Looking for some insight - CZ75 SP-01 or SP-01 Shadow

[CedarOak]

Evening folks,

Looking for some blessed insight regarding my first purchase - I found the following thread that details the differences between SP01 and SP01 Shadow. http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=44570.msg257054#msg257054

I've read that if I wanted to make the SP01 somewhat close to the Shadow it'll take much more time and $ than if I outright bought a Shadow. Also noted the Shadow does not come with a FPB so that'll be one fundamental difference.

Just trying to see if fellow readers feel it's worth it to get a CZ Shadow from CZ Custom over a regular SP01.

New to the forum and to shooting so appreciate all guidance and insights!

[Tobuk]

I decided to get the standard SP-01 (arrives Wednesday, woo hoo!).  Personally, I wanted to gain the experience of replacing parts myself to tune the gun. I got hooked after buying a part or two for my P-07 from CGW...  While the finished product I make may not be as good as it can be from the custom shop or CGW, the trade off of getting to do my own work and learn more about the gun is worth it.  To me, the SP-01 is a great shooter out of the box, so really it can only get better from there.  I can also spread the cost of the parts out over the next couple of months, which helps.

Also, it is possible to remove the FPB from a standard CZ 75.
http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=40626.0

[357MAGNOLE]

Evening folks,

Looking for some blessed insight regarding my first purchase - I found the following thread that details the differences between SP01 and SP01 Shadow. http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=44570.msg257054#msg257054

I've read that if I wanted to make the SP01 somewhat close to the Shadow it'll take much more time and $ than if I outright bought a Shadow. Also noted the Shadow does not come with a FPB so that'll be one fundamental difference.

Just trying to see if fellow readers feel it's worth it to get a CZ Shadow from CZ Custom over a regular SP01.

New to the forum and to shooting so appreciate all guidance and insights!

If you plan on doing competition sports the Shadow is the way to go.  You dont have to worry about rules and regulations as much if you are shooting in Production class compeitions even though I have been told by many its not as strict as you might think, mostly at the lower levels. If you get higer up in competition I am sure they get tighter on their policies in regards to hammers/triggers....

I personally could not afford to drop $1400 all at once for the Shadow Target which is what I wanted. So I have over time ended up spending close to $1600 to make my SP-01 into a shadow target.... Only difference is I have the firing pin block.  So the trigger is not as good as it COULD be.  That said, for myself the difference is minimal and I would not see much of any if any at all advantage to the non firing pin block guns.  Guys like Agnus Hobdell can feel it, and it helps them... But I aint no pro, I am just a Joe.

If I could do it all again, I would have bought the Shadow.  In the end no matter what, mine is still just an SP-01 with a bunch of added in parts.  People jump on the "Shadow" not so much for an upgraded SP-01

Just my .02

[357MAGNOLE]

I decided to get the standard SP-01 (arrives Wednesday, woo hoo!).  Personally, I wanted to gain the experience of replacing parts myself to tune the gun. I got hooked after buying a part or two for my P-07 from CGW...  While the finished product I make may not be as good as it can be from the custom shop or CGW, the trade off of getting to do my own work and learn more about the gun is worth it.  To me, the SP-01 is a great shooter out of the box, so really it can only get better from there.  I can also spread the cost of the parts out over the next couple of months, which helps.

Also, it is possible to remove the FPB from a standard CZ 75.
http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=40626.0

If you do that you disqualify the weapon from competitions. It has to maintain safety features that it came with from the factory.

[andrewtac]

I prefer my shadow.  I did all the work.  Got the stock one, I think is 800ish and added the cgw stuff.  I have a none shadow sp01 as well .

[CedarOak]

Thanks all for the replies - much appreciated. Now it's just a matter of time before I order from CZCustom...

Andrewtac - would you specify which CGW parts you used? It'll be good for me to get familiarized with the types of parts. Thanks in advance.

[2morechains]

I have two Shadows.  One is the 2014 SP-01 Shadow with all the latest cool kid stuff that CZ Custom does, specifically their trigger job and the SRTS.  The other one is a 2012 CZ Custom CZ-75 Shadow that I sent back for their SRTS trigger job this winter.  I've shot the regular SP-01 and 75B models, shot some SP-01s that have been home-school cajunized, and also shot one that has been Accu'd and had the SRTS system installed by Matt Mink. 

Of all those guns, the CZ-75 Shadow that was customized by CZC with their SRTS trigger has the best trigger, and this was the common consensus of all the above owners of the other CZs that tried it. 

I'd say if you can afford the Shadow, might as well get that instead of the B model.  If you can afford the price tag of a CZ Custom Shadow, might as well get them to do it all for you and that way you can focus on shooting.  I'm a gun tinkerer and like to DIY as much as the next guy, but one thing I've come to realize is there is a reason why top gunsmiths like the guys at CZC exist, and its not because there are such things as drop-in parts for shade-tree gun tinkerers like myself. 

[himurax13]

I would get the Shadow, even a bone stock one. The resale value alone would be worth it.

However, if you can get a fully modded one, that is even better since you wont have to send it in and wait for the work to be done.

The Shadow typically comes with Fiber Optic front sights and blacked out rears instead of the Meprolights, bigger safeties, and an 85 combat trigger insteadnof the crappy black one that stings some people's fingers. I honestly don't see the point of getting a Standard SP01 unless your wallet or local laws prohibit it.

[coolbox]

To the OP

Can you check them out at a firearm dealer/store before purchase? If you can, check the triggers (SA break) of a couple of SP01 Shadow. Some are so good (crisp, snap break, no camming or creep) that even competition hammer from CZC makes no improvement at all. You can always get Aluminum grips, short reset, competition hammer later on.

I have a full house modified sp01 in which I have added short reset from CGW, competition hammer (have tried both CGW and CZC versions), light springs, extended FP, cocobolo wood grips etc I didnt like the feel of the gun as much, and added SP01 Shadow safeties. Now, except sights, its almost a SP01 Shadow, but still not a SP01 Shadow ! The reset with the FPB is still long, although the triggers are equally good in break. I needed night sights, and hence opted for a SP01. If I were to redo, I would simply install night sights on a SP01 Shadow !!

If I had the money, I would go for a full house deal on SP01 Shadow, but if one wants to spend a bit less, then I would recommend the SP01 Shadow, bone stock. Having said that, you cant go wrong here whatever your choose.

[andrewtac]

Thanks all for the replies - much appreciated. Now it's just a matter of time before I order from CZCustom...

Andrewtac - would you specify which CGW parts you used? It'll be good for me to get familiarized with the types of parts. Thanks in advance.

You need the parts that come on his propackage except no reach reduction kit as that is not uspsa legal.  Unless you are not shooting competitively with it.  I did use the reach reduction on my compact and I do like it.  I started with the drop in disco on my shadow.  It was good, but wanted better and got the one you have to fit.  It did improve the reset even more.