Description
The Tanfoglio Force Esse 9mm Striker (model TFFORCES9) is the first striker-fired pistol from Fratelli Tanfoglio of Gardone, Italy, a company better known for steel CZ-pattern competition guns. It pairs a 4.4 inch cold hammer forged barrel and a steel slide with a polymer frame, and it holds 16+1 rounds of 9mm.
Tanfoglio Force Esse 9mm Striker Overview
Tanfoglio built the Esse on the polymer frame of its hammer-fired Force Plus, then replaced the hammer and double-action mechanism with a pre-cocked striker. The slide is machined from chrome-moly steel with front and rear serrations, and the frame carries a Picatinny rail for a light. Unlike most American strikers, the Esse also has a frame-mounted manual safety, which some carriers want and others will leave off. Italian press testing reported a trigger pull of about 5.5 pounds with a fairly long take-up and a clean break.
A Striker Gun From a Hammer-Gun Maker
Most Tanfoglio pistols are steel-framed DA/SA guns built for IPSC and USPSA. The Esse is the company answer to the Glock and Sig P320 crowd: a lighter, simpler pistol with one consistent trigger pull. Weight is roughly 29 to 30 ounces empty, which is heavier than a Glock 19 because of the steel slide, and that mass helps soak up recoil in rapid strings.
Trigger and Safety
The striker is partially pre-cocked, so each press feels the same. Expect take-up before a defined wall rather than a short competition break. The manual safety sits on the frame where a thumb can sweep it off on the draw. If you train with it engaged, practice that sweep every time; if you prefer to carry without it, simply leave it off and rely on careful holster discipline.
Sights, Rail and Accessories
The pistol wears simple steel three-dot iron sights and is not cut for an optic, so this is an iron-sight gun unless a gunsmith mills the slide. The accessory rail accepts standard weapon lights, but holster makers have far fewer molds for the Esse than for common American pistols, so plan to look at universal or custom holsters.
Magazines and Ammo
Two 16-round steel magazines come in the box from the importer. Spare Esse magazines are less common at local shops than Glock or Smith and Wesson magazines, so order extras when you buy the gun. The pistol runs standard-pressure 9mm; use +P loads only sparingly and only if the manual approves them.
Honest Trade-Offs
The Esse is a newer design with a short track record in the United States, and resale value will trail more familiar brands. In exchange you get Italian steel, a cold hammer forged barrel and a full-size grip at a fair price. It makes a sensible home or range pistol for someone who likes Tanfoglio and wants a striker trigger.
State Laws and Ownership
Pennsylvania has no magazine capacity limit and no handgun roster, but the sale still runs through a licensed dealer with a background check. The included 16-round magazines are illegal in states with 10 or 15-round limits. Several states, including California, Massachusetts and Maryland, keep handgun rosters, and imported Tanfoglio models are rarely on them. Check your state and local rules, and confirm with your receiving FFL that it can transfer this pistol, before you order.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Fratelli Tanfoglio (Italy), imported by Italian Firearms Group
- Model: Force Esse, TFFORCES9
- UPC: 8051770131366
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Action: Striker-fired semi-auto
- Barrel: 4.4 in. cold hammer forged
- Capacity: 16+1, two magazines per importer
- Frame: Polymer with Picatinny accessory rail
- Slide: Serrated chrome-moly steel, black
- Sights: Steel three-dot
- Safety: Frame-mounted manual safety plus internal safeties
- Overall length: about 8.1 in.
- Weight: about 1.8 lb empty
Before You Buy
Federal law requires handgun buyers to be at least 21 years old to purchase from a dealer, and the transfer goes through an FFL with a Form 4473 and background check. Budget for spare magazines and a holster that actually fits this frame.
Who It Is For
The Tanfoglio Force Esse 9mm Striker is a great fit for shooters who want a full-size 9mm striker pistol with a manual safety and a steel slide, and Tanfoglio fans looking for a lighter companion to their competition guns.
Buy the Tanfoglio Force Esse 9mm Striker at MAG5 Firearms
MAG5 Firearms is a family-owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Order the Tanfoglio Force Esse 9mm Striker online and ship it to your local FFL dealer, or browse our full selection of firearms for more pistols. For factory details, visit Italian Firearms Group.
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