Shot IPSC for few years now and with some good results with the Shadow, I'd found a little bored to shoot only Production Division. Also, owning an Open gun were always my dream/desire since high school. At that time, I can't even take out a few hundred bucks for something I like.
Not anymore with my age. I'd then decided to fullfil my dream and started for some research.
I wanted to find an Open gun which has the same or similar grip feelings as the CZ Shadow. I also wanted that Open gun to be accurate and well balance in my hands. I'd considered STI, SVI, CZ,Tanfoglio as my last 4 choices.
9mm Major will be my choice over 38super due to the price of the brass. I can pick up 9mm brass as much as I want from my club but not the same story for 38 super.
I have small hands; therefore, tried the STI & SVI and the grip is a bit too big for me. Also price of the SVI is so steep that I cannot afford at this time. So they are out of the question. My mind set was getting an open gun that feel as close as the Shadow possible. Then the CZ 75 TS Czechmate should be a good choice. However, the Czechmate were actually a CZ 75 Tactical Sports Model transformed to an Open gun. The grip is a little wider for my liking.
Moreover, from my past experience; parts of the CZ tends to worn out pretty quick and needs replacement parts once in a while. The pistol were doing fine with minor loads or factory ammos. However, for major loads I am a bit hesitated. There are nothing wrong with the CZ open gun. But for the long run, I want something better and ended up with the Tanfoglio known as the expensive version of the CZ.
In addition, the 5 times IPSC World Champion Eric Grauffel were using this pistol and won 5 IPSC World Shoot included the one he just did this year 2011. So nothing should go wrong.
The price range are just about right for my budget. I've got a package deal from my dealer at the price of CAD4000.00 included an out of the box Eric Custom Gold pistol with V12[12 ports in the barrel] and two opening at the compensator. [ In my understanding, "V" stand for those port holes were in a V shape so the gas will release in a V direction at 30degree each side.]
The package also included a C-more slide ride, a mount with blasting shield, and 3 chrome magazines. I have my own mount so I ask the dealer to take off the mount and he deduct $125.
I than order another 3 mags @CAD75.00 Each. Some spare parts as well.
To further enhance the pistol, I'd also ordered a 11LBS recoil spring, 13LBS hammer spring,extra strong extractor spring from Wolff. Also an extra long firing pin from Eric Grauffel, a slide racker from Speedshooter.com. The reason for changing the slide racker is that the factory one is a straight one without any upward direction. Although it can be change to the left side[which I preferred], I like to have a better racker. Nothing wrong to keep the factory one if you like. And The choice of holster is a DAA Race Master Holster. I've got this holster because I can buy an insert[only] and change it so that it fits my Shadow. With this set up, I don't have to take out the holster all the time from the same belt. All I have to do is just change the insert and that's it. Changing the insert only takes 2 minutes.
The pistol arrived within a week. It came with a nice case from Tanfoglio which cost 90EUR alone from Eric's website.
Open the case, the pistol and the C-more were packed seprated as my request without the mount. And the factory label shown that it is a 2011 Production.
It also come with a special finish called "GK" finish but I don't know what's that means.
I like this finish over the stainless one since it is a new finish and not much people has it yet unless they buy the pistol this year or last year.
The quality of the pistol were excellent. Tanfoglio claimed that each open pistol were hand made by their top gun smith. I can see the workmanship and the details of the pistol.
6 Magazines were also inside the case, as well an user manual, Cleaning kit and 2 extra recoil springs in different weight. They are in Kg and I converted them and looks like 11LBS &13LBS. But I'm not going to touch it and just using the Wolff springs.
A couple more days later after the pistol arrived, the C-more mount from DAA had arrived.
It has a nice black finish with the adjustable thumb rest installed. It also has a foldable wing which can be opened just near the top of the thumb rest right below the C-more. When the wing opened, it serves the purpose of creating a gap between the pistol and the table when you have those pick up the gun on the table stage. Just the same as the Aerowing[see below] except it is foldable.
The Slide Racker also arrived. With the DAA Mount, Slide Racker from Speedshooter, and adding some grip tapes, the completed Eric Custom Gold looks like this in the box.
I will test my loads this week and Chrono them to get a power factor of 165-171.
I hope that this review can help you a bit on selecting this pistol. I'd search all over the internet and couldn't find one so I'd decided to write one myself.
Please feel free to leave a comment.
Below is the Spec of the pistol.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS[In mm]
Total Length: 249
Barrel Length: 145
Weight: 1250
Action: SA
Calibre: 9x19[Also available: .40S&W, .38SA, 10MM Auto,45ACP]
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Update - December 23rd,2011:
I went to my club and planning to sight in(zero) my C-more.
However, it was unsuccessful. The zero keeps changing and I'd spend an hour trying to get it done. At last, I'd found out the reason is due to a wrong loctite had been used.
I had purchased Loctite 242 which is a blue loctite threadlocker. It claimed that it is strong enough for screws and nuts and bolts. And it is removeable. I'd selected it because my mind set was thinking there may be some day I have to unscrew the mount and service the pistol. But I was wrong, the blue loctite can't stand the vibration and every single screw were loosen up. This is the main reason why I can't zero the gun.
When I got home, I cleaned the pistol, cleaned all the mounting screws with rubbing alcohol to remove the blue loctite. After making sure everything is clean and oil-free, I started to apply Loctite 262 Threadlocker (Red Loctite). This is a permanant loctite which claimed that it needs about 350LBS Torque in order to disassemble. I will allow it to cure for at least 72 hours just to make sure it sets completely. Couple hours will be fine already but I just want to make sure.
Since this is my first open gun, many thing I have to sort of like trial and error.
I'd learned something new today :)
