Cz rami cgw vs sphinx sub compact

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pfisto22

New member
Ok so I believe I have narrowed my next purchase down to the Rami with a CGW pro mod and the Sphinx Sub compact. The Rami will end up costing a little bit more but cost is not going to be a factor here. My concerns are the Sphinx Sub has many posts about jamming then having to go back for a barraell replacement then all is good but man what a sweet feeling and looking gun. The Rami with a CGW mod well that speaks for itself. I am hoping someone has some experience with both. I understand I probably won't make a bad choice with either but wanted to hear some comments from you folks.
Thanks in advance
 
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I believe the CZ can be carried in either condition 1 or 2 (if not the BD version), but the Sphinx is limited to condition 2 carry.
 
CZ

I like the Cz rami, because I have fairly large hands and it fits my hand very well. I shoot one handed an this gun is great, good sights and a solidly built gun.
 
My choice is and would be a Sphinx Sub-compact. The Rami is a 10+1 gun while the SDP Sub-Compact is a 13+1. Both can use extended mags. They both weight about the same and are the same size roughly.

If I were you I would call David and ask his opinion. I talked with him about the SDP Compact vs the P07 with his Pro Grade upgrade. After speaking with him at length I went with his suggestion of a SDP with his spring kit.

Overall the Sphinx is superior to the CZ in terms of machining, fit, finish and overall quality. Even a cajuinized CZ is not the same as a Sphinx in terms of overall quality. The other thing to remember you can also send David a Sphinx for even more fine tuning.

I would ask those who have posted in this thread how many of you guys/gals have shot a Sphinx Sub-compact? Have you shot a Cajuinzed CZ Rami or other Cajuinzed CZ. If you have why do you consider the Rami superior.
 
For me personally I was not that impressed by the Sphinx. Even with a CGW spring kit the trigger was frankly subpar in DA. The SA was nice though. Mags and other accessories are easier to find for the CZ. Yes you can find Sphinx mags on occasion and there are alternatives you can use, but even calling Kriss multiple times and they have no idea when more mags, accessories, or even replacement backstrap might come into country, whereas with CZ I have many readily available options and can order really any replacement part from either CZ direct or CGW or CZ Custom. There are also more holsters currently for CZ and I still haven't seen Sphinx night sights yet in stock (you can argue if those are necessary but I as a consumer want them). I do think the machining on the Sphinx is superior, but the newer CZ P-01 I picked up is quite nice out of box and the DA trigger is far better than my stock Compact. I also had multiple failures to eject with my Sphinx Compact using Blazer Brass and American Eagle. The gun is sprung very stiff from factory and likely needs a good break in period. I have never had any such issues with any CZ I owned. The reports of the problems with the Sphinx subcompacts also give me some pause. This is just my experience.
 
For me personally I was not that impressed by the Sphinx. Even with a CGW spring kit the trigger was frankly subpar in DA. The SA was nice though. Mags and other accessories are easier to find for the CZ. Yes you can Sphinx mags on occasion and there are alternatives you can use, but even calling Kriss multiple times and they have no idea when more mags, accessories, or even replacement backstrap might come into country. I do think the machining on the Sphinx is superior, but the newer CZ P-01 I picked up is quite nice out of box. I also had multiple failures to eject with my Sphinx Compact using Blazer Brass and American Eagle. The gun is sprung very stiff from factory and likely needs a good break in period. I have never had any such issues with any CZ I owned. The reports of the problems with the Sphinx subcompacts also give me some pause. This is just my experience.
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I hear you and all of that is valid. I own a Compact & a Sub Compact. I was able to get 4 extra mags for each with a little poking around. I did send my subcompact back to the factory. There was a run of early serial numbered guns which had some issues. I don't know the exact numbers but people with newer sub compacts are not reporting the issues that the older ones had.

I personally have never been a big fan of the Rami. It had a lot of issues IIRC back when it was new. It is my understanding that they have been worked out and I would certainly trust any gun send to David to run 100%. If it didn't I know he would make it right.

I think the Sphinx does need to be broken in. I think full powered NATO 124grs or equivalent are a good choice. The DA on both of my guns are excellent. The Sub-compact is actually better than the Compact.

I think with any manufacturer there will be some variance from pistol to pistol. It has certainly been my experience that some CZs cam a lot more than others.

In the end both would be a fine choice. One of the advantages of the CZ at this time is night sights as there are none for the Sphinx.
 
And I'm more than willing to entertain the notion that mine may well have been a less than desirable sample. I've only owned one after all. I'd also suggest a P-01 or Compact instead because either carries pretty well and if you can deal with the size I think they're also a bit better balanced.

I would also suggest that if having CGW parts installed it's likely a lot less hassle to have David do the whole thing (though I don't believe he is taking in new guns over the holidays). My experience with working on CZ internals is that there is enough variation in the parts to require minor fitting in some instances. David is kind enough that if there is a part that needs fitting you can describe the problem to him and he'll either send you instructions or you can send the part back to him. Still, might make life easier to just have him do it from the start (which sounds like the plan anyway).
 
Wow all really great feedback. Right now I have a custom commander in 45 caspian,kart barell all done up by evolution gun works a really great shooter but yes a bit heavy but carries real nice in a custom delfatte IWB. So what I was looking to do was pick up a 9mm in sub compact. I really like the feel of sub from sphinx and have not held the rami but the extra mag extender looks like a nice option. I am really drawn to the craftmanship of the sphinx maybe because of the watch comparisons as I am a little bit of a watch nut. And also I do like the part of having something that is not all over the place, what I don't want is a 1k dollar gun that has issues. I have spoken to CGW and I am concerned about the issue of not having parts when and if they are needed. I realize there is no magic answer and there are lemons in every aspect of anything we buy but forums like this help make these type of decisions more knowledgable.
 
Wow all really great feedback. Right now I have a custom commander in 45 caspian,kart barell all done up by evolution gun works a really great shooter but yes a bit heavy but carries real nice in a custom delfatte IWB. So what I was looking to do was pick up a 9mm in sub compact. I really like the feel of sub from sphinx and have not held the rami but the extra mag extender looks like a nice option. I am really drawn to the craftmanship of the sphinx maybe because of the watch comparisons as I am a little bit of a watch nut. And also I do like the part of having something that is not all over the place, what I don't want is a 1k dollar gun that has issues. I have spoken to CGW and I am concerned about the issue of not having parts when and if they are needed. I realize there is no magic answer and there are lemons in every aspect of anything we buy but forums like this help make these type of decisions more knowledgable.
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My sub-compact was back to me in 14 calendar days. They replaced the barrel, slide stop, pivot and guide rod. They also replaced the rear sight which had a tool mark on it. Runs 100% since returning.
 
I have spoken to CGW and I am concerned about the issue of not having parts when and if they are needed.
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Did you mean to say Sphinx? I'm not aware of David being out of parts for either anything he manufactures or stock CZ parts that he carries.
 
Right now I have a custom commander in 45 caspian,kart barell all done up by evolution gun works a really great shooter but yes a bit heavy but carries real nice in a custom delfatte IWB.
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Friend, I seriously question whether what you want is going to be as good as what you already have! EGW's first shop was literally right down the street from where I used to live, and they used to work on some of my guns back when they were still doing gunsmithing and building comp and race guns. George Smith the EGW owner, knows more about the 1911 than anybody, and a nice guy to talk to!
 
Yes I am not trying to replace my 45 just want to get something a bit smaller with more rounds. George is a great guy as you have said.
And yes I meant Sphinx
 
My friend has a P-01 that has the Custom Shop trigger job & the Short Reset Trigger System (SRTS) and it also has the Trijicon NS installed, the short reset trigger and a better sight system are "IMHO" the only P-01 improvements you would ever need, the DA and SA are superb, and that is one of the nicest carry guns i've ever had fun shooting!

As much as I like the P-01 in general, and my friend's in particular, me and my big hands have never been a big fan of the CZ RAMI, the polymer frame variants had a warping / bulging problem a few years back and this was really just a cosmetic problem but the polymer framed RAMIs have been discontinued, these are now all alloy framed. I have no experience with any SPHINX pistols, so I can't comment on those.
 
To expand on the +1 vote for the Rami I will now give my reasons. I own a Sphinx SDP compact (w/CGW spring kit) and a P-01 I upgraded with parts from CGW.

The fit and finish of the Sphinx is absolutely great, but even with the spring kit the trigger isn't anywhere near my P-01. The lack of spare parts, no sight options, limited holster options and the previous track record of the Sphinx subcompact pushes me toward the CZ's. I do like the forward facing decocker on the Sphinx better than the rear facing lever on the P-01/BD. But, for me if I did buy a Rami I would personally opt for the safety model.

The increased capacity of the Sphinx sub doesn't bother me as my usual carry is a G26 that also is 10+1. There are also a number of extended magazines to use with the Rami if one wanted more capacity. Also, if you are carrying a reload magazine carrying a full size CZ or Mec-Gar mag is a great option. You can do most of this with the Sphinx as well. When I do carry my SDP Compact my reload is a 17 round Mec-Gar magazine with a Sp-01 base pad.
 
The Rami is a 10+1 gun while the SDP Sub-Compact is a 13+1.
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This, at least in part, is due to the Sphinx being substantially taller than the CZ. The CZ is awfully big for a subcompact; the Sphinx is, overall, no smaller.
 
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