Shadow or Standard?

[Wasatch801]

Sorry to sound like a total NOOB here!  I'm thinkin' about getting an SP-01 soon. Do you guys have an opinion (HAHA) as to whether I should shell out the dough up front to get a Shadow, or should I buy the standard package and upgrade as I see fit?  Anybody out there have one of these yet?  I'd like to hear your opinions on this firearm.  Will I need to have the upgrades that the Shadow comes with in order to compete successfully in USPSA production?  Just wondering if the Shadow is worth the extra scratch.

Thanks!

[Walt-Sherrill]

You'll end up spending more than the difference in purchase prices to get a standard model to look, feel, and perform like a Shadow.  There's a good bit of "Angus knowhow" built into the Shadow model -- and faced with the choice, I'd not hesitate to get the Shadow.

A more important question is whether to get a decocker model or one with a safety.    I *THINK* that is an option.  (When they were first introduced here, and when Angus sold some of the early models of SP-01s, they were decocker versions.)

I'd much prefer the "saftey" version.

[Stuart]

tough question..

both of my SP01s are tricked out similar to the Shadow for USPSA...both have the competition sights, the competition hammer, and action work...

one was done by Angus..the other my Matt Mink..

do you need it..absolutely not...the guns are very shootable out of the box..and the trigger smooths out after use..

I like the safety version...but that is personal..some people like the decocker version..as it drops the hammer to the half cock notch ( full decock) so supposedly an easier DA first shot..

[Wasatch801]

Okay, you guys say you like the safety version better.  But why exactly?  I know it's personal preference, just wondering the reason behind it.  Is it that you guys are used to the safety version from having shot CZs for so many years and feel comfortable with that design?  For me, I don't think that I'd have a problem with that version.  But I am more used to decockers from other pistols that I've handled.  Can the gunsmiths get a decent trigger job done on a decocker model?

[Walt-Sherrill]

Because the first shot and next shots all have the same trigger pull -- assuming your start from cocked and locked.

If you're going to start from hammer down, always, then the decocker model is better -- as the decocker versions decock to and start from the half-cock position.

(The safety model can also start from the half-cock position, but it may not be legal in some gun games to do so.)\

The internals of the decocker and standard are pretty much the same -- its just more work to get the decocker models apart.  (If you're thinking about having a local gunsmith do the work, get it done by Angus or Matthew... Buy from them, for that matter.)

[Stuart]

Main reason I like it is I grew up on 1911s..so I can either carry it cocked and locked..or use it as a dble action first shot...

plus I have the tendency to tear things apart...so this I understand..the decocker will take me a little more time..and I just haven't taken that leap yet..

[Wasatch801]

I assume one can start from cocked and locked in Limited, while also being able to start in DA (hammer down) for Production.  I think I'll stay away from the Tactical fora competition.  Might have to buy that P-01 as a personal carry though!  Thanks guys!

[robertbank]

Reason to go decoker version is if yo intend to shoot Production.  Trigger is much lighter shooting first round at half cock vs hammer fully down which would be required with the safety version in production.  Does it make a practical difference heck I don't know I ama victim of marketing!

Take Care

[Stuart]

pull is not really lighter..but the DA stroke is shorter.

I like the safety version for a couple of reasons..
1.easier to strip the whole thing down.
2.the decock lever is exactly where my thumb holds the gun..so more comfortable for me..

[toast]

Just another thought about safety (pun?).  During most stages in USPSA there tends to be a lot of movement.  Running backward with a loaded pistol, I feel more comfortable with the manual safety engaged.  If I have the decock version that would mean lowering the hammer again and getting another DA shot during the same stage.  This is just me but I prefer the manual safety also for that reason.