Technical Guide: Identifying Tanfoglio Frames (Small vs. Large)

Tanfoglio guns are produced with both steel and polymer frames and can have a small frame) or a large frame:
- The large frame is used for all available calibers:
.45ACP, .38SA, 10mm AUTO, .40S&W, 9x21 and 9x19).
- The small frame (small frame) is used only for calibers:
9x21, 9x19, .40S & W, .380ACP, .32ACP and .22lr.
- The R version (with the manual firing pin safety mounted on the bolt/slide with hammer knock down function) is only available for small frame pistol models.

There are several ways to tell if the frame of your pistol is small large and some examples are listed below:

1. From the magazine

The quickest and most accurate method is to measure the magazine's external depth (distance between the primer side and the bullet side) with a caliper:

• Small Frame: The measurement is approximately 31.50 mm - 32.00 mm.
• Large Frame: The measurement is approximately 34.50 mm - 35.00 mm.

The magazine of the large frame does not fit into the small frame and the magazine of the small frame does not engage the magazine catch while inserted in the large frame.
The magazines for the large frame are marked, on the side and bottom of the magazine tube, with a specific marking consisting of the letter K combined with the caliber, as follows:
K9 = large frame magazine in cal. 9mm;
K38 = large frame magazine in cal..38SA;
K40 = large frame magazine in cal..40S&W;
K10 = large frame magazine in cal. 10mm AUTO
K45 = large frame magazine in cal..45ACP
K22 = large frame magazine in cal..22lr.
If you have the possibility to measure the width of the magazine the magazine tube for models with small frame is 20.10mm while the width of the magazine tube for models with large frame is 21.30mm.

2. From the grips screw hole (only for models with steel frame)
In the small frame the grip hole is inside
In the large frame the grip hole is located near the profile of the frame

3. From the bolt/slide
Inside the bolt/slide of the pistol there are the frames sealing lugs.
If the 2 sealing lugs are well defined, the pistol has a small frame.
If one of the lug is well defined and the other ends in the ejection window the pistol has a large frame