i've narrowed my selection down to 2 different 9mm's, but which to choose?

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jhegro

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a CPO Sig P226 or a CZ SP-01? both are at my price range of 500.
(will more than likely buy off of buds)

P226:
Pros:
-time tested design
-fantastic ergos
-mass aftermarket and accessories

Cons:
-its CPO, meaning only 1 year warranty
-lack of accessory rail

SP-01
Pros:
-NATO certification
-popular overseas
-accessory rail for tacicoolness

Cons:
-not a very popular make/model in the US
-not a large aftermarket/accessories in the US
-i have yet to hold one. i have smaller hands and am worried it may be too large for my hands.

if anyone has any other pros or cons to add to either gun, it would be greatly appreciated.
 
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I shot a rental P239 and was not impressed, but I do know that I can't judge Sig based on a bad rental.

I am looking to try out the P-01 at a gun show soon to see how it feels, but from what I've done research-wise, I heard nothing but good stuffs about it.
 
For a carry gun go with the Sig no if's, and's or buts but for a range gun the CZ is the way to go, very accurate, actually extremely accurate weapon but too big for carry purposes.
 
You can't go wrong either way jhegro. Those are probably my top two 9mm pistols. I give the shooting edge to the CZ from an ergonomics standpoint. Aesthetics wise, I prefer the CZ... especially the SP-01. Put on cocobolo grips (not that you need them since the standard grips feel so good), and you've got a beautiful gun.
 
jhegro

Given these are the only two choices, I would opt for the P-226. I too have small hands, and I found the P-226 to be very ergonomic in that regard. Even better; the P-228 with its slightly smaller dimensions makes for not only a great feeling compact 9mm., but also a nicely concealable one as well.
 
Easy decision if you think about it..

...

Let's see, OP has it down to 2 guns, both Sigs..

Have you considered a Beretta..?

Now, back to what the OP said he wants, one of 2 Sigs..
-----------
I quote:

P226:

Pros:
-time tested design
-fantastic ergos
-mass aftermarket and accessories

Cons:
-its CPO, meaning only 1 year warranty
-lack of accessory rail
---------
...

The only thing you won't be able to hang on that rail is a flashlight, but a small one in your other hand is far better, not to mention for use of gun with any holster, you're gonna have to take off that rail option..(hanging flashlight or flashlight/laser, in one).

If you want a Laser, no rail needed, and again, no holster use if you hang one down on a rail. But you can get a far better laser built right into some P226 Crimson Trace laser grips.. and use any holster with them.

If the gun is gonna break, believe me, it will be in the 1st yr of your possession and most rounds fired in any year that you own that gun, so IF it's been refurbished correctly, which my big bet is.. it has been, as Sig gunsmiths are very proud and don't hesitate to replace anything that looks a touch off, so basically you're getting a new gun at half the price..

Get the P226, and start living The_Lavida with it..

Oh, on a side note, the German Sigs, non-railed, are much more valuable when it comes to a Sig gun collector up the long road ahead of you.. fyi

Enjoy,


Ls
 
Javelin - i've rented Glocks many times at the range and i really wish i liked them because they are cheap and nearly indestructible, but the grip angle really messes with my accuracy. im sure if i purchased one, in time i would improve, but im not looking to modify my ways to suit a glock :)
 
Are you planning on carrying the one you buy or is it strictly for range use?

The SP-01 is much heavier than the 226 (the SP-01 frame is all steel compared with the aluminum 226 - unless you're talking a 226ST). That's a plus for a range only or home defense guns. The SP-01 is available in 2 different configurations: One with a standard CZ75 type safety and one is available with a decocker and no safety (similar to the CZ P-01 and actually, come to think of it, the Sig).

What kind of accessories are you looking for? Grips are widely available (IIRC, you can use CZ-75 grips). Night sites are available (mine came standard with them). CZ has a tacticool bayonet for this model :what:. Streamlight M3 fits. It comes with 2 19 round mags, but 16 round CZ75s will work as well. Leather might be difficult to find. Kydex might be easier than leather, but still rather rare compared to the Sig.
 
SouthpawShootr:

no carry. just for range/home defense use. i guess the only accessories im looking for is maybe a kydex type holster, and a light, since its for home defense. the sp01 would give me the flexiblity to mount the light on the gun itself leaving both hands free. i suppose im going into the field of personal preference with having a mounted light vs not.

i guess i have some thinking to do infront of me.
 
M&P 9mm

Check out a S&W M&P. Right now S&W has a $50 rebate on the M&P and two additional mags (total of 4) from the factory. For about $450 plus tax you have a new gun and 4 factory fresh mags. Just a thought.
 
See if you can rent an example of each at a range. The Sig should be pretty easy to find. If you could find a CZ75, that would be close enough.

The suggestion about the M&P is something else to think about. Excellent pistol. I can usually find them for $450 before the rebate. For $400 and 2 extra mags, that's alot of gun and it's got a light rail.
 
CZ.

Never knew anyone who could shoot just one cz.

I buy way too many guns and the wife pointed out to me last night that I buy two CZs for every other type of gun. Told her "They're accurate, they work, they feel good and they don't break."

Thinking about it I've never heard of a cz kaboom or cheesy springs breaking or anything about one being inaccurate. Can't think of single FTF or FTE with any of my czs either.

Think I need another cz...
 
I've got a CZ-75B and 75D PCR plus the .22 Kadet Kit that works flawlessly on both. I bought a Sig P228 a few years ago because I read they were the untilmate Sig. Its a very good gun, but the lightweight compact PCR does everything the Sig does and is lighter, slimmer and more accurate while holding an additional round. The CZ is also more ergonomic with a wonderful grip. After market parts are available though CZ-USA and others.
 
I have the CZ SP-01 Tactical. I had a Sig -- got rid of it.

I would disagree about the "Con" of aftermarket accessories -- there's as much available for the CZ as there is for the Sig. Fact is, you don't really need much for an SP-01 out of the box, except for maybe an upgrade to the sights.

I'd also offer that if you do a search on THR for "CZ", you'll find more threads that you can shake a stick at and that the number of CZ owners (and fans) is, in fact, very high.

The "cocked and locked" option of the standard CZ is a selling point with a lot of people (not me, personally). If you like that, then it's something that you don't get with the Sig.

Both the Sig and CZ are fine guns, but if I had to pick one (especially with the uses you've outlined) I'd go with the CZ in a heartbeat.

Jim
 
For just a non-carry/range/home defense gun, I'd go with the SP-01, out of the two. Double stack Sigs don't feel terribly good in my hand (unlike the P220, which is superb) compared to the CZs, and all that steel in the SP-01 makes it very fast handling on follow up shots and other drills. Accuracy with mine is also exemplary.

But I would say it all boils down to how the ergos on both fit you, personally. What works for other folks may or may not work for you.
 
only the P-01 has NATO approval...

Anyway I have the SP-01, I love it so much better then my friends P226.

And there is QUITE a bit of aftermarket for it, especially for competition work. My SP-01 is in the shop right now getting a conversion over to S/A only, and it's getting a new S/A trigger and competition hammer.
 
I think the best 9mm in the world is the Glock 17.
Click to expand...

+1, Bar none.

The Glock 17 (and 19) has a NATO Stock Number too, if that is an important criterion for you in selecting a handgun.

GS
 
well you can get the sig with the acessory rail if you really want it. I know sig is a great brand and they make a hell of a gun but i cant shoot them well at all. For a while i thought i sucked at pistol shooting cuz i was only shooting a 228. Once i got a ruger p95 i was real good. Go figure. make sure you hold the CZ if that's what you decide to get!;)
 
I've owned the CZ 75B, 75BD, 75SA, SP-01, 97B and the SIG P220, P225, P226, P232, GSR over the years. The SIGs are prettier inside, but in my experience this didn't provide any meaningful difference in accuracy or reliability. As someone with smallish hands myself I'd say the CZ is a better choice ergonomically. The 226 with hogue rubber grips was a bit uncomfortable for me, the CZ is more natural.

I'm not sure what "aftermarket" support you're concerned about, magazine, grips, sights, triggers, etc are easily attainable for both pistols. The 226 may be lighter, most are aluminum framed, pretty sure the SP-01 is all steel. I had a Surefire X200 hanging off my SP-01, worked rather well as a nightstand gun with the factory meprolights.

SIG makes a great pistol, CZ also makes a great pistol, at about 60% - 70% of the cost. I still own two CZs, I sold all of the SIGs....

Get to a range where you can rent and shoot both. This is BY FAR the most informative thing you can do for your decision!
 
no experience with sig but i have a CZ 75B and a CZ 40b and they are both accurate and very comfortable to shoot plus they are very affordable..I might save for a SP01 myself..
 
My personal preference would swing towards the Sig. They fit me well, and I shoot mine very well. I've shot an SP-01 and it was quite nice as well. I would think if the full sized P226 fit your hands, the SP-01 probably would as well. Have you shot both? Try them both out if you can, and choose which ever shoot better for you.

I also think either choice is better than a Glock 17. :neener:
 
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