Tanfoglio Gold Custom Eric 2007

The Gold Custom Eric 2007 is a thoroughbred sport model designed for the IPSC Open Division. The pistol is offered  in 9x19 Luger, .40 S.&W, .45 ACP, .38 Super and 10 mm Auto. The design has been ergonomically optimized so that the pistol is easy to handle even in stressful situations. The pistol has gradually undergone evolutionary changes that made it, as well as its barrel, ever shorter, while the number and position of the compensator ports also changed. The pistol has no fixed sights; there are 4 pairs of pre-drilled mounting holes on the sides of the pistol for installing a C-More red dot sight. Where the rear sight would normally be, there is a slide charging lever that allows fast and secure racking of the slide even with the red dot mounted. The main structural material of the frame is high-strength steel. The grip panels are made of aluminum pressings. The grip itself is roughened with quality 20 lpi checkering on the front and back, which makes it much easier to hold with wet palms and to control while shooting. The grip has the CZ 75 heritage in its genes and therefore offers excellent ergonomics, allowing a firm, secure hold and good control of recoil and muzzle rise while shooting. The frame optimizes a deep seating of the pistol in the palm, resulting in a low bore axis above the axis of the shooting hand. The trigger guard has a pronounced undercut where it meets the grip, which allows an even deeper seating of the pistol in the hand. The prominent beavertail protects the back of the hand from the slide's recoil and prevents possible injury, while also reducing muzzle rise.  The frame extends all the way to the start of the compensator, which improves the pistol's behavior while shooting and reduces muzzle rise and recoil. The flared magazine well makes magazine changes easier. The pistol is full size; its overall length, which is also affected by the compensator, is 249 mm, and the barrel length is 145 mm. The weight corresponds to the all-steel construction and size of the pistol - 1250 grams. Its advantages are low muzzle rise and soft recoil, as well as pleasant behavior when shooting and a quick return to the point of aim during rapid fire. The high-capacity double-stack magazine holds 15 rounds in 9 mm, 12 rounds in .40 S&W, 10 rounds in .45 ACP, 15 rounds in .38 Super and 11 rounds in 10 mm Auto. The pistol is produced in two versions. The pistol comes in a special GK finish that offers better resistance to wear, scratches and corrosion than a standard finish. The pistol is made in typically high quality with excellent machining and finishing, even of the internal non-functional surfaces.  The precise, high-quality heavy-walled Match Bull barrel with polygonal rifling and compensator from Lothar Walther is characterized by excellent accuracy and a long service life, as confirmed by the results of the tests below. The barrel has an overall length of 147 mm, of which the rifled length is 128 mm. The barrel has 4 pairs of hybrid ports angled 45° from the vertical outward and forward. At the front there are two more pairs of hybrid ports that are angled only to the side and not forward. These two pairs of angled ports are located on either side of the central opening. The compensator contains two compensation chambers at the very front measuring 5.8 mm × 17.8 mm. The adjustable SA trigger with a smooth pull and an average pull weight measured in tests of under 1,100 grams, with a short, smooth, creep-free pull and minimal overtravel, together with the excellent barrel, guarantees good shooting results even under stressful conditions. The editors of DWJ (Deutsche Waffen Journal) magazine, issue 3/2008, tested the Gold Custom Eric 2007 in .38 Super Auto. They did not spare superlatives, achieving 10-shot groups of 35 mm or less at 25 meters. The excellent trigger also contributed greatly to the outstanding results:  „Perfekt. 1,1 kg Auslösegewicht, 2,2 mm Vorzug, 1,0 mm später, nach einem Gesamtweg von 3,7 mm die Auslösung und einen Überzug von 0,6 mm bis zum Triggerstop. Und das ab Werk.“ Approximate translation: "Perfect. Trigger pull weight 1.1 kg, trigger travel to hammer release 3.7 mm, of which the first 2 mm with a pull weight of up to 0.5 kg, 0.6 mm overtravel after release. 
The slide features characteristic milled surfaces for the compensator port outlets, which reduces the reciprocating mass during shooting, and cocking serrations at the front and rear that make racking easier, although here they serve a more aesthetic function. Racking the slide is handled by the charging lever mentioned above. The guide rails run along the entire length of the slide and engage their counterparts in the frame. The recoil spring guide rod is of the full-length type, which further helps increase accuracy. The ambidextrous thumb safety has an enlarged pad and a pronounced rest for the thumb of the dominant shooting hand for better support and control of muzzle rise, and clearly defined position changes with distinct tactile and audible feedback. The magazine release also has an enlarged, raised button for easy, intuitive operation even under stress. . It is within easy reach, with excellent design and ergonomics, and can be operated without changing grip. Incidentally, the magazines have been significantly improved. They have a new, more reliable follower in contrasting orange, a capacity of 18 rounds and a base with a cut-out that corresponds to a cut-out in the magwell. This design feature allows the removal of even a dirty magazine that is stuck in the well with sand or mud. All controls, including the trigger, the skeletonized hammer and the grip panels, are in the color of the pistol (GK finish). The Gold Custom Eric 2007 is intended for all users who require a quality, reliable firearm with an extremely long service life, even in the extreme conditions of shooting sport events. The pistol will deliver maximum performance regardless of latitude, season, climate or the degree of fouling of the firearm itself. It is no coincidence that five-time world champion Eric Grauffel, who took part in the pistol's development, prefers Tanfoglio pistols.   The all-steel construction provides a performance reserve as well as long-term durability and high resistance. The pistol is supplied in a case together with two spare chrome-plated magazines with an aluminum base pad that protects the magazine bottom from damage during dynamic reloads,  two recoil springs of different strength and a cleaning kit.
As for durability and reliability, Caliber magazine, in its issue 1/2005, subjected a Tanfoglio Gold Custom Eric in 9 mm Luger to an extreme endurance test: 5080 rounds were fired from the pistol in quick succession, and it was tested for accuracy and reliability with a combination of different loads, bullet types, cleaning and lubrication with various products. Absolute reliability was confirmed - there was not a single malfunction caused by the firearm, its design or the failure of individual parts. Accuracy at the end of the test - shots 5021 to 5030 - with Lapua CEPP 120 grs. FMJ ammunition at 25 meters was excellent, with a 10-shot group of 21 mm. The testers found only minimal wear: it was not measurable in the barrel, and at the frame-to-slide interface there was a change of -0.04 mm, which was attributed to the normal loss of the hard chrome layer that occurs during the so-called break-in of the firearm. Overall, excellent quality and reliability of the pistol and its individual assemblies were confirmed, with excellent accuracy even after more than 5000 rounds fired. This unconventional, extremely demanding, well-designed and relatively expensive test confirmed the well-deserved reputation of the five-time world champion's pistols.