November 21, 2020, 01:57 PM
12131CZ 75 Taipan, SAO, long slide, 6-inch barrel [** UPDATE with Range Report, p. 2 **]
Taking a break from politics. 
This is the 1st report of two parts. Part 2 (actual shooting) will be at a later date.
Almost 2 years ago, I was inquiring about this pistol on here. No one seemed to know about it, although PGT was close in suggesting the famed Waffen Oschatz. Turned out that it wasn't them but another well known German custom builder, the Frankonia Tuning Center. The following is Google translated.
quote:The Taipan model is designed for static precision disciplines and is the result of close cooperation between experienced shooters and the experts from the Frankonia Tuning Center.
The goal of this project was clearly defined. Two essential factors should be combined with one another: On the one hand, the mature CZ technology designed as a basis with excellent tuning parts and, on the other hand, the extensive experience in development and assembly. Numerous practical and precision tests, as well as several thousand shots ultimately led to a result that is quite impressive in terms of perfection!
Due to the safety on both sides, the weapon is ideally suited for right-handed and left-handed shooters. The pistol can also be adapted for shooters with smaller hands. This is ensured by the handle width of just 29 mm and an adjustable trigger advance.
The massive dust cover is provided with a rail to which additional weights can be attached, for example
The Taipan comes with a 19-round magazine and 2 reserve magazines, a 6-inch barrel (153 mm) and a sight length of 206 mm. The magazine release button can be converted to left-hand operation. The total weight - including the empty magazine - is 1,270 g. This first-class sport pistol comes with an LPA TRT sight, a finely revised single-action-only trigger (SAO) with a special aluminum trigger tongue, a coordinated single-action-only hammer and aluminum grips with sharp checkering (ribbed surface) delivered.
- Technical specifications
- Sight: LPA TRT sight
- Rear sight: 3.0 mm fully adjustable
- Front sight: 2.95 mm
- Sight length: 206 mm
- Handle: aluminum handle shells
- Security: rotary lever lock on both sides
- Trigger: single action only trigger and SAO hammer
- Trigger weight: approx. 1,250 g
- Ignition delay time: 6 ms
- Barrel length: 6 "(153 mm)
- Running profile: 6x field train professional
- Weight without magazine: 1,164 g
- Weight including magazine: 1,270 g
- including 3 magazines with a capacity of 19 cartridges
- Dimensions: 244x42x157 mm
A review/testing by all4shooters is here, FRANKONIA – CZ 75, a detailed test.
So, how does this fare actually in hands? The frame is from the SP-01 Shadow fitted with a SAO trigger mechanism. The thin aluminum grips makes the gun feel too thin, especially with the reduced reach of the SAO trigger. Already ordered the palm swell grips from LOK. How is the trigger pull on this gun? Although Frankonia says the weight is 1.25 kg (2.8 lbs), my Lyman digital trigger scale measured it at 2 lbs 1 oz (average of 5 pulls). Yes, fantastic light pull. What about the trigger break from the sear? No "glass rod" break, because you can definitely feel a slight slip before the sear let off. This is consistent with what all4shooters reported. This is what I find interesting. I've owned several CZs previously, from stock to CZ Custom to CGW Pro package, and they all exhibit this characteristic let off. On stock guns, you feel the actual grittiness between the sear and the trigger notch. On the trigger worked over guns, the grittiness is mostly gone, but the slip, although smooth, can still be felt.
Test target shows the error the Frankonia shooter made when writing down the serial number (supposed to be 46, not 66). Finish is typical black of the CZ pistols. Frame to slide fit is tight.
Barrel bushing and recoil spring plug. The cut out on the left side of the bushing is to allow the plug to pass forward during field stripping.
Correct serial number (46), not 66 as written on test target. The mangled looking symbol is actually the ID mark of the Czech National Arms and Ammunition Proofing Authority in Prague. It's a 2-tailed lion walking on its hind legs, inside a shield. A clearer marking is shown on the barrel hood. CIP/N is the actual proof mark indicating the gun has passed the testing. About the 2 other markings right above the extractor, the checkered shield appears to be the mark of the German Mellrichstadt Proof House and the CA inside the shield is probably the 2-letter date code (CA = '20). Notice the barrel's serial number is different from the matching numbers on the frame and slide. Vendor (MMBI) checked with their German partners, and it was confirmed that all their Taipans are built this way.
Front sight is pinned from top. LPA rear sight is fully click adjustable for windage and elevation.
Inside frame shows uneven finish typical of the CZ pistols.
The barrel hood and locking lugs, and the inner surface of the forward area of the slide, are brightly polished.
Recoil spring, plug, guide rod, barrel bushing assembly, full-size 1911 style
Size comparison with the Shadow 2 Orange
The 6-inch Taipan is a full 2 oz lighter than the 5-inch Shadow 2 Orange (44.6 oz vs 46.6 oz). Interesting.
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