Looking for feed back on the CZ SP-01
- Thread starter Mac_63
- Start date
You wont find a better 9mm for the money then the SP-01 Shadow...
Weighted and balanced really nice, ergonomic grip, fiber optic sight....
Trigger is usually around a 7lb double action, with a very smooth 2lb single action pull. Fit and finish seem to be ok, but the front sight on the gun seems to break pretty easy being fiber optic and all.. When getting new people shooting at the range, the SP01 is usually the gun I grab for them. No complaints so far... I would recommend it over any other brand out there...
Weighted and balanced really nice, ergonomic grip, fiber optic sight....
Trigger is usually around a 7lb double action, with a very smooth 2lb single action pull. Fit and finish seem to be ok, but the front sight on the gun seems to break pretty easy being fiber optic and all.. When getting new people shooting at the range, the SP01 is usually the gun I grab for them. No complaints so far... I would recommend it over any other brand out there...
TheWharGoul
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
the SP-01 is a great gun, I got mine NIB locally and it shoots quite well. Ive had a few stovepipes and the trigger has some creep but after 450 rounds the creep is mostly gone and it almost never stovepipes. I love it, if fits great in the hand and recoil is quite light. Definitely one ill be keeping for some time.
- Location
- Off the "X"
I love my shadow. I'm not sure what a tactical or regular SP-01 would be like, but it's as heavy as the Shadow without the nice trigger, etc. I'm a fan of 75b and for the reduction in weight, if the other SP-01 models don't shoot as nicely as the shadow, I might get that. Bottom line: Shadow is top, then it would become a real debate between the regular and tactical SP-01 models and the 75b. I wouldn't get a tactical because I don't like the decocker, so that's another bonus for the 75b, which in itself feels really good to shoot.
My Shadow:
My Shadow:
I own a CZ85Combat, an SP-01 and the Shadow. I shoot mostly IDPA but dabble in IPSC. Here is my take:
The Shadow, coming as it does, with FO front sights, competition hammer and a factory tuned trigger shines in IPSC Production division. IF you take the time to reduce it's weight legally by, replacing the mainspring with a lighter CZ mainspring, replace the mag brake (the flat piece of metal that protects the mainspring from the mag) with a CZ75B replacement piece and trimming it, and replace the grips with Dennis Marshall grips your Shadow will weigh in at 39oz. This makes it legal for IDPA SSP thence ESP.
The SP-01 I have, came with night sights, great for defensive situations but for playing the games not as good as FO sights IMHO. The trigger pull is heavier due to the Firing PIn Block, hammer angle on the sear, and heavy mainspring. A gunsmith can polish the firing pin block, re-cut the hammer spurs that contact the sear, and you can replace the mainspring with a lighter CZ mainspring. For competition the gun is ready to go. For IDPA replacing the rubber grips with plastic will get you below 39 oz to play in IDPA SSP/ESP divisions.
The SP-01 frame is not the same frame as the Shadow has. The gun weighs less, the frame is cut differently. The gun does not have the competition hammer for what that is worth. The gun comes with a firing pin block.
The CZ 85 Combat does not have a firing pin block and a gunsmith can give you an outstanding trigger every bit the equal of the Shadow. My gun came with the three dot arrangement. The front sight has been replaced with red FO. The gun is lighter than either the Shadow or SP-01 and really balances in my hand better than the other two. For me the downside is, I cannot reverse the mag release on my CZ 85C. I am right handed and prefer the mag release on the right side.
All three guns are well made and are very competitive for playing the two most active action shooting sports ie IDPA/IPSC.
For IPSC I would rate them:
1. Shadow
2. SP-01
3. CZ85 Combat (75B has a firing pin block but is essentially the same gun without duel controls). The CZ85C does not have the firing pin block.
For IDPA
1. Shadow (Provided you get it down to 39oz or less)
2. CZ85 Combat*
3. SP-01 (Provided you get it down to 39oz or less)
*The Combat gets the node over the SP-01 as targets are generally closer in IDPA in the main, and being lighter and for me better balanced. I seem to be able to drive if faster.
All of the above is very subjective. You will have to decide what you want to use the gun for, shoot them all and then decide. The CZ 75B and it's offspring are very well made guns with a world wide solid reputation. It is a standard which other makes are often compared to. You can't go wrong buying any of the variants.
Take Care
Bob
The Shadow, coming as it does, with FO front sights, competition hammer and a factory tuned trigger shines in IPSC Production division. IF you take the time to reduce it's weight legally by, replacing the mainspring with a lighter CZ mainspring, replace the mag brake (the flat piece of metal that protects the mainspring from the mag) with a CZ75B replacement piece and trimming it, and replace the grips with Dennis Marshall grips your Shadow will weigh in at 39oz. This makes it legal for IDPA SSP thence ESP.
The SP-01 I have, came with night sights, great for defensive situations but for playing the games not as good as FO sights IMHO. The trigger pull is heavier due to the Firing PIn Block, hammer angle on the sear, and heavy mainspring. A gunsmith can polish the firing pin block, re-cut the hammer spurs that contact the sear, and you can replace the mainspring with a lighter CZ mainspring. For competition the gun is ready to go. For IDPA replacing the rubber grips with plastic will get you below 39 oz to play in IDPA SSP/ESP divisions.
The SP-01 frame is not the same frame as the Shadow has. The gun weighs less, the frame is cut differently. The gun does not have the competition hammer for what that is worth. The gun comes with a firing pin block.
The CZ 85 Combat does not have a firing pin block and a gunsmith can give you an outstanding trigger every bit the equal of the Shadow. My gun came with the three dot arrangement. The front sight has been replaced with red FO. The gun is lighter than either the Shadow or SP-01 and really balances in my hand better than the other two. For me the downside is, I cannot reverse the mag release on my CZ 85C. I am right handed and prefer the mag release on the right side.
All three guns are well made and are very competitive for playing the two most active action shooting sports ie IDPA/IPSC.
For IPSC I would rate them:
1. Shadow
2. SP-01
3. CZ85 Combat (75B has a firing pin block but is essentially the same gun without duel controls). The CZ85C does not have the firing pin block.
For IDPA
1. Shadow (Provided you get it down to 39oz or less)
2. CZ85 Combat*
3. SP-01 (Provided you get it down to 39oz or less)
*The Combat gets the node over the SP-01 as targets are generally closer in IDPA in the main, and being lighter and for me better balanced. I seem to be able to drive if faster.
All of the above is very subjective. You will have to decide what you want to use the gun for, shoot them all and then decide. The CZ 75B and it's offspring are very well made guns with a world wide solid reputation. It is a standard which other makes are often compared to. You can't go wrong buying any of the variants.
Take Care
Bob
Last edited:
PrairieDawg
CGN Regular
- Location
- 30 kms South of Balzac Alberta
I looked at the 85 Combat the 75B and the SP-01.
The SP-01 felt the best to me, but really I think it just looks cooler!
This was my first semi purchase and so far its been great.
Maybe should have had a better look at the Shadow, although I was thinking about making weight for IDPA. Had some advice from the above poster in this matter.
The SP-01 Tactical is another option. This is the same as the SP-01 except for a decocker in place of the safety.
Talk to anybody that owns CZ and most everyone is happy.
I also own a few CZ rifles and am very happy with them as well.
The SP-01 felt the best to me, but really I think it just looks cooler!
This was my first semi purchase and so far its been great.
Maybe should have had a better look at the Shadow, although I was thinking about making weight for IDPA. Had some advice from the above poster in this matter.
The SP-01 Tactical is another option. This is the same as the SP-01 except for a decocker in place of the safety.
Talk to anybody that owns CZ and most everyone is happy.
I also own a few CZ rifles and am very happy with them as well.
thanks for all the info, this site is fantastic, it helps alot. It looks like no mater which way I go it doesn't look like I can go wrong with a CZ. I will be looking and checking out once more time before I take the plunge. having said that theres nothing wrong with owning two CZ's............Thank you for the info
- Location
- Off the "X"
Canuck44: Nice post.
I'll be at odds with others here in saying that I didn't particularly like my SP-01. The fit and finish wasn't that great and the gun had extraction issues right out of the box. For only a couple hundred dollars more you can buy a Sig P226, which is a much nicer gun IMO.
