A local store is selling TZ-99s for $319.95. I heard a little about them several months ago but don't remember much other than the TZ being a Sig clone (P226?). Has anyone had first hand experience with one yet? Is it holding up? Parts availability/interchangeability with Sig? Worth $320? TIA -Gregg
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TZ-99 What's the final word?
- Thread starter Gregg
- Start date
Try a search of the archives. Also do a search at dejanews.com These aren't P226 clones. WHile they may look like a P226 they're decidely different in design. These started out as Yugoslavian produced and later production was begun in Israel. Like all pistols of this type you're basically an orphan in terms of warranty service and spare parts. If you're interested in a 9mm auto with 15 rounds mags lookk into the IMI Baby Eagle/Jericho/Uzi Eagle, thse are based on the CZ75 design. At the last show I saw new Baby Eagles with two preban factory 15 rounds mags for $350 with Hesco night sights.
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So many pistols, so little money.
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So many pistols, so little money.
Destructo6
New member
I just returned from Arrowhead Outdoor Sports where I was looking at the TZ-99. It looks very good, particularly for the $320 price.
Walt Sherrill
New member
As best I can tell -- from a number of articles and a more extensive review by Gun Test Magazine several years back -- the TZ-99 is, as someone else stated, a derivative of the CZ-75, and not a SIG clone.
That being said, several folks on the SIG list claim it is a very close copy of the P-228(?). They also say the fit and finish are far inferior to a SIG.
That being the case, I'd spring for a used SIG or a new CZ-75B. From personal experience with both, I think the CZ is much more bang for the buck...and arguably a better 9mm pistol.
(I've had several SIGS, including both the P-239, the P-220, and the P-210. The P-210 is more accurate than the CZ-75, but I find the CZ far easier to shoot well than any of them.)
What makes a SIG unique is not the design, but the wonderful fit, finish, and refinement. Buying a cheaper knockoff doesn't always get you that much...
That being said, several folks on the SIG list claim it is a very close copy of the P-228(?). They also say the fit and finish are far inferior to a SIG.
That being the case, I'd spring for a used SIG or a new CZ-75B. From personal experience with both, I think the CZ is much more bang for the buck...and arguably a better 9mm pistol.
(I've had several SIGS, including both the P-239, the P-220, and the P-210. The P-210 is more accurate than the CZ-75, but I find the CZ far easier to shoot well than any of them.)
What makes a SIG unique is not the design, but the wonderful fit, finish, and refinement. Buying a cheaper knockoff doesn't always get you that much...
glockgazda
New member
-TZ-99 (S. Africa) is the same thing as Golan (Izrael), and both are copies of CZ-99 (Serbia/Yugoslavia).
-I have shot several original CZ-99's, with hot FMJ ammo only. There were no failures.
-Life expectancy similar like Sig 226.
-Chrome lined bbls.
-CNC machined.
-Don't know about the trigger components, but the lock work is pure Sig copy, including a steel locking block insert in the frame. Althought I haven't taken the trigger group apart, I asume it is at least similar to Sig. The slide stop and decocker operation is the same, although the lever that is the slide stop on Sig is deleted. Slide stop is activated by pushing up on the decocking lever. If you look closely, it still operates like Sig. All the controls are ambidextrous.
-Original CZ-99's could fire UNDER WATER straight from the factory, don't know about copies.
-So not a straight copy of Sig, but great gun IMO, although bulky. Btw, the hi caps are dirt cheap, check CDNN. If you want a pure copy of Sig buy DAC-394 parts are interchangeable.
-Gun Tests (and many other gun writers)? How about an analogy? If he has a shop with a sign, does that mean he is a good auto mechanic?
-I have shot several original CZ-99's, with hot FMJ ammo only. There were no failures.
-Life expectancy similar like Sig 226.
-Chrome lined bbls.
-CNC machined.
-Don't know about the trigger components, but the lock work is pure Sig copy, including a steel locking block insert in the frame. Althought I haven't taken the trigger group apart, I asume it is at least similar to Sig. The slide stop and decocker operation is the same, although the lever that is the slide stop on Sig is deleted. Slide stop is activated by pushing up on the decocking lever. If you look closely, it still operates like Sig. All the controls are ambidextrous.
-Original CZ-99's could fire UNDER WATER straight from the factory, don't know about copies.
-So not a straight copy of Sig, but great gun IMO, although bulky. Btw, the hi caps are dirt cheap, check CDNN. If you want a pure copy of Sig buy DAC-394 parts are interchangeable.
-Gun Tests (and many other gun writers)? How about an analogy? If he has a shop with a sign, does that mean he is a good auto mechanic?
joegerardi
New member
Almost bought one of these. With the ambi slide release/decocker the grip is a little too fat for me.
I did get one of the DAC-394's though. This is an exact replica of the P228, parts are interchangeable, and comes with a money-back guarantee from Dlask Arms. Finish is not up to SIGs standards, but is acceptable for all that. They're $249.00. Well worth the price.
I did get one of the DAC-394's though. This is an exact replica of the P228, parts are interchangeable, and comes with a money-back guarantee from Dlask Arms. Finish is not up to SIGs standards, but is acceptable for all that. They're $249.00. Well worth the price.
I called Tressitu, the manufacturer, and spent an hour talking to three of their engineers including a gunsmith several months ago.
The concern I'd have is that six months ago, the TZ-99s were all over the place. But now they are hard to find.
That had one for rental at Wade's Guns in Bellevue WA but after a month of infreqeunt use but frequent cleanings, it broke and was sent back to the factory. The gunsmith thought it was a decent gun for the money.
Tressitu's website was great. They were definitely going after the glock/sig market with a less expensive gun. Their webiste even copied the Glock torture tests including TZs that were frozen, run over and thrown into the mud!
But their website is not longer on the web. It was: http://www.tressitu.co.za/tz_99/tz99.htm
I was real close to snagging one for $269 with a pair of hi-cap mags. It is a Sig clone. Put them side by side and you'll see!
It was designed as a Sig P220/Astra A-100 clone with some thoughful modifications. The rights to make the TZ-99 were bought from an Italian company who previously made the CZ-99 but sold out to Tressitu.
The key diff between the Sig P220 and the TZ-99 is the ambidexterous slide release/decocker. The P228 is much smaller than the TZ-99.
When I shot the TZ-99, it was reasonably accurate when I shot a box of (PMC) pretty much crap through it. It even had a test target like a Sig! It was almost as accurate as my Sig P226. But the fit, finish, and feel of the TZ-99 is chinsey.
But something made me hold off on buying the TZ-99. I ended up saving the $ and buying a gently-used Sig P226 for $130 more.
As someone said, it's an orphan. Buy with extreme caution knowing it's a risky proposition and forget parts, service, and accessories.
It's a $275 hi cap throw-away gun when it breaks!!!!!!!
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The Seattle SharpShooter
[This message has been edited by jtduncan (edited February 21, 2000).]
The concern I'd have is that six months ago, the TZ-99s were all over the place. But now they are hard to find.
That had one for rental at Wade's Guns in Bellevue WA but after a month of infreqeunt use but frequent cleanings, it broke and was sent back to the factory. The gunsmith thought it was a decent gun for the money.
Tressitu's website was great. They were definitely going after the glock/sig market with a less expensive gun. Their webiste even copied the Glock torture tests including TZs that were frozen, run over and thrown into the mud!
But their website is not longer on the web. It was: http://www.tressitu.co.za/tz_99/tz99.htm
I was real close to snagging one for $269 with a pair of hi-cap mags. It is a Sig clone. Put them side by side and you'll see!
It was designed as a Sig P220/Astra A-100 clone with some thoughful modifications. The rights to make the TZ-99 were bought from an Italian company who previously made the CZ-99 but sold out to Tressitu.
The key diff between the Sig P220 and the TZ-99 is the ambidexterous slide release/decocker. The P228 is much smaller than the TZ-99.
When I shot the TZ-99, it was reasonably accurate when I shot a box of (PMC) pretty much crap through it. It even had a test target like a Sig! It was almost as accurate as my Sig P226. But the fit, finish, and feel of the TZ-99 is chinsey.
But something made me hold off on buying the TZ-99. I ended up saving the $ and buying a gently-used Sig P226 for $130 more.
As someone said, it's an orphan. Buy with extreme caution knowing it's a risky proposition and forget parts, service, and accessories.
It's a $275 hi cap throw-away gun when it breaks!!!!!!!
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The Seattle SharpShooter
[This message has been edited by jtduncan (edited February 21, 2000).]