View Full Version : CZ-75 SP-01 what's the deal? This gun is awesome and I never see anything about them
The Dumb Gun Collector
05-31-15, 19:49
Hey guys,
i was tinkering with my buddies Cz-75 SP-01 today and that thing is amazing. Cocked and Locked, all steel reliable 9mm laser gun with 18 shots in the mag. I am seriously thinking about picking one of these up. I was in a shooting class years ago and a well-known instructor was poo-pooing Czs. Is this still true? Was it ever true? What are the downsides (other than weight, which is no biggie to me because my EDC is a j-frame).
I have been through quite a few handguns (sound familiar??) and finally settled on the cz P07 which has been nothing but stellar. Its the first handgun I still have yet to feel the urge to sell it and move on to the next best thing. It conceals well for me, ultra reliable, ergonomic, and super accurate. The trigger is exactly what I was looking for in pretty much every other handgun I've owned besides a 1911. Fit and finish, the SP-01 takes it to a higher level I almost walked away with one too. The downside is that there is not as much variety of aftermarket parts for cz (holsters and night sights). I'd vote for you to start a new project :p
I bought a CZ P07 because of a thread here by Grant and the major endorsement by Mike Pannone. So far it's continues to surprise me. I don't set out to "break" a gun like you so I shoot only when I have time and don't make a point to just dump rounds (not saying that you dump rounds). I'm close to 2000 rounds and haven't had a single malfunction. The little gun caught the attention of Ken Hackathorn and Ernest Langdon. No it's not the SP-01 but at least it's from the same maker. :)
As for the SP01 itself, I have two buddies who shoot them as their main guns. These two guys are much better shooters than me. One is a USPSA master and the other is IDPA shooter. The USPSA shooter's guns were tuned by Cajun Gun Works. Their single action trigger pulls are as good or better than most 1911s. The heavy steel gun tamed the recoil to almost a .380 level. And his guns are accurate. My IDPA friend's gun came from the CZ Custom Shop, just not as fitted with extensive external modifications like huge mag chute and his trigger is a not as scary light as the other guy's gun. Both guys told me they've never had a malfunction and has not experience any part breakage.
My only beef with the CZ 75-SP 01 series is that my thumb can't operate the thumb safety, it's just a personal issue. If you have big hands with longer than my girly hand and can positively activate the thumb safety, go for it. As for me, I'm sticking with the plastic 07.
You can get parts that you mentioned from the CZ Custom Shop and Cajun. If they don't have it, you don't need it. All the USPSA guys got them there. So you start a new project and when you're tired of it, sell it to me, cheap of course.
I picked up the tactical version (has the decocker) it is a fantastic gun! I have only shot about 100ish rounds out her. The rain has been killer!
It's main duty is bedside and range it def fills the roles well. The recoil is so tame that is seems like cheating. I just got in the self defense spring kit from Cajun gun works, I just need to find the time to instal it.
It's literally sitting next to me right now on the couch, makes a good companion when the wife is gone!
Hey guys,
i was tinkering with my buddies Cz-75 SP-01 today and that thing is amazing. Cocked and Locked, all steel reliable 9mm laser gun with 18 shots in the mag. I am seriously thinking about picking one of these up. I was in a shooting class years ago and a well-known instructor was poo-pooing Czs. Is this still true? Was it ever true? What are the downsides (other than weight, which is no biggie to me because my EDC is a j-frame).
How you miss the threads? I'll suggest, as always, a cz custom sao trigger, and maybe a comp trigger if inclined. It makes for a sick trigger (I just had sao trigger in my cz), for about $50 iirc. Would make a nice game gun. I liked my cz a lot, but moved to m&p for support reasons. If I ever bought a hammer gun, it would be an sp01.
As for issues, it was discussed at length and there were never any real issues. Change springs and slide stop T recommended intervals and buy mec-gar mags.
KalashniKEV
05-31-15, 23:26
I was in a shooting class years ago and a well-known instructor was poo-pooing Czs. Is this still true? Was it ever true?
I can guess who it was, and poo-pooing on CZ just makes a person look stupid.
CZ is KING.
The only thing against them is that there were some guns that were breaking slide stops- and from my understanding its the axis pin geometry on the frame, not the slide stop itself.
This was corrected, but guns that break slide stops do so continually, and I've got thousands through my 75B as well as some well worn Israeli CZ-75s that have never had that issue.
I firmly believe the CZ-75 SP-01 is one of the best, if not the best hammer fired pistol chambered in 9mm. It's a shame so few people even know they exist and even those that do have little-to-no time behind it to form an opinion.
call_me_ski
06-01-15, 01:15
To my knowledge the Czech Republic has two good exports: Porn stars and CZ pistols. In my area people seem to know about the SP01. They are the one gun that will sell out within the week if a batch of 20 comes in. I would say the secret is out if it ever was a secret. They are good guns and I don't know many people that don't like the way they shoot. I shoot them very well and they are on my list(p-01 anyway) but I just always seem to go a different direction.
They are no secret. I just bought my fifth CZ, a new 97B, .45 ACP. I already have a bunch of their 9MM's. Haven't tried the polymer offerings yet as the aluminum framed compacts are light enough for me, and I like the grip geometry. Stellar pistols. Yes, the SP-01 is one of the best.
DirectDrive
06-01-15, 15:21
The secret is out.
Damn competition shooters blabbering about them and winning too much with them.
Steel, alloy or polymer....take your pick.
Even though they have a safety, I believe they are meant to be carried hammer down. IIRC the SP-01s don't have a FPS.
You decock them old school style (thumb roll).
No brainer if you like DA/SA guns. Trigger on the tuned ones are like an old S&W DA revolver.
A few years back while shooting my grandfathers S&W 66 I remarked to a friend that if I ever found a DA/SA with a trigger like this, I would switch to it immediately. While my line of thinking has changed (not a fan of no slack hair trigger SA now), if I still thought this way the SP-01 Shadow Target would be the gun for me.
DA/SA with no decocker is a horrible idea.
Way too heavy. No reason for a steel framed gun in 2015.
Good game gun, but not a viable carry or duty pistol unless you just like carrying the heaviest pistol you can find.
The Dumb Gun Collector
06-01-15, 17:01
Why is that such a bad idea? Most of the decocker/safety combos are subject to accidental decocking when sweeping off the safety. This prevents that from happening without having to set up two different levers. Essentially it is a SA with a re-strike mode. I guess you lose the DA/Saftey on mode, but certainly a reasonable trade.
Even though they have a safety, I believe they are meant to be carried hammer down. IIRC the SP-01s don't have a FPS.
You decock them old school style (thumb roll).
No brainer if you like DA/SA guns. Trigger on the tuned ones are like an old S&W DA revolver.
A few years back while shooting my grandfathers S&W 66 I remarked to a friend that if I ever found a DA/SA with a trigger like this, I would switch to it immediately. While my line of thinking has changed (not a fan of no slack hair trigger SA now), if I still thought this way the SP-01 Shadow Target would be the gun for me.
The standard SP-01 safety, tactical and the phantom all have a firing pin block safety just like all of the 75B models. Shadows, pre B 75's, Tactical Sport, and the 85 Combat do not have FPB.
A SP-01 was my first CZ, and now it has company of 3 other CZ pistols in the safe. I bought my for range and competition use. I absolutely love it, but wish I would have waited, saved up some more money and bought a SP-01 Shadow.
I too enjoy CZs but continue to be amazed with the number of tool marks on the internals. That's ok except that I've seen some parts made with worn out tools that should have been already changed out.
Why is that such a bad idea? Most of the decocker/safety combos are subject to accidental decocking when sweeping off the safety. This prevents that from happening without having to set up two different levers. Essentially it is a SA with a re-strike mode. I guess you lose the DA/Saftey on mode, but certainly a reasonable trade.
I wear Medium gloves, have no trouble shooting any handgun from an M9 to a Glock 21 and I can't reliably reach the thumb safety on a CZ. Cocked and locked is a no-go for me and plenty of other people that tried my CZ75B.
It doesn't take many hot and sweaty range days to have an ND trying to manually lower the hammer on a live round.
It happened to me while on the range training with some Customs guys. Most embarrassing thing yet....
I wear Medium gloves, have no trouble shooting any handgun from an M9 to a Glock 21 and I can't reliably reach the thumb safety on a CZ. ....
Ha ... you stole my line. :)
I think if you're going to go with the CZ, go with the decocker model.
The Dumb Gun Collector
06-01-15, 23:03
Well if the safety doesn't work with your hands their is your answer. No shame there. It was fine for me.
Honest question, why would you lower the hammer on a live round?
Well if the safety doesn't work with your hands their is your answer. No shame there. It was fine for me.
Honest question, why would you lower the hammer on a live round?
I can't reach the thumb safety, so I was using it with the DA first pull as 'condition 0' is not just not socially acceptable.
I'm a DA/SA shooter from way back and am really most comfortable with that arrangement.
Well if the safety doesn't work with your hands their is your answer. No shame there. It was fine for me.
Honest question, why would you lower the hammer on a live round?
Because that is how you shoot Production class with one. I have small safeties on my CZ, and have never used the thumb safety.
You will want three -- one to shoot, one for back-up and one in the shop being repaired.
Because that is how you shoot Production class with one. I have small safeties on my CZ, and have never used the thumb safety.
You will want three -- one to shoot, one for back-up and one in the shop being repaired.
That sounds about right.
I've seen a lot of USPSA and IDPA shooters go through the CZ phase. They all eventually go back to a Glock 34 or an STI in .40.
The Dumb Gun Collector
06-02-15, 08:22
OK, I get it now. It isn't a problem with the arrangement it is a problem with gamer rules. That's cool.
CZ-75 is good recipe for successful pistol. CZ knows that, IMI knows thats, Tanfoglio knows that, Sphinx knows that. SP-01 is very good example of "service" pistol built with competition in mind (18 rounders were here to give edge against Glock 17 in ISPC Production before rules change). They do break, however it is more visible in "big brother" CZ-75 TS (aka CZ-75 IPSC), especially in .40sw and 9mm "major". SP-01 also tend to have extraction problems, that in especially stubborn pistols can be hard to cure. Anyway, IPSC Production division is more less owned by Glock and CZ-75 variants from CZ (SP-01 Shadow), Tanfoglio (Stock, Stock 2, Stock 3) and Sphinx(2000, 3000, SDP). But when going to Standard (Limited in USPSA) or Open looks like STI/SVI platform offers more robust and easily tuneable solution.
Anyway, CZ-75 and especially SP-01 are very pleasant to shoot and quite accurate pistols. But I would not carry one - seen to much problems with those on matches to put my faith in those outside of shooting range. But I'm "little" biased there (most of you know that already). If CZ was my only option, then it would be either P-07 or P-09, not SP-01.
The Dumb Gun Collector
06-02-15, 12:17
That is the info I needed. I want a heavy 9, but not a finicky one. I could just pick up a BHP for that and get some cool points.
Gary1911A1
06-02-15, 12:52
As a diehard 1911 fan I find the CZ thumb safety to be more like the 1911 in placement than any other pistol with thumb safeties except possibly the Hi-Power. At the last USPSA Nationals the CZ and clones were over 50% of the pistols competing.
The Dumb Gun Collector
06-02-15, 17:43
That's what got me interested. The safety was very 1911 like. And I love the weight.
A guy had one at the range and I shot it one day. Ran fine, I posted some questions about them, "are they second tier or third tier junk guns"? Many folks love these guns I found out and have a good reputation amongst their followers.
I think it takes a monster power house marketing company to break into the GLOCK MNP XD market to become a household name per se.
That is the info I needed. I want a heavy 9, but not a finicky one.
Do not get me wrong. 9mm CZ-75 are not especially finicky. Nothing like .40SW 1911-pattern pistols. They are just more finicky than HKs, probably a tiny bit more than Glocks are.
I have owned and shot CZ pistols since the mid 90's. They are not "finicky" nor second or third tier junk guns. I curreantly have a 75 pre B, 75B, 97B, Kadet Pistol, 75D PCR (carry gun), and a Kadet .22 conversion kit. They are all accurate, and reliable. The triggers get better with use, but some buy after market parts to adjust trigger reach, trigger weight, etc. Cajun Gun Works, and CZ Custom have everything you need, although they are fine stock as mine are all 100% stock out of the box, and function flawlessly.
A friend of mine has an SP-01. It is a stellar performer, and the extra weight up front is nice for range work. Very, very accurate and soft shooting 9MM. He installed a lighter hammer spring which really helped reduce the trigger pull weight.
For the longest time I was searching for the best factory non-competition trigger, reason I say non-competition is because some guns come competition ready from the factory. I found the trigger I was looking for in the CZ SP-01. No modifications no nothing, it's perfect.
The recoil is very mild, the gun is heavy but at the same time if the gun was lighter the recoil would be higher and just like any other 9mm handgun.
The only real downside I found to this gun was the finish. It looked durable but it was weak compared to my Beretta whose finish I really like(all steel gun).
A guy had one at the range and I shot it one day. Ran fine, I posted some questions about them, "are they second tier or third tier junk guns"? Many folks love these guns I found out and have a good reputation amongst their followers.
I think it takes a monster power house marketing company to break into the GLOCK MNP XD market to become a household name per se.
CZ was around long before Glock, M'nP, XD were even thought of. They're just not popular here outside of a few people who use 'em for competition, but they've picked up a lot of steam the last few years in USPSA.
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