Sphinx Alpha Do Yourself a Favor and Check One Out!

[WVsig]

So I picked up a new Sphinx SDP Compact Alpha. This is a Swiss made guns from Sphinx imported by Kriss located in Virginia Beach, VA. Sphinx is known for high quality hand fitted raceguns like the 2000 and 3000 which cost upwards of $3000 when you can find them these days. This is their budget gun. If you can call a $850-$1000 polymer a budget gun.

Many people refer to these guns as CZ clones but I think that CZ inspired is a more accurate description. They have many similarities to the CZ pistols but they are more refined and elevated. They share characteristics like the internal rails which, even on the polymer Alpha, are alloy. They are hand fitted at a level that CZ has never done. Most manufacturers do not have this level of detail on production gun especially one at this price point. The build quality rivals that of HKs P7s and Sigs P210s. Honestly is it that good.

This gun has started to pick up some traction lately and after looking them over a few times over the last year I decide to pull the trigger. I debated back and forth between the Alpha and the Black models. The difference being the lower part of the frame on the Alpha is Polymer and the lower part of the frame on the Black is Alloy. I was able to find a good deal and got OTD under $850 shipped and transferred for the Alpha which was about $150 less than the best price I could find on the Black so I went with the Alpha. The other reason I went with the Alpha was because I had could not put my hands on a Black to test drive. The Alpha Compact’s specs can be seen here. http://www.sphinxarms.com/index.php/sdp-compact-line/sdp-compact-alpha-line/compact-alpha-9mm-da-sa

Quick run down it is a 3.7” barreled Compact pistol about the same size as a CZ P01. 7.4” long and about 5.35” high. Sight radius of 5.7”. Sights are contrast with blacked out wide rear with a front white dot. It comes with 3 grip modules, small medium and large which change the grips length and circumference of the gun. Each has a distinctive feel making is highly customizable to different hands and different grip styles.

So it arrived yesterday and to say that I am impressed with this gun would be an understatement. The build quality of this pistol is outstanding. I am a fit and finish guy. I am willing to pay a bit more for something that is beautifully built. There is just something about a nicely fitted pistol which warms my heart. This Swiss baby does not disappoint.

$850 is a lot to pay for a polymer gun. HKs are about the brand of poly pistol that can consistently command and get $800+for factory guns. One of the things which helps HK move those high priced ploy guns is their build quality. They are excellent IMHO the leader in polymer handgun quality in terms of fit and finish. Well that is what I used to think.

This gun is superior in terms of build quality over every other polymer pistol I have ever handled. It is amazing. It is custom 1911 tight. The slide glides along the internal rails. There is ZERO play in the slide. It is tight. So tight that when I first removed the slide for cleaning and inspection it required a little bit of force to get it moving. Once it was cleaned and lubed it simply glides on those rails. You can tell that the slide which is machined from steel billet has been hand fitted to match the full length guide rails, of the billet aluminum upper frame. Yes you read that correctly. This poly gun has aluminum rails.





The frame is a 2 part frame. The upper portion is made from billet aluminum. The lower can be poly, aluminum or steel. This is the only poly I know of with full length aluminum or steel rails. This really adds to the build quality feel of the gun but it does add some weight. The poly weights in at a little over 28oz. This is the same as many alloy framed guns of similar size from CZ, Sig and others. Depending on what you are looking for in a gun this might make it too heavy for carry. This is one of its only negatives that I have encountered so far.

All the internals are polished and finished. There are only a few tools marks in the muzzle area on the underside of the slide. They did however polish the underside of the slide where it contacts the frame reducing drag. I that internal tool marks do not matter in terms of function but it is nice to see a completely finished product. Too many manufacturers stopped doing this or never did it in the first place. There is a lot of hands on time in this gun. When I looked closely at this gun everywhere that one part contacts another while the gun is cycling is polished and fitted. That is a lot of quality in a sub $1000 gun IMHO.




The gun feels great in the hand. I have smaller hands and the small grip module fits great. It balances well very similar to alloy guns more than most poly frames due to the 2 part lower. Too often I find polys top heavy but that is because I cut my teeth on metal guns. IMHO YMMV.

The grips are great. I hate to talk ergonomics because they are so subjective but this gun feels great in the hand. It is perfect. The only criticism is that I wish the mag release was a little more extended. Also it is really stiff. I assume it will smooth itself out over time. The grips all add width but also have slightly different contours and palmswells. They are very well thought out. Should be able to fit 99% of shooters with one of the 3.

The trigger is excellent. It is smooth. It is a bit heavy it weighs in at 11.5lbs on my trigger scale avg of 5 pulls. The SA comes in at 5.1lbs again avg of 5 pulls. I am considering a $20 spring kit from Cajun guns works which should bring the DA under 10 and SA a bit under 5. The reset on the SA is short and sweet. The DA trigger is heavy but actually feels lighter because it is so smooth. No stack that I can detect. Just smooth until it breaks.
So now for the range report….

Unfortunately the weather gods of KY has been raining on my parade for the last 48 hours and look to continue to do so for the next 48-72. I will be getting out there as soon as humanly possible so I can test this thing out and will report back my impressions.

All I can offer is a few pics… If you have not checked one of these Sphinx pistols out yet do yourself a favor and take a look. A $800+ polymer is not for everyone but I think this one is a winner. When you compare it to what Sig, HK, Beretta and others are offering at the same price point IMHO this one blows them away.

 

[WVsig]

 

[Cyanide971]

Congrats WVsig, more range reports!

 

[Walt Sherrill]

We've talked about this gun before on the forum and privately. As you say, it's a great gun.

I'm clarifying a point for others here unfamiliar with the SDP -- as WVsig clearly understands the differences I mention.

Calling it a polymer gun (as in "$850 is a lot to pay for a polymer gun") may mislead some folks -- as only the grip is polymer. The upper part of the two-part frame is alloy (or stainless, depending on the model), and the slide is steel -- there are NO polymer upper frames available. All Sphinx grips -- regardless of the model -- are covered by a very big polymer grip insert (which comes in three sizes) leaving only the front of the grip and trigger guard) to let you know whether it's metal or polymer. For those unfamiliar, the point where the polymer starts on the grip frame is a line about where the trigger enters the gun's body. (It's pretty obvious when you look at WVsig's photos.) H&K uses a good bit more polymer in their designs and calling their newer H&K semi-autos (like the VP9) polymer guns is certainly appropriate.

I'd call the Sphinx SDP a metal-framed gun with a polymer grip.

Why does that matter? All of the important internal tolerances are derived from AND maintained by using a metal frame that is not subject to flexing. While a well-fit barrel and slide account for most of a gun's accuracy when you use the sights, a good slide/frame fit can't hurt....

A metal upper frame also allows the use of a frame-mounted sight system (necessary for the Sphinx race guns). More importantly, for more pedestrian users, the gun's internal mechanism doesn't have to be designed to compensate for the very, very minute (but real) flex in some polymer frames.

In another discussion on this forum others have talked about steel frames for Glocks -- and they are available. What has been found, there, is that while the Glock design is very tolerant of after-market parts that have varying specs, when those parts are mounted in metal frames, the parts which dropped into Glock frames often had to be fitted in a metal-framed version of the Glock. The metal frame makers found that there was no consistency in part specs from the after-market parts makers; they even found that same disparity when the same part was later purchased from the original after-market manufacturer.​

I think WVsig's comparison to the SIG P210 is a good one -- as Sphinx technicians have always paid a lot of attention to fit and finish -- it's made in Switzerland, and they have a reputation to maintain! The similarity of fit and finish to the older P-210s is apparent. (I had a P-210-6 for a number of years and fit, finish and accuracy were superb. Other things about the design were more frustrating. It was made in Switzerland, too.)

In talking with a Kriss rep., he noted that Sphinx made a conscious decision to make changes to their designs that would allow them to increase production volume while maintaining the closer tolerances/fit that made them so popular. (I suspect that boiled down to design changes that allowed more automated (i.e. CNC) machine work and required a good bit less tedious and costly hand-fitting of parts and componenets. It seems to have been successful.)

As noted above, I also have the SDP discused above. I also have a highly refined SIG P228 that has been worked over by Gray Guns (arguably the premier SIG gunsmithing firm in the country), and that included the GG Reduced Reset Comprehensive Duty Package.

Both are superb guns, with great triggers, a good size, and marvelous functionality. I bought the P228 after the work was done, and got a bargain in an almost unshot gun. But, if I had bought it new and had the GG work done, it would have cost at least $200+ more than the SDP (not counting shipping -- which is substantial -- and the Straight Eight Heinie sights that were also installed by GG.)

I think anyone shooting both guns would be hard pressed to say which is the better gun. I think it might boil down to which fits the shooter better. I shoot the SDP best, but others might shoot the P228 best. They're both Great Guns!

.

 

[Worc]

Welcome the the Sphinx SDP club! There's about a half dozen of us here who own one. I looked at and shoot quite a few before I decided to get one. It was not until I shot one after I requested the large grip module be installed.

Out all of my 9's it the least ergonomic which is not really all that bad since it's a very ergonomic group. Accuracy wise it's very accurate as were the other five that I tested. The trigger is pretty nice, not Sig nice but, nice. I plan to add the CGW trigger spring kit. Mine did smooth out slightly as got a little lighter.

The quality as you mention is stellar. Even the control levers are all machined ans not stamped or molded. My slide lock/release took quite a few cycles to loosen up enough to use with just one thumb.

Mines be flawless with a couple thousand rounds through it, mostly hand loads. Mines a keeper and glad I ended up getting one. They seem to get more popular each day.

What's your thoughts on the back sight? I'd rather have three dots and my drill my own dots when I get time.

Glad you like yours and good review. I'm looking forward to your shooting review/s.

 

[Worc]

deleted

 

[WVsig]

What's your thoughts on the back sight? I'd rather have three dots and my drill my own dots when I get time.

I like it. I would love to put a night sight front dot or a gold bead. My eyes find the single dot faster than lining up the 3 dots.

 

[TunnelRat]

When you compare it to what Sig, HK, Beretta and others are offering at the same price point IMHO this one blows them away.

I just haven't been that impressed with them. That's not say they're not great, I just don't know if the difference compared to other manufacturers is that outstanding to me. A few local stores still have some in stock from the initial release with prices now between $850 and $900 and I fondle them every other week or so, but I'm never motivated to pull the trigger and purchase.

Everyone on this forum that has one only has good things to say and it seems to be the case elsewhere too. Best of luck and be sure to give us a range report.

 

[WVsig]

I just haven't been that impressed with them. That's not say they're not great, I just don't know if the difference compared to other manufacturers is that outstanding to me. A few local stores still have some in stock from the initial release with prices now between $850 and $900 and I fondle them every other week or so, but I'm never motivated to pull the trigger and purchase.

Everyone on this forum that has one only has good things to say and it seems to be the case elsewhere too. Best of luck and be sure to give us a range report.

When checking them out were you able to break the pistol down? Externally they are not as impressive. They are almost pedestrian. Have you gotten the opportunity to shoot one?

In the end I can see that they might not appeal to everyone.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I just haven't been that impressed with them. That's not say they're not great, I just don't know if the difference compared to other manufacturers is that outstanding to me. A few local stores still have some in stock from the initial release with prices now between $850 and $900 and I fondle them every other week or so, but I'm never motivated to pull the trigger and purchase.

I suspect I would be at the same place you are, if I could only try one out in a gunshop. The trigger, straight from the factory, is quite a bit heavier than I like. (And I'm not a "decocker" enthusiast.) I might NOT have gotten one, either. But, as I've noted before, I was loaned an evaluation model from Kriss/Sphinx, and later bought it. I'm not sure that the "safety-equipped" models are available, yet.

I found that installing (at Kriss's suggestion) a lighter CZ Compact hammer spring from Wolff (I used the 17lb. CZ compact hammer spring) made a big, big difference. Others have used the 16lb. Wolff spring with success; I got light strikes.

I also have the Cajun Gun Works spring kit for the gun but haven't installed it, yet. When I get a round Tuit, I'll install the CAJUN GUN WORKS kit... I've never taken down a SDP, and I just hesitate to start. (It's enough like the standard CZ that I ought not have any problems.) The CGW spring kit, includes a 13 lb. hammer spring, a reduced power firing pin block/lifter spring, and a lighter trigger spring. Some polishing might also be required to enjoy full benefit of the spring change, like on the piston in the firing pin block.

I think many SDP owners will want to go the "lighter" hammer spring route, and it's a very inexpensive change. It's also much easier to change out the SDP hammer spring than doing it in a CZ -- one of the many subtle design changes.

With mine, the "out of the box" DA trigger was over 12 lbs, but remarkably smooth, and the SA trigger was about 6+ lbs, but felt much lighter. The DA/SA transition, if shot rapidly, was a problem for me. (My old-style spring-loaded trigger scale might be fudging a bit.)

The new hammer spring lowered the DA to about 7, and the SA to about 4+ lbs. Both very nice and crisp, and the transition (for me) much easier to handle well. No CZ-like hammer camming, ever.

The gun is easily thumb-cocked when starting from the decocked position.
.

 

[TunnelRat]

When checking them out were you able to break the pistol down? Externally they are not as impressive.

No. The stores that have them are rather strict in their idea that doing so shouldn't be allowed on new guns. It's why I don't buy from those stores tbh.

Have you gotten the opportunity to shoot one?

No and I imagine the proof is in the pudding. Every review I have read/seen has emphasized the inherent mechanical accuracy (including what I have read/seen here).

The new hammer spring lowered the DA to about 7, and the SA to about 4+ lbs. Both very nice and crisp, and the transition (for me) much easier to handle well. No CZ-like hammer camming, ever.

I like to get the DA pull to right around 8.5-9 lbs. That's the sweet spot for me. The ones I handled did have heavy DA pulls, but they weren't atrocious. The ergonomics for my hand though were head and shoulders over any CZ I've held and the way the beavertail is shaped is much preferable to a CZ for me.

I've felt this way about handguns before, then bought one and changed my tone. Sadly my shooting friends near me aren't as big into this as me, or I'd try and convince one to buy it and try it that way .

 

[Worc]

The ergonomics for my hand though were head and shoulders over any CZ I've held and the way the beavertail is shaped is much preferable to a CZ for me.

I agree with you. I think it's the little more contoured edges and the palm swells than make the difference, to me at least.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

The ergonomics for my hand though were head and shoulders over any CZ I've held and the way the beavertail is shaped is much preferable to a CZ for me.

The beavertail on some of the newer CZs, like the stainless models, and the SA models, are different. This newer feature seems similar to what is used on the SDP. (I no longer have a CZ SA gun, so can only compare from memory... and my memory is about on par with my shooting skills: so-so.)

I'm not sure a beavertail is even needed on the CZs that have the rounded "spur" hammer*, to prevent hammer bite.


*Somehow I typed handle the first time through!?

 

[Mystro]

I have talked to my LGS about getting a few in and they are not interested at all. HK and Sig are the top tier pistols and they said thats enough of. Glock sells cheaper and constant and at a rate of 2 to 1 of the others. Springfield, M&P and Beretta fills up the rest. I am lucky to get Walthers on occasion.

 

[WVsig]

I have talked to my LGS about getting a few in and they are not interested at all. HK and Sig are the top tier pistols and they said thats enough of. Glock sells cheaper and constant and at a rate of 2 to 1 of the others. Springfield, M&P and Beretta fills up the rest. I am lucky to get Walthers on occasion.

I hear you on that. It is hard to beat the popularity and the price point of Glocks.

Also Sig and HK have a lot of marketing behind them moving the metal when it comes to "higher" end production guns.

 

[TunnelRat]

I'm not sure a beavertail is even needed on the CZs that have the rounded "spur" handle, to prevent hammer bite.

It isn't. It's a feature that seems to appeal to certain folks though. Honestly I'm sort of ambivalent towards it in general.

 

[WVsig]

It isn't. It's a feature that seems to appeal to certain folks though. Honestly I'm sort of ambivalent towards it in general.

I like them on some guns and not on others. It is is not necessary IMHO but for some guns they just fit.

 

[g.willikers]

The only Sphinx I've had the opportunity to handle was the older competition versions.
They were impressive, no doubt.
At the price of STI and SVI, the store wasn't exactly doing a land office business with them, though.
Considering who is buying most handguns these days, a $900 pistol will probably not have much appeal to most folks.
Beauty is as beauty does.
Let us know how it does shoot.
Enjoy your excellent shooter.

 

[UZO]

Picked up an SDP Compact a couple weeks ago, WOW!...
Without 'ditto-ing' all the points made by WV and Walt, the 'bottom-line', this is a superbly made pistola with an awesome attention to detail.
So far I've put thru 500+ rnds... a flawless shoot, ZERO problems, awesome accuracy, great trigger (and only getting better with use) and a real 'soft' recoil.'
Again, there's nothing 'polymer' about this pistola. Built solid as-a-rock, has that all-metal gun feel, great ergonomics (only 'Compact hand-fit' that comes close is my CZ P-01). Very happy and satisfied with this pistola! It's NOT cheap, but if you want a quality gun that really delivers... the Sphinx SDP Compact is it!

 

[WVsig]

Well I managed to get out to the range today and shoot the Sphinx. It ran like a Swiss watch. I ran 150 rounds of 124 grain RWS and 50 rounds of 124 Fiocchi as well. It fired and extracted 100%. It was nice to find all of my brass in nice piles depending on where I was shooting from. This tells me the extractor was nicely tuned.

The guns trigger is a little heavy. It is smooth but at 11.5 lbs retested it today it is not light. This meant I had to concentrate on the DA pull. The transition to SA was not an issue but at speed I found myself pulling the gun a bit. I do the same with Sigs that have not been broken in. I ordered a Wolf CZ compact spring set so I will try out a few different weights to get the DA pull down a bit without getting light strikes. Walt says the magic # is 17 other have gone as low as 13#. I have read reports of light strikes on everything under 17#.

The reset of the pistol is very nice. Once you get into its groove it is capable of very fast shooting IMHO. I am not a speed demon and was able to shoot well with it and I believe with a little practice bills drills at speed should not be an issue. Today I just brought paper targets not steel. Next time out I will run some Bill drills to see how it handles. Again I am not fast so any times I post will not be fast by anyone's standards but the gun was controllable and returned to the ready pretty naturally. More time on the gun will certainly improve that.

The gun put rounds where I pointed it. It pointed naturally. If I did my part it would make one ragged hole at under 10 yards. I did most of my shooting at 10, 7 and 5 yards. I was mainly testing for function and getting a feel for the gun. The gun out of the box was a bit stiff. For example the slide release took some effort to disengage. As I shot the gun that loosened up enough that by the 4th or 5th mag is was releasing smooth as butter. Initially I was shooting low but I believe that was me looking over the sights a bit getting used to the blacked out rear.

Decocker was great and functioned smoothly. The mags all dropped free and loaded the gun without issue. My Mecgar CZ Compact mags with and without the base plate are too short and will not lock into the pistol. I was able to purchase 2 additional mags online for $35 a piece but they did not arrive until I came home from shooting. I have heard that the Canik Stingray 9mm mags will work. They can be had for about $25 but at $35 I just bought the factory OEMs. After I am in for $850 whats another $10 a mag.

The sight picture was quick to pick up with the nice wide U style notch and front white dot. It took a moment to get a feel for the horizontal plain because of the absence of the rear white dots found on most handguns these days but once I locking into a good sight picture the sights were excellent. I might consider replacing the front with a custom gold bead or a fiber front down the road but for now these sights will do just fine.

Here are a few pics of a few nice groups. Not all my groups where this tight but when I slowed down and concentrated and did my part the gun did it part. I am confident I can hit steel plates at 25 yards all day long with this gun.


5 Yard group.... I know 5 yards is nothing but I had to start somewhere.





Then 10 yards





I brought along my Sig P228 as a point of comparison. The Sig is stock with the exception of a Wolf 20# trigger spring. In shooting the two pistols back to back I noticed the higher bore axis of the Sig. This is not an issue for me because I am used to shooting Sigs but if you like a lower bore axis the Sphinx felt much lower in the hand. Both easily soak up the 9mm recoil. The Sig has seen thousands upon thousands of round so it felt more broken in and bit smoother but that was to be expected. Overall is was an excellent shooting experience which I think will only get better as I become more familiar with the pistol. I will report back once the Wolf springs are installed and worked out.