Question about Tanfoglio Stock III Extreme

[rbuzz00]

I'm a big fan of all CZ's and own several different examples of them and have always been very satisfied with them, but I've got the hankering to buy something a little different, but not too different. For some reason the Tanfoglio Stock III Extreme has caught my eye. I don't know if it's the bronze/copper finish with the contrasting black slide and black aluminum grips or what, but I'm thinking of buying one.

I have heard a lot of good about Tanfoglio and it has been one of the top competition guns in Europe for several years. It is supposedly "hand-tuned by the Master Gunsmiths from Tanfoglio?s Custom Shop in Italy" and features a lot of hand fitting, and special competition springs and parts. On paper it seems like it most closely compares with the CZ Shadow 2 although it is a bit more expensive. Some of that is offset by the inclusion of four magazines with aluminum base plates.

 Has anyone here had any experience with the Stock III Extreme?  I've scoured the internet for news and most of what I've found has been largely positive. It seems that the only real negative thing about it is having to deal with EAA customer service if any repair work is needed.

I would appreciate any input from anyone who has had any experience with Tanfoglio in general or specifically with the Stock II or Stock III competition guns.

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[motorcyclist]

I've owned a stock 3 for about 3 weeks now and also own a CZ shadow 2 and a SP 01 for comparison. Have only got about 100 rounds through the stock 3 so far (has done nothing but rain here) and have had 1 FTE. I put that off on my reloads as the shadow 2 did the same a minute later. Grip is bigger than SP 01 with stock grips (this frame will hold 10mm), from memory a little smaller then a 97. A pair of LOK thin grips went on this weekend, very nice! The blue finish is nicely done, not old S&W revolver nice, but nice. Slide to frame fit is tight. Trigger is as heavy, but as smooth in DA as the SP 01, SA pretty good with a little more creep than the SP 01. I'll mention my shadow 2, while better then the two, is not a outstanding trigger and will get CGW help at some point. The stock 3, if it hangs around long enough, will get help from Henning. Need to adjust the sights as it shot low, right about 2 inches at 15 yards, but it blew a 2 inch hole off hand! Needs a F.O. front sight too (my preference).
All in all very pleased with it. It was a impulse purchase not 2 weeks after trading into the shadow 2. May never figure out why I did that. I will play with the it and the shadow and keep the one that I favor. Right now with a little trigger work and a F.O. front sight, the stock 3 would be every bit the pistol the shadow 2 is.
Hoped this helped.
         

[rbuzz00]

Thanks motorcyclist for the input. I've been thinking about this for almost a year. It's not that I need it, it's just that it's something different and unique. Everyone has a CZ Shadow 2 or a TSO, I do too, and in searching for the next new toy, the Stock III Extreme came up. There's just something about it that I like.

Tanfoglio seems to have an excellent reputation overseas. I compare looking at the Tanfoglio to lusting after another Italian exotic, the Ferrari automobile. While the Ferrari is truly out of my range, the Tanfoglio isn't. I just wish that it was possible to find one to look at and examine in person rather than having to make up my mind based on internet articles and pictures.

[Bapple]

If you are mechanically inclined at all, the Tanfoglio Stock II and III are very easy to work on yourself.  If I were looking I would buy the regular Stock II or III and buy some new parts and springs to drop the trigger pull and also to smooth the pull out.  Patriot Defense sells every part you would need to replace and also has great customer service if you were to need them.  Here is my Stock II with all the goodies installed.  DA pull at 6.5 with a SA pull around 2.5#.  This gun makes me look really good on the range, lol, a sweet shooter!

[rbuzz00]

Wow, that is one sweet looking Tanfoglio.  Thanks for the tip. I have tinkered with changing the trigger on some pistols, but am definitely not an expert on this. I may have to do some research and learn more about this. I could also talk to my FFL who is a gunsmith and a competition shooter about doing the work.

I have to admit, I really like the cone barrel on the Stock II, both for it's efficiency and it's looks. That's one thing the Stock III Extreme doesn't have. 

[Bapple]

Thanks, I agree, I liked the bull barrel setup better myself.  I dont think you could go wrong with either though.  Good luck with whichever you go with, you will not be disappointed