Berretta 92fs or CZ SP-01 Shadow?
- Thread starter AlbertanBound
- Start date
Harrier .45
Regular
- Location
- Ontario, north of Toronto
Beretta 92 vs CZ.75 Shadow
The Beretta 92-series of guns were first designed in 1972 with the intention of providing the Italian Carabinierie with the most advanced and reliable semi-automatic pistol in production at that time. The original 92 was meant to provide the police and military with a sturdy, robust, and reliable platform that would function with any available ammunition in any condition.
To that end, Beretta had never envisioned this pistol as a competition firearm from the outset. Over the years, however, and specifically since the United States military adopted the modified 92F (92FS is the civilian designated model), and due in no small part to the predominant showing of this model in Hollywood films, the 92 began to find its way into IPSC and other shooting disciplines.
As the pistol was not built for competitive matches, many shooters find the triggers to be excessively heavy, and the grip, which was designed around a 16-shot magazine capacity, to be very large in diameter. Add to that the heavy double-action trigger pull and many people with smaller hands find the length from backstrap to trigger face to be somewhat excessive. This is not to say that the Beretta 92 is not one of the most reliable firearms ever built, but if you are looking towards high volume of fire at regular weekend matches, the 92-series have proven less than durable in long-term testings with multiple thousands of rounds fired through individual guns.
The original CZ.75 was designed in 1973 in response to the Czech military's requirement for a new sidearm. As the Beretta 92 had already entered service in Italy, and the Browning P.35 Hi-Power was at that time the most widely used service sidearm, the Czechs demanded a new design that incorporated features of both of these guns -- namely the double-action system of the Beretta over the single-action design of the Hi-Power, but the smaller grip size and frame of the Browning over the much larger Beretta. The end result was the CZ.75, which became one of the most sought-after handguns on the Eastern side of the Iron Curtain during the Cold War.
With the fall of Communism, Ceska Zbrojovka began to market the CZ.75 to the West, specifically to the United States. From 1988 and onward, modifications were made to the frame shape and internal functions of the CZ.75 to improve handling and safety systems. This modified design was designated as the CZ.75B.
As competitive shooters began to shift toward the CZ design, new modifications began to appear. The first change was the addition of a full-length dust cover from the bottom of the frame. This became the SP.01 (Special Purpose ver. 01) model. Later, the addition of an ambidextrous decocking lever in place of the ####-and-carry safety became the SP.01 Tactical model.
The SP.01 Shadow incorporates all of the features of the original SP.01, but includes the addition of a fibre optic front sight, and a Novak-style "tunnel" rear sight designed to draw the shooter's eye to the front sight. Extended controls are also standard, as is a lightened trigger pull for rapid-fire use during competitions. The SP.01 Shadow also includes an alternate hammer spring for enhanced lock times, and is now packaged with three (3) 10-shot magazines, making it a premier example used in a majority of IPSC and other competitive disciplines.
Both the Beretta 92-series and the CZ.75-series are formidable handguns with long histories of reliability and durability. However, the CZ.75 SP.01 gains an advantage in that it is a highly modified variant of the baseline pistol, much as the now-defunct ELITE series of the 92 guns once were from Beretta.
At Ellwood Epps, the CZ.75 SP.01 Shadow is our second-best selling handgun, falling immediately behind any variant of Glock pistols. We have sold an uncountable number of these guns, and have yet to hear any reports of major failures or other issues with these guns.
In the end, the final decision remains with the buyer as to which gun fits their hand better, points and handles better, or which name they prefer, but one cannot go wrong with the purchase of either model.
Cheers!
The Beretta 92-series of guns were first designed in 1972 with the intention of providing the Italian Carabinierie with the most advanced and reliable semi-automatic pistol in production at that time. The original 92 was meant to provide the police and military with a sturdy, robust, and reliable platform that would function with any available ammunition in any condition.
To that end, Beretta had never envisioned this pistol as a competition firearm from the outset. Over the years, however, and specifically since the United States military adopted the modified 92F (92FS is the civilian designated model), and due in no small part to the predominant showing of this model in Hollywood films, the 92 began to find its way into IPSC and other shooting disciplines.
As the pistol was not built for competitive matches, many shooters find the triggers to be excessively heavy, and the grip, which was designed around a 16-shot magazine capacity, to be very large in diameter. Add to that the heavy double-action trigger pull and many people with smaller hands find the length from backstrap to trigger face to be somewhat excessive. This is not to say that the Beretta 92 is not one of the most reliable firearms ever built, but if you are looking towards high volume of fire at regular weekend matches, the 92-series have proven less than durable in long-term testings with multiple thousands of rounds fired through individual guns.
The original CZ.75 was designed in 1973 in response to the Czech military's requirement for a new sidearm. As the Beretta 92 had already entered service in Italy, and the Browning P.35 Hi-Power was at that time the most widely used service sidearm, the Czechs demanded a new design that incorporated features of both of these guns -- namely the double-action system of the Beretta over the single-action design of the Hi-Power, but the smaller grip size and frame of the Browning over the much larger Beretta. The end result was the CZ.75, which became one of the most sought-after handguns on the Eastern side of the Iron Curtain during the Cold War.
With the fall of Communism, Ceska Zbrojovka began to market the CZ.75 to the West, specifically to the United States. From 1988 and onward, modifications were made to the frame shape and internal functions of the CZ.75 to improve handling and safety systems. This modified design was designated as the CZ.75B.
As competitive shooters began to shift toward the CZ design, new modifications began to appear. The first change was the addition of a full-length dust cover from the bottom of the frame. This became the SP.01 (Special Purpose ver. 01) model. Later, the addition of an ambidextrous decocking lever in place of the ####-and-carry safety became the SP.01 Tactical model.
The SP.01 Shadow incorporates all of the features of the original SP.01, but includes the addition of a fibre optic front sight, and a Novak-style "tunnel" rear sight designed to draw the shooter's eye to the front sight. Extended controls are also standard, as is a lightened trigger pull for rapid-fire use during competitions. The SP.01 Shadow also includes an alternate hammer spring for enhanced lock times, and is now packaged with three (3) 10-shot magazines, making it a premier example used in a majority of IPSC and other competitive disciplines.
Both the Beretta 92-series and the CZ.75-series are formidable handguns with long histories of reliability and durability. However, the CZ.75 SP.01 gains an advantage in that it is a highly modified variant of the baseline pistol, much as the now-defunct ELITE series of the 92 guns once were from Beretta.
At Ellwood Epps, the CZ.75 SP.01 Shadow is our second-best selling handgun, falling immediately behind any variant of Glock pistols. We have sold an uncountable number of these guns, and have yet to hear any reports of major failures or other issues with these guns.
In the end, the final decision remains with the buyer as to which gun fits their hand better, points and handles better, or which name they prefer, but one cannot go wrong with the purchase of either model.
Cheers!
Nobody can blame Kevin for being short winded. 
Let me conclude for those with short attention span.
-Beretta 92 FS is a service pistol
-CZ Shadow is a competition pistol
Choose based on- what are you going to use it for.
Let me conclude for those with short attention span.
-Beretta 92 FS is a service pistol
-CZ Shadow is a competition pistol
Choose based on- what are you going to use it for.
lineofsight
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lower Mainland, BC
Since there's been mention of the Elite II, have owned two of these and found I shot the Inox better than the Elite II (both times) - matter of what works for you so your best bet is to just handle / shoot both the Shadow and 92 or take the following approach and get the bases covered:
- G17 or 34 plastic frame
- FS92 alloy frame (the Inox version also has the aluminium alloy frame)
- Shadow steel frame
- Spartan or Trojan for token 1911 SA .45 steel frame
Many years ago I saw service in a foreign police force, and our issued handgun was a Beretta 92FS. I still remember the serial number, C33608Z. I remember disliking the gun at the time because it didn't have a complete slide, and was a lousy DA. Well I very quickly had the DA changed to SA. That firearm was my buddy for 5 years.
Some observations; it makes a bad CCW because of it's size, not that you need worry about that in Canada. It is very reliable. The safety disengages by pushing it forward, which may be an issue when you transfer to a 1911 type gun. It is super easy to disassemble.
Today I am a competitive shooter. If I had to choose today, I would choose the Shadow. Visually it is very nice. It is reliable, perhaps not as easy to disassemble by a few seconds. No big deal. The sights are better on the Shadow, it has a conventional safety and it can be SA straight out of the box. Also, it has a nice trigger.
Some observations; it makes a bad CCW because of it's size, not that you need worry about that in Canada. It is very reliable. The safety disengages by pushing it forward, which may be an issue when you transfer to a 1911 type gun. It is super easy to disassemble.
Today I am a competitive shooter. If I had to choose today, I would choose the Shadow. Visually it is very nice. It is reliable, perhaps not as easy to disassemble by a few seconds. No big deal. The sights are better on the Shadow, it has a conventional safety and it can be SA straight out of the box. Also, it has a nice trigger.
I just bought a shadow and I love it. Go for the Shadow its a easy shooter and the ergonomics are great. But I warn you, if u walk into a gun store and handle a shadow, chances are you will have an $800 charge on your credit card when you walk out because the grip fits like a glove. Another bonus about the shadow is it comes with 3 mags instead of the standard two. The only down side about CZ's in general is the box it comes in is kind of cheap in MHO. Also CZ factory mags are expensive (at least $50 each). Besides that its still a great value considering you are getting an IPSC ready hand gun. Other production hand guns you would have to pay extra for those same features. Something to consider. I have no authority to speak about Beretta's even though I would like to shoot one in future.
- Location
- Gangcouver, BC
Shadow. Owned both, sold the 92FS, love the shadow!
Do what I did... Buy both and sell the one you prefer the least. You will get 90% (except the taxes) of what you paid as long as you treat them right. I got the 92FS and a Sig P226R. I was only going to keep one but a just can't part with either of them. I usually shoot better with the Sig but today, the 92FS came to play. The conclusion is that now I have both.
CZ magazines expensive??
By competition standards the CZ magazines are cheap. Wait until you migrate to an STI. After tuning and tweeking the mags will cost you at least $100 apiece.
As for the CZ box being kind of cheap. It is much better than the STI boxes, the Norinco boxes or the Glock boxes.
By competition standards the CZ magazines are cheap. Wait until you migrate to an STI. After tuning and tweeking the mags will cost you at least $100 apiece.
As for the CZ box being kind of cheap. It is much better than the STI boxes, the Norinco boxes or the Glock boxes.
The Springfield XDM, Smith and Wesson M&P range kit, Sig Sauer P226, Tanfoglio Elite Witness Match dominate over the CZ in the box department. I am sure they're worst boxes than the CZ, but it still sucks. I will still have to replace it. I just wish CZ didn't cheap out on the Box.
- Location
- Edmonton, Alberta
One thing that people haven't mentioned..
I started on a rental Shadow. After shooting the shadow a bunch, I found it very difficult to shoot other guns cause the triggers were not as nice.
Since buying my Beretta, I find I'm a better shot with other pistols now. That long, hard service pull of the Beretta trigger seems to teach your finger better.
I started on a rental Shadow. After shooting the shadow a bunch, I found it very difficult to shoot other guns cause the triggers were not as nice.
Since buying my Beretta, I find I'm a better shot with other pistols now. That long, hard service pull of the Beretta trigger seems to teach your finger better.
