Cz Sp-01

[jeff191]

I'm a fairly new shooter (I've fired perhaps 500 rounds in my life, of various kinds of guns). I don't own anything yet, although I'll most likely buy a Ruger GP-141 revolver soon.

I was also looking at getting a CZ 75 SP-01 because it seems to be everything I want in an autoloading pistol, and it's more comfortable for me to hold. Is it good for an inexperienced shooter? How's the reliability? Does the manufacturer have a good reputation for repairing anything that malfunctions promptly and without hassle? It seems like CZ pistols aren't nearly as popular as many other 9x19 pistols, is there a reason for that?

Also, do some SP-01 pistols have a decocking lever and some not?
This says the SP-01 has a decocking lever:
http://www.czub.cz/index.php?p=32&id...idz=16&lang=en
This site seems to say that it doesn't:
http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=73
And the SP-01 that I saw today did not have a decocking lever.

Would it be better for me to get a CZ 75BD?

 

[MikeRussell]

Hey, a thread that I'm more than a little qualified to answer!

I shoot a SP01 in Production division USPSA and do my own gunsmithing work on it as well. A few things you should know about the SP01. They have really heavy springs. The trigger pull is heavy on the DA due to the 18-20# main spring. The pistol will have some FTE and double feeds with lighter target ammo due to the 18# recoil spring. It doesn't take much to change out either spring, should you want to, but I do recomment at least changing out the recoil spring to a 14# one if you're going to shoot a lot of CCI or WWB.

There are 2 variants of the SP01. The SP01 is a standard safety version, the SP01 Tactical is the decocker version (there are actually 3 if you include the SP01 Shadow, which is basically a factory competition pistol). CZ has an excellent reputation with repairs and parts, and also has a very good custom shop as well. I've put over 7000 rounds through my SP01 and the only problems I've had were operator/tinkerer induced or were from when I just plain wore out the springs.

CZs don't seem to be nearly as popular because they're just not known all that well. They don't have the super marketing and hype building that other manufacturers do. They are an extremely reliable, well made line of firearms though. I'm even planning on trying out their rifles next.

Here's mine...

 

[JDGray]

I own a CZ75B 9mm, hands down the most accurate 9mm I've shot! Everyone that shoots it, loves it. Very reliable, only had one issue with a trigger spring, that CZ-USA sent to me, no questions asked. As the man before me stated, springs are the only issue. The Ruger would also serve you well

 

[LoadedDrum]

I have an SP01 and shoot mainly WWB. I have not changed the mainspring but I have had no problems either. It is a great gun but too heavy and large for CCW. The trigger gets alot better with break in. Get a Kadet kit for it to speed up break in.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I was also looking at getting a CZ 75 SP-01 because it seems to be everything I want in an autoloading pistol, and it's more comfortable for me to hold. Is it good for an inexperienced shooter?

The only downside I can see is that it will spoil you from ever being able to really enjoy plastic framed guns. All that steel and full length barrel makes for an extremely accurate and fast gun. About the only thing I would not personally recommend the SP-01 for is concealed carry, if you are considering that -- but other CZ options like the P-01 and compact 75s are excellent in that context.

Would it be better for me to get a CZ 75BD?

Personally I'd go with the SP-01 given the choice, unless, as noted above, you're thinking about concealed carry as well as a range gun, home defense, etc.

 

[jeff191]

Thanks for all the information guys!

I read in the manual online and I'm trying to decide between the manual safety version and the decocking lever version. It looks like with the manual safety version there's no way to safely lower the hammer with a round in the chamber (more like a 1911). With the decocking lever version there's no manual safety, so if there's a round in the chamber a trigger pull will always fire (more like a glock). Is that correct? Any comments/suggestions?

 

[Navy87Guy]

With a standard SP01 (or CZ 75B) you have to "thumb" the hammer down if you don't want to carry "cocked and locked". If you go with the decocker versions (SP01 Tactical or CZ 75BD) then C&L carry is not an option -- it's only a decocker, not a safety lever.

I have both an SP01 Tactical and a 75BD. They are both great shooting guns. I am currently using the SP01 for USPSA Production Class competition and I love it. Very reliable, very stable and very solid. I had a local guy do a trigger job on my 75BD and it shoots just about as smoothly as the SP01 I had done by Matt Mink from the CZ USA shooting team - YMMV. I do like the grip profile on the SP01 better and it has the rail -- so if you want to use it as a home defense gun you can mount a light.

I don't think you can go wrong with a CZ.

HTH,

Jim