1985 TA-90

[JimmyD]

O.K. So this is my first real post. I have a TA-90 built in '85. It appears to be brushed steel (stainless ?) and 15rnd factory mag. Safety is on the slide. I'm trying to gather any info I can about this pistol, i.e., would this be a "B" model or no, can it handle +P ammo or no, what mags "Will" fit and function properly (catch correctly, feed, hold back slide after last round fired etc.) Any solid info on this pistol will be deeply appreciated. Awesome site, and look forward to many years on here, thanks.

P.S. I seem to be having a brain fart as I would like to upload a few photos and cant quite figure it out ?

[henehcuhp]

It has a firing pin block, but it is 'active' as opposed to the passive FPB on a frame safety gun. I.e. the firing pin is only 'blocked' (retracted, to be more accurate) when the safety is engaged.

+P certainly won't kaboom it (barrel and breach are plenty strong), but you need to be sure you have enough recoil spring to avoid frame battering.

It should be a 'small frame,' which means CZ mags will fit fine, but there are minor height differences. I would try and get the MECGAR-made Witness mags, and only try CZ if it's the only option. The mag just has to be long enough to engage the catch without the base plate interfering. New mags will probably be labeled as 16 round; look for the ones with a steel base plate. I'm unsure if 16 round with a poly base plate with work...but 17 might.

[jwc007]

Welcome to the Forum! 

Since it was made in 1985, it is what we call a Pre-Series 88 TA90, which is more inline with the original Pre-B Cz75 and can use Pre-B Cz75 Magazines.
You can also use FIE Tz75 and Excam TA90 Magazines...............if you can find any. EAA may have some Magazines in stock for the older Tanfoglio Pistols.
Cz-USA also will sell Pre-B Cz75 Magazines. http://shop.cz-usa.com/ProductDetail/11114_Cz-75-Preb-Full-Size-16-Round-9mm-Mag
Note that the current small Frame EAA Witness Magazines WILL NOT fit your Pistol.

There is a Frame Modification that may allow it to use the current Mec-Gar Cz75B Magazines: http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=39056.0
Small Frame Witness Magazines MIGHT work with your Pistol AFTER the Frame Modification.

Note that this Pistol is the same as the Pre-Series 88 FIE Tz75, which was imported by FIE.


Evolution of the Tanfoglio CZ Clones. L - R TZ75, TA90, TA90 Compact, .45 EAA Witness

As for the use of +P Ammunition, don't!  The Metallurgy of that time is a good bit softer than it should be, due to a higher Nickel Content meant to inhibit Corrosion.
The alternate finish of that time which your Pistol has, is an Industrial Hard Chrome which is quite durable.
Another consideration is the Front Slide Barrel Bushing, which can sometimes come out on these.  Just Loctite it in!

[henehcuhp]

I was not aware that the older models needed specific mags. What's different about them?

[jwc007]

I was not aware that the older models needed specific mags. What's different about them?

Dimensions and design changed considerably, notably the Magazine Well and Magazine Release. Slide Lockup changed to a Bushingless System.

[mwj999]

JWC, I'm greatly impressed by your knowledge of these weapons. I owned a TA-90 back in early 1985. The OP might have my old pistol, but I couldn't have answered either of his questions.

[jwc007]

Thankyou!    I have learned much thru experience, as I used to own two of the older FIE Tz75's.  The first one was made in 1984 (which I later gifted to a friend) and the second was made in 1987, just before the Series 88 Pistols came out.  Later on I bought my Full Size and Compact Series 88 TA90's and the differences in design were very apparent.  Also, I had worked in a Gun Shop where I needed to repair both Cz and Tanfoglio Pistols that Customers brought in.  It was sort of an education of necessity.

[JimmyD]

Thanks to all for the feedback, now I know it is a pre-B, pre-series 88, mec-gar mags, and don't buy +P ammo. My only other question was about "grips" but with the info I now have I should be able to find some, perhaps "Hogue" or something similar. Again thanks for everyone's input and like an old movie saying, "I'll be Back".

[win308]

It appears 1986 models were the TZ-75 B models for sure (assuming AP date code is correct for 1986) I don't know if the B model got the better steel / heat treat or not:











My grips say Pachmayer Sure Grip.

[jwc007]

P.S. I seem to be having a brain fart as I would like to upload a few photos and cant quite figure it out ?

Very simple really.

1) Get a Pic Host account such as Imageshack, Photobucket, or Hunt101.com, the latter which I use.
2) Upload your Pics to your Pic Host Gallery
3) Copy ( keyboard - Ctrl+c ) the Forum Pic Link you get from Your host
4) Paste ( keyboard - Ctrl+v ) the Forum Pic Link into Your post
5) Click on "Save" when done editing

Of course the trick with Photobucket is to just click the "IMG" code, which automatically copies the pic link to your Computer, and all you have to do is Paste ( keyboard Ctrl + v ) into your post.

My only other question was about "grips" but with the info I now have I should be able to find some, perhaps "Hogue" or something similar.

My favorite Grips for the Tanfoglio Cz Clones are the Hogue Cz75 Finger Groove Grips available from many vendors on ebay such as ecop or directly from Greg Cote, LLC.
http://www.gregcotellc.com


Tanfoglio Series 88 TA90
Tanfoglio Armscore RIA MAP1
Both with 19 round Mec-Gar Cz75B Magazines and Hogue Grips

It appears 1986 models were the TZ-75 B models for sure (assuming AP date code is correct for 1986) I don't know if the B model got the better steel / heat treat or not:

All I can say for sure is that the Steel did get better as the years went by, but I would still avoid +P level ammunition in the older Pre-Series 88 Pistols.
Standard Pressure loads should get you by, in most cases.

[JimmyD]

Thanks all for the great info. So heres my first attempt at posting some pics.[imhttp://s1379.photobucket.com/user/jrdehansr/media/20150108_130835_zpsb3a6051d.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0g][imhttp://s1379.photobucket.com/user/jrdehansr/media/20150108_130809_zpsf02b5948.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1g][ihttp://s1379.photobucket.com/user/jrdehansr/media/20150108_130742_zps38044861.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3mg][imhttp://s1379.photobucket.com/user/jrdehansr/media/20150108_130652_zps701cf135.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4g]

[jwc007]

   With Photobucket, You probably need to just click on the IMG code to save it to your Computer, then past (ctrl+v)