Love the one your with?

[EvilGenius]

Doodoodootdootdootdoot doo-doo

My main carry gun is a Steyr S9-A1 with a viridian C5L. Fits my hand like a glove, I like the sights. Have owned it for almost a year with north of 500rds with only one FTF that was ammo related (old reloaded ammo purchased from gunshow that the bullet was mutilated when pressed in). I think it fits me well. It think it's a good design.


But I want a CZ P-01 something fierce.

My first hangun/carry gun was an RIA 1911 5" that I still have and other than borrowing guns at the range from buddies it's my only other ownership experience. From that I determined I wanted something shorter in length (grip and barrel), greater capacity, light capable and I had decided it was to be a polymer pistol. I also had convinced myself it couldn't be a DA/SA because supposedly they're hard to train for and "people tend to jerk the first shot under stress" but I'm wondering just how true that is.

My only real complaint about the steyr is that they have an issue where if the slide is ridden home or pushed back while holstered, etc. It tends to hang up in what looks like slightly out of battery. However this does not prevent the gun from firing. It just changes the 4lb trigger pull to about 8-10 lbs and if you watch the slide while pulling the trigger it will click intk battery before the trigger breaks. In the almost 12 months I've had it for daily carry I've caught it in this position twice. Supposedly it gets better as the gun wears in. It certainly is harder to get the gun to reproduce the issue deliberately than when I first got it.


Do I have enough reason to switch to something other than the Steyr?

Are the merrits of the CZ enough reason to do so?

Or am I just bored and looking for a shiny new toy?

 

[LKLive13]

Sometimes we all look for a reason to buy a new gun...lol! I would say that if the gun is reliable, does not fail on you, and you like it for EVERYDAY CARRY then you are good to go. On the other hand, it never hurts to branch out if you have the income to do so. I went through 4 guns before I settled on the XD-9 for my EDC.

 

[Plan2Live]

I would suggest you seek out a good local instructor and see just how good you can get with your existing gun. If you get the proper training and perform enough drills you will find out if you or the gun have any weaknesses.

Too many people focus on hardware and not enough on software.

With all that said, keep in mind that there is no such thing as a "perfect" gun, regardless of what is stamped on the slide. All guns have some form of compromise or trade off. Again, focus on your gun handling skills first and that will show you if any weaknesses exist in your exisiting hardware.

 

[tarosean]

Do I have enough reason to switch to something other than the Steyr?

You don't need a single reason to try other guns. You only live once, and the clocks already ticking...

 

[Hometeached1]

Since your Steyr works and fits your hand I'd say keep it and use the money on ammo/training... but I'm always looking for a reason to get a new firearm.

On the DA/SA being hard, it not that hard just spend some time firing DA then SA decock repeat. Seems like most the people who have trouble with DA/SA were the same ones eating crayons in second grade.

 

[viking499]

Never had a Steyr, but the P-01 is a sweet shooting pistol.

 

[Sam1911]

If you can avoid getting rid of the pistol you're familiar with, go ahead and try others. Just be objective, give each one a term of dedicated practice (don't flip flop...stick to the new one for a few months of regular work) and then compare your proficiency with the new one against a known standard test you've performed with the Steyr. (I use the IDPA "Classifier" course of fire, but there are simpler tests.)

Then you'll know for real whether polymer works for you and/or if a DA/SA trigger is something that slows you down or doesn't matter.

Many shooters go through life bouncing from one gun to another without any hard measure of how well, or poorly, they're able to RUN that gun. They'll eventually decide that they can shoot a tight group with it, on the 'square range,' given no time pressure, so one's as good as the other.

 

[MikePGS]

If you can afford a new pistol and want one, just go ahead and buy it.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

No reason not to try new things

 

[Girodin]

Personally I prefer my Steyrs to my CZs.

I wouldn't get rid of a viable and proven gun in search of a new flavor of the week when it comes to carry/defensive guns. The time, money and effort is typically better spent on ammo, and/or training for the proven gun you have.

For a while I was really big on acquiring different types of guns and just loved to get something new. There are still guns I like to own just to own and a few that I still want to get just to have an exemplar in my collection. Its been nice because although I have samples of 1-3 for most of them I have been able to compare and contrast and get a sense of what I like and dislike about a bunch of different guns. I own handguns from: Colt, steyr, glock, S&W, CZ, Kahr, Ruger, Sig, H&K, Browning, Beretta,etc, etc. I few things it has lead me to conclude:

Anyone that says there is one obvious best is best ignored.

People that talk about A being so clearly better than B typically don't know what they are talking about and are best ignored.

There are lots of guns from lots of makers that are more than up to the job if the shooter is.

Personal preference is often the deciding factor between them.

Buy a glock 19 and be done with it.*

*There are some guns that in straight comparison of just the gun I like more. One is the Steyr. I like just about everything about it slightly more. However, I typically give the edge to glock for the strong after market support. I would be just as happy with an M&P or Walther PPQ though. I'd be okay saying get an M&P or a PPQ and be done with it.

My personal choice between the two guns you have listed is the Steyr, without question. A lot of that is my preferences. I typically prefer a striker fired gun to DA/SA. I think the slide on the CZ in question is harder to get good purchase on in drills. I find the steyr to be a softer flatter shooter and thus quicker. I think this is a result of a very low bore axis and the grip angle and shape.

I'd not feel under armed with either but I wouldn't switch from the steyr to the CZ.

If you just want something new to have it then go for it. If you budget is limited you would likely be much better served to put that money towards a quality pistol class. By the time one gets a new gun, a holster, mag pouches, mags, and makes any changes to the pistol (sights, grips, trigger work, etc) the investment can be significant and easily pay for training with a great instructor.

A cheaper alternative the to the CZ P01 are the Canik 55 C stingray and the tristar guns. These guns are getting rave reviews and I've been impressed with what I've seen of them. Many CZ owners find they compare very favorably to their CZs and that is setting aside cost as a factor. For the $350 or so they sale for they are real steals. If you want to carry it I'd get the tri star version as it has an alloy frame. The stingray with its steel frame is a very stout pistol and when I first picked it up its weight surprised me. I've seen a number of people comment on the weight upon first holding it.

One of the Turkish clones might be a good way to just get your hands on something new.

 

[kilibreaux]

Steyr makes great guns...quality front to back.

CZ makes OUTSTANDING guns....if you want to know who makes the best guns in the world look toward CZ...seriously.

On the other hand, RIA makes pistols that get rave reviews for out of the box reliability...sure it's a 100+ year old design, but clearly the fact that it's still around means something.

I wouldn't dump the Steyr just for another gun...(well actually I would), but I'd ask myself if the "other" gun brought more to the playing field.

 

[bannockburn]

I have both and wouldn't trade out either one for another gun. Both fit my hand perfectly but in different ways (the Steyr feels like I'm slipping my hand into a glove, the CZ like its big brother is a Browning Hi-Power), both are accurate but with different sight systems, and both operate similarly but with different trigger designs.

 

[1911 guy]

Since you like the Steyr so well, don't ditch it as a carry gun. Yet. Go pick up a CZ and wring it out. If you've got the cash to spare, scratch the itch.

See how it stacks up, not just on paper but also in your hands, against the Steyr. Carry the better of the two, not the shiny new one. Better, of course, being an entirely subjective and individual decision.

 

[EvilGenius]

Curse you guys for being so level headed and logical. lol

I have already had formal trainign for pistol shooting and shot a couple of IDPA events, but with the 1911. As much as I want a CZ, I figure I should give the Steyr a few rounds in competition first and see how it really does when I'm not just shooting targets square.

 

[Devonai]

As Mike said, if you can afford it, go for it. As for the DA/SA issue, I've practiced the transition with my Beretta 92FS, and the Air Force requires a certain number of DA shots for the M9 qual course. In my opinion the problem is often overstated, and the extra time required for an accurate DA shot only adds a few tenths of a second.

That being said, I would cock the hammer if I thought I had time, especially if my target is over 15 meters away.

 

[9 fingers]

"He who dies with the most toys wins"........
I have a CZ 75B and have thought about getting a Steyr Ma1, not as a replacement but just to try something new. I have no idea if I like it as I have never seen one in a shop. If you want a new toy then get a new toy. I have also looked at the Canik guns but the note on BudsGunShop website scares me a bit, the one about if you have any trouble with the gun we will replace it or fix it HERE at Buds. Do they need to provide this just in case you get a dog? Also, on the Canik website it says it is important to carry the gun in a holster so there are no finish problems...........do we have flaking chrome plating or am I reading too much into this? I wanted a new toy too so on Friday I ordered one of those Zastava M88a 9mm pistols from JG Sales. I know it will not be better than my 75B but it looks pretty cool and for $240 I get to try something new. Go for it.....you only live once.
9 fingers

 

[JDR]

Do I have enough reason to switch to something other than the Steyr?Are the merrits of the CZ enough reason to do so?

You are asking the wrong question in the wrong place if you're trying to get talked out of getting another gun! I like that Steyr but not nearly enough to give up my 75B. You never need a reason to try out a CZ! If you don't like the P01 you won't have a problem selling it off, these are like hen's teeth around here. That Steyr model is readily available at all of the toy stores in this neck of the woods!

 

[ChCx2744]

I was trying to figure out what all the doo doo was about, but then I realized you were replicating the text-version of Mariah Carey lol

As for your question, I stick with the one I have. If I have discretionary funds that permit me to buy another pistol, I may, but I'm comfortable with what I've got.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

Or am I just bored and looking for a shiny new toy

I've shot both and the CZ won out but I say if you can do the same thing shoot both side by side and you may want or not want the CZ afterwards.

 

[Girodin]

I have also looked at the Canik guns but the note on BudsGunShop website scares me a bit, the one about if you have any trouble with the gun we will replace it or fix it HERE at Buds. Do they need to provide this just in case you get a dog? Also, on the Canik website it says it is important to carry the gun in a holster so there are no finish problems...........do we have flaking chrome plating or am I reading too much into this?

I've yet to see a negative report on them. They have been around a while too.

I have already had formal trainign for pistol shooting and shot a couple of IDPA events, but with the 1911.

IMHO, training with a handgun, like most things, should be ongoing if one wants to be truly proficient. I don't believe it is a one and done type thing. Shooting skills have a shelf life. Furthermore, I could take the exact same pistol class from a quality instructor and take things away the second time that I did not pickup the first time. Often because you have built a base level of skills that can be refined and also because you are able to pick things up that you just didn't the first time.

With most modern quality pistols, most people will be better off putting time and money into getting better with what they have than adding something shinny and new and trying to learn that.

Now that said, sometimes it is fun to get a new gun, invest some time in learning it and compare and contrast. As I said earlier I have been there. Also sometimes it is nice just to own an exemplar of particular gun. Through the recent ammo shortages and due to time constraints I have narrowed down what I actually shoot very often. However, I still like owning certain pistols just to own them. I don't think there is a thing in the world wrong with that provided one is in a financial position to buy them (I cringe when people put an unneeded gun, or anything else on a credit card).