Opinions on some 9mm's

[CanuckShooter]

I am looking into getting a handgun chambered in 9mm at some point in the near future to compliment my Norinco 1911 Police Model in .45ACP, and my Ruger Mark II Target. I have owned a few G17's in the past, so this won't be my first 9mm. I just kind of miss shooting 9mm, and I like the idea of having the two most contrasting popular centerfire calibers at each end of the spectrum for a little variety (.45ACP being the biggest, heaviest, and slowest vs. 9mm being the smallest, lightest, and fastest).

After having my first 1911, I think I prefer hammer fired guns, as opposed to striker fired. I like being able to dryfire without having to buy or make snap caps, and I just like the simplicity of being able to decock the gun by simply lowering the hammer. So anyways, I have got it narrowed down to two guns....


Norinco NP-29 ($350)

I have never owned one of these, but I hear nothing but rave reviews, and no one seems to EVER want to part with them. Which parts on this gun are not interchangeable with a standard 1911 chambered in .45ACP, aside from the barrel, and magazine? Does the Norinco 9mm barrel have the same outer diameter as the .45ACP model (and therefore use a standard sized barrel bushing)? Do aftermarket magazines work well? Are there any downsides to this gun? For example, are there any parts that would be a huge PITA to replace if needed, due to them being an oddball proprietary Norinco part? Would this gun even be an option for say IDPA competition with a tune etc etc? Or does the Shadow just obliterate it?

CZ SP-01 Shadow ($820)

I have just started looking at this gun recently. They seem to have a pretty big following, and the Shadow in particular is getting really good reviews just about everywhere.

The very tame recoil of the gun is one of it's most praised qualities, along with excellent accuracy. How do you guys think it's recoil and muzzle flip would compare to the NP-29's? Are the SP-01's good for people with small hands? I'll probably be handling one in the next week or two, but would like to save myself the 45 minute drive if the answer is a flat out.. NO. Are there any downsides or common issues with the Shadow? I don't know what to think about the polycoat finish. Seems like something that might chip easily, and be hard to fix.



Thanks!

 

[d9d88]

CZ SP-01 Shadow is an excellent piece. My suggestion is take the 45min drive, it will be worth it!!

 

[CanuckShooter]

Thanks d9d88 (sounds like a droid name from the Star Wars universe lol) How does the grip size and trigger reach compare to say a G17? What about compared to a 1911?

 

[Ganderite]

I don't have a Shadow. i have a plain CZ75B with aftermarket adjustable sights. I load it withthe 136 gr LRN over 4.0 gr of 231. Recoil is not bad and accuracy is excellent.

I also have the Norico clone of the CZ. With a trigger job, it too is superb. If the Shadow is better than a 75B, it must be really good choice.

The only problem with the hi cap Norico 1911 is I think the magazines are propriatary.

 

[Breaker61]

I agree with Ganderite. Don't know much about the Shadow's, But I have two CZ-75B's one in 9mm and one in 40 S&W. Both are super accurate with factory night sites. CZ has a reputation of being tough and reliable.

 

[theoneofthechuck]

The only problem with the hi cap Norico 1911 is I think the magazines are propriatary.

The Norinco NP-29 is the single stack, the NP-28 is the double stack Confusing number system, I've always had to refer to marstar's webpage to find out which one everyone's talking about ><

From everything I've read on here the NP-29 is compatable with mostly everything North American for the 1911 pistol. The only thing you may have problems with are the stock screw bushings. I think the frame of the Norincos are in metric. Don't have one myself, but personally I'd go with the NP-29 (if you can find it @.@) but I'm biased in favour of anything 1911

 

[NAA]

Never owned a Shadow but have had a couple pre B model CZ75's. Personally, I like the CZ products.

On the NP-29.... if you can find one or the slow boat ever gets here and they are available again... and on that don't bet they will be only $350 when the next shipment arrives, if it ever does.... anyway, the slide on the NP29 is fitted to the 9mm barrel [the barrel hood is narrower on the 9mm barrel than on the .45ACP barrel] So, the slide, barrel, bushing [the NP29 9mm barrel bushing fits the 9mm barrel], magazines and ejector are not 'compatible' with the .45ACP version.

As for downsides to a NP29? I think the fact that there aren't many for sale and when they do come up are gone in minutes answers that question. I have found that good quality aftermarket 1911 9mm mags work well. As for parts 'incompatiblity'.... the grip screw bushings on Norc 1911's have a different thread where the bushing goes into the frame than standard 1911's. Unless you have to replace one it shouldn't be too much of an issue, though.

NAA.

 

[BCRider]

I've got a Shadow and I've also shot a single stack 1911 in 9mm on and off for about 200 rounds. Both are excellent guns. The Shadow balances a touch muzzle heavy but unless you pick up one and then the other right away you'd never notice. Where it helps out is muzzle lift. The Shadow rises a touch less than the 1911 9mm I've shot so getting back on target is maybe a touch faster with the Shadow.

When you get your grip just right on the 1911 it's like the gun directs the bullets to your POA in some magical way. But I've found that if I even slightly mess up my grip or don't put my trigger finger "just so" that the 1911 platform really spreads out the grouping moreso than if I don't get just quite the correct grip on my Shadow.

I've got a note on my "To Buy" list for a Commander length in 9mm. I've shot a Commander length in .40 and again it was an amazing gun. Whether by good luck or good planning JMB really nailed it with the 1911 platform in so many ways that it's no wonder it's stood the test of time so well.