Looking for advice on a handgun (Walther PPQ 5" or CZ SP-01 Shadow)

Rising_sun, what grips did/do you have on your CZ?

I have the factory rubber grips on mine. I tried the aluminum and the VZ ones on some of my squad mates' guns quite a few times, but still couldn't decide which ones to get. I found it easier to reach the trigger with thinner grips. Probably I should get a pair before the summer comes eh.
 
Just as an after-thought, what if I was to add the Sig P320 in the list of pistols I am considering? Anyone have any experience with it?
 
Never saw this one coming!

I was in Toronto today and stopped by Al Flaherty's to take a look at the CZ SP-01 Shadow (the PPQ's and Sig P320s are Out of Stock right now). Looked at it and a few other guns. Just as I was getting ready to say "Thanks" & walk out the door, the clerk says "Hang on, I have one more you might be interested in". By the time I left, I had bought an FN FNS-9L Long Slide.
fns_competition_large.png

It comes with 3 mags so now all I need is to order a holster.



Thanks to everyone who offered their advice, but like I said, I never saw this one coming.
 
Never saw this one coming!

I was in Toronto today and stopped by Al Flaherty's to take a look at the CZ SP-01 Shadow (the PPQ's and Sig P320s are Out of Stock right now). Looked at it and a few other guns. Just as I was getting ready to say "Thanks" & walk out the door, the clerk says "Hang on, I have one more you might be interested in". By the time I left, I had bought an FN FNS-9L Long Slide.
fns_competition_large.png

It comes with 3 mags so now all I need is to order a holster.



Thanks to everyone who offered their advice, but like I said, I never saw this one coming.

What made you jump on this one? What did you like better than the shadow?
 
What made you jump on this one? What did you like better than the shadow?

There was no one single thing, just a combination of several little things. When I held the FNS, it just felt "right". The ergonomics were right for me. The price was also definitely a factor. (The CZ was $880 with 3 mags. The PPQ was $999 with 2 mags and was out of stock. The FNS was $639 with 3 mags.) Despite the outstanding reputation of the CZ, ultimately I preferred a striker fire pistol because every trigger pull will be the same. The Sig P226 Extreme that I currently own is a DA/SA gun with Sig's Short Reset Trigger (SRT), so if I want to shoot a "Hammer" gun, then I already have one that I like.

Like I said, there was no single thing that shifted me over, but there were a lot of little things. Having said that, I had it out at the range a few days ago, and I think I made a good decision. I am very happy with the FNS.
 
There was no one single thing, just a combination of several little things. When I held the FNS, it just felt "right". The ergonomics were right for me. The price was also definitely a factor. (The CZ was $880 with 3 mags. The PPQ was $999 with 2 mags and was out of stock. The FNS was $639 with 3 mags.) Despite the outstanding reputation of the CZ, ultimately I preferred a striker fire pistol because every trigger pull will be the same. The Sig P226 Extreme that I currently own is a DA/SA gun with Sig's Short Reset Trigger (SRT), so if I want to shoot a "Hammer" gun, then I already have one that I like.

Like I said, there was no single thing that shifted me over, but there were a lot of little things. Having said that, I had it out at the range a few days ago, and I think I made a good decision. I am very happy with the FNS.

Thanks

How did the sp01 shadow trigger compare to the sig srt? Did you compare the fn to the m&p, xd, and glock 17? I'm hoping to buy my first Centerfire pistol this summer and I'm trying to figure out what to get. The fNS wasn't on the radar but sounds interesting.

I like the look and feel of a steel gun but the lighter pull of the striker fire trigger. Seems to be one or the other
 
The trigger is not bad. It is better than some Glocks I've tried, but not nearly as nice as the PPQ's trigger. The only things I don't like about the FNS were that it was hard to find a holster for it, (Comp-Tac makes one and I found a place in Michigan called PynTec that does them.) and the sights. The first FNS that I looked at looked as though the white dots on the sights were put on with a Q-Tip dipped in white out. The second one (the one I ultimately bought) was much better, but even for it, I looked into after market alternatives. It came down to a set of Advantage Tactical Sights like these (shown on an FNS) (I checked, these are legal for IDPA.)
FNX-3-copy-_-for-blog-660x471.jpg

or a Hi-Viz Fiber optic front sight. I now have a Hi-Viz front sight on order.
MP2012-G-660x429.jpg
 
Thanks

How did the sp01 shadow trigger compare to the sig srt? Did you compare the fn to the m&p, xd, and glock 17? I'm hoping to buy my first Centerfire pistol this summer and I'm trying to figure out what to get. The fNS wasn't on the radar but sounds interesting.

I like the look and feel of a steel gun but the lighter pull of the striker fire trigger. Seems to be one or the other

The best trigger would probably be the one on the PPQ. The P226 SRT has a very heavy (approx 10 pound) DA pull, but about 3.5 pounds on SA. Other than the first shot, it is a great trigger. I'm not sure how it would compare to the normal P226 trigger. I have heard that I could swap out the hammer springs and reduce the trigger pull on the Sig, but I haven't found anyplace in Canada that sells the springs. (Wolff Springs will ship to Canada with a minimum order of $25US, but I'm not going to order $25 worth of stuff to get a $5 spring.) The SP-01 is a DA/SA like the Sig, and has a similar trigger. Again, the springs can be replaced to lighten the trigger pull on it, but for stock triggers, on a DA/SA, I personally liked the Sig SRT, but that may be because I am used to it. I don't remember if the SP-01 had a short reset or not.

I used to have an XDm9, and it was a great gun. I was very intrigued by the XDm 5.25 Comp in 9mm, but I could only find them in .40S&W, and I wanted to stick with 9mm.
I personally do not like the M&P 9 or the Glock 17. They are great guns and lots of people like them, but I just don't happen to be a fan.

If you are looking for your 1st centerfire handgun, the SP01 seems to have become the defacto "standard" for IPSC & IDPA. As someone said on this thread, with that many of them out there, there are lots of people to help out if you have a problem. If so many people are using them, there must be a reason why they are.

As for striker fire, if your budget will allow for it, I don't think you would go wrong with either the PPQ M2 5inch or the XDm 5.25 Comp. From what I have seen, the FNS does not necessarily excel at anything, but it does a very good job at pretty much everything. It is a great compromise and at $639, it is an incredible value. Personally, I like striker fire because of the consistent trigger pull from one shot to the next.

One that I really wanted to take a look at was the Sig P320. I like the Sig triggers, and it is a striker fire, so I think that it would be a great option as well. Unfortunately, I could not find anyone who had one in stock.

Bottom line, go into your LGS and try them. See what feels the most natural in you hand. Ask a lot of questions. Narrow it down to a couple and then do some research online. Go back to the LGS & take a second look. Then make your decision.
 
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I have shot both the PPQ and the cz 75sp01 shadow. While I agree the trigger on the PPQ is a dream the holster and mag pouch availability and mag expense can be a bit of a problem. The cz has an amazing single action trigger, great recoil management, and in most games the first pull is the only shot that must be double action, which can easily be over come with training, While the following shots throughout the course of fire would be single action making them very easy. Holster and mags pouches are no problem and the firearm all ready comes with three mags, making the cz the better choice imo.
 
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