Sphinx SDP Compact Question

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Safetyfirst

member
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
58
There are 4 polymer lines listed on the website: Alpha, Black, Krypton and Sand. Aside from color they are practically identical, except for one thing.

The Alpha line has a hard anodized aluminum upper with a polymer lower and polymer included finger molds. However, the other three lines have hard anodized aluminum uppers AND lowers.

My question is which version of this pistol is preferable. What are the pros and cons of having a polymer lower?

Also, when you click on "Alpha" the two models are shown, but above them is written "Basic Line." Why is that? What makes the Alpha more basic than everything else? It looks completely identical to the Black, except for the make of its lower. I'm confused.

http://www.sphinxarms.com/index.php/sdp-compact-line
 
It's unlikely that anyone here can answer -- as these guns are very new (at least for the U.S.), and their approach is relatively unique. (One of the participants on a local NC shooting forum, a shooting instructor, has one that he is evaluating; we'll get feedback on that, soon. He likes the full-size version a lot, so far.)

The biggest differences between the models you are addressing seesm to be frame materials and frame components, and special finishes.

They also make a polymer upper frame unit for some models, but that may not be offered on the compact version. [I've not familiar with all of the models/options offered.] On some of the other other models, all have a Metal slide and some variant of 1) polymer upper, polymer lower, 2) alloy upper and polymer lower, or 3) alloy upper and alloy lower. I started looking at the detail specs form the website, and see that 4) they also offer an all-stainless steel model. When you click on the pictures, that opens other tabs and windows, and you can get more information.

Personally, I'd like a metal (alloy?) upper and polymer lower unit, as there would be some flex, which would arguably make the gun more recoil-dampening, as seems to be the case with most polymer-framed guns.

I've had several Sphinx pistols, and if their newest (less costly) models are made to similar quality standards, they'll be impressive guns. The ones I had were dark slides with high-gloss stainless frames. They were just too pretty, and they ended up staying in the gun safe -- my ignorance, perhaps, but high-gloss stainless shows marks easily and while you can buff out blemishes, keeping the finish uniform is difficult. The new stainless models shown on their sight seem to be more of a matte finish, and I'd probably still have my old Sphinxs (2000 series) if they had been matte stainless.

Note, too, that while these guns look A LOT like the CZ P-07, if you compare parts diagrams and parts list you'll see that the two gun designs are quite different, internally. The new Sphinxs are not Swiss-made variants of the CZ P-07s... (The older Sphinx guns were similar to CZs, like the Tanfoglio-guns are similar; these newer ones seem quite different.) User manuals and parts diagrams can be downloaded from their respective sites, if you want to see just HOW different.

.
 
Last edited:
bumping this.....I'd like an SDP Compact in Stainless Steel. Any visibility on where to get one? I checked Spinx's dealer list and GB and short of calling every dealer, it appears none are available.
 
I called a Sphinx dealer near me, he contacted his people, and he said they are in production. Had no idea when he would see one.

I snagged an SDP Compact of my own and two extra magazines. Really wish I could get the night sights, but I don't think they are for sale yet.
 
On the similarity question.

A shooter on another forum I frequent compared diagrams and showed (in his messages) that the new Sphinx line is NOT like the P-07 -- as I noted in another response -- but intenrally is quite similar to the older 2000 and 3000 Sphinx guns, with internal parts similar to the standard (non-Omega) CZ-75. That would suggest that they've kept some basic, effective and well-proven 75 design features and put them into a new package (including a new, two-part modular frame).

I have talked with/swapped emails with a Sphinx/Kriss-USA rep and he says that they've redesigned the gun in subtle ways to allow more efficient mass production without sacrificing the quality that has earned them their well-deserved reputation for a high-quality weapon.

It seems that Sphinx/Kriss is getting serious about building a lot of guns.

While some will argue that it's not possible, I think I've got enough guns now; that means I'll probably have to sell something to make room for a Sphinx, when they're finally available...

I'm looking forward to seeing and shooting one.
 
Last edited:
Right now for me it's between this and the Remington R51. Both have excellent attributes.
 
Right now for me it's between this and the Remington R51. Both have excellent attributes.
Click to expand...

That would be an easy choice, for me: I have a few of the more costly guns (Sphinx, or Sphinx+ quality), but really don't have a small EDC (self-defense) gun that I really like. I'd get an R51 if I found one. The Sphinx would come later. I suspect they'll be harder to find, for a while, anyway.
 
Wouldn't the limited capacity and shorter barrel hinder the R51's performance when compared to the Sphinx?
 
Safetyfirst said:
Wouldn't the limited capacity and shorter barrel hinder the R51's performance when compared to the Sphinx?
Click to expand...

Different guns for different applications.

There are times when each of those two would be the better gun to carry, and the Sphinx would be an ideal weapon for home defense (and some concealed carry uses), but I'm presently looking for something to replace my Kel-Tec PF9 or Kahr CM9. I don't think the R51 is quite "pocket-Carry" and the PF9 and CM9 can fill that role, but the R51 is probably going to be much easier to shoot well than either the PF9 or CM9, and has the same capacity. I'll just use a belt slide or IWB holster.
 
Last edited:
bumping this.....I'd like an SDP Compact in Stainless Steel. Any visibility on where to get one? I checked Spinx's dealer list and GB and short of calling every dealer, it appears none are available.
Click to expand...

I don't know what you have been searching on gunbroker but there have been 3/4 of them there for the past month, I just checked again today and they are still there.
 
Well they do look to be an interesting design (I kind of like the Standard model over the Compact), I have to say that the sub-compact Alpha model has one of the uglier trigger guards I have seen on a gun, placing it just slightly ahead of the one on the Colt Mustang XSP.
 
Link? There are no stainless versions...only blued every time I check
Click to expand...

I don't see a reason to post a link, all you have to do is search sphinx sdp. The blued compact model with polymer grip is the only one that has been shipped as of present.
 
I'm quite capable of finding blued ones, thanks. I specifically asked for the stainless version. :scrutiny:
 
Safetyfirst said:
There are 4 polymer lines listed on the website: Alpha, Black, Krypton and Sand. Aside from color they are practically identical, except for one thing.

The Alpha line has a hard anodized aluminum upper with a polymer lower and polymer included finger molds. However, the other three lines have hard anodized aluminum uppers AND lowers.

My question is which version of this pistol is preferable. What are the pros and cons of having a polymer lower?

Also, when you click on "Alpha" the two models are shown, but above them is written "Basic Line." Why is that? What makes the Alpha more basic than everything else? It looks completely identical to the Black, except for the make of its lower. I'm confused.

http://www.sphinxarms.com/index.php/sdp-compact-line
Click to expand...
Why not get CZ p07 or p09? Not sure what the Sphinx costs but I bet 3 or 4 fold more. One thing we can be sure of it isn't 3x or 4x better.
 
I don't understand why people always compare these guns. They are not internally similar whatsoever.
 
PabloJ said:
Why not get CZ p07 or p09? Not sure what the Sphinx costs but I bet 3 or 4 fold more. One thing we can be sure of it isn't 3x or 4x better.
Click to expand...

While, as you suggest, the P-07 (or P-09) may be gun enough for most of us, I would note that new 1911s sell for anywhere from $400 to $3000+, and not all 1911s are created equal.

It may be hard for some of us to imagine any gun being worth 3-4 times more than an apparently similar P-07 or P-09, but I would argue that the similarities aren't as great as they seem. (Safetyfirst was correct about the Sphinx SDP and P-07/P-09 not being all that much alike; a quick comparison of parts diagrams from the user manuals show us that the two guns are quite different, internally.)

Are the new Sphinx guns worth a LOT more than a P-07 or P-09? I don't know, and only time will tell.

I have owned several Sphinx weapons in the past, and while they were based on the basic CZ-75 design the differences were more than just price. As the Sphinx guns hit the market, I would expect real-world prices to be closer to be 2xs the CZ price -- as the new guns were redesigned and intended to be more price competitive with the better service pistols than some of their prior models. Please note: many CZ owners don't hesitate to spend $1000 - $2000 or more for CZ Custom Shop versions of run-of-the-mill CZ-75b (and variants like the SP-01) and others send their guns off to Cajun Gun Works and other shops for costly improvements. Using your reasoning, those CZ CAN'T be worth 3-4 times more than the standard CZ-75B -- but a lot of folks seem to disagree.
 
Last edited:
Safetyfirst said:
The Alpha line has a hard anodized aluminum upper with a polymer lower and polymer included finger molds. However, the other three lines have hard anodized aluminum uppers AND lowers.
Click to expand...

I misread the site info the first time through -- it's complicated!! (I had inferred that there was a two-part, all polymer-framed model, too. That does not seem to be the case.)

The COMPACT LINES, as best I can tell, are 1) ALPHA= black steel slide and black alloy/polymer frame, 2) BLACK = black steel slide and black alloy/alloy frame, 3) KRYPTON = black steel slide and green alloy/alloy frame, 4) SAND = black steel slide and sand-colored alloy/alloy frame, 5) DUOTONE = black slide, silver steel/silver steel frame, and 6) STAINLESS = matte stainless slide and stainless/stainless frame. As noted, above, all of them have polymer inserts that allow the grip size to be adjusted.

The STANDARD (full-size) line is coming in the ALPHA form, i.e., black slide and black alloy/polymer frame. (I'd be surprised if they didn't eventually offer the full-size guns in the same formats as the Compacts...)

As I understand it from talking with a KRISS-USA rep, only decocker models are being offered at present, but versions using a SAFETY will be coming, later.

Here's my source for what's cited above. Click on the pictures as you move around to get access to deeper menu choices: http://www.sphinxarms.com/index.php/sdp-standard-line/sdp-standard-alpha-line/sdp-standard-alpha


.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
Another "what gun next" thread
Replies
13
Views
516
swjr72
S
M
  • Locked
US Arms Polymer AR Lower
Replies
16
Views
1K
MistWolf
M
P
  • Locked
Colt LE6920 Magpul Edition With Anodized Receiver Review
Replies
4
Views
765
bluethunder1962
B
M
  • Locked
Opinions please (First AR15)
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
ten bears
T
Skylerbone
  • Locked
Gentlemen; Let’s Get Kraken!
Replies
1
Views
791
Skylerbone
Skylerbone
Back
Top