidney shaped enclosed lug under the chamber of the barrel. This enclosed lug reciprocates on the slide lock lever to lock and unlock the barrel and slide during the firing cycle. Also the hammer has two lightening holes in it to reduce the weight. 

The HC Limited disassembled for cleaning. From the top are the:-

• Slide
• Barrel
• Recoil spring and guide
• Frame
• Magazine

Magazines

Henning Extended Magazines

Extended capacity magazines were created for IPSC and USPSA competitions. Both organizations have different rules in relation to the overall magazine length. For anyone who wants a higher ammunition capacity in their Tanfogloi pistols then these magazines will allow the pistol to be reloaded out to maximum length permitted. The "Competition Magazine" is a factory magazine body assembled and ready to go with the Grams Follower and Spring Kit cut to correct length with a Henning H-140, H-141, H-520 or the H-400 magazine base pad. All these pads use a 4-40 Allen screw which requires a 0.050" Allen tool for disassembly. The "Reload" is a factory standard length magazine and is perfect for short stages and quick reloads. The "IPSC Box" is the revolutionary magazine that has put the Tanfoglio Limited .40 S&W back on the competition map in IPSC Standard Division competitions. The magazine holds 19 rounds and when inserted into the pistol, it will still fit into the IPSC box. The "USPSA 141" is an upgrade from the previous 140 which makes it possible to load 21 rounds. American USPSA rules allow for a slightly longer magazine than that allowed in sanctioned IPSC competitions.

When used with the Henning extended magazine the HC Limited can compete with any other pistol used in IPSC Standard Division. The threaded holes in the frame enable the user to add a mount for red dot sights.

Henning Grips

These grips are ergonomically shaped to fit your hand and are machined to be a precise fit on the frame. They are all made out of 6061 aluminum and are hard anodized. Standard colour finish is a gray finish. Optional custom colours are available for some models and include maroon red, Pepsi blue, navy blue, deep black, lime green and forest green.

 

This Limited HC has a stainless steel finish. This competitor has opted for the green fibre front sight insert and the Henning grips in red. The Ghost competition holster is the most popular on the IPSC circuit.

For IPSC competitors the USA firm Evolution Gun Works carries a great reputation in both the sport and industry for manufacturing quality parts. When you have decided to embark on the road of customising a Tanfoglio, EGW is the natural first step for aftermarket parts for the Tanfoglio style pistols.

This semi automatic pistol is especially designed for IPSC Standard Division. The 121 mm conical barrel has polygonal rifling, which will give a high degree of accuracy combined with a long life. The new Tanfoglio Custom frame has a longer full length dust cover that extends right up to the muzzle. The slide is wider for better balancing, while the assembling of barrel slide and frame is hand fitted by the gunsmiths at the Tanfoglio Custom Center. The new extended magazine well allows a faster magazine change even in difficult shooting positions. All other features are similar to those of the Tanfoglio Gold Custom pistols.

Since immigrating to the USA in 1994 Henning Wallgren has settled in Colorado. He has fulfilled his dream to live life on my own terms and do what he loves and compete in international competitive pistol and rifle shooting events in the USA and further afield. His success in the competition field has also lead to a demand for his services to customise firearms for competitive events and to provide coaching and training. As well as success in the shooting field he is also an accomplished motorbike rider and skier. Hey Henning, the next time I come to Colorado I promise to bring my skis!