How does the SP01 Phantom stack up against a Glock 17?

[Carter]

I'm looking for a fullsized 9mm handgun for open carry and some security work this year while my "real" job hunt continues. That requires a duty holster and a duty handgun.

After a little google-fu I found some blade tech duty holsters for the CZ SP01. Buds is also having a sale on the phantoms for $450ish, which made it look extremely attractive.

However, the all around reputation of the glock has me wanting it as well. The Gen 4 model to be exact. It feels good in my hand, so the hated glock grip isn't a concern. However, I have seen a lot of glocks jam, and knowing my luck I'd get the bad apple of the Gen 4 bunch. The only glock I've ever had jam on me however was a brand new glock 22 (I think it was a Gen 3) that I borrowed for a few minutes.

I have no experience with CZ, but hear great things, as well as some bad. Like the trigger in DA is terrible, extracting problems for some of them, and come layered in grease (but thats easily fixed).

I know these are two very different handguns, but they are my choices. Anyone care to educate me how the SP01 Phantom stacks up to the legendary "perfect" glock?

 

[dcarch]

I like the CZ a lot! But, that being said, go with whatever fits your hand best. In my opinion, the CZ is a little more accurate. For some reason, the Glock doesn't point quite right for me. But, keep in mind that's purely subjective, and based on my limited experience. On the other hand, something around 65% of all LEOs, (including my local department) carry Glocks, which tells you something right there... Anyhow, get to a range, or just feel them in your local gunshop and figure out which fits YOUR hand best, and which points most naturally for you. Either way, you really can't go wrong with either gun. Good luck, and have fun!

 

[LawofThirds]

CZ will hold value better than a glock. Honestly, try to get trigger time with both and pick which one fits YOU better. Both are quality guns that will last longer than you or quite possibly your kids.

 

[M1key]

Find a Gen3 Glock 17. I'll bet you can find a new one somewhere. They don't jam.

I tried a CZ on for size. Felt good in the hand, but man, it needed a serious trigger job.

Our sheriff ordered the CZ Phantom at a local shop. The DA trigger pull was so bad (heavy), he ended up walking out with an XDm instead.

Try one before you buy.


SC

 

[REAPER4206969]

Find a Gen3 Glock 17. I'll bet you can find a new one somewhere.

You can find a new one in almost any gun shop on the planet.

 

[Carter]

Unfortunately, no gun shop around here rents or stocks a CZ for me to pick up. The gen 4 also feels better in my hand compared to the Gen 3 because of the interchangeable back straps and textured grip.

 

[jmr40]

CZ's make great range toys once some trigger work is completed. Glock makes great combat handguns. What are you planning on using it for?

As far as holding value, local stores can't seem to give away used CZ's. The last new CZ I saw was priced at $699. New Glocks are selling for $479, $400+ used. CZ's were worth the money when they were selling for around $350. Not at double that.

 

[Storm]

I tried a CZ on for size. Felt good in the hand, but man, it needed a serious trigger job.

Our sheriff ordered the CZ Phantom at a local shop. The DA trigger pull was so bad (heavy), he ended up walking out with an XDm instead.

Try one before you buy

True enough. When dry firing a new Phantom it really has a lousy feeling trigger. After the first time I dry fired a Phantom in a shop I walked away from it because of the trigger. Luckliy I gave it a second chance and acquired one. With some use the trigger improves dramatically. Plus, some dry firing really smoothed it out (CZ says to use snap caps). Plus, with use the decocker really smoothed out and is much easier to use. This is one gun that you absolutely cannot judge the trigger by just dry firing a new one in a shop. If you want to judge the trigger (and mine is just fine) try one with at least five hundred rounds through it for a much better idea of what you will end up with.

Having owned a Glock 17, and owning a Phantom, I would clearly give the nod to the Phantom, a gun that is reliable, quite accurate, light for its size, with little recoil and muzzle jump. The Phantom is a real piece of work.

 

[schmeky]

I agree with Storm. The trigger on stock CZ does, in most cases, leave something to be desired. With that said, if you like a great trigger, the CZ can be pretty easily modified to have a very good DA (drop in a 15# hammer spring), and a near 1911 SA trigger, i.e. ice crisp and light (install the CZ competition hammer). The Glock trigger will never even come close.

Most shoot the CZ better and for me, the CZ has always displayed superior accuracy to my Glock 17, plus the CZ is ergonomically better, IMHO.

However, both are good choices.

 

[Carter]

Thanks guys. Getting to shoot the CZ will be impossible, but I'll try to track down a store that has it so I can get a fell for it.
I was kind of surprised there was a duty holster for it. Does anyone know of an agency that uses it?

 

[BCRider]

I own two CZ pistols and have shot a few others. The Omega action found in some of the newer models does tend to be gritty and heavy at first. But a rental gun that I've shot when first new and more recently after about 4000 rounds through it smoothened up wonderfully.

THe other option would be a 75 or 85 that has the older action instead of the newer Omega action. Again, the DA pull will feel a touch gritty at first but after a few hundred rounds, or just stick a snap cap in it and dry fire the snot out of it while watching TV, it'll smoothen up nicely. The only thing I can see that the 85 has over the basic 75 is some ambidextrous controls. If you're a strong right handed shooter then save the bit of money and just go with a 75.

Of course these are heavier than the Phantom. But as I say either the old or the new Omega actions smoothen up with some use. Or if you were to invest a bit of gunsmith time into it to polish up and smoothen the action you'd get it back in fine form for about the same or less cost as the ammo that would have gone through it to get to the same condition.

In the end though both guns are fine options. And if you like the Glock Grip then I suspect it'll be a tossup for you.

 

[Carter]

Well I found the CZ at outdoor world today, of all places. It felt great in my hand, but the guy behind the counter refused to take the trigger lock off.
I would never buy a gun from a place without being able to manipulate the trigger, oh well, they wanted $150 more than Buds did.

Quick question on ordering online. Do you have to ask the gun shop its sent to first or just let them know after you've ordered?

 

[Thompsoncustom]

Well i'm not sure if you have to call them but I know I sure would to get pricing and make sure everything goes as smooth as possible. I got my cz 75b from buds about two months ago and love the thing its a accurate reliable gun but out of the box the trigger does need some work I ended up buying some snaps caps which really helps if you are willing to sit and pull the trigger, I also bought a 15lb hammer spring and EX extractor spring and tho the extractor spring doesn't change anything I figured I pick one up and install it anyways now the 15lb hammer spring on the other hand made a night a day difference the trigger pull on the gun is great now tho I'm not sure if you want a 15lb for a duty carry weapon I would probably get a 15 and 17 to be safe it comes stock with a 20 so there is a big difference in trigger pull.

 

[msiley]

The newest Gen4 17s seem to be fixed. There's another forum that begins with the letters m and 4 that is compiling a list of Gen4 17 stats. So far it looks like newer Gen4s are good to go. I have one that I bought in late July and I've put 3,000 rounds through it and it has been flawless. I also have a CZ-75B (.40). I've shot the CZ for about 2 years now and hands down I'd take the Glock 17 any day, any time, any place. It might not "feel" better in my hand when I'm just pawing it, then the CZ, but I shoot it a lot better. For whatever reason, I can just shoot the Glock faster with more accuracy then the CZ. Also, the Glock is easy to modify and there are more parts options for it, and my CZ has had problems with failure to extract with +P ammo. Also, the .40 CZ mags degraded and caused FTF rather quickly. I had 6 mags and all eventually caused FTFs. So I bought Mecgar mags and those have run very well so far.