Sphinx Compact Black vs Alpha...

WVsig

New member
So I am in the market for a Sphinx. I am looking at the Alpha and the Black. The main difference is the the material of the of the lower frame. The Alpha has a black steel slide and black alloy/polymer frame. The Black is black steel slide and black alloy/alloy frame.

I typically prefer metal framed guns but I am not opposed to polymer. There is a price difference between the 2 of about $100. Anyone own either. I would love to hear your thoughts. I have handled the Alpha but have not been able to handle the "Black".

Black
krispicwsdcm-e003.jpg


Alpha
KRISS_Sphinx_gun.jpg
 
I've privately given you my feedback. (I'm repeating it here solely because others might be interested in the answer.)

I doubt that you could tell much difference, with the guns in hand (except, maybe the polymer might be a hair lighter). I also suspect they'd feel about the same in use.

I have to remind myself that mine has a polymer lower frame assembly -- as only the front of the grip is not covered by the grips, which really wrap around (and which come in three sizes).
 
Yeah I think it is more of a mental thing for me. I do not think the alloy frame will make much difference. I like the serrations on the front of the grip on the Black. They are similar to the P01 but they cover the entire from the grip strap along with the grip groves.
 
I held a green one and could not really tell any difference between it and my Alpha. If you pay attention to the two while holding them, you can feel the vertical grooves on the "Color" line a little. The Alpha is a little lighter but not enough to be able to tell the difference. The grip module covers 3/4 of the grip. The biggest difference might be felt with out gloves in the cold.

If you are only getting a $100.00 difference between the Alpha and "Color" line. You are either getting a really good deal on a "Color" one or paying way too much on an Alpha.
 
I held a green one and could not really tell any difference between it and my Alpha. If you pay attention to the two while holding them, you can feel the vertical grooves on the "Color" line a little. The Alpha is a little lighter but not enough to be able to tell the difference. The grip module covers 3/4 of the grip. The biggest difference might be felt with out gloves in the cold.

If you are only getting a $100.00 difference between the Alpha and "Color" line. You are either getting a really good deal on a "Color" one or paying way too much on an Alpha.

Alpha is $877 shipped and the Black is $965 shipped. The Black runs about $100 less than the Green and other colors like the Sand.
 
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I fondled both. The Alpha felt better in my hand partly because of the weight and partly because of the front strap texture. I felt like it locked in better. I didn't purchase either because I didn't feel the need for a new 9mm in that size but I prefered the Alpha.
 
Can anyone confirm which other mags work with the Sphinx?

I have heard that some CZ 15 rounders work and that the Tristar/Canick Stingray mags are identical?

Anyone?
 
CZ factory mags (and Mec-Gar mags) for the compact CZs work.

(The "compact" Tanfoglio-pattern gun mags are shorter, and won't work in either the CZ or the Sphinx SDP.)

Full-size CZ/Mec-Gar, and Tanfoglio-pattern guns mags work, too, but just stick out a bit more, of course.

(I used Pro-Mags for CZ compact guns (not for the full-size guns) with good results, but they wouldn't fit the 2000 series Sphinx guns. (I don't have any of those mags any more, so can't be sure if they'll work or not.) Back during the HI-CAP Mag ban, the Pro-Mag .40 compact mags worked as hi-cap mags for 9mm guns. Worked well.)
 
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Interesting I had read the CZ Compact/P01 mags did not work that they were too short. Oh well I guess some trial and error will in order if I pull the trigger.

It seems like some vintages if CZ compact mags work and others don't. Olders ones do newer ones don't.
 
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WVSig said:
Interesting I had read the CZ Compact/P01 mags did not work that they were too short.

My mag was a true Compact mag (which came with the steel version with the safety, rather than decocker); it had a metal base plate. I think the mags that come with the P-01 have a thicker (plastic?) base... and that might be the issue. (If that is the case, I had the same sort of problem with some hi-cap mags for the P226 -- bought some for the X-Five I had, and the bases were different; the Mec-Gars looked the same as the X-Five factory mag bases, but had to be sanded down around the top of the base to fit and lock in place.)

One with a metal base should be OK. If you can find Mec-Gar "compact" mags, they should be OK. Don't know about the Pro-Mags in a Sphinx SDP compact, but they worked well (despite Pro-Mag's crappy reputation) in CZ compacts. They're cheaper than Mec-Gars and I never noticed spring problems with them.

Note: the Pro-mag "compact" mags did not work in a 2000 series Sphinx compact; they were too fat.

(I can post a photo of the Sphinx with the metal-based mag installed, later, if anyone wants to see....
 
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Recently purchased the Alpha Compact... great pistola, really love it!
If the difference is only $100 and that's not an issue, like you I'd lean toward 'all metal'...
Got my Alpha NIB shipped for $865, but the metal Black was well over $1000, so I passed... and glad I did!
Originally held an Alpha (before buying-never the 'Black') and it really fooled me... has that 'heavy' all metal feel...
and is well-balanced. Accuracy on this pistola is 'scary!'
So I went in that direction and saved over $200... ZERO regrets!
Regarding mags, my Alpha Compact does NOT accept my CZ-P01 mags (with rubber wedge base)... won't feed.

 
Walt Sherrill said:
My mag was a true Compact mag (which came with the steel version with the safety, rather than decocker); it had a metal base plate. I think the mags that come with the P-01 have a thicker (plastic?) base... and that might be the issue. (If that is the case, I had the same sort of problem with some hi-cap mags for the P226 -- bought some for the X-Five I had, and the bases were different; the Mec-Gars looked the same as the X-Five factory mag bases, but had to be sanded down around the top of the base to fit and lock in place.)

One with a metal base should be OK. If you can find Mec-Gar "compact" mags, they should be OK. Don't know about the Pro-Mags in a Sphinx SDP compact, but they worked well (despite Pro-Mag's crappy reputation) in CZ compacts. They're cheaper than Mec-Gars and I never noticed spring problems with them.

Note: the Pro-mag "compact" mags did not work in a 2000 series Sphinx compact; they were too fat.

(I can post a photo of the Sphinx with the metal-based mag installed, later, if anyone wants to see....

Makes total sense that the rubber base on the P01 mag could effect it. I believe the Mecgar P01/PCR/Compact mags are all the same and come without the rubber base plate. All the ones I have at least.

I remember people using the promags. Promags bodies are not horrible, sometimes their followers suck but their springs almost universally suck. I have found that if you get decent springs you can rehab a lot of promags into functional range mags. I would not carry one but have found that they run great with spring changes.

I am getting closer to pulling the trigger. LOL
 
Also a heads up for anyone looking for a inexpensive range holster for their Sphinx Compact or Sub Compact Cheaper than Dirt has the Safariland Paddle holster for $9.94 + $5.00 Shipping.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/7-6378

These are the same holsters that many dealers are or where giving away free with the Sphinx pistols. These are normally $40-$50 depending where you get them.
 
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