We all know that CZ handguns are fine pistols, superb examples of their art. While nothing in the original CZ-75 was innovative (the only really innovative pistol CZ made was the 52, and that was at the Strakonice factory, not UB), it provided the sum of established features that made a pistol that out-shone every other "Wonder Nine" of its era. The CZ-75 could properly be called the next step beyond the Hi-Power. Yeah, there is the Beretta 92, but that is the next step beyond the P-38. The Star 28 & 30 were excellent pistols, but they have been no more for more than a decade now. While Glock and SIG are undeniable in their contributions, they are really a new generation (okay, Glock is, and SIG's 220 in 1976 was still just a single-stack pistol) that is a departure (and of course, nothing new, either). In the end, the CZ-75 is the ultimate "Old School" 9mm in many views, mine included. Now, this is not to devolve into an argument that other 9's, including S&W and SA's contributions do not count or are better, etc, etc, etc. I will concede that CZ is not the end-all-be-all and that others are great (and, gasp, could even be better). In any case, the CZ-75 is the only member of that group of 75 (eh, of the ten year period around that point) that can be called universal along with the 1911 and the Walther PP. That is, the CZ in 9mm.
Here comes Tanfoglio. While I like Tanfoglio pistols in 9mm (have some), in that caliber they are, well, simply clones of the original (though almost always with better triggers). While it is true that virtually every other 9mm copy of a CZ is made of Tanfoglio parts and is of a Tanfoglio - not CZ - design, they are still images of CZ's creation (using CZ magazines etc).
Where Tanglio deserves to step out into the front lies in that loved and hated round, the 45acp. While the Bren Ten was the first beefed-up CZ, it faltered and left no lasting legacy (and certainly not in 45), the Tanfoglio was the first large-framed CZ-pattern pistol chambered in 45acp. It set the standard and, indeed, the large majority of 45acp CZ-pattern pistols are Tanfoglios (by a wide margin over CZ). For that matter, Tanfoglio was chambering 45acp almost a decade before CZ decided to get into the act.
But the ultimate proof that Tanfoglio owns the 45acp design is the fact that every single 45acp-based pistol, from Springfield Armory's P9, to Adco's TT, to the EAA Witness, to the Baby Eagle, the ASAI One Pro, and even the CZ-97, every single one of them, uses Tanfoglio's magazine. Naturally, every one of those built using Tanfoglio's parts will of course use Tanfoglio's magazine, but even CZ and ASAI conceded that Tanfoglio magazines were the correct direction.
Some here will claim that proves only that Tanfoglio hit the ball out of the park only with their magazine, which was the correct increase in proportion over the 9mm (but in no way proportional). Yet the most common action is still Tanfoglio's. The most popular (and universal) frame design and size is Tanfoglio's. The ASAI fits like a Tanfoglio not a CZ. CZ's own frame is frequently considered too big, yet Tanfoglio's is not. Jericho's and Witnesses fit people when 97's do not.
In the end, we must conclude that CZ is the leader of innovation (arguable, I suppose) in the 9mm design. Yet Tanfoglio set the pace and still rules the 45acp. While I personally prefer my 75 Classic over my Jericho in 9mm (and did not keep my COHAI and AT-84 in 9mm), my Tanfoglio's (and One Pro) remain while my CZ-97 has now moved on. In 45acp, there is no better design, in my opinion, than what Tanfoglio has provided.
