Tanfoglio Match LE

by David Hume
Australian Shooter December 2003

What do you get when you cross an XL-2/4 with a Limited Custom?

For those unfamiliar with Tanfoglio sport pistols, I will explain. One of the keys to accuracy in a pistol is its lock-up; when the slide moves forward and a new round is fed into the chamber, the barrel should be as close as possible to its original position each time. In a tactical pistol, where reliable functioning is paramount, tolerances will be quite large, so any dust or mud getting into the mechanism won’t cause it to jam. Accuracy in this case will suffer somewhat, but that is of secondary importance. For a target pistol - to be used under more controlled conditions - manufacturers work to closer tolerances and employ additional methods to improve lock-up. For example, the Smith and Wesson 952 has a brass bushing around the barrel's fore-end, while Heckler and Koch use an O-ring on the barrel of their USP Expert. The solution favoured by Tanfoglio in its Limited Custom model is to use a conical barrel and slide, designed to lock positively together as the slide moves forward.

The reputation of Tanfoglio’s sport pistols is based to a large extent on their provision of good performance at a more attractive price than many of the specialist US manufacturers. The Match LE is perfectly in character with this aim, as it combines the conical barrel and slide from the Limited Custom with the frame from the more workmanlike XL-2/4 to produce a competitive sport pistol with a retail price of $1599. Well, the theory is sound enough, but how is it borne out in practice?

I have always found Tanfoglios - both the XL-2/4 and Limited Custom - comfortable to hold, and pulling this one out of the case for the first time it slipped into my hand as though made for it. The grip accommodates a double-stacker magazine, which gives it a broader profile than the Colt 1911 family, but slightly narrower than the Beretta 92. There is a textured black rubber grip and grooves in the metal surfaces front and back. The scalloped rear grip shape encourages the shooter’s hand into a correct position on drawing from a holster, and this is certainly a benefit to the intended user of the Match LE, who might use this pistol in IPSC, Action, or Service competition.

The axis of the barrel is low - close to the top of the hand - and this works to minimise muzzle rise and allow for quick follow-up shots. The hard-chrome satin matte finish is tough and attractive; a step-up from that found on the XL-2/4. Slide-to-frame fit on this example was also excellent. It did not appear to have been hand-lapped; never-the-less, movement was very smooth with no free play discernable.

The single-action-only trigger is straighter than that of an XL-2/4 and has a crisp, consistent break. It hardly needs to be said that this is central to good performance, but what was also pleasing to find was the positive tactile reset to the trigger; another factor which will help when looking for rapid follow-up shots.

An extended magazine release button is supplied which is a worthwhile feature, falling readily under the thumb and dropping the magazine cleanly. The safety is also well placed. As I am left-handed I like to see ambidextrous safeties and it does not worry me that this needs to be purchased as an extra. The sights are as one would expect on this type of pistol - front dovetail black post, rear adjustable for windage and elevation - with target acquisition and sight picture both good.

The test pistol, in 9mm, was unused when it arrived and of course I was eager to see how it performed. Accuracy on the range must be borne out in practice rather than rely on theory, and it’s the way all the elements of a pistol work together that make it successful. At the range I loaded the magazine to its full capacity of ten rounds and ran a target out to ten metres. Without trying particularly hard - more wishing to get a feel for the handling than to try for a group - I was gratified that the first ten rounds offhand fell into two inches. Reloading, I tried a little harder and managed to put the next ten shots into one and three-quarter inches. I would have been happy with these sizes under most conditions; considering they were the first shots out of a new and unfamiliar pistol. Kind thoughts for the Match LE grew throughout the session as I put 200 rounds - factory and reloads - through it without a hitch. Handling impressions are to some extent a matter of personal preference; I liked the way the pistol points, its weight and its balance. The mild recoil of the 9mm round undoubtedly helped, but the fact that the pistol was reliable straight out of the box also inspired confidence and increased the enjoyment of shooting with it. I thought it might be instructive to see what could be achieved over a rest, and on a day of blustery conditions at an outdoor range, managed five-shot groups of two inches at 25 metres and left with the feeling that time spent in this pursuit would yield better results.

In conclusion, I found this an easy pistol to like. Accuracy, handling, looks and quality are all good. It is supplied in a stylish Negrini case with two magazines and manual. While it is competitive as supplied, the shooter may customise it if desired.

The Tanfoglio Match LE is certainly hard to fault at the price.

At a glance: Tanfoglio Match LE

• Recommended retail price $1599
• Full hard chrome satin matte finish
• Cone polygonal barrel 121mm long
• Cone lock-up
• Rear Sight - adjustable for windage and elevation
• Dovetailed front sight
• Double-serrated slide
• Scalloped ejection port
• Single action trigger
• Extended safety
• Extended beaver tail
• Rubber grips
• Supplied with 2x10 round magazines
• Available in 9mm, .38 Super and .40 S&W
• .22LR conversion kits available
• Supplied with Negrini custom gun case
• Offered with limited lifetime warranty and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee

Supplied by:
NVT Pty Ltd
P O Box 4222
Myaree, WA 6960
Phone: 08 9313 7444
Fax: 08 9313 7555
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.tanfoglio.com.au