TriStar120/Canik55

C

Cheapshooter

New member
Are they true CZ75 clones? Internals and all. Or are they just similar on the outside?
The one I just looked at did not have a de-cocker, but did have the half cock that allows partially cocked and locked with a shorter d/a pull. All that doesn't really matter because it would be a range gun, and not carried, or kept for home defense.
Just thinking it's available, I like the feel of it, and it will take a little less bite out of my fun fund. LGS has one, don't remember the exact model number, but has a rail on the dust cover like an SP01. I think it was priced at $369.00.
 
The model you're talking about is the P120. I've got one, as well as one of the early CZ75 SP01s. Keep in mind (it just seemed this way to me from the way you worded it) that not all CZs are decockers, they're actually more conventional safety style CZs than decockers. Anyway, on to the comparison...

As far as parts compatibility, you can use CZ springs (recoil, main, etc), magazines, and sights. There are differences in the sears, the triggers, the safeties, and while I haven't checked for sure I'm going to say the slide stops as well. Cajun Gun Works makes parts for it and will modify it for you, should you decide you wants sights, action job, etc.

To the comparison...
The barrel on the SP01 is robust, the P120's looks skinny next to it (but it's no skinnier than other 9mm barrels). The weights are very close, they handle pretty much the same. For out of the box performance, the trigger pull on the P120 was smoother than my SP01 (when it was brand new), and accuracy was close between the two (SP01 groups 2-2.5in @ 25yrds, P120 groups 2.5-3in @ 25yrds, both with 124gr LRN Bayou Bullets at 1100fps). Aesthetically, I prefer the SP01's frame (more pronounced rail, better upswept beaver tail, etc) and the P120's slide (it's sort of like a hybrid of the SP01 and the P07/P09 series slides). The P120s grips are rather cheap, but you can use CZ75 grips (you may have to slightly enlarge one of the grip screw holes for a proper fit).

Overall, it's not a SP01, but it's (IMO) a good clone and a fine pistol in it's own right. Accuracy is acceptable for a service type pistol, it can be tuned (parts are already available via CGW), and it's just over half the price of a real SP01. So far, I'm pleased with mine and have not had an issue yet.
 
Thanks. In doing a little more research I think the one at the LGS is the alloy frame T120. Where the "P" model you mentioned is steel. Other that I thnk they are the same.
So does the +/- $370 price sound about right? The few I have found on line were around that price, plus I would need to add shipping, and twenty bucks for the transfer fee at the FFL I Use.
 
I love my T-120. It will be a permanent resident in my collection. The lighter weight of the alloy frame doesn't bother me at all, but for a range gun you may want to go with the steel framed S-120 (no rail) or P-120. Only other thing I would caution about is getting one with black Cerakote. I've seen more than 1 report of the black finish not holding up very well.
 
I speak very highly of my Tri-Star t-100 on this forum, so much so that I don't feel like going through it again. they are fantastic firearms, although the black finish is weak on the aluminum frame, holds up well on the steel slide though, so iassume it would also hold up on the steel framed models. 370$ seems like a fair price. they are 350$ at Academy Sports though. I have between2 and 3 thousands rounds and I have never once had a mis-feed or failure to fire, I have never owned another semi-auto that is as reliable as my Tri-Star, also very accurate with a pretty decent trigger. you won't be disappointed with it, I have yet to come across an unhappy customer of any of the canik/tristar cz clones. it seems to be as close as a clone as it can be

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/tristar-products-t-100-9mm-semiautomatic-pistol/pid-751009
well it looks ike the t-120 is actually 400$ at academy now, so 369$ seems like a great deal
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/tristar-products-t-120-9mm-centerfire-pistol/pid-936111
 
I've checked them out many times at the local Academy. The one thta looks like a Baby Eagle is interesting to me.
 
No Academy in my area, the closest is Cape Girarddeau, and it would cost a lot more than twenty bucks to get there. Or with FFL fee it's a wash even with free shipping. They say it's available in "selected stores" so I don't know if they even have one.
From what several have said the finish on the alloy frame might not hold up well, and that is what I think the LGS has. Might not be an issue thiugh for a range toy kept in the safe when not in use, and transported in the case.
The shop owner said it was the only one he had, but could get another in a couple days. So I might see what kind of deal I can get on the P120 model with the steel frame.
I really think this will be my next purchase, and allow me to scratch the CZ75 off my short list.
 
if you don't plan to do any kind of carry with it, I think all steel would be the way to go. even though the t-100 is kind of big for carry, the aluminum alloy frame makes it VERY light, but the trade of is the easily scratched finish and possibly more difficulty in shooting.
of all the tri-stars I have shot, I prefer the t-100, same internals as the other, but looks like the baby eagle, eve though its smaller than the others, I think its the most comfortable

I shoot it pretty good at 15yards or so
 
I also have a T120 and a T100 as well.

The T100 (the compact) is well balanced and decently accurate for a compact pistol (approx 4in at 25yrds, same loads as listed in my previous comments). I liked it well enough, but prefer the CZ75 style to the Baby Eagle style, so I gave it to my daughter. She likes the weight and is very comfortable with it (especially after I put a 15lb mainspring in it to lighten the DA pull).

The T120 is a nice enough pistol as well, though mine is not as accurate as the P120 or the T100 (the T120 did 4.5-5in groups @ 25yrds, same loads as previous) and the sights required adjustment out of the box (was shooting 3in left out of the box). I, however, don't like the feel of the full sized pistol with the alloy frame. It seems almost toy like (from the light weight) and unbalanced (again, this is all personal preference). I did like the rear sight on the T120 more than the one that came on the T100 or P120 (it's more like my CZ Comp rear sight on my SP01 rather than the standard type sights). While it's a good pistol, I will probably either give it to my son when he gets a little older or sell it to a friend.

Any of them will be a fine choice. I can't speak to durability of the alloy frames as I haven't had the time to put any serious amount of ammo through them yet (enough for test/tune and running some drills). Being so familiar (intimately so) with my SP01, the P120 was a natural fit for me and thus ended up being my favorite of the Caniks/TriStars.
 
The 120 models are very close copies of the early CZ-75 military model, both internally and externally.

Other then using the same firing pin retention pin like the new CZ-75 uses, the lower receiver is an almost exact copy of the original CZ-75 part for part.
I don't know what, if any parts will interchange, but I'd suspect a number of parts will since they copied the CZ so closely.

These seem to be considered a "best buy" by most owners for quality, accuracy, and durability, with workmanship pretty good too.

Cajun Gun Works offer accessory parts and gunsmithing for the Canik pistols:

http://www.cajungunworks.com/omega.html
 
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