The CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical, the latest evolution of CZ 75 series is well-known for being one of the most popular single-action double-action handguns ever made. This CZ SP01 Tactical review will focus on the Tactical model. We’ll also discuss other SP-01 variants that impact the success (or failures) of the Tactical.
Role
The steel-framed CZ SP-01 tactical is a formidable weapon. It features 17 9mm rounds and a flush-fit magazine, as well as 19 rounds with the plus-two extension.
The SP-01 is an all-steel pistol that was designed for competition or duty use.
Although lighter aluminum alloy frames are common in handguns, they can still be very heavy.
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It could also be used to conceal carry.
To conceal the CZ SP-01, you will need to be a dedicated carrier.
The unique combination of ergonomics and weight makes the CZ SP-01 Tactical an exceptional home-defense pistol.
We’ll discuss why later in this review.
What makes it unique?
The CZ SP-01 Tactical is unique, as it’s a single-action double-action firearm with an all-steel frame.
These are not common.
You’ll only have the Tanfoglios and CZ Shadow 2 as other options.
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Both will cost at least 30-40% more than the SP-01.
Grip/Ergonomics
The SP-01 is a continuation of the 75 series’ excellent ergonomics. The grip is identical to the CZ 75 standard ergonomic setup.
This pistol is older and does not have removable backstraps, as many modern pistols do. It has rubberized grips that are quite comfortable and old-fashioned.
They are cheaper, but can be easily replaced. G10, carbon fiber, wood, and almost any other material are all possible to make grips.
There are many sizes available in this category, and you can also change the grip material.
You can choose between slimmer or wider grips, depending on your preference.
Stock grips are a great in-between style that will work well for most shooters.
The CZ 75 series has one thing that is great about it: it works equally well with people with large- to extra-large-sized hands.
This gun may cause problems for those with very small hands. These include trigger reach and reaching other controls.
Beavertail CZ SP01 Tactical Review
The CZ 75 SP-01’s beavertail is very ergonomic.
Keep in mind that the beavertail can be sharpened if it is carried inside your waistband (especially at the appendix).
It has smooth, rounded edges at the bottom. However, you can still hurt your hand if you hit it incorrectly.
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To avoid any injuries, you’ll want to be sure to come up low and under.
Texturing
Machine checkering is done on the CZ 75 SP-01’s front- and backstraps.
It’s not clear how effective it is. It’s a small rectangle on your front strap and a smaller rectangle on your back.
I wish the checkering extended a bit more around the fillets at the side of my grip.
I believe the texturing is too narrow. They could machine a flatter pattern to keep costs down and still have a good product.
It would have been fantastic if the texturing extended to the sides, but it is what I understand.
The texturing on the rubberized grips is what saves this gun. It gives the gun a solid grip that won’t slip, as long as you do your bit.
It seems like the rubbery, tacky feel really works to hold your hand in position.
CZ SP01 Tactical Review General
Overall, the ergonomics of the CZ SP-01 Tactical and the grip are fantastic.
The grips for the other CZ SP-01s will be identical.
This design is not recommended for those with very small hands. This gun is likely to work well for you if your hands are medium-large or even triple-XL.
Slide
My biggest complaint about the CZ SP-01 slide is its slide. All CZ 75-style firearms come with very short slides.
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A taller slide would make this gun easier to use.
This gun might not be suitable for you if you prefer to use an overhand cupping technique to rack the slide. Due to the difficulty of the other method, I prefer to use the pinch method for the 75 series slides.
The CZ SP-01 slide has only three-eighths an inch of serrations.
Although it does have rear and front serrations, it is not as easy to use for press checks as guns with taller slides.
The internal frame rail designs are what cause the slide to be so short on the CZ75 SP-01.
The rails are located on the slide of most handguns. The CZ SP-01’s rails fit within the frame. This allows you to use less space to move the slide.
It is unlikely that you will be reloading your gun often, so it won’t be a big deal.
You will usually top off your gun with a new magazine between the targets, even in competition.
Controls CZ SP01 Tactical Exam
Controls on any gun are crucial and the CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical is no different. This review will provide detailed information about its controls.
Decocker
The CZ SP-01 Tactical variant is a decocker. It does not have the same safety features as the regular CZ SP-01.
Tactical’s decocker is ambidextrous and has identical controls on both sides. It’s easy enough to reach with your firing thumb. Or you could use your support thumb thumb to drop the hammer.
If I don’t break the grip, it hurts to press down on the decocker because I’m using my thumb with a nerve there.
Your hand might be different and not cause you any problems.
However, you can decock the firearm by simply releasing your grip.
Safety
The safety feature on the standard CZ 75 SP-01 does not allow you mechanically to decock your hammer. The hammer must be manually dropped by holding the handle and pulling the trigger.
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It is not as safe as the Tactical. The Tactical variant is recommended if you plan to use the gun with the hammer down, double-action and the hammer down.
You can also get the regular SP-01 to keep it locked and cocked.
Magazine Release
With my large hands, it is easy to reach the magazine release on CZ 75 SP-01.
You can reach the release with medium hands. To reach the release, your grip will almost certainly need to be broken if you have smaller hands.
The magazine’s edges are nicely rounded so that it isn’t sharp and won’t poke you thumb when you press it.
Slide Stop CZ SP01 Tactical Exam
The slide stop on CZ SP-01 Tactical can be found just above the trigger in the same spot as other guns. It is just barely reachable with my firing hand thumb. However, you can use your support thumb thumb to push it down.
You might have smaller hands or difficulty reaching the slide stop. However, if you want to lock the slide back manually, your thumb can press the button up.
The bottom of the Tactical has a flat ledge that allows you to press the slide stop in the ‘up” position.
Magwell
The magwell of the CZ SP-01 has the smallest bevel. Although it won’t help you with reloads, it is better than nothing.
This could be a problem if you are using it as a competition pistol in a section that requires a lot more reloads.
All Ergonomics
Overall, the ergonomics and performance of the CZ SP-01 are excellent and are the highlight in this review.
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The ergonomics of the gun are simple to use even for those with large hands.
This is what makes the CZ 75 series ergonomics so special.
Trigger
As we mentioned earlier, the CZ SP-01 has a single-action trigger with a double-action trigger.
The trigger is activated by a double-action pull. You will feel a slight take-up when you pull the trigger. The trigger will then be pulled back approximately a half-inch before it stops.
This pull will be smooth and with very little creep.
The CZ double-action single action triggers are my favorite. Although the company does a great job with their stock factory options they offer, there are many aftermarket companies that can upgrade and smoothen them out.
The trigger is released very softly after the reset.
It is not as authoritative as other guns. You’ll feel a bit of creep at that point before you hit the wall. Then, you will have a nice rolling break to allow you to pull the single-action trigger.
Personally, I love the single-action pull. It’s very easy to shoot and it’s nice.
Aesthetics
In my opinion, the CZ 75 SP-01 isn’t the most aesthetically-pleasing gun.
It is nose-heavy due to its narrow slide and front rail. The grip is beautiful but doesn’t match the rest of gun.
This firearm is very utilitarian looking and I wouldn’t consider it a showpiece.
Sights
The CZ SP-01’s sights are very marginal. It features a front that is red fiber optic and a rear with two painted-in luminescent dots. This is a strange combination. I also think that CZ made the rear sight notch too narrow and shallow.
I would appreciate a larger notch on the rear sight. If that were the case, and the sight was completely blacked-out, I would keep it in its original factory configuration.
As it stands, I will likely replace the rear sight by a Dawson to get a better view.
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The unique feature of the CZ SP-01 is the attachment of the front sight via a roll pin. This is a rare sight. There are not many options for aftermarket sight options for Tactical.
Red-Dot Options
CZ currently does not offer a factory red-dot option on the SP-01 Tactical 75 SP-01 Tactical, or any other SP-01 series guns.
A CZ Shadow 2 optics-ready gun is the closest thing you can get.
Shooting
The CZ 75 SP-01 is a joy-to-shoot.
The SP-01 Tactical pistol from the CZ 75 series is my favorite. This gun is very soft to shoot due to its heavy frame. The factory trigger pulls are also a plus.
Although I don’t consider myself a trigger snob (although I am), you will likely want to improve your trigger pulls.
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This factory single-action, double-action trigger is very good for the average person. You’ll get great results with it.
Aftermarket
Although the aftermarket for CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical pistols is smaller than some, there is still plenty.
Aftermarket grips, sights and trigger kits are available.
Maintenance
The SP-01 is easy to maintain. You just need to take it down as any other CZ 75-base gun.
Make sure that the gun is empty and then remove the slide until it matches the frame’s rear notch. To do this, the slide must be pulled back approximately quarter inch.
Once you have done that, you can pull the slide out to clean your firearm.
To put it back together, simply reverse the order of the steps above.
Final Thoughts
The CZ SP-01 Tactical gun is a great gun. Although it can be used for competition, home defense, and concealed carry, it is heavier than most people would prefer to conceal.
The CZ SP-01 is a heavy all-steel gun with double- and single-action.
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The light rail at the front allows you to mount a light; the heavyweight makes it a soft-shooter; and the ergonomics make this a great choice for a home defense gun that may need equal accessibility for shooters of different sizes.
We would love to hear your thoughts about the CZ SP01 Tactical Review.
