AZoneZenSeeker

Well yesterday morning I found and bought a CZ SP-01 at an FFL here in SoCal. Thanks pointerman1967 for the heads up to the source! I loved the feel of the gun. Yes johnson1480, the mag release is great. The stock trigger felt great in SA. The slide release is a bit farther than my Glock, but, if an issue I guess I could go the "slingshot" route. I assume in USPSA you can choose when to reload, so, that would not be an issue. Don't know how often an "emergency reload" situation might be mandated in IDPA. I admit that the manual decock is a concern. Tried the "thumb roll" technique with it several times. It seemed to work fairly well, but, still heard a small click when when it finally released. I have always used Federal ammo because of the reputation of a sensitive primer. Maybe different ammo with a not so sensitive primer?. I bought it before I read jbultman's experiences as a SO, which added a bit more concern. Will be practicing manual decocking techniques many times on empty practice range with live ammo before ever using in competition. I would have preferred a Decocker version of this pistol, but, not on the California Roster! I am taking to heart all the advice from so many to use my Glock 34 and dive into competition. I will delay my plan to get a new drop in trigger for the Glock. Staying away from a lighter trigger pull for now, for added safety. The list by rowdyb is a great checklist. I feel I am good to go for everything but some movement with gun. Will get some private handgun bay time in to work toward "run and gun". Although I plan on "slow walking" my first competition. For my own egos sake, I add one more aspect to that list.... Hit the A Zone once in a while! . To that end, this forum has been a great help. I feel that I may soon be able to change my "title" to "sees sights rise". So, my plan is to observe at least one match and get a feel for requirements for movement and accuracy and then use my Glock to start competition. I feel very comfortable with it. This will allow me to get comfortable with the competition environment without also learning a new DA/SA (manual decocking) gun. I will need to wait a few weeks to get my hands on the CZ (California "jail" time for new guns). After I try it out on the range, I will then be sending it off to CGW or CZ Customs for competition mods and that will take several weeks. By the time I get it back and get proficient with it I will hopefully be comfortable with competition. At that point I can finally determine the "attributes" of the gun that work best for me.

Ya that auto spell "corrector" is a pain. I'm on an iPad and get no emoticon buttons. Pointerman1967, I must admit that one "attribute" of a DA/SA gun that makes it very appealing, for me, is that it's a NEW TOY . And since I have more money than brains ( but not that much money.... Hmmmm ) I am still looking at selecting one. I have not shot one since Army Infantry training ( Colt 45 MANY years ago ) and I am hoping a DA/SA just works better for me. Thanks for input johnsons1480. Am looking toward a SP-01 that I can get upgrades for competition after I buy it. CGW or CZ Customs both look good. But CGW not taking any more gun smithing work for the rest of June. I do have a last (probably) couple of Noob questions. Since a DA/SA metal gun will be heavier than a "poly" gun, does anyone have issues shooting one Weak Hand Only? Right now shooting WHO my aim wobbles around even with my Glock 34. In Typical competitions, are there many WHO stages? I hope to get better understanding of competitions by observing both an IDPA and USPSA match in the next month or so. Again, thanks for the great feedback!

That is what I am interested in, typically how many shots in a stage? If a lot then DA not near as important as SA. Slide lock release might be more important in California, where we can only have 10 rounds in the mag, leading to emergency reloads if the stage has a lot of shots....

Well Johnsons1480, how is it going on the path with a SP-10? I'm going to be looking at one this weekend. Seems like strong hand SA it would be great. However, I do have concerns about DA, and, ease of mag release and slide lock release. Seems there are typically about six stages, so, only six DA shots... So, how many shots in a typical stage that you can shoot SA? The Glock is very easy for drop mag and release slide lock. Any tougher with a big external safety in the way? With the a Glock I don't have to move my grip much to hit both releases. I have not competed yet, so, do not know how important these mag changes are in a typical stage.

Thanks for suggestion, looks like a great gun. Would love to be able to buy it. But, I live in California and it is not on the allowable handgun "Roster"........

Wow, thanks for some great feedback! I currently do have a striker fired pistol (Glock 34, Gen3). Added FO sights and did .25 cent trigger job. Didn't mention it as I did not want to influence feedback based on that. I have gotten a few general concepts from the feedback that have helped make my decision. Lighter "poly" gun will be better at moving and getting on target, but, really helps to have good grip and trigger control. The heavier DA/SA guns will help with recoil and accuracy. All good info! And thanks to cjdaniel for going into "novel mode" (in case you haven't noticed by now, I tend toward "novel mode" myself). I think I will need more than a few shots from a borrowed gun to determine what is best for me. Since I still have issues with recoil control (still on CoC grippers "trainer") and my main focus right now is to hit what I am at, I am going to try to find the best DA/SA available to me in SoCal. Thanks Graham, I will will try out the "feel for Natural Point of Aim". Once I buy new gun I will shoot the heck out of both my new gun and the Glock 34 to see which one works best for me. As a side note, the guns such as the GZ P-09 or the CZ shadow look great, but, generally not available to me. Stuff you guys take for granted, such as any Gen 4 Glock or any XDM series pistol, or, pretty much any new gun are all "off roster". LEO's can buy them and if they later decide to sell we civilians can buy them. But, you are then bidding against everyone in the state that wants one and the price we pay is twice what you guys in the "Free States" pay. Don't even get me started on the reduced round mags or the ridiculous rules on AR type "evil" rifles! OK, step off soap box now and stop whining. Back to topic.... The other concept I got a lot was "Just start shooting competitions!". Once I feel I am totally safe shooter with selected gun I will look for a SoCal match. Don't know yet if IDPA or USPSA, but, that's a future thread. Plan on finishing the NRA Pistol and Defensive Pistol qualifications that I am currently working on. Also hope to soon have private lesson(s) with a USPSA GM who also shoots a lot of IDPA.. If he thinks I am ready, then I'm a good to go! Thanks for all the feedback. BTW, it looks like CZ 75 SP-01 is on the "roster" so will start the search looking at that one!

ChuckS, thanks for the link. Also, thanks for clarification on USPSA "Divisons". I guess I proved I am in the Newbie "Class" of people :-). (I don't even know how to use emoticons!) So, a Striker fired pistol would avoid the External safety manipulation and the DA first trigger pull weight!

Newbie here. Long time lurker, first post. Although I am still only at the point of gaining proficiency in marksmanship skills, I want to work toward competition shooting such as IDPA/USPSA. I have read in many places that it is best to pick a competition gun and stick with It, rather than switching back and fourth. I plan on shooting SSP/Production classes. I am not looking for a recommendation for a specific gun. I know the possibilities are numerous. Also, it is likely I could not buy the recommended gun, since I live in California where we have a "roster" of acceptable guns. Getting recommendations for guns I cannot buy is just depressing. So, I am looking for more general info: SA or DA/ SA? Is trigger control on a DA/SA gun (1911, CZ 75, etc) easier than on SA guns, after the first shot? Or, is the trigger weight of the first shot more of detriment to overall score? Weight of Gun? Is there a trade off of recoil control vs ease of driving the gun? Does a lighter weight "poly" gun (Glock, XD, etc) allow you to get on targets and transition to targets faster? Will a heavier gun (CZ) make recoil easier to control? If so, which is more beneficial for competition? Manual Safety? Is there a benefit to not having to deal with the safety as part of the draw? If a DA/SA gun has a manual safety, are you allowed to cock the gun before holstering if the safety is on? I know good instruction and loads of practice is the most important thing. Just want to get best gun to be practicing with. Would like it to become part of my arm before I start competition!