Didn't like my SP-01

W

wild cat mccane

New member
Hi all,

There is a lot of people hyping the SP-01 online, so I thought I would throw my brief counter dislike for the SP-01. I bought the Tactical.

I admit it was nice, but has some immediate flaws.

1. "night sights" is being generous. They were not bright at all. Looking around, that appears to be noted by actual owners.
2. CZ's small slide grip areas can't be overstated enough. With small hands, even I had an extremely difficult time using the two only areas you can physically rack the slide.
3. Trigger-good gosh does that double action take some strength :) Reset in single action is handily beat by the PPQ.
4. Decocker is actually nice except that puppy goes 2xs longer than you think it will to actually decock.
5. Everywhere talks about the weight. It might weight a lot comparatively, but holding it, it isn't heavy. Meh. I wasn't looking at the ounces, so I still don't know where it sits. I was expecting heavier.

Feature for feature, I admit it is one great choice in a limited field. I didn't hate it, but for me, it didn't live up to the hype. What would? I am not sure anything can match :)

Thanks
 
Most everything you mention you do not like about the SP01 could have been determined by simply handling and dry firing at a LGS before purchase.

But how do you like shooting the SP01 and how many rounds have you put through it? To me, that is where the SP01 really shines and where the extra weight and size matters making it a very pleasant pistol to shoot with excellent accuracy and very fast back on target.
 
Ultimately, this is a 40-year old design, and what the OP notes as "flaws" are for the most part, unfair or subjective comparisons against more modern designs with lighter polymer frames, constant-action triggers (that double-action trigger is heavy for a reason), and, in many cases, overly-aggressive slide serrations and grips.

The only real "flaw" I can gather from the original post are dim night sights. Everything else are features endemic to this design. Whether you objectively like them are not can easily be determined by a little research and handling.
 
wild cat mccane said:
CZ's small slide grip areas can't be overstated enough. With small hands, even I had an extremely difficult time using the two only areas you can physically rack the slide.
Click to expand...
If you're not already doing this...
  • When retracting the slide, try the "overhand" method (grabbing with the ball of your palm and all fingertips, with your thumb towards you) rather than the "slingshot" method (thumb and forefinger). I find the overhand method easier to use on pistols with limited grasping surfaces. FWIW some shooters have a problem with keeping the muzzle pointed downrange when using the overhand method; to mitigate this, try rotating your upper body towards the pistol as you grasp it.
  • Cock the hammer first.
 
I just got one of these also. As far as the sights I ordered new Dawson's from CGW, put Dawson's on my PPQ as well factory sights didn't work for me. The grips changing to ones that suit me better. Will be sending to CGW for the Pro Package next month. In general I like the feel of the gun better than a lot I looked at and I had a lot of out before I picked this one.
 
As I stated, I didn't hate it. It just didn't live up to the internet hyping going around.

Oh. Missed one. The SP-01 comes with a cheaper hammer than the P-09-a cheaper gun. The SP-01 Shadow at 2xs the price comes with the hammer of the P-09 (at least the shape). So I know it isn't me just being knit picky here. :)

(Yes, the TS comes with the same hammer shape as the SP-01, but the TS hasn't been updated since 06). The Tactical Orange comes with the newer hammer too.
 
Oh. Missed one. The SP-01 comes with a cheaper hammer than the P-09-a cheaper gun. The SP-01 Shadow at 2xs the price comes with the hammer of the P-09 (at least the shape). So I know it isn't me just being knit picky here.
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No it's not the same hammer. The P09 has the "Omega" hammer that is only the similar shape at the exposed end. The more expensive Shadows come with the CZ Custom competition hammer and the fitting that goes along with installing it.
 
Hi wild cat mccane,

Most of us have bought guns that came with buyer's remorse.

Shoot your SP-01. You might grow to love it. If not, you could sell it.
 
I have a 75B 9mm and a P-01, both superb firearms regardless of what I paid for them. The SP-01 with the 18 round mags is another one that I should have bought when I lived in PA and could legally transfer it to CO where I live now, which has a 15 round mag limit.
 
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SA1911 said:
Most of us have bought guns that came with buyer's remorse.

Shoot your SP-01. You might grow to love it. If not, you could sell it.
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^^^ This.

I used to own a S&W Model 3904 that I bought because it met all the requirements I thought I wanted in a carry gun. However, I never liked shooting it, and I could never shoot it particularly well. I sold it and I'm glad I did.

It happens. Don't stress over it.
 
Sorry I think you're knit picking, the SP01 is used in competition all over the country. The trigger you don't like can be resolved easily to a wonderful trigger, the rest of the things you don't like are subjective issues.

My guess you thought the SP01 was a "Wilson Combat" that costs under $600. I own a CZ P01, P10c, P07 and all are great guns and the SP01 is a fine gun and it's the next gun I'll buy.

You're talking about guns that more military and police have than any other gun world wide and the most copied gun other than the 1911.

If you want a trigger like the PPQ just buy a PPQ and sell your SP01. Life is short.

I'd do a little more testing on anything you think you want to buy though. You need to decide what you call hype. I've read reams on the CZ's and I don't think there's a bunch of hype at all. My guns live up to everything I've read about them.
 
You're talking about guns that more military and police have than any other gun world wide
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The CZ website says it is "used by more governments, militaries, police, and security agencies than any other pistol in the world."

I don't believe it. I bet Glock is more popular.
 
The CZ website says it is "used by more governments, militaries, police, and security agencies than any other pistol in the world."

I don't believe it. I bet Glock is more popular.
Click to expand...

I agree with you. CZ might be used by a larger number of governments/militaries/police/agencies but they are small ones. In sheer numbers of pistols - Glock, probably Beretta, and maybe others far exceed CZ IMO.
 
Andrewsky said:
The CZ website says it is "used by more governments, militaries, police, and security agencies than any other pistol in the world."

I don't believe it. I bet Glock is more popular.
Click to expand...

If you count CZ clones, I'd wager it is true they are used by more departments/militaires/etc worldwide. I'd also guess, though, that those are much smaller contracts than the ones Glock has, so sheer number of handguns you're probably right.
 
Hal's pat pending list of questions to ask when thinking of selling or trading anything.

Do you like it? Yes or no?
If the answer is no - then sell or trade it or give it away.
It really makes no sense to tie up money & space on something you don't like ---ok, well,,,relatives maybe,,,that all depends..

If the answer is - yes, go to the next question..
Next - Do you need the money or space or whatever other resource it's taking up?
If the answer to that is no - then go to the next question..
Next - Are you getting rid of the item to cause peace in the family/relationship?


The list goes on and on and one day I might just create a flow chart to cover as many possibilities as I can.

Here though - the title says it all - you don't like it.
Period, end of story/discussion, sell, trade or give it away & use whatever you get out of it for something that will give your little heart the piddy-pats.
Life's too short to hang on the stuff you don't like & that have no sentimental strings.
 
Sorry you don't like it.

I have bought a number of guns that I ended up not liking.

And, I don't like any CZ handgun...but that is just me...I also have no use for any Sig...except the 238 /938...here again, just me.
 
While I love my CZ's, I get what your saying. Sometimes they work for you and sometimes they don't. For me, love the way they feel, and I just happen to shoot them better than any other 9mm, except for my FEG HiPower clone which shoots the same for me.
 
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