So I picked up a new Sphinx SDP Compact Alpha. This is a Swiss made guns from Sphinx imported by Kriss located in Virginia Beach, VA. Sphinx is known for high quality hand fitted raceguns like the 2000 and 3000 which cost upwards of $3000 when you can find them these days. This is their budget gun. If you can call a $850-$1000 polymer a budget gun.
Many people refer to these guns as CZ clones but I think that CZ inspired is a more accurate description. They have many similarities to the CZ pistols but they are more refined and elevated. They share characteristics like the internal rails which, even on the polymer Alpha, are alloy. They are hand fitted at a level that CZ has never done. Most manufacturers do not have this level of detail on production gun especially one at this price point. The build quality rivals that of HKs P7s and Sigs P210s. Honestly is it that good.
This gun has started to pick up some traction lately and after looking them over a few times over the last year I decide to pull the trigger. I debated back and forth between the Alpha and the Black models. The difference being the lower part of the frame on the Alpha is Polymer and the lower part of the frame on the Black is Alloy. I was able to find a good deal and got OTD under $850 shipped and transferred for the Alpha which was about $150 less than the best price I could find on the Black so I went with the Alpha. The other reason I went with the Alpha was because I had could not put my hands on a Black to test drive. The Alpha Compact’s specs can be seen here. Alpha 9mm DA/SA
Quick run down it is a 3.7” barreled Compact pistol about the same size as a CZ P01. 7.4” long and about 5.35” high. Sight radius of 5.7”. Sights are contrast with blacked out wide rear with a front white dot. It comes with 3 grip modules, small medium and large which change the grips length and circumference of the gun. Each has a distinctive feel making is highly customizable to different hands and different grip styles.
So it arrived yesterday and to say that I am impressed with this gun would be an understatement. The build quality of this pistol is outstanding. I am a fit and finish guy. I am willing to pay a bit more for something that is beautifully built. There is just something about a nicely fitted pistol which warms my heart. This Swiss baby does not disappoint.
$850 is a lot to pay for a polymer gun. HKs are about the brand of poly pistol that can consistently command and get $800+for factory guns. One of the things which helps HK move those high priced ploy guns is their build quality. They are excellent IMHO the leader in polymer handgun quality in terms of fit and finish. Well that is what I used to think.
This gun is superior in terms of build quality over every other polymer pistol I have ever handled. It is amazing. It is custom 1911 tight. The slide glides along the internal rails. There is ZERO play in the slide. It is tight. So tight that when I first removed the slide for cleaning and inspection it required a little bit of force to get it moving. Once it was cleaned and lubed it simply glides on those rails. You can tell that the slide which is machined from steel billet has been hand fitted to match the full length guide rails, of the billet aluminum upper frame. Yes you read that correctly. This poly gun has aluminum rails.
The frame is a 2 part frame. The upper portion is made from billet aluminum. The lower can be poly, aluminum or steel. This is the only poly I know of with full length aluminum or steel rails. This really adds to the build quality feel of the gun but it does add some weight. The poly weights in at a little over 28oz. This is the same as many alloy framed guns of similar size from CZ, Sig and others. Depending on what you are looking for in a gun this might make it too heavy for carry. This is one of its only negatives that I have encountered so far.
All the internals are polished and finished. There are only a few tools marks in the muzzle area on the underside of the slide. They did however polish the underside of the slide where it contacts the frame reducing drag. I that internal tool marks do not matter in terms of function but it is nice to see a completely finished product. Too many manufacturers stopped doing this or never did it in the first place. There is a lot of hands on time in this gun. When I looked closely at this gun everywhere that one part contacts another while the gun is cycling is polished and fitted. That is a lot of quality in a sub $1000 gun IMHO.
The gun feels great in the hand. I have smaller hands and the small grip module fits great. It balances well very similar to alloy guns more than most poly frames due to the 2 part lower. Too often I find polys top heavy but that is because I cut my teeth on metal guns. IMHO YMMV.
The grips are great. I hate to talk ergonomics because they are so subjective but this gun feels great in the hand. It is perfect. The only criticism is that I wish the mag release was a little more extended. Also it is really stiff. I assume it will smooth itself out over time. The grips all add width but also have slightly different contours and palmswells. They are very well thought out. Should be able to fit 99% of shooters with one of the 3.
The trigger is excellent. It is smooth. It is a bit heavy it weighs in at 10.5lbs on my trigger scale avg of 5 pulls. The SA comes in at 4.1lbs again avg of 5 pulls. I am considering a $20 spring kit from Cajun guns works which should bring the DA under 10 and SA a bit under 5. The reset on the SA is short and sweet. The DA trigger is heavy but actually feels lighter because it is so smooth. No stack that I can detect. Just smooth until it breaks.
So now for the range report….
Unfortunately the weather gods of KY has been raining on my parade for the last 48 hours and look to continue to do so for the next 48-72. I will be getting out there as soon as humanly possible so I can test this thing out and will report back my impressions.
All I can offer is a few pics… If you have not checked one of these Sphinx pistols out yet do yourself a favor and take a look. A $800+ polymer is not for everyone but I think this one is a winner. When you compare it to what Sig, HK, Beretta and others are offering at the same price point IMHO this one blows them away.
Many people refer to these guns as CZ clones but I think that CZ inspired is a more accurate description. They have many similarities to the CZ pistols but they are more refined and elevated. They share characteristics like the internal rails which, even on the polymer Alpha, are alloy. They are hand fitted at a level that CZ has never done. Most manufacturers do not have this level of detail on production gun especially one at this price point. The build quality rivals that of HKs P7s and Sigs P210s. Honestly is it that good.
This gun has started to pick up some traction lately and after looking them over a few times over the last year I decide to pull the trigger. I debated back and forth between the Alpha and the Black models. The difference being the lower part of the frame on the Alpha is Polymer and the lower part of the frame on the Black is Alloy. I was able to find a good deal and got OTD under $850 shipped and transferred for the Alpha which was about $150 less than the best price I could find on the Black so I went with the Alpha. The other reason I went with the Alpha was because I had could not put my hands on a Black to test drive. The Alpha Compact’s specs can be seen here. Alpha 9mm DA/SA
Quick run down it is a 3.7” barreled Compact pistol about the same size as a CZ P01. 7.4” long and about 5.35” high. Sight radius of 5.7”. Sights are contrast with blacked out wide rear with a front white dot. It comes with 3 grip modules, small medium and large which change the grips length and circumference of the gun. Each has a distinctive feel making is highly customizable to different hands and different grip styles.
So it arrived yesterday and to say that I am impressed with this gun would be an understatement. The build quality of this pistol is outstanding. I am a fit and finish guy. I am willing to pay a bit more for something that is beautifully built. There is just something about a nicely fitted pistol which warms my heart. This Swiss baby does not disappoint.
$850 is a lot to pay for a polymer gun. HKs are about the brand of poly pistol that can consistently command and get $800+for factory guns. One of the things which helps HK move those high priced ploy guns is their build quality. They are excellent IMHO the leader in polymer handgun quality in terms of fit and finish. Well that is what I used to think.
This gun is superior in terms of build quality over every other polymer pistol I have ever handled. It is amazing. It is custom 1911 tight. The slide glides along the internal rails. There is ZERO play in the slide. It is tight. So tight that when I first removed the slide for cleaning and inspection it required a little bit of force to get it moving. Once it was cleaned and lubed it simply glides on those rails. You can tell that the slide which is machined from steel billet has been hand fitted to match the full length guide rails, of the billet aluminum upper frame. Yes you read that correctly. This poly gun has aluminum rails.
The frame is a 2 part frame. The upper portion is made from billet aluminum. The lower can be poly, aluminum or steel. This is the only poly I know of with full length aluminum or steel rails. This really adds to the build quality feel of the gun but it does add some weight. The poly weights in at a little over 28oz. This is the same as many alloy framed guns of similar size from CZ, Sig and others. Depending on what you are looking for in a gun this might make it too heavy for carry. This is one of its only negatives that I have encountered so far.
All the internals are polished and finished. There are only a few tools marks in the muzzle area on the underside of the slide. They did however polish the underside of the slide where it contacts the frame reducing drag. I that internal tool marks do not matter in terms of function but it is nice to see a completely finished product. Too many manufacturers stopped doing this or never did it in the first place. There is a lot of hands on time in this gun. When I looked closely at this gun everywhere that one part contacts another while the gun is cycling is polished and fitted. That is a lot of quality in a sub $1000 gun IMHO.
The gun feels great in the hand. I have smaller hands and the small grip module fits great. It balances well very similar to alloy guns more than most poly frames due to the 2 part lower. Too often I find polys top heavy but that is because I cut my teeth on metal guns. IMHO YMMV.
The grips are great. I hate to talk ergonomics because they are so subjective but this gun feels great in the hand. It is perfect. The only criticism is that I wish the mag release was a little more extended. Also it is really stiff. I assume it will smooth itself out over time. The grips all add width but also have slightly different contours and palmswells. They are very well thought out. Should be able to fit 99% of shooters with one of the 3.
The trigger is excellent. It is smooth. It is a bit heavy it weighs in at 10.5lbs on my trigger scale avg of 5 pulls. The SA comes in at 4.1lbs again avg of 5 pulls. I am considering a $20 spring kit from Cajun guns works which should bring the DA under 10 and SA a bit under 5. The reset on the SA is short and sweet. The DA trigger is heavy but actually feels lighter because it is so smooth. No stack that I can detect. Just smooth until it breaks.
So now for the range report….
Unfortunately the weather gods of KY has been raining on my parade for the last 48 hours and look to continue to do so for the next 48-72. I will be getting out there as soon as humanly possible so I can test this thing out and will report back my impressions.
All I can offer is a few pics… If you have not checked one of these Sphinx pistols out yet do yourself a favor and take a look. A $800+ polymer is not for everyone but I think this one is a winner. When you compare it to what Sig, HK, Beretta and others are offering at the same price point IMHO this one blows them away.
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