If you’re into photography, then you are already familiar with the term “point and shoot.” Cameras that fall under this classification are simple to use and require the operator to simply—as its classification states—point and shoot. Now, imagine if that camera had a trigger and instead of shooting pictures, it shot 9 mm.
The quality and craftsmanship that goes into each and every Tanfoglio Stock II Optic Competition Pistol is top-notch, making it easy for even the most average shooter to shine during a competition. Plus, the Stock II Optic has other chamberings available in addition to 9 mm, including .40 S&W, 10 mm and .45 ACP.
Although useful for multiple applications, the Tanfoglio Stock II Optic Competition Pistol was designed specifically for use in the IPSC Production Optics division, evident through the ease of installation of a variety of optics (more on that later).
ACTION PISTOL
Geared towards use in competition, the features that adorn the Stock II Optic Competition Pistol are purpose driven. This full-sized competition pistol fits comfortably in your hand with checkered front and back straps keeping your hands confidently in place. While noticeable, the checkering isn’t aggressive enough to impede upon comfort. This is especially handy if you happen to be wearing gloves or develop sweaty palms in the heat of competition. Reaching outwards just above the grip is an extended beavertail, keeping the webbing between your thumb and trigger finger away from not only the rearward motion of the slide, but also the external hammer.
The beveled magazine well makes magazine changes quite instinctual, and on my range day, I was able to swap magazines all while keeping my eyes on target during transitions, even while on the move. The extended magazine release made these swaps quick and easy, as your finger wasn’t left wandering alongside the frame searching for a more subdued, minimalistic release. As always, ambidextrous features, such as the safety on this gun, are much appreciated by those lefties of the world.
Weighing in at 43 ounces, this handgun has a little heft to it, which is welcome, as it mitigates felt recoil and keeps the gun shooting nice and flat.
OPTICS-READY
In today’s world, optics reign supreme, and the Tanfoglio Stock II Optic Competition Pistol is built to please. It’s compatible with any of the following optics (or optics sharing the same footprint): Burris Fastfire 3, C-More’s RTS2 and STS2, Trijicon’s RMR and SRO, Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, Holosun’s 407C, 507C and 508T, Shield RMS and SMS, Vortex’s Venom and Viper, and SIG Sauer’s Romeo1 and Romeo1 Pro.
Playing a mix-and-match game, I installed the Ameriglo Haven red-dot sight, as it happens to share the same footprint as the Trijicon RMR. This sight, just like the handgun it was now mounted to, is easy to install, simple to use, and best of all—reliable through the rigors of training. It is important, no matter what purpose the gun is to serve, that the optic holds up to a bit of “tough love.” Whether it be recoil from the gun itself, aggressive reholstering or a less than gentle laying down upon the bench, the Ameriglo Haven red dot stayed true and did not lose focus or zero. Powered by a CR2032 battery loaded from the side, I did not have to worry about re-zeroing after an eventual battery change. I specify eventual change, because it’s going to be quite some time before this battery loses power. On the middle power setting, the battery in this red dot will last up to two years with up to 12 hours of runtime. The battery’s longevity is aided by a motion-activated on-off sensor.
AT THE RANGE
Range day came and went without any hiccups. While I would typically run handloads during both competition and general range practice, I decided to tackle my targets with Federal’s Syntech Action Pistol 150-grain 9 mm ammunition. The perfect match for this competition pistol, this ammunition just so happens to be the official ammunition of USPSA. Considering that not all competitive shooters handload, Federal designed Syntech Action Pistol rounds to cater to competition-specific concerns, such as power factor, felt recoil, consistency and energy transfer.
From a distance of 20 yards, I fired five-round groups from the Tanfoglio Stock II Optic Competition 9 mm pistol at self-healing targets from Infinity. These targets are a great option for when you want to get up close and personal with your target, or for ranges that limit steel use. As for my group sizes, they averaged below two inches in size, which I will call a win any day (especially when they land in the A-zone).
There were no malfunctions during my evaluation of the Tanfoglio Stock II Optic Competition Pistol, with the gun cycling the ammunition without any issues.
Overall, my experience with the Tanfoglio Stock II Optic Competition Pistol was a blast. It’s a joy to shoot, and is great for anyone looking to get into competitive shooting or even for seasoned professionals. A quick online search found the gun selling in the neighborhood of $1,500-$2,000. Go to italianfirearmsgroup.com.
