Anyone own both a SAR and a Tanfo? Preferably steel?

[henehcuhp]

I'm fighting hard to not buy the K2 .45 at these new reduced prices. I have been very pleased with my B6P, and can tell that SAR makes an absurdly good quality firearm for the money.

But my favorite clone is still the Jericho 941. On a teardown and inspection, it honestly seems like an inferior gun. Slide to frame fit is pretty loose, trigger wobbles around on its pin (and it's not a terribly old gun, either- they come a little loose). Rollpins are used for EVERYTHING, including the hammer pin.

Yet it's still the finest-shooting gun I own. It makes me wonder if I'd be happier holding off on my impulse to buy the SAR, and instead picking up a .45 or 10mm Witness for only, what, 50 bucks more? Or 150 more if I sprung for the SAO Match. I have no doubts that the SAR is probably a more finely crafted gun, and at a lower price, to boot. But I just dunno if it will have the same 'magic.' Of all people, CZ enthusiasts should understand the sentiment that having shiny parts machined on the latest CNC equipment does not neccessarily make the best firearm...it's okay for things to be a little less polished if the final product is still a great one.

I've come to the conclusion that as good as I think my metal Caniks are, they still don't quite have the right feel. So, having never gotten to shoot (or even handle) a steel SAR or an actual Tanfo-branded gun, I'm curious if anyone else has had experiences that they can chime in with. Is the Jericho 941 a good representation of a Witness steel, or am I falsely assuming that I would love the latter as much as I do the former? FWIW, my Jericho is the slide safety model, which means no FPB. Unsure if it contributes to how well I shoot it.

[Brian Ahearn]

I have both -The EAA Tangfolio's are nice and I also want a 10 mm version. With that said, my go to pistol in 45 ACP is the Sar K2 ,I don't even take my 1911's to the range anymore. I shoot at 8 inch steel plates at 25 yards and you just can't miss if you do your part. I use the k2 and the K2P as my home defense pistols to protect me and my family. I am 100 percent satisfied with Sar pistols. The only Sar that is screwy is the steel 9mm Hawk model with the backwards safety. Great shooter ,but the safety being pushed down to engage it  is just stupid. Other than that it's also and outstanding pistol. With all that said I know eventually I will end up with a 10 mm stock 1 or 2 pistol just cause I want a 10 mm pistol. Good luck with your decision. #398 at Buds for the K2 is a steal, you may want to act right away ,when I take too long trying to decide I usually miss out on the deal.

[jwc007]

No help here, as I don't think you can go wrong with either.

That said, the .45 Witnesses are a bit lighter and trimmer, and I don't mind carrying one all day.  The SAR K2-45 on the other hand is more of a Home Defense Pistol for me.


From Left to Right
EAA Witness .45 (1992)
EAA Witness .45 (2004)
SAR K2-45 (2013)

[henehcuhp]

So the K2 trigger is as good or better than the Witness?

The biggest thing for me, which I think has put a nail in the coffin of any thought of ever putting an actual CZ-75/85 into my collection...I think Caniks are most apt to be called CZ clones. I find the same deficiencies with both...which is to say, the trigger. The Caniks start out smoother, but both just have too much takeup and overtravel, with the only easy solution being to just install an SAO trigger.

SAR's are Tanfoglio clones. I think it's an important differentiation.

My SAR and my Jericho are both better in all areas than the Caniks or any CZ I have shot, with regard to the trigger. The Jericho is outright stupid...with the absurdly-stiff hammer spring it has, it has no business having its 4lb or less SA pull. But it does. The lack of takeup and overtravel is what really makes it great, though.

Anyway, I happened across something to scratch that new-gun itch and put a Witness in the stable-

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=435540246

Will probably end up as my carry gun.

[jwc007]

Very Nice!  Congratulations! 

Large Frame or Small Frame?  Be sure to post a Range Report and let us know how it shoots for You!

[henehcuhp]

I think that's a small frame, but I am not 100%. It's got a 2003 date code on it.

The square slide and the (hopefully) small frame were part of what sealed the deal for me.