CZ75 SP-01 Phantom

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Storm

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Having handled a CZ75 SP-01 Phantom last week I'm very strongly considering putting one on layaway. I've done a number of searches here and at the CZ forum and there isn't much in the way of reviews of this gun.

Handling the gun I liked it a lot and find the 18+1 capacity to be just fine. The only down side was that with the slide enveloped in the frame there is little in the way of slide serrations to grab hold of to rack the slide. Fortunately the slide isn't cluttered with the decocker which is on the frame where it belongs. I found the SA trigger to be acceptable but the DA trigger was a bit more firm than I'd like and a bit gritty. I'm thinking that this might improve with use.

Has anyone shot a Phantom or heard anything? Any experience or comments would be appreciated.
 
There aren't many reviews because there are very very few of them in country. When more come in, we'll finally hear more. I hope to try one myself.
 
Uh, there are plenty of threads here and on CZforum. They are candidates for trigger work and other upgrades.
I sell alot of them. They are very popular right now.
The slide and thus the barrel sit lower in the frame and that's a good thing. A lower bore axis is an aid in all areas of shooting.
 
Uh, there are plenty of threads here and on CZforum.
Click to expand...

Uh, not really any from anyone who seems to have shot one, a thread dedicated to reviewing the gun.
 
Uh, not really any from anyone who seems to have shot one, a thread dedicated to reviewing the
Click to expand...

Uh, why don't you try emailing Angus over on the CZforum, or just give the custom shop a call.
I've emailed him at length about mods and upgrades to the Phantom and he has been really helpful.
 
Thanks Hags. I wasn't able to use the search function at the CZ Forum. Really the only info that I've been able to get here is consistent with what I noticed about the trigger. I was wondering if anyone has had work done to the trigger and how it worked out. I've got a great smith and if the trigger can be improved that would be good to know. It seems this gun is too new to have all that much in the way of comprehensive reviews. I think that's why sometimes I wait six months to a year before I get a newly released gun so that the immedaite negatives and bugs can be known and part of the dceision to buy.

BTW, I agree with the low bore axis comment. If you looked in my vault you'd find a good number of guns with that low bore axis.
 
Thanks Hags. I wasn't able to use the search function at the CZ Forum. Really the only info that I've been able to get here is consistent with what I noticed about the trigger. I was wondering if anyone has had work done to the trigger and how it worked out. I've got a great smith and if the trigger can be improved that would be good to know. It seems this gun is too new to have all that much in the way of comprehensive reviews. I think that's why sometimes I wait six months to a year before I get a newly released gun so that the immedaite negatives and bugs can be known and part of the dceision to buy.

BTW, I agree with the low bore axis comment. If you looked in my vault you'd find a good number of guns with that low bore axis.
Click to expand...

Ah ha, that was my exact question. The answer I got was that all the mods, work and upgrades you can do to the SP-01 you can do to the Phantom.
Here is a post on CZforum: http://www.czforumsite.info/index.php?topic=19277.0
:D
 
My apologies, there isn't alot of info regarding mods, upgrades and work on the Phantom. I was wondering the same thing and contacted the CZ Custom shop.
It appears anything you can do to an SP-01 you can do to the Phantom.
Let me know what you find!
 
I was in the market for a CZ75 SP01 and came across a SP01 Phantom at Louisiana Reloading and Supply the other day. I did buy it (my first CZ) but have not fired it yet which I hope to do so Thursday or the following Tuesday work permitting. :( Overtime is a PITA lately.

A few observations I have compiled from handling and dry firing the Phantom:

IMHO I can say this, the pistol does feel real good in my hands and points very quickly. It comes with an extra backstrap like the Smith & Wesson so you can change it out to fit your hand. Also has some snap caps to practice with included along with two allen type wrenches which one is used for the rear sight.

Compared to my GLocks and my friend's HKs it is not as well finished as those pistols nor as well crafted as a SIG P220. Internal parts are a bit rougher finished than the above pistols.

No stock pistol has a perfect trigger feel and the Phantom is no exception but I can think of quite a few that have worst or at best equal trigger feel and are more costly like any HK pistol.

I do find it a bit harder to rack the slide back due to the slide inside rail fit versus my GLocks and the barrel looks like it has grease or oil stains on it so I will have to get that out.

One thing I notice is the frame flexes less than a Glock and seems to be a bit thicker all around. The Frame looks EXACTLY like the frame on the SP01 but just in plastic. The Phantom is definitely ALOT lighter than the regular SP01 and you can quickly feel the difference in the weight.

I look forward to breaking it in with the 250 rd UMC 9mm I picked up Saturday.
 
Thanks Kino for that review. From what you and Hags have said the gun sounds like it's a worthwhile purchase with good potential. I think I'll go ahead pick one up tomorrow.
 
Love my SP01

I know you're in the market for a phantom, but I wanted to put in my $.02. I bought a lightly used CZ SP01 about two years ago. I've probably put ~1000 rounds through it since. In the time I've owned it, I've shot a few IDPA matches with it, taken it to the range several times and also used it to introduce new shooters to semi-auto handguns.

Reliability has been 100% with Winchester Whitebox, "Independent", Sellier & Bellot and some other off-brand 9mm. The gun is as accurate as I can be and has served me well. My Dad also has a CZ-75D (Compact) and the gun has also been boringly reliable.

Both fit my hand well, have good ergonomics and are generally great shooters. I haven't found the thinner slide serrations to ever be an issue. (I've also shot an M&P and own a 1911, so I do have some comparative experience with larger slides). I will continue to buy CZ products. They are very well made, fit my needs, go bang every time and have been unquestionably reliable so far.
 
I just got back from picking up my Phantom. It's got to be the wettest gun that I've ever bought. Those Czechs really like their grease!

Overall it's a nice package. You get the gun, extra mag, magazine loader, snap cap, Allen wrench, a weird pointy tool, and a smaller backstrap. The extra back strap doesn't seem to me to be that much smaller. I might have gone with including one larger than the one on the gun, although it is quite comfortable for me. The owner's manual is for a CZ75 so there is nothing specific to the Phantom including changing the backstrap.

The gun is light for its size as one would expect for a polymer. Loaded with 18 or 18+1 it's going to be heavy no matter what. You're not looking a a concealed carry gun. The mag plate wraps around the bottom of the mag and "hides" what is in essence an extended mag. It looks like a pinky extender but I'd hate to see the size of hands that would need it. I wouldn't mind a flat floor plate option for a few less rounds. Is a standard CZ75 mag going to work?

The slide serrations are rather narrow with the low slung slide, but then again the serrations have a concave profile which actually adds to surface area. I have no problem racking the slide and wouldn't anticpate any in a high stress situation.

The trigger pull doesn't bother me all that much as is. The first gun I tried was at the shop counter. They pulled my gun fresh from inventory and I was able to try the trigger of both guns side by side. The gun from inventory had a noticeably better pull, especially with the double action. I guess not all of them are created equal. The difference was noticeable. The SA pull to me is more than acceptable as a combat pistol. There really isn't any creep on mine, just a pull that is a bit heavier than it needs to be. I suspect this will lighten with use. The DA trigger is also heavy, and does stack some, but not as badly as I had anticiapted. Again, I'll evalaute the trigger as the gun breaks in.

I really like how the beavertail results in a very positive grip. The same with the moderately aggressive grip surfaces. I find the ergonomics to be excellent. I can reach all control surfaces (slide stop, decocker, mag release) without shifting my grip from the shooting position. The mag release is just a bit of a stretch. The decocker is a bit stiff, but I anticipate that lightening up with use. It's a very tight gun.

The inside looks fine and dandy. I wasn't surprised to see a polymer recoil rod. Does the standard CZ75 rod fit? I might look to Steve Bedair for a stainless guide rod, at least as a spare. The finish on the barrel is a little weak, but no big deal. Otherwise the finish is fine.

Next, to shoot it.
 
I have read that standard CZ75 mags fit.

BTW, the gun went for $561 (plus tax) from a shop.

Here's the obligatory photo (it's still a little wet around the decocker!):

img4585kd3.jpg
 
Including the backstrap insert that is already on the gun, how many are supposed to be with the gun when purchased?
 
Storm,

On my Phantom, it came with one extra backstrap.

If I get pulled for anymore overtime this week and can not shoot this pistol, I will be highly :fire: yelling a lot of :cuss:
 
So can anyone update this thread with some hands on shooting info? I am seriously considering this as my primary gun.
 
trigger reach

I wonder how the trigger reach Phantom compares to CZ75B. Interesting gun.
 
As far as the serrations on the slide, I have the CZ SP-01 decocker version.
In my opinion, the slide serrations are the best I have ever used. They are close and angled into your hand so they grip your fingers.
Racking the slide is the easiest of any of my pistols.
The machining is first rate, and I've never had a misfeed.
It does tend to throw the brass back at me. I think it's because I use 115 gr. (9mm.) I believe it likes 124 or 147 gr. better.
 
Got Mine

Hey all,

Picked up my SP-01 Phantom this weekend. Bought it on Friday, and put 100 rounds of Blazer Brass 115-gr FMJ and 36 rounds of Remington UMC 115-gr JHP through it. No misfires, no failures to extract or eject. No issues at all.

My opinion? Flawless. As nice a trigger as my Para LDA. A bit long on the pull but it breaks smooth. Balance was also good in my opinion; muzzle flip was minimal, making "controlled pairs" too easy.

My only gripe? The gun came with a manual for an older CZ-75 model with a two page insert on the SP-01 Phantom. Apparenly CZ didn't have time or didn't see a need to print a new manual. Still, this didn't even matter after firing it.

This was my first venture into CZ firearms. I'd heard they had a good reputation, and was not at all disappointed. Actually if anything I was overwhelmingly impressed. A great gun for the price.
 
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