Jump to content
Brian Enos's Forums... Maku mozo!

Reality check on a handgun purchase; CZ TSO


Dragon_Medic

Recommended Posts

Let me preface this with my current situation. I'm not a USPSA shooter yet, though I will probably be getting into it in the near future. Right now I just shoot action pistol at my local club, which is a very light-on-rules, informal practical shooting event. That said, I'm a bit of a gear nut, and a trigger snob. My carry gun, a Springfield xDM OSP 9mm with the PRP trigger kit, is just not quite making me happy deep inside.

 

Thus, I'm considering getting a range toy with a good trigger to use in action pistol at my club, and in the future, probably in USPSA matches. I'm very much on the red dot bandwagon, so I'm going to be in carry optics or open. Between the two, the less restrictive open class appeals more.

 

I'm reasonably certain I'd like to get a 9mm CZ Tactical Sport Orange, and mount a red dot on it. I know the Czechmate is better suited to open, since it includes an optic and a compensator. However, I already have a Trijicon SRO in a drawer that I mean to mount on the gun, so I don't need an additional red dot. Besides that, I don't reload (yet), so I'm not going to be shooting major power factor anytime soon. Thus, no need for the compensator. This leads me to think I can just get the TSO and save myself $1,300 to spend on ammo.

 

So, the question: would I be better served just biting the bullet and getting the Czechmate? Is it a better gun, in addition to having more factory accessories? And, once I start reloading, could I modify the TSO down the line to add a compensator and shoot MPF, or does it need to be designed to do that from the factory?

 

Additionally, is there another open gun I should be considering in lieu of CZ, something with a superlative trigger that I can grab for around $2k?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My vote goes to buy what makes you happy and is more practical for you now.

 

Then after you start reloading if your still interested in doing open buy a decidated open gun.

 

I mean who doesn't want to have excuses to buy more toys.

 

Realistically, buying a gun that your not sure you want, just so you have the option to convert it later IF you start reloading and IF you decide to shoot open seems like a bad idea.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If the czechmate/TSO fit your hand really well and the CM initial purchase isnt a crazy stretch, you could run the optic mount on the frame and the sight block on the barrel shooting factory minor rounds until you've caught the competitive bug and get sick of giving up major scoring points.  then you just thread on the comp and open major is ready to rock.  fwiw mine with the comp and all factory springs runs pretty much any minor round i throw at it except an occasional 147 handload, but any factory 115 runs it just fine.

 

I redrilled and mounted an SRO on my czechmate cmore mount and love the change from the battery hog cmore. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I recently bought an Open gun after researching/figuring out/sorting through what I’d think I like. Based on your criteria, I think you may find the $2000 price to be the limiting factor. The list I came up with  was Czechmate at $3200, Bul UR at $3600 (polymer grip), then $5000+ for the rest.

 

9mm TSO is $1750+ $100 for CZC mount+ your SRO that you already have. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you're pretty firm playing in the open division, my suggestion is to get the Czechmate; if you're wanting to go the CZ route.  While it won't be optimal you can run factory 9mm ammo in the CZ and shoot open/minor.  Adding a comp to a TSO is more involved than just screwing on a comp, so if you're wanting to shoot open/major the CM is already setup for it.  

 

 

 

 

Edited by muncie21
Link to comment
Share on other sites

49 minutes ago, dogtired said:

Why not shoot carry optics?

Agreed.  If it was me, I'd go with the TSO and shoot carry optics.  With the current rule set, that's about as good of a gun as it gets in carry optics. 

 

If you want to shoot open from there it's another level of commitment and there aren't many competitive guys (or girls) running a $2k open gun.

 

All that being said, if you just want to shoot whatever gun is currently blowing your hair back and open is the only class it fit in then do that.  The reality is the gun is only a small factor in how well you perform in USPSA.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Michael303 said:

Agreed.  If it was me, I'd go with the TSO and shoot carry optics.  With the current rule set, that's about as good of a gun as it gets in carry optics. 

I thought only DA, DA/DA or 'safe action' pistols were allowed in CO division.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, muncie21 said:

I thought only DA, DA/DA or 'safe action' pistols were allowed in CO division.....

Oops, you're right.  I was thinking of the Shadow 2.

 

Edit:  I don't think anyone will be surprised to see SA triggers made legal in CO in the near future with the way things are going.

Edited by Michael303
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would not recommend the TSO for what the OP is describing.  While it can be converted to an Open gun, it is a compromise.  I did just that and was not happy.  Given the price constraints I'd go with something like an S2 milled for the SRO.  You can be very competitive with it.  Around me there are a couple of Ms and GMs that routinely place higher than the Open shooters.

 

Since you do not reload now, forget about Open.  With Open minor you are at such a scoring disadvantage it isn't worth it.  No one near me shoots Open minor anymore.  They all moved to CO.  The only reason they were in Open minor in the first place was the could no longer see their sights.  Open was (at the time) the only Division that allowed optics.

 

CO is only scored minor, so no scoring disadvantage in your Div.  Buy extended base pads to get you to 20+ in the mag.  Then stage plan like Limited and sight like Open.  When and if you get tired of CO, buy a good, used 2011 Open gun.  While the CM IS a good gun, there is not a lot you can do to it.  I've gone to 2011s for Open for just that reason.  If you are serious you have to tune the gun and the load together.  You have many more options with a 2011.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

SP01 Shadow or Shadow 2 in carry optics will do what you seek.  
 

For someone who does not shoot USPSA, doesn’t reload and wants to shoot a red dot, Open is not what I would recommend.

Edited by dogtired
Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 hours ago, dogtired said:

SP01 Shadow or Shadow 2 in carry optics will do what you seek.  
 

For someone who does not shoot USPSA, doesn’t reload and wants to shoot a red dot, Open is not what I would recommend.

this is probably a great suggestion. The only thing is that when the OP says he "is a bit of a gear nut, and a trigger snob" will the S2 with its DA/SA trigger be good enough for him and will he be satisfied gear-wise with a production pistol with a RDS on the slide? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...