First Malfunction with CZ SP01

T

Tucker 1371

New member
Today I decided to see how my new CZ75 SP01 would work with my carry ammo, 124gr Federal HSTs (standard pressure). I loaded up 18+1 and proceeded to fire. Can't quite recall but I believe it was round number 3 that took a nose dive in the magazine and created a nasty failure to feed. Stripped the magazine out, fixed the rounds in the magazine and fired the remaining rounds with zero issues.

My round count is 119, malfunction occurred at either 102 or 103. Is this just part of the break in period for this pistol? A magazine issue? Do CZs not like this particular type of ammo? Any and all constructive input welcome, thanks!
 
Being so low round count, I would say your gun is still in the break-in period, but being hollow points that failed, it may just not like that particular bullet. Also it could be user induced. When loading your mags, make sure you fully seat the cartridges rearward. When you are done loading them, give them a hard slap or two to your hand or a table or other hard surface, to help make sure the rounds are fully seated rearward. See if this helps any when shooting those hollow points.

Also I advise not carrying/relying on a particular cartridge type if it has causes malfunctions. You may want to shoot these more and see how they feed a bit more before trusting them.

Also make sure you aren't limp wristing

This should about sum it up. If you continue to have issues with that style HP or any other HP, consider trying a different magazine or contacting CZ about the issue. Or try a different type of hollow point.
 
I do think it's entirely possible that I limp wristed it. I like the grip and it feels good in my hand but I'm still getting used to it.

Also it could be user induced. When loading your mags, make sure you fully seat the cartridges rearward.
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(facepalm):o Probably forgot to do that.

I'm going to put another 70-80 rounds of FMJ through it tomorrow, see if it crops up again. I don't have enough of the HSTs to burn to establish whether or not it likes the ammo. I know, that's not very smart on my part but I do plan to test it as money allows.
 
It sounds like a magazine-related issue, and NOT a gun issue.

Limp-wristing doesn't typically cause rounds to nose dive... (and I'm not sure it can...) Bad springs do, and that doesn't seem likely with a new mag. Mark your mags so you CAN isolate a problem mag (or, in this case, a problem mag spring).

Could have been a "loading" issue as already noted and acknowledged... Those jagged edges of the bullet nose can cause problems, sometimes, too.
 
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Tucker 1371 said:
I do think it's entirely possible that I limp wristed it. I like the grip and it feels good in my hand but I'm still getting used to it.
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You typically can't limpwrist a steel framed gun like the SP-01, as the heavy frame has enough inertia to let the slide cycle. It's more likely just the typical break-in.
 
Good to go. From what I gather everyone else's CZ seems to work well with this ammo. Just unloaded both of my magazines and there is quite a bit of black grease in each of them. Doesn't smell like gunpowder and has a slightly different texture. Clean it out or leave it?

And thanks for the info everyone. Didn't know limp wristing was an issue mainly with polymer framed guns.
 
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It is probably grease from the factory that has accumulated carbon residue from shooting the gun, and turned black. I would clean your mags out (especially if they can be taken apar) and then coat the inside with gun oil. This should keep the metal from oxidizing and also keep everything lubricated so it functions correctly. You don't want so much that it is dripping out, just enough for a light coating over everything
 
It was a magazine problem I'm guessing. The stock SP-01 factory magazine's springs are know to be a bit weak. If you plan to buy extra mags buy the standard and much cheaper Mec-Gar 16, 17, or 19 round magazines.

And, I've tested 124 gr HST's in most of my CZ's as its my normal carry ammo as well.
 
100% functionality is an impossibility.

Random fluke malfunctions will happen (rarely) even in an otherwise flawless gun.


If this problem happens again, it may be indicative of a problem with that ammo.


Repeated malfunctions are an indication of an acute issue. The same problem spaced farther apart could indicate a slight out of spec somewhere.


Random non repeating malfunctions just happen from time to time. Most malfunctions can be traced to a root cause though, ammo, magazine, or other things.
 
So I cleaned the factory grease and gunk out of the magazines and used a brush to apply a light coat of frog lube (I use FP10 on the gun itself).

Took her out shooting today and did a little test. Since I'm short on HSTs I loaded the top three sounds of both magazines with HSTs and the rest FMJ. Did this test twice and encountered zero issues. After flipping through the owners manual I discovered that CZ recommends cleaning and lubing everything before you shoot so I believe dirty magazines may have been the cause of my stoppage.

Regardless, I think the magazine springs feel much weaker than an 18 round magazine should. Certainly weaker than my Canik. Im considering replacing the factory ones with Wolff extra power springs. What say you?
 
18rds is a very high capacity. When I am just shooting, I only load 5-10rds in each of my mags, for one to conserve on ammo, and for two, because it may help your accuracy only knowing you have so few shots to try and accomplish what you want to accomplish. If I were you, when plinking or target shooting I would load less ammo in the mags, this may even help your springs to last longer.

My 1911 mags hold 7rds, I usually load em with 5, unless I have it in my night stand for home defense, then I will load 6 and have a spare loaded with 6 more next to it.

My Walther PPQ .40 holds 11, I also load it with 5 when target shooting, but when concealed carrying I load 11 in the mag, chamber 1, and have 10 available in the mag.

An automatic pistols main factor of reliability is the magazine, and good ones aren't cheap, so I like to NOT wear mine out.

Now if you want to buy some extra power mag springs, I say go ahead, but I would keep them handy and not even install them until your mags start to give you issues.

Why fix what isn't broken?

I am weird, I know; but I just don't like risking wearing my stuff out. I would say your 18rd mags and springs should last a long time, even if you keep them loaded with 18rds at all times, I just don't want to have to order replacements in the future when they may not be available
 
Well I had a purpose for topping off the magazines, to replicate the malfunction I had the other day. I plan to continue shooting with topped off magazines until I can establish the reliability of the gun and its magazines when loaded as I would carry it.
 
Yeah, every CZ I got came covered in that thick grease. I always wipe it off with some alcohol then re-lube it properly before the first range trip.

When testing JHPs, I typically only put in 6 of them in each mag - the first two, the last two, and a few in the middle. The rest are FMJs.

I figure that most feed issues happen in the first or last rounds of the mag, when tension is the strongest or weakest. The couple thrown in the middle are just a spot check.
 
As Walt said, mark your mags so you can identify any mag-specific problem.

Is your feed ramp rough? If so, polishing it might help.

Did you clean your mags? Every new CZ mag I've bought was caked with a tacky protectorant. After dissembling each mag, removing the protectorant with 91% isopropanol, and polishing them inside and out with car wax, all mags now drop free, they feed flawlessly, and I have yet to need to retreat them, as buffed wax does not attract dirt.
 
Yes, mags have been cleaned since the first malfunction (not before). Tested it using magazine loaded with 15 115 gr FMJs in the bottom and 3 124gr HSTs in the top, fed and fired all of it just fine. Taking it to the range again today to put some more FMJ through it.

I don't have the tools or skills to polish things like the feed ramp on a pistol, I've done a little of my own trigger work on my M1A but that's about it.
 
I don't have the tools or skills to polish things like the feed ramp on a pistol, I've done a little of my own trigger work on my M1A but that's about it.
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If it doesn't look like it needs it, it likely doesn't. I haven't had a pistol yet in 60+ that needed special polishing on the feedramp, though I have seen folks do it to ensure functioning. Most newer CZs seem to have fairly smooth feed ramps, and the design is such that the bullet touches just below the chamber entrance, meaning the cartridge doesn't really have to climb the feedramp like on a 1911 (which was designed around ball ammunition, or so I believe). If you do go that route, I strongly suggest against using tools. If it's so poor that you can feel machine marks, call the manufacturer at that point. Otherwise just use a little polish and a cotton cloth. And again, I don't even go that far.
 
I'm definitely leaning towards dirty magazines being the cause of that one oddbal malfunction. And I won't be doing any feed ramp polishing any time soon. Thanks for the replies y'all!
 
Clean the mags, degrease them and RUN THEM DRY.

They do not need liquid lubrication, in fact, lube will attract and hold grit that causes problems.

Check the follower for nubs or rough sports. Sand them smooth, but don't alter form.
 
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