Author Topic: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....  (Read 4116 times)

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Offline ethangsmith

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Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« on: November 15, 2015, 08:54:29 AM »
I found a nice silver (Chrome?) S-120 at my local gun shop for a good price. My question is this- how much is interchangeable with a CZ 75? I know the magazines and grips are, but what if I have a component fail like a sear or trigger part or extractor or even the slide release? Are the internals a direct copy of the 75? My concern here is that down the road I have a failure some day and can't repair the gun. If CZ parts directly swap, I doubt then it would be an issue.
Czech it out!

Offline AZ_CZ

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Re: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2015, 11:37:17 AM »
Not a direct copy that is for sure. I'm sure some parts can be fitted (like grips) and some parts have aftermarket replacements (Cajun Gun Works) but that is why the gun is cheap. It's not because it is low quality its the lack of factory support for parts and marketing.

I have 2 and they are for low volume shooting. If you are looking long term get the CZ.
CZ Fanbot since 1996

Offline Farmerbob

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Re: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« Reply #2 on: November 15, 2015, 06:11:04 PM »
Not sure that I agree with the "low volume shooting" comment. I believe that they are as well made (and in some respects better made) than the CZ. Parts (if needed), are apparently available from Tristar, Cajun Gun Works, and the Canik factory in Turkey. Not sure about prices or shipping from Turkey. Well made and probably will last the average shooter a lifetime, or more. Very accurate and reliable.
You can probably tell that I really like my S-120!

Offline Rmach

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Re: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2015, 06:49:15 PM »
Not sure that I agree with the "low volume shooting" comment. I believe that they are as well made (and in some respects better made) than the CZ. Parts (if needed), are apparently available from Tristar, Cajun Gun Works, and the Canik factory in Turkey. Not sure about prices or shipping from Turkey. Well made and probably will last the average shooter a lifetime, or more. Very accurate and reliable.
You can probably tell that I really like my S-120!

I agree with your comments.

Offline jwc007

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Re: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2015, 08:09:05 PM »
Not sure that I agree with the "low volume shooting" comment. I believe that they are as well made (and in some respects better made) than the CZ. Parts (if needed), are apparently available from Tristar, Cajun Gun Works, and the Canik factory in Turkey. Not sure about prices or shipping from Turkey. Well made and probably will last the average shooter a lifetime, or more. Very accurate and reliable.
You can probably tell that I really like my S-120!

I also concur!  :) TriStar Customer support has been excellent so far, from what I've read of others experience.  Probably rarely needed, as well.

I have a T-120 and I love it!!!  :)
"Easy is the path to wisdom for those not blinded by ego." - Yoda


For all of those killed by a 9mm: "Get up! You are not dead! You were shot with a useless cartridge!"

Offline wdbutcher

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Re: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2015, 08:39:19 PM »
I've had great luck with my Tristars. I really doubt that you would have any issues with this S-120. If I might ask, what is your plans for the S-120? Also, I see that you have been fortunate enough to acquire some very nice CZs. What force is leading you to the clone side?  :)

Offline MI-CZ

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Re: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2015, 08:58:06 PM »
My L-120 has been very reliable. Survived a brutal week at Gunsite with no problems.

Offline jwc007

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Re: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2015, 09:06:16 PM »
Because hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.

Or maybe a TriStar S-120  ;D 
"Easy is the path to wisdom for those not blinded by ego." - Yoda


For all of those killed by a 9mm: "Get up! You are not dead! You were shot with a useless cartridge!"

Offline AZ_CZ

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Re: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2015, 09:43:42 PM »
Not sure that I agree with the "low volume shooting" comment. I believe that they are as well made (and in some respects better made) than the CZ. Parts (if needed), are apparently available from Tristar, Cajun Gun Works, and the Canik factory in Turkey. Not sure about prices or shipping from Turkey. Well made and probably will last the average shooter a lifetime, or more. Very accurate and reliable.
You can probably tell that I really like my S-120!

I agree with your comments.

Not bashing the Caniks. The L is dang near perfect, right there with the PCR in my book. The quality of the gun is not an issue like I said. For the average shooter, low volume, they are great. If you are looking at competition where you'll be shooting thousands of rounds a week, high volume, then I feel the CZ is the way to go. Lots of support in parts, online info from factory, custom shops and other competitors is readily available. Can Caniks fill the role, sure, there is at least one person campaigning with one. The action can also be modified equal to a CZ. I had an opportunity to handle 2 Caniks that CZC did their magic on and they were awesome. One of the reasons I purchased my first Canik. The potential is there. My concern with factory parts is being able to purchase them within the USA. We have already seen 2 or 3 importers for Caniks and the reorganization of the U.S. distributor. I'm not interested in buying parts from turkey. Remember the Daewoo pistol? Try and get parts from South Korea. The original question was long term parts availability and if they interchange. I'm not saying Caniks will fade away, but CZ  is a solid long term prospect.
CZ Fanbot since 1996

Offline Brian Ahearn

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Re: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« Reply #9 on: November 16, 2015, 03:57:22 PM »
My boys and I have more rounds through Caniks than  most members on this forum,over 30,000 rounds through our fleet of 3 Canik Shark compacts ,1 full size Shark FC,2 full size Tristar P120's , 2 Canik Stringrays,a 120 steel and a 120 Light and last 2 C100 compacts . qI just need to add a P100 to the collection. qI have had 1 warranty issue ,I asked for a replacement front bushing and got a brand pistol instead.  The pistols have performed plain and simple.  Turk manufacturing is on par with all the other gun manufacturer's,they make some dam good pistols plain and simple.  My caniks and tristars can compete with my CZ's any day of the week. My custom Caniks and Tristars will out shoot my stock CZ's every time,that's a fact.  What I need is an Accu Bushing system on a P120 and then we could put it up against a CZ Accu Shadow and see  if we can come close. Bottom line is that we have not yet had any major problems with the Caniks or Tristars.  I am sure that eventually I will break one and  when I do I will report back on the issue.  If you like CZ buy CZ's they are great,but don't be afraid of the clones.
Easton Firearms Refinishing Owner/Operator
NRA Pistol Instructor
CZ Collector

Offline wdbutcher

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Re: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2015, 06:15:31 PM »
I emailed Dallas from Tristar yesterday about the availability of parts and this is the email I received today :)


We do carry all replacement parts for our handguns here in Kansas City.
We recently changed the 1 year handgun warranty to 5 years just like our shotgun warranty.
So if at any time during this period he would need parts, all he needs to do is contact our Service Department.

Thank you,


Dallas Nelson

dnelson@tristararms.com
PH: 816.421.1400
FX: 816.421.4182

Offline Rmach

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Re: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2015, 06:26:16 PM »
I emailed Dallas from Tristar yesterday about the availability of parts and this is the email I received today :)


We do carry all replacement parts for our handguns here in Kansas City.
We recently changed the 1 year handgun warranty to 5 years just like our shotgun warranty.
So if at any time during this period he would need parts, all he needs to do is contact our Service Department.

Thank you,


Dallas Nelson

dnelson@tristararms.com
PH: 816.421.1400
FX: 816.421.4182

Good to know, thanks for posting that.

Offline Farmerbob

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Re: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2015, 07:33:17 PM »
Wonder if this also holds true for the same model older non-TriStar imported guns?

Offline wdbutcher

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Re: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2015, 07:54:11 PM »
I would assume that this warranty would only cover Tristar imported handguns. The good news is that Tristar might have parts in stock for non-Tristar imported Caniks.

Offline Farmerbob

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Re: Looking at a Tristar S-120.....
« Reply #14 on: November 18, 2015, 02:13:32 PM »
I also emailed Dale at TriStar to ask about parts for a non-TriStar imported S-120 pistol. He said they do not sell parts for guns that TriStar did not import. Not sure how they determine what gun the parts would be for. Maybe they require a serial number. Anyone know?