Just Back From NRA Annual Meeting. EAA Was There.

[mm6mm6]

First, the NRA AM was outstanding as always.  What a blast!  

Second, let me say that in my opinion there is no finer gun that the full size EAA/Tanfoglio Witness series of pistols.

My .38 super has never malfunctioned, shoots dead on in the center of the target with its outstanding fixed sights, has an outrageously terrific single action trigger pull right out of the box, is put together tight with a good looking fit and finish, is the most ergonomically correct gun for my hand, and is the most amazingly priced pistol on the market.  I've shot everything else and the Tanfoglios are, by far, the best darn guns out there.  

So, now that I've said how I feel about the guns, what was up with the EAA display?  Sig, Glock, Springfield Armory, S&W, Ruger, etc had awesome displays of their weapons.  Big displays.  With quality furniture and carpet and display cases.

EAA had...you might not even believe this...used hotel bell service luggage carts with wood platforms to hold the guns.

To play with the big boys, you have to act like the big boys.

Also, sometimes you are accessed by the company you keep.

The Windicator?  The Bounty Hunter?  The BB guns?  The tacky blonde holding these guns posters?  

My opinion is that the Tanfoglio pistols are a deep enough line (with steel, polymer and super target/hunting versions) to be considered all by themselves.  There's something that brings them down when they're sold next to BB guns.

I believe EAA's poster was the only one to feature a scantily clad blonde.  Ruger did have a Cowboy Action Shooting lady but she looked the part and was there to sign the posters (by the way, I took two of the EAA posters!)....

I checked out CZ USA in the Dan Wesson area and I was shocked at how horribly different the grip felt and how terrible the trigger pulls were.

EAA has the best gun available for home or self defense.  Too bad they can't figure out how market them better.

I did receive a 2006 catalog in the mail with my warranty card's return address cut out with scissors and scotch taped onto the catalog with my address.  Again, a weird and cheaply quick way to send out a catalog...once.  I guess that means there's no computer record at EAA of me as a customer who should get a new catalog every year, eh?

[stretch64]

I have a friend who's a diehard 1911 pattern .45 SA shooter. He likes my Witness, but not the DA trigger. He'd buy one of the Match or Limited SA models in a heartbeart if he wasn't so put off by EAA's marketing, or lack thereof. When is Tanfoglio going to get the message?

[SLM crew chief]

Probably not untill everyone starts telling Tan directly that they won't buy there guns due to EAA and then stick to it.  That might get their attention but people have to quite putting up with EAA, not buy any of the guns and e-mail or call Tan directly and tell them.

[jwc007]

If we could get another competing importer of Tanfoglio Pistols in the USA, as was the case back in the mid to late 80's, when FIE and Excam were competing against eachother for marketshare, then maybe EAA would either have to straighten up or go under!  There is an opportunity here!

[panzermk2]

EAA WOW their display sucked, the rep lied his ass off to me about how long they have had the upper tier Tanfoglios
Hell I have the add from Shotgun news still touting that they are now importing them in 2005. The rep said since 1992. Since I have around 8 witness's at the moment have been dealing with them for years and asking if they would ever bring these over I knew better.

Then after I commented on the fiber optic FRONT sighted witness that I liked them and that it made changing sights so much easier THE REP PROCEIDED TO TELL ME HOW CRAPPY THEY WHERE AND THAT HE WOULD NEVER OWN ONE!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS for selling me on the gun dumbasss

I had been hoping the tacky blonde would be there instead I got posters
Mark Galli will be missed he was the only guy who gave a crap about customers.

[hartzpad]

they had the same setup at the Shot Show.  I Spoke to Marc Galli a few times while there and everytime he admitted how bad their setup was and that it was all due to the uppers in managment and owners.  I think Marc knew he was going to be leaving, he was not happy.

[Grayrider]

That Marc Galli fellow sure gets around.  I heard at the NRA show he was in the booth across from EAA!

 

GR

[Southern Forester]

I have complained to EAA about the prostitute, er, model they use in their advertising.  It makes them seem more like wannabees and not step up to the plate competitors.  Their advertsing belongs with Cobra, Lorcin, and Jennings, not Tanfoglio.  Most of the models are pretty skanky, and that makes me wonder who they are trying to appeal to.

I was actually one of the folks interested in the Strak CZ's, rip-offs I know, but I would rather have a steel-framed CZ-TT than a Witness out of general principle.  I'd rather have a pretender than a pimp if I can get it.  Of course, there never was a steel CZ-TT, so I still carry my Witness.

The crying shame is that Witness is the one I turned to post Katrina, over all of my CZ's!!!  Not exactly good, though, for customers to begrudgingly choose your product IN SPITE of your advertising.

Davis

[atblis]

EAA needs to go.  The Tanfoglios are my favorite pistols, yet I own none of them right now simply because of EAA.  When somebody else starts importing them I will again start buying Tans.

I've sent emails to Tanfoglio regarding EAA.  No reponse yet.

[nvrquit]

atblis,

I wouldn't try holding your breath in anticipation of any type of affirmative response from Tanfoglio. Any attempt I've made in the past, regarding EAA and the nightmare they are, to Tan sales here in the USA, has been met with utter silence or contemptible indifference.

What is needed is for a completely different entity to import CZ clones, with a caliber complete line-up. Backed-up with average customer service, such an operation would make EAA look sickly(no effort required in that) and requisite EAA sales(and thusly Tanfoglio) would drop off the edge of the earth. A just end to a horrible operation.

Unfortunately, I don't happen to see that on the current agenda anywhere.........

[glocksrfugly]

I was wondering after reading tese posts how the current line of Tanfoglio made EAAs compare to the Tanfoglios that were imported by FIE. I bought this past winter a NIB TZ/75 imported by FIE for only $269. I don't know the year of manufacture. It is marked series 88 but it differs from the ones people have described on this forum in that it dosent have the ring hammer. It is a parkerized finish with the old school CZ75 type spur hammer. It is very well made, accurate and reliable. Actually It even seems to be built a little nicer than my CZ40B.
 If I could ever score another Tanfoglio made as well  made as this one I would jump on it but I don't have any experience with the quality of the ones EAA is importing. ??

[jwc007]

Quote:the current line of Tanfoglio made EAAs compare to the Tanfoglios that were imported by FIE.

If my 2004 vintage .45 Witness is any example, I would say that they have actually improved the design.  Fitting of parts are mostly as good the older pistols with the possible exception of the barrel underlug which is sometimes a bit oversize, but very easily remedied.  Internal Finishing will be slightly less, but acceptable.  External Finishing has generally been excellent!

[ReloaderFred]

I also have a Series 88 with the spur hammer.  It came in an excellent condition 9mm/.41 combo gun I picked up a few years ago in a pawn shop while waiting for my truck to be repaired in a town far from home.  It's one of my favorite Tanfoglios.  

Fred

[atblis]

I'll still own Witnesses, I just won't pay more than $250 for one.

[Southern Forester]

Oh, the Witness is a fine, very well made pistol.  That is why I own one.  EAA are turds in their advertising.  My point is that I own one because they are good, despite EAA's advertising.  EAA turns me off, and I am glad that at least the box is Tanfoglio labled.  Would it be illegal to buff out the EAA import marks and obliterate the really idiotic "Witness" name?  I doubt it, which is why I use the pistol in spite of its American trade name.

Davis