Abstract Hadron production ( $$\pi ^\pm $$ π ± , proton, $$\Lambda $$ Λ , $$K_S^0$$ K S 0 , $$K^\pm $$ K ± ) in $$\pi ^- + \textrm{C}$$ π - + C and $$\pi ^- + \textrm{W}$$ π - + W collisions is investigated at an incident pion beam momentum of $$1.7~\textrm{GeV}/c$$ 1.7 GeV / c . This comprehensive set of data measured with HADES at SIS18/GSI significantly extends the existing world data on hadron production in pion induced reactions and provides a new reference for models that are commonly used for the interpretation of heavy-ion collisions. The measured inclusive differential production cross-sections are compared with state-of-the-art transport model (GiBUU, SMASH) calculations. The (semi-) exclusive channel $$\pi ^- + A \rightarrow \Lambda + K_S^0 +X$$ π - + A → Λ + K S 0 + X , in which the kinematics of the strange hadrons are correlated, is also investigated and compared to a model calculation. Agreement and remaining tensions between data and the current version of the considered transport models are discussed.