Hello everyone, I'm new to the website and new to pistol shooting and would appreciate some advice. I have an opportunity in purchasing either a new CZ 85B "combat" or a 75 SP01 Shadow both in 9mm. This would be by first pistol purchase and would like to hear from more experienced members which they would prefer and why. Thanks in advance.
CZ 9mm pistols
- Thread starter Randy Lee
- Start date
85 Combat is NOT a "B" gun meaning it's lacking Firing Pin Block just like Shadow does - which is a good thing.
Even Shadow can be brought below 39oz for IDPA with some additional care and $$. Both are great guns and I think Shadow is the best IPSC Prod. gun; imho.
Even Shadow can be brought below 39oz for IDPA with some additional care and $$. Both are great guns and I think Shadow is the best IPSC Prod. gun; imho.
The Shadow has a little lighter and less creeping trigger out of the box due to the use of a competition hammer with shallower spurs that have a angle that is slightly more critical than any guns intended for service use.... the 85 falls into that category. So even without the firing pin block the trigger will not be quite as nice as a Shadow directly out of the box.
Randy, welcome to CGN and to handguns. You haven't said what discipline you'll be shooting, but here's my take. I'm not familiar with any other CZ's than my Shadow. I shoot at 50m, slow fire, not IPSC or anything like that.
I like the Shadow because right out of the box it had a great trigger that breaks clean at around 3.5 to 3.75lbs. It feels wonderful in my hand (your hand may be different), it is quite accurate at 50m, and it is affordable at $800.00 to $900.00.
I bought a 13lb mainspring to replace the stock 18lb mainspring, at a cost of $7.00, installed it myself (and I'm no pistolsmith) quite easily, and now my trigger is down to about 2.75lbs. You can customize the CZ's with all kinds of great stuff like competition hammers and slimmer grips, but I'm happy with just the mainspring replacement and won't do anymore with it.
I very much like the front red fibreoptic sight and prefer it to the standard 3 dot sights on most pistols, although you do have to be careful not to break it.
I've owned or shot the Browning HP, Ruger P85, Sig P210, and the Shadow. Taking into account grip feel, trigger feel and weight, accuracy, and cost, the Shadow is the best of the lot. To be fair, the P210 is a better pistol, but I sure can't afford one, and they're hard to find for sale.
I like the Shadow because right out of the box it had a great trigger that breaks clean at around 3.5 to 3.75lbs. It feels wonderful in my hand (your hand may be different), it is quite accurate at 50m, and it is affordable at $800.00 to $900.00.
I bought a 13lb mainspring to replace the stock 18lb mainspring, at a cost of $7.00, installed it myself (and I'm no pistolsmith) quite easily, and now my trigger is down to about 2.75lbs. You can customize the CZ's with all kinds of great stuff like competition hammers and slimmer grips, but I'm happy with just the mainspring replacement and won't do anymore with it.
I very much like the front red fibreoptic sight and prefer it to the standard 3 dot sights on most pistols, although you do have to be careful not to break it.
I've owned or shot the Browning HP, Ruger P85, Sig P210, and the Shadow. Taking into account grip feel, trigger feel and weight, accuracy, and cost, the Shadow is the best of the lot. To be fair, the P210 is a better pistol, but I sure can't afford one, and they're hard to find for sale.
- Location
- Ottawa, Ontario
congrats now buy a ton of ammo and shoot the crap out of it
you'll love it its a great gunNot every CZ is a great gun, but Shadow is for sure.
As was said above, buy some 1000rds or so of good ammo with reloadable brass cases and go shoot it. Save the brass.. if you get hooked on shooting you will want and have to start reloading. If not, you can donate/sell brass to someone who reloads.
As was said above, buy some 1000rds or so of good ammo with reloadable brass cases and go shoot it. Save the brass.. if you get hooked on shooting you will want and have to start reloading. If not, you can donate/sell brass to someone who reloads.
