idea for my handgun - your opinion?

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Atticum

Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2009
Messages
139
Location
Nashville
Hello highroaders.


I held one at the gunstore the other day and what can I say.. I think I've decided on my first pistol purchase: CZ SP-01.

I also considered the tactical but I have no experience with a decocker and there doesnt seem to be any other difference between the two. USPSA competition sounds really interesting and it sounds like with a little tweaking the SP-01 can be a top production pistol. I don't have any desire to carry, so I don't need a compact. I think its a good fit. Credit to armoredman, burningsquirrel, and czguy... your posts have been a wealth of knowledge and a joy to read.

What does the board say? Good choice for a newbie?

Thanks,
Matt
 
I'm not too keen on this choice for a newbie.

If the trigger reach isn't too bad for you, great. If it is, consider the decocking version, as that puts the trigger a little bit closer to you.

Keep in mind, to lower the hammer on the other model you'll have to pull the trigger while controling the hammer. If you slip, it'll go "Bang!" really loud.

Also keep in mind that if you're done shooting, but still have ammo in the gun, you'll need to decock or apply the safety (depending which model you get) before the gun is safe.

If it were a Glock/XD/ M&P all you'd need to do is take your finger off the trigger. (those 3 guns are kicking ass in competition, btw)

.
 
Falling in love with a pistol because you like the feel of it is only a first step in the courtship. Performance is the key ... both yours and the firearm's. You need to determine whether you can fire it with accuracy, whether you can handle its recoil consistently, whether you can load it and unload with speed and precision, etc. And to do that, you need to take the gun to the range and run it through its paces.

See if you can find a range locally that rents pistols, and the CZed in particular. If not, find or make a friend who has one. Then run the gun through its paces. Next, compare it to other handguns, just so that you know when you are finished that this is, indeed, the right gun for you.

Don't allow anyone on a gun board to make that decision for you. It's a decision that you have to make yourself, and it's best that you have more to go on than love at first sight.
 
Make sure you fire the CZ with the hammer DOWN, then the follow up shot.

Try doing it quickly. See how close your first and second shot are.

.
 
David E -

Thanks for the responses. You said "If it were a Glock/XD/ M&P all you'd need to do is take your finger off the trigger." If I had the non-decocker SP-01 would this be different? Also, are you referencing DA is your second post? I've shot a DA .357 magnum revolver and enjoyed and was much more accurate shooting it DA.

searcher thanks for the advice. I've shot a few glocks and think I'd prefer something heavier. None of the ranges around Nashville rent CZ's so far, and unfortunately I dont know anyone in the area who has one. I'll rent an M&P and try that out.
 
If he's not going to carry it, and it doesn't have a decocker, then there is no reason to lower the hammer, or to practice transitioning from single to double action. It would essentially be a single action pistol with a safety.

I think it's a good choice. if you like it, get it.
 
I think it is a good choice too, but why settle for SA only when you can have SA/DA in the same package? Decockers are not a bad thing.
 
You said "If it were a Glock/XD/ M&P all you'd need to do is take your finger off the trigger." If I had the non-decocker SP-01 would this be different?
Click to expand...

To make the gun safe, say for holstering, you'd need to engage the thumb safety. It's not a big deal.......until you forget to engage that safety! Of course, if you commit to the system, then problem solved.

Also, are you referencing DA is your second post? I've shot a DA .357 magnum revolver and enjoyed and was much more accurate shooting it DA.
Click to expand...

If you lower the hammer on your CZ and don't cock it first, your first shot will have a long, heavy DA trigger pull. Every shot after that will be much lighter and shorter. This is different from the revolver, in that all the shots were DA (unless you consciously decided to cock the hammer first) It's not impossible to master, but it takes more effort than a simpler mechanism as embodied in the XD/M&P/Glock. Again, not a problem if you're going to commit to the system.

Part of my point was to make sure the gun fits your hand with hammer down, or hammer back with safety engaged. Many folks that like the initial feel of the CZ are disappointed to discover they can't reliably reach the thumb safety when engaged, or the DA trigger pull is too far. If these are not an issue for you and you'll dedicate to the CZ system, then it's not a bad choice at all.

.
 
My first handgun was/is a 1911, I never have had a problem remembering to apply the thumb safety and the hammer has never gotten away from me decocking. The most important thing for a first pistol and every one after that is its allways loaded and ready to fire no matter what position the safeties are in. As long as you handle accordingly it will offer fun, security, piece of mind, etc.
 
There is not a thing wrong with a P-01 for your first handgun. CZ's are great pistols, I have 75B and 75 PCR. Both are great guns and I'm just as accurate with each as I am my Glock's, XD, or M&P's. Despite what others will tell you, carrying "cocked & locked" is no more dangerous than carrying decocked or a Glock with no manual safety. The DA pull on the CZ decocker models is very smooth, not as nice as the SA pull, but still very manageable. My first and second shoots are very close together (<0.5" @ 15yrds rapid fire double taps) with my PCR. It took a little practice, but after a couple hundred rounds it's very natural. I prefer the SA trigger, but I got such a good deal on the PCR that I could not pass it up. Very high quality pistols, just get out and practice with it and you'll be fine. If you are interested in IDPA, IPSC, or USPSA, a P-01 or 75B will work great. Check out the CZ forum for more details.
 
Decockers are fine if you never use one without them. My bud found out the hard way and had to patch a hole in his PU. Glad I was not riding with him-lol. I will take the old traditional way of lowering the hammer and returning it to half cock. Hmmm, did I mention that Glocks/etc. don't have a half cock safety, or grip safety, or thumb safety. Just causing waves, wc
 
My son carries one in a HBE IWB holster and it is a great selection. Good luck with it.
 
Are you talking about the alloy-framed compact P-01 or the all-steel full-sized 75 SP-01? There seems to be a bit of confusion.

I'd suggest the 75 SP-01 or even the SAO 75. Mastering a DA/SA trigger for fast-paced competition is a bit of a hurdle for someone who is new to pistol shooting in my opinion.

As far as CZs for competition shooting, check out the Shadow model. I'm not sure about avalability in the US, but it's pretty much all tricked-out right out of the box. You'll pay a bit more if you can find one, but it is SLICK.

get_img.php


http://www.czub.cz/index.php?p=32&idp=1&ids=3&idz=208&lang=en
 
small update:

handled a sp-01, 75 compact, and a 75 tactical sport at the store.

I'm concerned about the trigger reach on the sp-01. I'm not entirely sure how to gauge whether or not its too far. It seemed to be perfect (the pad of my index finger under my nail on top of the trigger) but I my grip might have be off-center in the grove between my index finger and thumb.

The 75 Compact was nice but I didnt think there was that much of a difference in trigger reach, surprisingly.

And after pulling the 2.5# trigger on the 75 TS anything else is obviously inferior!

Kind of Blued- I think the Shadow is a great idea but its a lot of dough for a starter pistol. I was thinking start off with the regular SP-01 and get the Shadow upgrades one by one as I learn what they are and why they are important.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top