PLEASE HELP SP01 or P01 can't decide

[gilfo]

Going to the Orlando gun show this weekend and I'm going to buy either a SP01 or a P01 but I can't decide which. Buying mostly for range and HD use.
Pro and Cons of each

Pros SP01
(1) Longer barrel length (may help me think I'm a better shooter).
(2) More mag capacity for HD
(3) Fits my hand pretty well (even with my small hands).

Cons SP01
(1) Large gun (remember my small hands).
(2) Heavy gun (may not be a problem in the future I started going to the gym).

Pros P01
(1) Smaller gun (fits my hand to a tee)
(2) Can use it for ccw (instead of my Rami if I need extra firepower)

Cons P01
(1) Shorter barrel length (may make me realize that I'm not such a good shot after all).
(2) Mag capacity (though only 14 it's nothing to sneeze at).

I realize this is not a great arguement either way, but it is all I can come up with.
Any suggestions or comments whould be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Morgan]

You can CCW either one. You can get new grips to make either fit differently.

Do you want a decocker, or prefer the safety? Do you want the ability to go cocked and locked?

All your own preferences, but I'd take the SP01, hands down...

 

[daysleeprx]

If it's for the range and HD mostly I'd get the SP-01.

 

[hartzpad]

If you never have to conceal it, SP-01.

If you are ever going to carry/conceal it, has to be P-01.

SP-01 has been my range and HD pistol for several years now and I have found none better. Carrying and concealing a huge pistol that weighs 41 oz is not my idea of fun and practical. SP-01 is my favorite pistol. Besides size and capacity differences, the SP-01 is steel (vs. alloy P-01), has extended mag release, extended slide release, 19 round magazines, deeper cut grip and beavertail, better grips, thicker barrel, etc. Both can be hit and miss in terms of finding replacement mags specific to each model (14 rounders and 19 rounders) but both take the 16 round CZ-75 mags just fine.

Sounds like you need an SP-01.

 

[blutarsky]

i've handled both.

the sp01 was the first one i saw, and i was a bit surprised by how "big" it felt. i have fairly large hands (i'm 6'6") so it wasn't a problem of being too big for me, but my initial impression that it was rather big stuck with me. additionally the serrations on the slide felt a bit small (not so much thin, but short?) for my big fingers. kinda odd to have the gun feel big but slide feel small to get a grip and pull back -- again it's something that you get used to i'm sure. in retrospect, i'm not sure how different that is from the p-01, but at the time it felt quite different (clearly i need to head back to the shop and check out the sp-01 again, but i've been avoiding that because i don't want to come home with another one!).

the one i really wanted to check out was the p-01. i personally like the idea of the decocker and the smaller size for concealment, since the gun for me will be for personal and home defense... i don't plan on entering any bulls-eye contests with it anyway, when i picked up the p-01 it seemed to melt right into my hand. everything about it just felt good. it's small enough to be really concealable but large enough to feel like a real gun. plus, the 14 round capacity is, as you say, nothing to sneeze at. needless to say, i ended up getting the p-01.

about mags, i found the 14-round mags at cdnninvestments.com -- they're made by mec-gar (apparently they're the ones who make the cz mags you get from the factory) and sell for only $20 a piece. only difference is they don't have the little rubber base, but people say you can call cz and order that part... otherwise they're perfect and cheap. and like someone else mentioned before, it can take the larger capacity mags from the bigger guns if you don't mind the mag sticking out the bottom a couple inches. for home defense, it might be handy to have a larger mag or two on stand-by, but i don't see a major problem with 'only' 14 rounds unless and until the zombies start knocking.

 

[jlbraun]

Don't forget that the P01 is a decocker model only. The SP01 I think can be had in either decocker version or manual safety.

 

[Wolfman_556]

SP01 - Steel
P01 - Alloy

Steel>Alloy

But I think a regular CZ75 Compact would probably be an excellent self defense pistol for CCL too.

I'd love to get some of those SP01 mags for my CZ-75B for the higher capacity, but I can't justify spending about $45 for only three extra rounds when I can get 16 round MecGar's for about $21 each.

But the SP01 is definitely on my Want List.

 

[GZOh]

gilfo... I have both and it's truly a tough decision!! You, and almost everyone else have pretty much summed-up the differences and pro's and con's... I guess my FIRST question to you is, have YOU shot BOTH?... and which do YOU prefer?

The SP-01 is definitely a 'big gun'... great for target and HD... fits the hand and shoots PERFECT. You could pull-it-off, but CCW with this gun might be alittle tough(er) than the P-01.

For me, the P-01 is simply the sweetest gun I own! I could hold and shoot it all day... it fits my hand PERFECT and is a VERY ACCURATE shoot!! The 14-mag capacity vs. 19 is sorta a 'mute point'... Comes in DECOCKER (I hate Manual Safety's, got the SP-01 Tactical for that reason).

I mean this seriously... this is why I have a CZ COLLECTION! These two guns, along with my 75B Stainless are THE best guns I own and would NEVER be sold or traded... PERIOD.

You will NOT go wrong with either as a first purchase. My first purchase was the 75B and everything grew from there. Hold 'em and shoot 'em BOTH... and YOU make the call. Then simply 'let the collecting begin!'

Good Luck... either one is PERFECT.

 

[gunub]

I would say go with the SP-01 and let the range develop your arm strength

 

[schmeky]

I have been trying to find something that I can shoot better than my SP-01. I haven't. Try as I might, I always come back to SP for a range gun.

Just got back today from shooting at an indoor range and my SP is just smokin' accurate, is so easy to shoot well, and feels like someone poured the pistol in my hand - very comfy.

I think you'll make the right decision, but from my perspective, nearly any 9mm CZ will exceed your expectations.

 

[burningsquirrels]

i say SP-01.

if your RAMI is 9mm, just stick your SP-01 magazine in there if you want capacity. or if the magazine is too long and prints badly, use a regular 16+1 75 9mm magazine. if your RAMI is a 40, then use a 12 round mec-gar magazine.

 

[GZOh]

Sp-01...

My boy came by this past week to do some shootin... brought all the guns out (Sigs, FNPs, S&Ws and CZs) and a case of 9mm ammo... He shot 'em all, and after all was said-and-done, it was the SP-01 Tactical that came out first on his list!!... He went back and just shot-the-hell out of that gun... think he fell in love!

If this is your first CZ, that SP-01 is the place to start!... But you're gonna get 'hooked'... and as they say "Keep your Czech Book open!"

 

[donato]

gilfo,

I owned a RAMI 9mm for about 1 1/2 years and recently purchased a P-01. Realize you are interested in a range and HD gun, but I want to address one of your P-01 cons. If you're worried about the P-01 shorter barrel not providing you the opportunity to shoot accurately, forget that. It is a bit longer than the RAMI and if you are a good shooter with the RAMI you will be much better with the P-01 - from my own experience. P-01 is much easier to shoot with accuracy than the RAMI. Now I did really like my RAMI also - just needed the extra cash for the P-01.

 

[DZL HOG]

If this is your first CZ, that SP-01 is the place to start!.

I agree 100%, especially if its for a range and HD gun. I surprise myself with the accuracy of the SP-01 everytime I shoot. 100 flawless rounds so far, and havent even stripped it down yet.

It is big and heavy, I have no intentions of carrying this gun, I have other smaller and lighter choices for carry.