Tanfoglio GT 27 .25 ACP

Doc Hoy · February 28, 2014, 01:27 PM

Just came up with this pistol at the LGS.

Paid a hundred for it plus tax and transfer.

Condition is excellent. Cycles fine. Bore is very good. Bluing on the slide is easily 95%. Springs are nice and stout. Grips are nearly perfect.

Magazine is with the pistol and the rounds work fine.

This is a nice little pistol. Better quality than a Raven but not quite as good as my Spanish Regina.

Serial number is 235XX.

Frame on the right side is marked Excam - Hialeah, FL. Don't know if that means pre 68 or post 68.

There are a coupla these things listed on the GB for 70.00 plus shipping but the condition appears not to be quite the same.

I just happen to have some .25 ACP to shoot this thing.

James K · February 28, 2014, 01:51 PM

I would say that the Tanfoglio is a lot better quality than the Regina. The Italian guns were not the best but are of reasonably good quality and should be reliable. A lot of folks scorn the .25 ACP, but I think one beats the heck out of giving an assailant a dirty look. Strictly for short range work, and not a .600 Nitro, but a lot of folks shot with a .25 didn't stop to analyze the ballistics, they just plain died.

EXCAM was the importer prior to 68; I don't know if they had frames made here afterwards, but some importers did. Either way, their name would be on the gun.

Jim

Doc Hoy · February 28, 2014, 02:47 PM

I based my comment about the relative quality on the fact that the Regina seems smoother and tighter to operate.

But the works are different enough and the ages are also different enough that I am probably comparing apples to oranges.

I like both of the pistols but we shall see once I get to shoot them how my mind might change.

I'd be thrilled for someone to tell me what the serial number means in terms of manuf year. The LGS guy said it had been made before 68 but I am not certain he knows. He is good on the more recent personal defense stuff. But is not much on history.

What is the first year they made these things? When did they stop?

Tnx agn.

Doc Hoy · February 28, 2014, 04:27 PM

Where did FIE fit in?

I think I read a reference that FIE named the pistol the "Titan."

gyvel · February 28, 2014, 09:21 PM

The only "weak" spot in the Tanfoglio blowback pistol family is the ejector. They are a little on the soft side and sometimes tend to get a little bent.

Tidewater_Kid · February 28, 2014, 09:33 PM

I have had one of these for several years. Mine says Armi Tanfoglio Giuseppe Made in Italy MOD. GT 27 on one side of the slide and the frame is marked Excam. Fun to try and find a spare magazine, but a very reliable pistol. I paid $30 for the spare magazine. I have a nice pocket holster for mine.

TK

Doc Hoy · March 1, 2014, 01:07 AM

I have some brass case rounds for the pistol and once I find out how it shoots I probly will just hang it up. Numrich has a listing for the pistol with a parts breakdown, but most of the parts are listed as "Sold Out"

TK,

Don't suppose you recall the serial number for your pistol, huh? Mine does not have the Tanfoglio name on it anywhere.

gyvel · March 1, 2014, 01:37 AM

Doc, it was a problem I dealt with a few times when people brought Titans (.25s, .32s and .380s) in for repair. It wasn't any big deal; Just a matter of carefully straightening out the ejector unjtil the next time. In the 80s and 90s, parts were still available for them.

I wouldn't worry about it unless you have ejection problems. At least you'll know where to start looking.

Tidewater_Kid · March 1, 2014, 09:31 PM

A couple of pictures for Doc. I could not find range of years these were made. I will say they are still making a blank firing version to this day. Note not forsale in the US...

http://www.tanfoglio.it/eng/catalogo/defence/gt-28.html

TK

James K · March 1, 2014, 11:31 PM

FWIW, based on the differences between slide and frame in color and finish, I am inclined to think the frame was made in the U.S. after 1968 and the gun assembled here with the other parts Italian-made.

Jim

Doc Hoy · March 2, 2014, 12:17 PM

of the one I picked up the other day.

Freakingstang · March 2, 2014, 12:26 PM

My dad has one of those that he got from my uncle. I believe he said there was a date stamp under the grips.

Doc Hoy · March 2, 2014, 12:43 PM

.... on this pistol and probly because the frame was made in the US.

Hawg · March 2, 2014, 01:22 PM

My dad had five of them when he died. Four were stolen and several years later I found one wrapped in a rag under the seat of his truck. Pretty rough now but still works like a champ.

Doc Hoy · March 2, 2014, 03:44 PM

Raven, Regina and Tanfoglio.

The Tanfoglio came out on top in terms of reliability.

Raven was next and the Regina failed to operate. That Regina came to me in a group of four junkers for about 115.00. The vendor said it fired but did not cycle. It doesn't even shoot.

Out to about ten feet I can generally hit a coke can with the Tanfoglio.

Tidewater_Kid · March 2, 2014, 05:44 PM

Mine has always been 100%. The frame is a good bit different on yours. Slides look the same. My serial number is much later.

TK

James K · March 2, 2014, 08:59 PM

The shop I worked at sold all those little autos prior to '68, and also the RG line. Later, we sold all the cheap U.S.-made guns (Raven, etc.) The boss hated to send anything back, so when they didn't work, guess who go the job of trying to fix them. The only ones that were total junk were the Rohm guns. Even the U.S. made "SNS" guns were pretty well designed and had they been made with decent materials and QC might have been successful.

Jim

February 28, 2014, 01:27 PM	#1
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Tanfoglio GT 27 .25 ACP Just came up with this pistol at the LGS. Paid a hundred for it plus tax and transfer. Condition is excellent. Cycles fine. Bore is very good. Bluing on the slide is easily 95%. Springs are nice and stout. Grips are nearly perfect. Magazine is with the pistol and the rounds work fine. This is a nice little pistol. Better quality than a Raven but not quite as good as my Spanish Regina. Serial number is 235XX. Frame on the right side is marked Excam - Hialeah, FL. Don't know if that means pre 68 or post 68. There are a coupla these things listed on the GB for 70.00 plus shipping but the condition appears not to be quite the same. I just happen to have some .25 ACP to shoot this thing. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

February 28, 2014, 02:47 PM	#3
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Thanks James K I based my comment about the relative quality on the fact that the Regina seems smoother and tighter to operate. But the works are different enough and the ages are also different enough that I am probably comparing apples to oranges. I like both of the pistols but we shall see once I get to shoot them how my mind might change. I'd be thrilled for someone to tell me what the serial number means in terms of manuf year. The LGS guy said it had been made before 68 but I am not certain he knows. He is good on the more recent personal defense stuff. But is not much on history. What is the first year they made these things? When did they stop? Tnx agn. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

February 28, 2014, 04:27 PM	#4
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	An additional question Where did FIE fit in? I think I read a reference that FIE named the pistol the "Titan." __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

March 1, 2014, 01:07 AM	#7
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Gyvel I have some brass case rounds for the pistol and once I find out how it shoots I probly will just hang it up. Numrich has a listing for the pistol with a parts breakdown, but most of the parts are listed as "Sold Out" TK, Don't suppose you recall the serial number for your pistol, huh? Mine does not have the Tanfoglio name on it anywhere. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath. Last edited by Doc Hoy; March 1, 2014 at 01:13 AM.

March 2, 2014, 12:17 PM	#11
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Here's photos of the one I picked up the other day. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

February 28, 2014, 01:51 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I would say that the Tanfoglio is a lot better quality than the Regina. The Italian guns were not the best but are of reasonably good quality and should be reliable. A lot of folks scorn the .25 ACP, but I think one beats the heck out of giving an assailant a dirty look. Strictly for short range work, and not a .600 Nitro, but a lot of folks shot with a .25 didn't stop to analyze the ballistics, they just plain died. EXCAM was the importer prior to 68; I don't know if they had frames made here afterwards, but some importers did. Either way, their name would be on the gun. Jim

February 28, 2014, 09:21 PM	#5
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	The only "weak" spot in the Tanfoglio blowback pistol family is the ejector. They are a little on the soft side and sometimes tend to get a little bent.

February 28, 2014, 09:33 PM	#6
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	I have had one of these for several years. Mine says Armi Tanfoglio Giuseppe Made in Italy MOD. GT 27 on one side of the slide and the frame is marked Excam. Fun to try and find a spare magazine, but a very reliable pistol. I paid $30 for the spare magazine. I have a nice pocket holster for mine. TK

March 1, 2014, 01:37 AM	#8
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Doc, it was a problem I dealt with a few times when people brought Titans (.25s, .32s and .380s) in for repair. It wasn't any big deal; Just a matter of carefully straightening out the ejector unjtil the next time. In the 80s and 90s, parts were still available for them. I wouldn't worry about it unless you have ejection problems. At least you'll know where to start looking.

March 1, 2014, 11:31 PM	#10
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	FWIW, based on the differences between slide and frame in color and finish, I am inclined to think the frame was made in the U.S. after 1968 and the gun assembled here with the other parts Italian-made. Jim

March 2, 2014, 12:26 PM	#12
Freakingstang Member Join Date: January 12, 2014 Location: Canfield Ohio Posts: 44	My dad has one of those that he got from my uncle. I believe he said there was a date stamp under the grips.

March 2, 2014, 12:43 PM	#13
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Not present ..... .... on this pistol and probly because the frame was made in the US. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

March 2, 2014, 01:22 PM	#14
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	My dad had five of them when he died. Four were stolen and several years later I found one wrapped in a rag under the seat of his truck. Pretty rough now but still works like a champ.

March 2, 2014, 03:44 PM	#15
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Just got back from shooting a bit and took all of the .25s with me. Raven, Regina and Tanfoglio. The Tanfoglio came out on top in terms of reliability. Raven was next and the Regina failed to operate. That Regina came to me in a group of four junkers for about 115.00. The vendor said it fired but did not cycle. It doesn't even shoot. Out to about ten feet I can generally hit a coke can with the Tanfoglio. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

March 2, 2014, 05:44 PM	#16
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	Mine has always been 100%. The frame is a good bit different on yours. Slides look the same. My serial number is much later. TK

March 2, 2014, 08:59 PM	#17
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The shop I worked at sold all those little autos prior to '68, and also the RG line. Later, we sold all the cheap U.S.-made guns (Raven, etc.) The boss hated to send anything back, so when they didn't work, guess who go the job of trying to fix them. The only ones that were total junk were the Rohm guns. Even the U.S. made "SNS" guns were pretty well designed and had they been made with decent materials and QC might have been successful. Jim

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