Hi all,
This past week I picked up my third CZ P-01. The first I sold because I needed money, the second because I can't remember
. Anyway as some might be aware I was on the hunt for a good non-polymer pistol and I'm very happy with the result so far.
It was this or picking up another SIG P229. While I'll still likely pick up another SIG, I preferred the overall size of the P-01. With the flat baseplates it's just about 5" tall, which is pretty much my ideal height for carry. In addition the P-01 incorporates a rail while not looking as bulky as the rail variant P229s.
Fit and finish of the P-01 are quite good. Very little play in the fitting and the polycoat finish is very even. While the inside of the slide and the frame aren't finished, I don't see many if any toolmarks that appeared in the P-01s I owned before. The barrel to slide fit is very good, which is likely a key factor in the excellent accuracy of the P-01s I owned before.
The DA/SA trigger is decent, but to be fair it's not in SIG territory. The DA pull is heavy with noticeable camming at the end, but still smooth. The SA trigger has a bit of takeup with a tiny bit of grit, but the release is crisp, as is the reset that is both tactile and audible. A plethora of springs are available from Wolff and I might try one to lower the DA pull a bit.
The balance is very good and despite the lack of magical interchangeable backstraps it seems to fit a wide range of hand sizes well and everyone I let hold it remarks that the ergos are very good. It has a relatively low bore axis that is noticeable. While the slide riding inside the frame doesn't leave a lot of mass to grab onto when racking, the front and rear serrations are aggressive making it much easier.
Accessories seem relatively accessible, though the night sight options are a bit limited (Meprolight does make sights specifically for the P-01, ML-17775, as opposed to the fullsize 75B). In addition magazines can be found easily online at both cdnn and TopGunSupply for ~$23-$24 a piece. As a number of manufacturer mags these days are relatively expensive it is nice to see good support from a quality maker like Mec-Gar.
I did make one change already. The stock rubber grips are very comfy and grippy. However, for my somewhat smaller hands they made the grip a bit big (wide) for me. My trigger finger indexed a bit off and the beavertail wasn't riding quite in the webbing of my hand. I picked up some VZ Tactical Diamonds grips for the CZ Compacts off of Amazon for $75. I cannot emphasize enough the difference this made. From what I read online it reduces the grip width by 1/4". Trigger reach was much improved. My hand now fits this baby perfectly and the diamond cuts on the G10 material make it perfectly grippy while at the same time not cheese grating my hands. You'll notice these are colored and not plain black. Plain black is definitely an option, along with a myriad of colors from VZ. These are Hyena Brown which I chose as I think they match the black finish well and as I have the option of something other than black, as opposed to my polymer guns, I figured why not.
I hope to have a range update tomorrow. In the meantime it's riding in my HK P2000 Crossbreed Supertuck, into which it slides nicely thought not very snugly. I also have night sights I'll have installed next week.
-TR
This past week I picked up my third CZ P-01. The first I sold because I needed money, the second because I can't remember
. Anyway as some might be aware I was on the hunt for a good non-polymer pistol and I'm very happy with the result so far.It was this or picking up another SIG P229. While I'll still likely pick up another SIG, I preferred the overall size of the P-01. With the flat baseplates it's just about 5" tall, which is pretty much my ideal height for carry. In addition the P-01 incorporates a rail while not looking as bulky as the rail variant P229s.
Fit and finish of the P-01 are quite good. Very little play in the fitting and the polycoat finish is very even. While the inside of the slide and the frame aren't finished, I don't see many if any toolmarks that appeared in the P-01s I owned before. The barrel to slide fit is very good, which is likely a key factor in the excellent accuracy of the P-01s I owned before.
The DA/SA trigger is decent, but to be fair it's not in SIG territory. The DA pull is heavy with noticeable camming at the end, but still smooth. The SA trigger has a bit of takeup with a tiny bit of grit, but the release is crisp, as is the reset that is both tactile and audible. A plethora of springs are available from Wolff and I might try one to lower the DA pull a bit.
The balance is very good and despite the lack of magical interchangeable backstraps it seems to fit a wide range of hand sizes well and everyone I let hold it remarks that the ergos are very good. It has a relatively low bore axis that is noticeable. While the slide riding inside the frame doesn't leave a lot of mass to grab onto when racking, the front and rear serrations are aggressive making it much easier.
Accessories seem relatively accessible, though the night sight options are a bit limited (Meprolight does make sights specifically for the P-01, ML-17775, as opposed to the fullsize 75B). In addition magazines can be found easily online at both cdnn and TopGunSupply for ~$23-$24 a piece. As a number of manufacturer mags these days are relatively expensive it is nice to see good support from a quality maker like Mec-Gar.
I did make one change already. The stock rubber grips are very comfy and grippy. However, for my somewhat smaller hands they made the grip a bit big (wide) for me. My trigger finger indexed a bit off and the beavertail wasn't riding quite in the webbing of my hand. I picked up some VZ Tactical Diamonds grips for the CZ Compacts off of Amazon for $75. I cannot emphasize enough the difference this made. From what I read online it reduces the grip width by 1/4". Trigger reach was much improved. My hand now fits this baby perfectly and the diamond cuts on the G10 material make it perfectly grippy while at the same time not cheese grating my hands. You'll notice these are colored and not plain black. Plain black is definitely an option, along with a myriad of colors from VZ. These are Hyena Brown which I chose as I think they match the black finish well and as I have the option of something other than black, as opposed to my polymer guns, I figured why not.
I hope to have a range update tomorrow. In the meantime it's riding in my HK P2000 Crossbreed Supertuck, into which it slides nicely thought not very snugly. I also have night sights I'll have installed next week.
-TR
