Czsp01 with cajun gun works vs shadow 2

[Talbott]

If you were only looking for a range toy, either would be a fine choice. But since you say you also want it for home defense, I would go with the SP-01, primarily because you get a full rail for mounting a WML & tritium night sights, both of which I think are important features on a home defense gun. With a starting price that's half the cost of a Shadow 2, you can easily turn the SP-01 into an excellent shooter, and I would argue, a pistol that is ultimately more versatile.

Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t the Shadow2 technically not 100% drop safe either, that’s not something I’d want in a HD gun, SP-01 would be better for that.

[pcar157]

In general, a factory stock handgun in great condition will fetch ~80% of it's original value (not MRSP), and  a modified handgun might only recover 50% of the extra mod. cost, minus 80% of the guns original value. That's been my experience with several sales and watching other sales.  I'm not including collectables.

And the 80% might be a stretch. I always figure I am doing good at 70% of MSRP stock factory handgun.
Just sayin'

[pcar157]

Well hell.. ill chime in. Ive got a tricked out SP01 shadow, stock S2 and CTS-LSP to compare. all pretty much the same trigger, grip and sight picture.  where they differ is the mass, the mass of the slide and the center of gravity.

IMO the S2 is nose heavy - the SP01 with a large magwell and either TS upper or bull shadow upper feels much more balanced in the hand, the BS upper is amazing compared to the stock sp01 slide - It really soaks up the recoil and cuts the muzzle flip in half. If I were to build a carry optics gun I think this would be the platform - SP01 BULL SHADOW - But I recall my first few days shooting the CTS-LSP on a CZC tuned 75SA frame - there was something magical in how the sights returned. In recoil / muzzle flip it felt like an SP01 but there was something else there.. I call it balanced. Perfectly balanced in the hand and with factory ammo. If I were to shoot production I think that is the path I would go.. but reload my own and match the springs to the load. Lighter frames are a thing. Bull barrels are a thing. Return to zero load/spring matching is a thing.  There is a reason the Tanfo Stock II is still very popular. Tanfo found that sweet spot.  Ditto Atlas Titan/Nemesis.

Unless you plan on carrying it IMO a SP01 just doesn't compare all that well to the CZ S2, Stock 2, CTS-LPS, or any of the CZC bull variants - but it would top the list as an all-around tool. Now the SP01 Shadow makes a great frame to start a build - but I strongly suggest trying an SP01 side by side with a Bull Shadow or Stock 2 with the same ammo to feel the difference.

I share your sentiments about the bull shadows from CZC. I have a 75 Bull Shadow OR and I shoot it far better than any of my 1911s, cost notwithstanding. I also have an SP-01 Shadow Orange (sku 91764) which is a great shooter also but just a step down from the Bull Shadow.

[newageroman]

Here is my take as a tinkerer and a trigger snob.

For HD, I would go SP-01
I sold an S2 to buy parts to build the 01 and convert it to SAO. Sold it and never looked back. The stipling is not as good as the S2 but everything else is as good or better.
People say it can't be done or wasting their time building up the 01s, but they don't take into consideration the SAO convert is cheap/easy/awesome.
bonus - no threaded barrels available for the S2, but for the 01 yep!

Show me a any threaded barrel SAO CZ for under many $$$

[ams]

Cajunize the SP01 and the Shadow 2.  The reset on my S2 is so short, compared to the SP01.  Both triggers are phenomenal  I say get both, and Cajunize  both, then get Walther (if you must) My preference would be a p320 xfive for HD. 

[SEAKPhotog]

I've got an SP01 decocker.  I love the thing.  I sent it off to CGW for a pro package and milling for an SRO install.  It's mostly a range and local comp gun but I'd use it for home defense too. I think it'd serve both your purposes.  Buy a CGW pro package and install it yourself to save both a boat load of money and time (it's not hard, I've now done 4 pro package installs and internal polishings, 3 on decocker models and one on a safety model  -  one of the installs was sort of a reinstall in my PCR which CGW did first but I wasn't happy with the final DA pull so I stripped it and re-polished it).  It's pretty satisfying to do it yourself and there are a ton of great videos out there and CGW is great answering questions. Anyway, with a 13lb main spring you'd end up with a gun that you can easily use for both home defense and the range. Mine has an 11.5ib spring and it has a DA of 4lbs 6oz and SA or 1lb 11oz.  I haven't tried an S2 so can't speak to any comparisons but the trigger reset on the SP01 isn't bad at all. Could be a bit shorter on SA but it's just fine when I'm shooting steel or taking my time.  That all said, if you really want 2 dedicated guns, get both an SP01 (or P01) and an S2 or even check out CZC offerings seem like a good idea.  I'm looking at an A01-LD OR for my final CZ75 based gun for the range and comps but there are less spendy options.

[Luvdog]

A CGW SP01 will be better than a stock S2.  At least that's my personal observation from owning a smith tuned SP01 and S2.

Of course, once you tune the S2 then the trigger does slightly outshine the SP01... so it really then comes down to which one feels better or points better for you.