Getting a Tactical Sport Slide... What Should I do?

[Scarlett Pistol]

So I have a Tactical Sport slide in 9mm inbound (Thanks Stuart). I don't have a frame to use for it and I am pondering what I should get/look for. My favorite CZ Grip is the SP-01. I haven't tried the Stainless models, but they look to be the same as the SP-01... Shadow 2 would be a nice frame, but it wouldn't be a practical purchase to just harvest the frame. Here's a list of models to harvest a frame from for this project, but I want to hear everyones thoughts. I don't get if the pistol is in 9mm or 40 S&W since I will probably sell the slide, but I don't want a decocker. Any other frames, what is your reasoning for the frames, and so forth.

SP-01
CZ 75 Stainless
CZ 75 Single Action
Call and beg Angus to send me a prototype CZ Custom frame for publicity... haha

Looking forward to everyone's thoughts, dream build ideas, lessons you may have from doing this, etc. Thanks!

[huskerlrrp]

Once I machined the dust cover down to the appropriate thickness, it worked on all my CZ frames. I went with a CZ75SA frame since it was the cheapest to get the beavertail and I thought the Shadows were a little nose heavy. It looks really cool on the SP01 Shadows and Shadow 2 though.

[Scarlett Pistol]

Once I machined the dust cover down to the appropriate thickness, it worked on all my CZ frames. I went with a CZ75SA frame since it was the cheapest to get the beavertail and I thought the Shadows were a little nose heavy. It looks really cool on the SP01 Shadows and Shadow 2 though.

First off there is a lot of sexiness going on there!!!! Nice work!

Secondly,  have read a few threads that covered removing material from the frame as well. You're saying you just removed material from the slide rails and dust cover?

[twowheels]

Oh yah I forgot to mention my TS on the compact thread.  I run a .40 top end on it. 

I had CZC reduce my 9mm TS top end to fit on my shadows.  I prefer it on my SP 01 shadow frame over on my 75 shadow frame.  I like the more front heavy feel and seem to shoot it a bit better than on the 75 frame.  I took the "extra" shadow top end and put a CZC optics plate on it but I haven't shot the red dot shadow much as of yet. 

[Scarlett Pistol]

Dang, those all look incredible! How's your compact shoot with the Single Action 40 S&W slide on it?

[coolbox]

So I have a Tactical Sport slide in 9mm inbound (Thanks Stuart). I don't have a frame to use for it and I am pondering what I should get/look for. My favorite CZ Grip is the SP-01....

Did you get it prepped/milled to fit a standard CZ frame? If not, get it done if possible, and then it would fit any SA/DA or SAO CZ (9mm/.40) frame you could come across. You would have to get rid of firing pin safety lever etc, and install a pre B sear, or a spacer to replace the lifter arm.
I would have also suggested the accu-bushing, but that is optional.
My love is the SP01 frame, single action only (not the straight trigger).
I would have requested CZC to send a 'high cut' SP01 SAO frame, and mate the slide with it. It would have provided about the same feel as a Shadow 2 with the additionally undercut beaver tail and trigger guard. The rear of the slide also blends better with the SP01 frame vs Shadow 2 frame, from the side view (notice in the pics above).

[huskerlrrp]

Once I machined the dust cover down to the appropriate thickness, it worked on all my CZ frames. I went with a CZ75SA frame since it was the cheapest to get the beavertail and I thought the Shadows were a little nose heavy. It looks really cool on the SP01 Shadows and Shadow 2 though.

First off there is a lot of sexiness going on there!!!! Nice work!

Secondly,  have read a few threads that covered removing material from the frame as well. You're saying you just removed material from the slide rails and dust cover?

I'll have to check the exact details, but my memory is that I milled 0.045" (0.080" total) off each side of the slide dust cover (no other material removal). There was then some blending of the external radius that houses the recoil spring as this could also come into contact with the frame. I asked a couple people more experienced than I and they suggested the slide route and not relieving the frame. As also mentioned above, you can exchange it on different slides and figure out what feels best to you.

[redlightrich]

Hi Scarlet. Your post make me feel better. I just bought a SP-01 Shadow top end without any real need. I will put it to use though.

I once wanted to buy a frame ( complete gun) for the frames sake. I chose the 75B SS for the following reasons
I liked the different look, which would look nice as 2 tone.
I liked the ambi safety
I liked the beaver tail, which can also be had on a 75B SA only

I really don't know the actual weight difference between a SS and an SA, but it could be a few ounces if that matters.

All the 75 series will serve well. The question is do you need a rail or not. If not, then the 75B, 75B SS, 75B SA are all good hosts.

Note the 75B SS winds up costing at least 125-150 more than a 75B SA

Tell us what you choose

Rich

[Scarlett Pistol]

I didn't get it pre-milled... BUT now that I know I can just have material removed on the slide then I don't NEED a dedicated frame to modify to fit this slide. That is great news, thank you all for letting me know this is an option!

I have a friend who runs the machine shop for a medical implants company. He has said previously I can swing by on weekends when there is down time and I can try some stuff out. I asked him about this slide last night and he said slide rails will be easy. The dust cover... Well, luckily huskerlrrp just explained how he relieved the sides and then blended. This should be a great project, thanks to my friend, and thanks to the help from everyone here!

The slide should be here any day. I am going to the range this afternoon to try out my CZ 75 Compact with the frame modifications I just finished up. This is just in time for another little project. Cross my fingers I can talk to a few local guys who Cerakote and one will teach me how to do it on my own if I do him some favors. That way I can re-finish all these projects.

[huskerlrrp]

I didn't get it pre-milled... BUT now that I know I can just have material removed on the slide then I don't NEED a dedicated frame to modify to fit this slide. That is great news, thank you all for letting me know this is an option!

I have a friend who runs the machine shop for a medical implants company. He has said previously I can swing by on weekends when there is down time and I can try some stuff out. I asked him about this slide last night and he said slide rails will be easy. The dust cover... Well, luckily huskerlrrp just explained how he relieved the sides and then blended. This should be a great project, thanks to my friend, and thanks to the help from everyone here!

The slide should be here any day. I am going to the range this afternoon to try out my CZ 75 Compact with the frame modifications I just finished up. This is just in time for another little project. Cross my fingers I can talk to a few local guys who Cerakote and one will teach me how to do it on my own if I do him some favors. That way I can re-finish all these projects.

If I recall correctly the most time consuming part was making sure the frame was parallel when installed in the vice. I had to run my Interapid test indicator down the rails a half dozen times and then make sure my readout was zeroed so the end mill wouldn't go into the rails. I think I used 4140 material for my speeds and feeds. It came out fine and I'm not a machinist  (got a certificate at a community college 20+ years but experience is the teacher of fools). I'm sure your project will go fine.
While it's there you can always make a bunch of fancy cuts too! If you use CAD I have a model of the TS slide (if you ever want to goof around).

[HST]

sweet

[Scarlett Pistol]

Thanks! That would be awesome if you could send that cad model to me! You haven't happened to of made one for the SP-01 or standard 75 slides have you?

I keep wanting to take the time learn cad but I haven't made time in my learning schedule. I've told myself I need to learn Java first to in an do full implementation of my machine learning projects. That's more responsible of me to do, but I just am so interested in cad programs so I can do these cool projects.

[bigdave24]

You guys are ambitious!  I had CZC mill a TS slide for me and it fits my CZ 75 and Shadow frames well.  Sometimes a slide has to be lapped to run on the frame smoothly, not a big deal. I thought the TS barrel had to be adjusted also, but I'm not sure about that.

[coolbox]

The barrel has to be adjusted. 1 or 1.5mm material has to be removed from the front of locking lug from where the recoil spring guide rod rests. Can give chills to many..
I would have got it all done by CZC.

[huskerlrrp]

The barrel has to be adjusted. 1 or 1.5mm material has to be removed from the front of locking lug from where the recoil spring guide rod rests. Can give chills to many..
I would have got it all done by CZC.

Really? I've run the TS slide with machined dust covers (no locking lug machining) in a SP01 Target, SP01 Shadow, and Shadow 2 without issue.