For those diving into the world of open-division competition shooting, the quest for a high-performance gun can often feel like chasing a unicorn. Enter the Tanfoglio Domina Open. This was our first foray into “production” open guns, and it proved to be a surprisingly capable platform, especially considering its sub-$3,500 price tag.
Out of the Box: A Solid Foundation
Let’s be clear: the Domina doesn’t arrive fully race-ready. It’s a solid base that demands some personalization. Notably, it lacks a pre-installed optics mount and thumb rest. But that’s part of its charm – it allows you to customize it to your exact preferences.
Mounting Options: The Tanfo Pattern
One of the first challenges we faced was finding a compatible optics mount. The Domina uses a specific 4-hole pattern (M4x.70 on 10mm center-to-center spacing), standard for Tanfoglio. This pattern is drilled on both sides of the gun, making it ambidextrous.
We opted for the Toni Systems multi-mount, a one-sided solution because it offered greater flexibility in testing various red dot sights. The Double Tap Sports 2-sided mount is another popular option, boasting a sleeker aesthetic and multi-mount capabilities, though with slightly fewer red dot options.
Upgrades and Tweaks: Making It Our Own
To enhance performance and reliability, we made a few key upgrades:
- Firing Pin and Spring: We installed a Henning extended firing pin and a Patriot Defense firing pin spring. This combination improved ignition consistency.
- Grips and Magwell: Patriot Defense’s aggressive flat grips and magwell were our choice. I’ve personally had excellent experience with Patriot Defense grips on my Shadow 2, and their aggressive texture provides a secure hold. However, it might be a bit much for casual shooters without calloused hands.
- Magazines: Mec-Gar large frame extended magazines (part # 05CAR00052) paired with Patriot Defense base pads, springs, and followers proved the most reliable setup for 170mm length. We achieved outstanding reliability and performance with some light tuning. For 140mm magazines, both Henning and Patriot Defense base pads yielded good results.
Ammo and Performance: Finding the Sweet Spot
The Domina truly shines with 9 Major ammunition, particularly with heavy plated round nose bullets. We did struggle a little with hollow point loads, but Hornady HAPs performed the best for us. It’s worth noting that these guns are hand-built, so individual results may vary.
Surprisingly, the Domina also performed exceptionally well with minor ammo and the factory compensator. This made it a blast to shoot in steel matches where major wasn’t required.
Taking It to the Next Level: Customization
To optimize the gun for 9 Major, we sent it to Stone Bridge Gunworks for a compensator change and barrel throating. This further refined its performance and reliability.
Final Thoughts: A Worthy Contender
The Tanfoglio Domina Open is a testament to the idea that you don’t need to break the bank to get into open-division shooting. With a bit of DIY spirit and some carefully chosen upgrades, it can be transformed into a formidable competitor. The gun’s versatility with minor ammo is a huge plus. We purchased every part mentioned here, and it reflects our honest experience.
If you’re looking for a platform that offers a solid foundation and allows for extensive customization, the Tanfoglio Domina Open is worth considering
