Israeli Tanfoglio TA-90.

[FluffyTheCat]

I just bought a Tanfoglio TA-90. It was once the property of the Israeli Shooting Association  and it bears the logo of the ISA on the right side of the frame.  The pistol is also marked, "Combat Shooting Cohai"

The pistol features a very high gloss polished blue finish and it also has a beautiful set of walnut grips.

The serial number is AB 03XXX. 

Can anyone here tell me what year this pistol was made? What series is it and is capable of safely digesting +P ammo.

I read somewhere that early TA-90s should not be used with +P ammo
I

[Fred Friendly]

I just bought a Tanfoglio TA-90. It was once the property of the Israeli Shooting Association  and it bears the logo of the ISA on the right side of the frame.  The pistol is also marked, "Combat Shooting Cohai"

The pistol features a very high gloss polished blue finish and it also has a beautiful set of walnut grips.

The serial number is AB 03XXX. 

Can anyone here tell me what year this pistol was made? What series is it and is capable of safely digesting +P ammo.

I read somewhere that early TA-90s should not be used with +P ammo
I

+P in a pre-88 series Tanfoglio is indeed a no go. The frame had high nickel content that left it too soft for the operating pressures of such, the intent of that was additional corrosion resistance.

But I've never seen one with the "Combat Shooting Cohai" markings that I was certain was a pre-88 series. I've also not seen one with such markings that had the slide mounted safety decocker, only the frame mounted safety only lever. Rather then the dog leg slide release or the canik style they usually had a slide release that was a direct copy of the Pre-B CZ-75 as was the safety lever.

The date code should be directly above the trigger guard on the right side of the frame, right above where the actual trigger guard surface ends. 2 Characters in a square box, that's your date code. They can get really faded and hard to make out on some of them.

If you post some pictures it will be helpful for us!

[jwc007]

I just bought a Tanfoglio TA-90. It was once the property of the Israeli Shooting Association  and it bears the logo of the ISA on the right side of the frame.  The pistol is also marked, "Combat Shooting Cohai"

The pistol features a very high gloss polished blue finish and it also has a beautiful set of walnut grips.

The serial number is AB 03XXX. 

Can anyone here tell me what year this pistol was made? What series is it and is capable of safely digesting +P ammo.

I read somewhere that early TA-90s should not be used with +P ammo

The AB serial number prefix puts the date of manufacture some time around 1976, so it should look something like the Pistol shown below:



The Combat Shooting Cohai Pistols were surplussed off from the Israeli Shooting Association Armories and a great many wound up here in the USA.
Note that the Pre-Series 88 Pistols, of which yours is one of, will only use Tanfoglio Pre-Series 88 Magazines or Pre-B Cz75 Magazines.
However, this Frame Modification may allow you to use current Cz75B Magazines:  https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=39056.0

As previously noted, the metal of the Pre-Series 88 Pistols is a good bit softer than Series 88 and later Tanfoglio Pistols
and should only be used with standard Pressure 9mm Ammunition.  Also, I recommend that the Front Slide Barrel Bushing
be Blue Loctited into the Slide, as they will often shoot loose.

[FluffyTheCat]

This pistol does not have a barrel bushing. And modern CZ-75B magazines fit the gun perfectly.

[Gunnerdad80]

Post pics as soon as you’re able. That’s the best way to identify it.

[jwc007]

Post pics as soon as you’re able. That’s the best way to identify it.

Exactly!  If you have no Barrel Bushing and current Cz75B Magazines work in it, then we have something else going on here.
Not understanding that as the AB Serial Number prefix indicates the 1976 model year.

[FluffyTheCat]

If you click on the link, you will see my TA-90

https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/Cleaning-my-new-gun/5-2512349/

[Gunnerdad80]

Ok you have a series 88. MecGar 17, 18, & 19 round mags should work in those. I had that same gun in hard chrome finish. Does it have a box with two letters stamped in the frame right above the trigger on the right hand side?

[FluffyTheCat]

No box. Nothing. It definitely uses CZ-75B magazines and I know this for sure because magazines that wont fit my pre-Bs fit in the Tanfoglio.

And the serial number definitely begins with AB and there is absolutely no barrel bushing at all.

[Gunnerdad80]

That one’s going to be made in the late 80s early 90s.

[jwc007]

Regardless of Serial Number, as Gunnerdad stated, you have a Series 88 Tanfoglio Pistol with what looks like a Swiss Contract Slide..
Your Pistol will safely digest a moderate amount of +P Ammunition, should you need to use it.
Very very nice looking Pistol, too!

[Gunnerdad80]

you have a Series 88 Tanfoglio Pistol with what looks like a Swiss Contract Slide..

Is it the style of slide serrations that make it a Swiss contract slide? Just curious. I takes my notes from the pro.

[jwc007]

you have a Series 88 Tanfoglio Pistol with what looks like a Swiss Contract Slide..

Is it the style of slide serrations that make it a Swiss contract slide?

Yes!  Some of the leftover parts from the Swiss Contract Pistols found there way onto Production Pistols.

[win308]

I've got a very similar Combat Shooting Cohai that has been parkerized.....so rebuilt by the Israelis at some time.  It has the Israeli sport club logo stamped on the right side also.  When it was re-finished I'm thinking they worked on the trigger as it is very smooth and light....about 2 lb single action.  It is one of the most accurate pistols I own with a very durable finish.  I have about 15 Tanfoglio small frame mags, but only 3 will fit this gun....the rest fit my EAA Witness models.  The ones that fit the Witness will not insert deep enough into the Cohai to latch....stops about 3/8 inch short from goin

[jwc007]

Very very Nice!