CZ 75 Shadow SP01 vs Grand Power X-Calibur

[hal1955]

Muzzle flip is a big issue for me. Lots of flip with a Glock17, way way less with a CZ Shadow so I prefer the Shadow. What is muzzle flip like with the Excalibur?

[amish_rabbi]

Muzzle flip is a big issue for me. Lots of flip with a Glock17, way way less with a CZ Shadow so I prefer the Shadow. What is muzzle flip like with the Excalibur?

about the same as a shadow with 147gr minor PF ammo, with hotter ammo (say factory 115gr from china) the x-cal has less than the shadow

[Canuck223]

Muzzle flip is almost the wrong term for the X-Calibur. Where most guns have a predictable muzzle rise and fall with a given load, the X-Cal is more sight oscillation.

I've had a number of experienced shooters stutter while trying to shoot for speed.
The cause was between their ears.
They paused to wait for the sights to come back on target, only the sight hadn't actually left the target.
One they realized that quirk, it was smooth sailing.

[cpa5oh]

We'll have one to Amidon for the full touchy-feely so that when we have the 2000 in the country the approval should be painless.

When do you expect the gun to be in the US?

[NicVerAZ]

We'll have one to Amidon for the full touchy-feely so that when we have the 2000 in the country the approval should be painless.

When do you expect the gun to be in the US?

I was about to ask the same question

[Canuck223]

If the stars and moon align, and there are no surprise dragons to slay, we might see the X-Calibur here in July.
Being more conservative, more likely this fall.

I hate dragons. I really hate dragons.

[edwill]

Shooting mine for 3 months. Awesome pistol.

Sent from my GT-I9295 using Tapatalk

[Maks_H]

Shot 4k with mine and I am very happy. Easy transitions and soft recoil, which can totaly compare with heavier steel guns like Shadow, Stock 3, etc.... I am using 145grs bullets.

[GPspeck]

There is something special about the X Calibur. It can really be counted on for quick transitions because it simply does not move. That sight is pretty much where you left it on the previous round. I've had some trouble adjusting to the gun from my K100 because I think the trigger does need more finesse. I seem to hit it too hard.

I'd like the factory to do a metal trigger for it since I think this would make the whole action even smoother. I have no real basis for this but it's just a hunch.

With my K100 I had a standard steel front sight and shot that v.well. I am considering removing the fibre optic front sight from my XCal and going to steel front sight. Is it just me or is the fibre optic too distracting??

I have shot the Shadow and it is a robust platform, probably more support for that gun as well as accessories. The question here is which is better though and to be honest it's still early days. My bet is on the GP becoming something of a leader in providing more tricked out production guns at affordable prices. The company is smaller and they are willing to focus on development in tighter cycles than CZ.

While this can have some issues, it is exciting to shoot these weapons knowing it's the new kid on the block. The GP also gets lots of criticism for being a poly frame, however I was interested to read somewhere on this forum that apparently, I quote, 'The Grand Power guns are not polymer framed guns. They have a cnc machined steel frame holding the hammer group. The polymer is just a grip. In that way, it's somewhat like the STI 2011.' kudos to whoever wrote this, it made my day so I saved it on my notes.

[Canuck223]

The subject of a plain serrated front sight was brought up by one of the South African dealers at IWA, and I've brought the request to the table. We used to offer one, but most people opted for the FO version.

The X-Cal trigger does reward smooth control, and will remind you quickly if you get sloppy. I am very impressed with the most recent tweak. My Mk7's had the original hammers with no half cock notch. Smooth and light! The new hammers have a half cock notch and a crisper release and shorter reset. The engineers really outdid themselves.

[amish_rabbi]

There is something special about the X Calibur. It can really be counted on for quick transitions because it simply does not move. That sight is pretty much where you left it on the previous round. I've had some trouble adjusting to the gun from my K100 because I think the trigger does need more finesse. I seem to hit it too hard.

I'd like the factory to do a metal trigger for it since I think this would make the whole action even smoother. I have no real basis for this but it's just a hunch.

With my K100 I had a standard steel front sight and shot that v.well. I am considering removing the fibre optic front sight from my XCal and going to steel front sight. Is it just me or is the fibre optic too distracting??

I have shot the Shadow and it is a robust platform, probably more support for that gun as well as accessories. The question here is which is better though and to be honest it's still early days. My bet is on the GP becoming something of a leader in providing more tricked out production guns at affordable prices. The company is smaller and they are willing to focus on development in tighter cycles than CZ.

While this can have some issues, it is exciting to shoot these weapons knowing it's the new kid on the block. The GP also gets lots of criticism for being a poly frame, however I was interested to read somewhere on this forum that apparently, I quote, 'The Grand Power guns are not polymer framed guns. They have a cnc machined steel frame holding the hammer group. The polymer is just a grip. In that way, it's somewhat like the STI 2011.' kudos to whoever wrote this, it made my day so I saved it on my notes.

you are welcome

as I said in my review, I think its the #1 pick for production of all the guns I've tried, and its where id spend my money if I was going to shoot production

[levellinebrad]

What is the estimate on pricing once it hits the US market?

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

[Canuck223]

Sub $900 range.

[Carlos]

"There is something special about the X Calibur. It can really be counted on for quick transitions because it simply does not move. That sight is pretty much where you left it on the previous round. I've had some trouble adjusting to the gun from my K100 because I think the trigger does need more finesse. I seem to hit it too hard.

I'd like the factory to do a metal trigger for it since I think this would make the whole action even smoother. I have no real basis for this but it's just a hunch.

With my K100 I had a standard steel front sight and shot that v.well. I am considering removing the fibre optic front sight from my XCal and going to steel front sight. Is it just me or is the fibre optic too distracting??

I have shot the Shadow and it is a robust platform, probably more support for that gun as well as accessories. The question here is which is better though and to be honest it's still early days. My bet is on the GP becoming something of a leader in providing more tricked out production guns at affordable prices. The company is smaller and they are willing to focus on development in tighter cycles than CZ.

While this can have some issues, it is exciting to shoot these weapons knowing it's the new kid on the block. The GP also gets lots of criticism for being a poly frame, however I was interested to read somewhere on this forum that apparently, I quote, 'The Grand Power guns are not polymer framed guns. They have a cnc machined steel frame holding the hammer group. The polymer is just a grip. In that way, it's somewhat like the STI 2011.' kudos to whoever wrote this, it made my day so I saved it on my notes. "

Thanks for the review! Q. for you: while you indicate the X Calibur's sights do not move, would you say the same for the K100? If not, what makes the difference between these 2 guns? Lightened slide on the X Calibur? Recoil spring? Something else?

Edited May 13, 2014 by Carlos

[Canuck223]

Carlos,

The X-Calibur and K100 weigh about the same. The added weight of the X-Calibur's barrel is offset by the weight reduction in the slide.

The net effect is the X-Calibur tracks even better than the K100.

[GPspeck]

Hi Carlos,

As Canuck223 mentions, it is primarily the slide in my opinion that makes the difference, it's lighter. It's noticeable when you rack the gun. Don't get me wrong, the K100 is also fantastic! However the factory took the X-Calibur to a different level on the trigger and slide action. The trigger on the X-Cal is smooth throughout the action on DA. Single action is so nice because the reset keeps the trigger back so there is not slack when you come back for the follow up shot. Trigger reset on the K100 is similar but it cannot be as smooth because there is a firing pin block and this 'click' is felt on the trigger when using the K100.

With the X-Cal there is no firing pin block safety so the trigger pulls through clean and slick.

I would never hesitate to buy the K100 as a production/carry gun. You can be competitive on the weekend and carry it if you wish. If you are purely interested in a competition gun, then I would look at the X-Calibur. What I like about this platform is you can have that same frame in a number of configurations - P1 / K100 / X-Cal.

This is nice because you can pick up the gun you need for the application and the ergonomics are the same, apart from slide length. I have those 3 and I appreciate them equally.

I recently stripped out my gun using some instructions from Canuck223 and when I took it to a local gunsmith and showed him the gun he was impressed with the design choices GrandPower made. It's fairly obvious they engineered stuff to last with minimal parts to do the job. It's an elegant design with function, I say it's utilitarian.

With regard to the SP-01 - if you compare it to the K100 or the X-Calibur out of the box with no work done (As it should be for Production) then both the GrandPowers are better in my opinion. The best CZ SP-01 trigger I felt was heavily worked and still the 'slack' on single action is there.

[GPspeck]

"There is something special about the X Calibur. It can really be counted on for quick transitions because it simply does not move. That sight is pretty much where you left it on the previous round. I've had some trouble adjusting to the gun from my K100 because I think the trigger does need more finesse. I seem to hit it too hard.

I'd like the factory to do a metal trigger for it since I think this would make the whole action even smoother. I have no real basis for this but it's just a hunch.

With my K100 I had a standard steel front sight and shot that v.well. I am considering removing the fibre optic front sight from my XCal and going to steel front sight. Is it just me or is the fibre optic too distracting??

I have shot the Shadow and it is a robust platform, probably more support for that gun as well as accessories. The question here is which is better though and to be honest it's still early days. My bet is on the GP becoming something of a leader in providing more tricked out production guns at affordable prices. The company is smaller and they are willing to focus on development in tighter cycles than CZ.

While this can have some issues, it is exciting to shoot these weapons knowing it's the new kid on the block. The GP also gets lots of criticism for being a poly frame, however I was interested to read somewhere on this forum that apparently, I quote, 'The Grand Power guns are not polymer framed guns. They have a cnc machined steel frame holding the hammer group. The polymer is just a grip. In that way, it's somewhat like the STI 2011.' kudos to whoever wrote this, it made my day so I saved it on my notes. "

Thanks for the review! Q. for you: while you indicate the X Calibur's sights do not move, would you say the same for the K100? If not, what makes the difference between these 2 guns? Lightened slide on the X Calibur? Recoil spring? Something else?

I wrote the post above and realised I didn't give you a specific answer to this. Follow up shots on the K100 are also very quick with the sight being easy to get back on target, however the X-Cal has a longer barrel and lighter slide, so it seems the rotation of the barrel is absorbing recoil, while the mass if the barrel remains up front. The barrel twists on it's axis so it's not causing the gun to move up or down. The slide, being lighter is coming back and not causing too much interruption because the mass of the barrel is forward (it's quite a long barrel)

On the K100 the barrel does not have so much relative mass out front and the slide is heavier (ratio wise), so it recoils comparatively more.

Both guns are light so moving them around is real nice too as you go to the next target acquisition.

[BeerBaron]

I'm surprised this is not in the US yet. They've even made it to australia for some time. I'm very tempted to buy one and give it a go (as a current shadow and stock II owner and shooter), but support here is fairly limited as is accessories (hoslter options etc). When I first saw it I thought it was ugly as hell but it's grown on me a bit and I certainly respect them trying some different stuff in a production gun. It's been on the IPSC prod div list for a while now. I guess it will get USPSA approval some time soon. BTW, they are $1300 AUD here (about $1280 USD!!!). ouch.

[Canuck223]

Well, not to jump the official announcement, but I haven't stopped smiling for a few weeks......


I didn't immediately love the slide scallops, but after beating the crap out of a pair for the last 14 months, I am sold.

The weight and balance is awesome.

[BeerBaron]

I should have mentioned one other point for fairness and completeness. a CZ SP01 Shadow here is retail of $1290 (street price can be lower, but that's the retail). So it certainly competes with it's key rival on price in this market.

I would love to shoot one. I'm really tempted to just buy one to try it out, but with 3 production guns already in the safe (shadow, shadow orange and stock II) i really need to just shoot the one thing for a while!

Canuck, are they gaining ground in canada as a viable shadow alternative?

are their mags compatible with any other common production gun? or do we have to buy specific GP mags?

[Canuck223]

In Canada the X-Calibur had been held back by distribution headaches. The first distributor only brought in a small number then underwent a corporate divorce. The importer that followed up didn't put them on their first order, and heard nothing but grief until the second order. Now that increasingly more people are trying them on for size, the demand is really growing.

You can use Grand Power magazines in your CZ or Tanfoglio (small frame), but to use any other CZ75 pattern magazine in your Grand Power, you would need to broach the mag catch hole in the front of the magazine. In most markets, I would just suggest going with the factory mags. As Australia's laws suffer from a rectal cranial inversion almost worse than Canada's, it might be worth the effort to modify mags you already have.

[Sandbagger123]

In Canada the X-Calibur had been held back by distribution headaches. The first distributor only brought in a small number then underwent a corporate divorce. The importer that followed up didn't put them on their first order, and heard nothing but grief until the second order. Now that increasingly more people are trying them on for size, the demand is really growing.

You can use Grand Power magazines in your CZ or Tanfoglio (small frame), but to use any other CZ75 pattern magazine in your Grand Power, you would need to broach the mag catch hole in the front of the magazine. In most markets, I would just suggest going with the factory mags. As Australia's laws suffer from a rectal cranial inversion almost worse than Canada's, it might be worth the effort to modify mags you already have.

Some smart person should make a repeatable jig for making the hole. It would make life a lot cheaper and easier for gp owners.

[justaute]

X-Calibur probably won't be available here in the US for another 10 weeks or so, per Grand Power.

[BeerBaron]

In Canada the X-Calibur had been held back by distribution headaches. The first distributor only brought in a small number then underwent a corporate divorce. The importer that followed up didn't put them on their first order, and heard nothing but grief until the second order. Now that increasingly more people are trying them on for size, the demand is really growing.

You can use Grand Power magazines in your CZ or Tanfoglio (small frame), but to use any other CZ75 pattern magazine in your Grand Power, you would need to broach the mag catch hole in the front of the magazine. In most markets, I would just suggest going with the factory mags. As Australia's laws suffer from a rectal cranial inversion almost worse than Canada's, it might be worth the effort to modify mags you already have.

umm I would say our gun law rectal cranial inversion is at least equal to Canada's if not worse in some areas. Our long arms laws are pretty hilarious!

At least we can still get most of the toys.

So basically it just needs the mag catch holes opened up a bit. The thing is CZ's here are everywhere and mags plentiful. GP, not so much. If I buy one since I already have 16 CZ mags it would make sense not to buy more GP mags!

thanks for the info too.

[Canuck223]

One issue that apparently came up with our last shipment to our Australian distributor is I guess a change in Australian law (or interpretation).

We normally ship dimpled 10 round mags to markets that require the reduced capacity magazines.

Sounds like that is no longer an option for Australia, and we'd have to look at the short mag tubes with the plastic bases. Ugh!@