Within the pistol shooting world there are certain firearms which have over time gained a legendary status. A good number of these have also been periodically updated along the way, refreshed to add newer features while staying true to their core. This month I’ve taken a look at one of these very successful handguns, a CZ 75 which has seen such an update into the SP-01 Tactical model.
My experience with CZ handguns has been quite limited before getting my hands on an SP-01. The closest had been with a full steel 10mm Tanfoglio, a copy of the 75 imported as an EAA Witness. I’m also by now quite familiar with the Scorpion Evo lineup made by CZ which are polymer framed 9mm firearms based off of a submachine gun pattern. Granted they’re a different sort of beast, but they are ones which I hold in very high regards. Being able to take a step back and put some rounds through a more classic CZ was something I had been looking forward to. I tend to really like all metal pistols over the polymer framed offerings, as well.
The SP-01 is a double action which can be had with a manual safety or with a decocker, a feature which makes up the “Tactical” model. Magazines hold 18 rounds and have positive lock-up and release without any sign of binding. A frame mounted rail gives users the option of kitting out their SP-01’s as they see fit. Front and rear slide serrations allow for more options in controlling the slide. The grips are made of black rubber and are nicely contoured. True to the CZ 75’s legacy, the ergonomics of the SP-01 are very good.
This is also very much an all metal pistol. The upper and lower are solid steel. The heft is immediately felt but I happened to like that feeling. It’s a substantial piece of equipment with beautiful fit and finish throughout. I found no machining marks, no blemishes within the smooth black finish, and not a single detail which seemed out of place. I’ve heard stories about CZ’s build quality and it’s never been more apparent than with the SP-01. This is top notch craftsmanship.
The slide has rails which are set inside of the frame so the slide and barrel sit quite low, more nested within the lower rather than stacked on top as with the more traditional handgun layout. Because of this the guide rails are also full length. This also means that there is a lot of space for the off-hand to rest against the frame, which was quite nice. Racking the slide gave me the impression that the two had been hand-fit, the pull was smooth and consistent for the entire length of motion.
Speaking of the sights, the SP-01 comes standard with Tru Dot night sights in a three dot arrangement. It’s a sight picture which is very common and I immediately felt comfortable with.
The magazine was easily loaded to full capacity without the aid of a speed loader and it seemed to have no trouble keeping the slide locked back once empty. The mag release felt a little small to me at first but when I was out on the firing line it felt natural and worked without any trouble. The slide catch easily returns the pistol to battery with that satisfying lock-up which you only get out of an all metal firearm. I felt like it was positioned just a little too far forward but this is not unique to the CZ, I was able to adjust to it easily enough. In back the ambi decocker effortlessly lowered the hammer to a half-cocked position. Racking the slide wasn’t bad, while it only offers about half of the space to grab onto compared to most other sidearms there wasn’t an excessive amount of spring tension.
One “trick” that I like about the 75 models which I can’t do so easily with other pistols is to hook my index finger around the rear sight in order to return it to battery. The sight is tall enough and the amount of resistance is comfortable enough that all it takes is one little tug to release it and I’m ready to roll.
The trigger on the SP-01 felt like it was tuned more for combat, which I would absolutely expect from a pistol with “Tactical” as part of its name. The double action pull was long and heavy, something which my Tanfoglio was also guilty of. I found it difficult to predict exactly where it was going to break, although for the second half of its travel the pull is consistent. Trying to find the breaking point was quite difficult. By comparison the single action pull was tons better, nicely crisp without feeling like a match trigger. Reset is a fairly short trip and it gives a positive and audible click once reached.
The incredibly low bore axis which is a hallmark of the 75 series gave some definite results. The added weight did make it a little more troublesome for me to keep steady on target but wherever the front sight dot landed was exactly where the round was going to go. That extra weight also helped to bring it back onto target following each shot, although my double tap groupings could have fared better.
It was immensely satisfying to drill the bullseye at thirty feet, a feat which happened several times during my run with the SP-01. At that distance the bullseye was about the same diameter as the front sight dot from my perspective. My best grouping measured 1 3/8″, a result which I managed to get twice out of six attempts. The accuracy is definitely there, although I consistently pulled a couple out of every five shot group. I think I know why though, as trying to get the most out of the SP-01 might prove to be a challenge. There is one critical detail where the SP-01 did not agree with me at all.
I’m not sure what the cause had been but after the first five shots I was really feeling it in my trigger finger. After the first 18 round mag I had a red indentation in the bottom edge of my finger. After a box of fifty rounds my hand was begging me to stop. What puzzles me is that I have no idea why this was giving me so much trouble!
Breaking this down I was using Sellier & Bellot 115 grain FMJ, not exactly a hot round. The pistol is all steel, weight and heft help to mitigate felt recoil. The slide sits lower within the frame which should reduce how much the gun jumps. These all suggest that it should be a very comfortable shooting experience, and yet for whatever reason this one really gave me some trouble. Despite my own issues here I must be within the minority, as the 75 series continues to be intensely popular and is further copied by several other manufacturers. There are standard models, combat models, competition models, enlarged models for larger calibers, compact models for carry use, and other models which are very clearly influenced by the 75’s lineage. The fame and reputation is absolutely there.
Legendary status always stems from something memorable, and the CZ 75 lineup has certainly earned its reputation. Its design is just different enough to set it apart from the others without compromising function or reliability. While I’ll admit that the general shape left something to be desired my feelings toward it changed as soon as I had one in my hands. This is a classic sidearm which has withstood the tests of time, expertly crafted and finished into a working piece of art. It’s simple, mean, and effective. While it may see additional modern touches or upgrades over time, I don’t see the 75 series ever disappearing.
