Author Topic: Making the most of an s-120  (Read 2522 times)

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Offline ss30378

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Making the most of an s-120
« on: November 13, 2017, 12:47:40 AM »
Decided to have a buddy who does some impressive smithing work have a little fun with the s-120.





I fitted an extended cz barrel myself to the slide then had him tighten the slide to frame fit, make a custom stainless barrel bushing, cut and crown the barrel then throat it so I can shoot 180gr wfn cast bullets designed for the 357 mag.



Then he drilled the slide and made 2 full length cone style guide rods, one for hi power springs the other for cz springs.

I had very limited time to test it today but I ran 124-180gr bullets and this thing will run with guns costing many time more than what the little tristar costs.

Next I plan to add a flat sao trigger and get some better sights to really see what it can do.




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Offline DWARREN

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Re: Making the most of an s-120
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2017, 04:54:48 AM »
Don't believe I would put that much time and money into it but it sure does look nice!
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Offline jwc007

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Re: Making the most of an s-120
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2017, 01:49:31 PM »
Very Interesting!  8)  The Full Length Guide Rod adaptation is a common modification to the regular Cz75's.  :)
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Offline ss30378

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Re: Making the most of an s-120
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2017, 03:26:47 PM »
Don't believe I would put that much time and money into it but it sure does look nice!

The time is definitely an investment but the cost was the reason I decided to go this route.  Specifically I didn't want to spend $60 for a CGW bushing so I decided to let Mike have at it.  Total $ invested so far with buying the gun and all the parts and labor (cz barrel, grips, custom fab stuff and fitting ) is about $550.  So pretty similar to going out and grabbing a new cz75b.   

Offline ss30378

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Re: Making the most of an s-120
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2017, 08:06:16 PM »


So far I?ve tested these bullets successfully in the s120.  L to R is 124gr, 158gr Berry?s hp, 158 swc and the 180 wfn.

I know the lead/throat on both the cz and stock Tristar barrel is short so you?ll have to open it up if you want any usable velocity from the heavies.

I throated my barrel to the 180gr wfn seated at the max length that would work in the mag which is 1.155?



The fast twist stabilizes the long bullets very well, even at low velocity.


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Offline ss30378

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Re: Making the most of an s-120
« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2017, 10:03:45 PM »


Added a flat trigger and cgw sights.  Project complete!



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Offline Flibuoy1

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Re: Making the most of an s-120
« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2017, 12:55:57 AM »
The hammer fired Caniks all appear as a blank canvas to me.

The price thing is best illustrated by a comment by David at CGW....a great resource...

He laments people buy a great pistol at a price point so low that they rebel at spending money on it on aftermarket parts. He goes on to say the same people pay 50% more for a ....shall we say similar gun...no names...initials CZ ...and are happy to spend money to make them better. Incidentally he carrys a T-100.

That puzzle appears above in a couple posts. Me, (I am a dimwit) so I buy a Canik, put a bit of time and a little money in it, and end up with a seriously great pistol. I have not screwed one up yet, if I ever do ....well...I?ll try not to make the same mistake on the next one.
« Last Edit: December 08, 2017, 12:59:10 AM by Flibuoy1 »
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Offline DF_Hammack

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Re: Making the most of an s-120
« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2017, 06:25:56 AM »


He laments people buy a great pistol at a price point so low that they rebel at spending money on it on aftermarket parts. He goes on to say the same people pay 50% more for a ....shall we say similar gun...no names...initials CZ ...and are happy to spend money to make them better. Incidentally he carrys a T-100.


Actually, I kinda understand. I bought my B6P cos I wanted a beater range gun, and something that could double as a truck gun. It's a TOOL. Still, I didn't set my sights so low that I would settle for something that wouldn't let me shoot to my potential. The  B6P filled the bill, and I liked it out of the box well enough, I haven't considered another range gun. Besides, when I go to the range, I just step out my back door. I have a 100 yard range back there.

Same deal with the P100. I wanted an EDC I could actually shoot, not one that was so small it flopped around in my hand, and I wanted it in steel. I actually bought it with the idea of modding it, but it does everything I want it to do, better than I expected, and I KNEW what to expect. Again, it's just a tool, and one I carry every day. but no one ever sees it. I am going to break down and get grips for it after the first of the year, but if I improved it, I would probably never notice.

Now, next year, after I finish remodeling my house, I plan to buy a P120, and the fun begins. I am getting a P120 cos I love my P100 THAT much, but there is an ulterior motive. If I spend that much less on the gun, I have that much more to really explore the possibilities, and really make it my OWN  ;D  8)
« Last Edit: December 11, 2017, 10:19:24 AM by DF_Hammack »
Tristar P100 - SAR B6P

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Offline Practical Shooter

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Re: Making the most of an s-120
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2017, 05:54:06 PM »


I fitted an extended cz barrel myself to the slide then had him tighten the slide to frame fit, make a custom stainless barrel bushing, cut and crown the barrel then throat it so I can shoot 180gr wfn cast bullets designed for the 357 mag.


Does this means the S120 will take a CZ barrel? was the custom bushing part of the fitting or is the CZ barrel a simple drop in?

Offline ss30378

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Re: Making the most of an s-120
« Reply #9 on: December 28, 2017, 02:23:32 PM »
Yes the cz barrel works fine with the tristar.  The barrel was fitted at the breach, factory tristar bushing works fine with the cz barrel.  The custom bushing was added to tighten things up further.