MP9 or CZ 75 SP-01

[GunnerMichael]

I am looking to pick up a full size 9mm and am torn between the MP9 and the SP01. They are both good guns but I just can't decide. Anyone shot or owned both and prefer one over the other? Also interested in comments from people who have owned one or the other. I plan to post this on the SW forum and the CZ forum.

I have a Shield in 9mm and love it. I also have an M69 and am a huge SW fan boy.

I also have a CZ 97B and love it as well. I am becoming a fan of CZ.

I live in California so buying an MP9 would be from the used market, otherwise I would be looking at the 2.0. The MP 2.0 are selling for more than I am willing to pay. I found a used MP40 with a 9mm conversion barrel and 3 9mm mags, plus the original 40 cal barrel and mags.

Lucky for me the SP01 is on the roster and an LSG has them in stock. I prefer to buy new if possible. Just my preference.

I'm not really interested in other full size 9mm, I've put a lot of thought into it and narrowed it to those 2. Remember, I'm in California so I don't have as many options as the free states.

Any input is welcome.

Thanks.

 

[christak]

I'm not going to be much help, but I own 5 CZs. I have an SP-01 Phantom, not the steel SP-01, but I love it! I also have 2 all steel 75B variants and 2 P-01s (each model with standard and Omega triggers). I have never had a malfunction of any kind with any of my CZs. I have no experience with the MP9, but you won't go wrong with a CZ.

 

[k31scout]

I have both and the SP-01 is noticeably heavier for AIWB. I like the decocker for awib on the CZ. I shoot the CZ better but for defensive distance it's a wash.

If you handload be aware that the CZ SP-01 has a shallow throat and bullets must be seated deeper than the M&P although most factory rounds chamber with no trouble.

 

[growr]

Get both.........there I fixed it for you! I have several of each as well.
Randy

 

[Tanners Owner]

I have both - a M&P v1, 9mm and SP01T, 9mm. Both good guns, but of the 2, would go with the CZ- simply view it as a better value between the 2.

My SP01 is laser like in accuracy, very ergonomic for my hands.

 

[MDFerrell]

I have never owned or have any range time with the MP9.
I do own 3 CZ, PO7, 75B and a SPO1 T.
As others have stated you can’t go wrong with the CZ.

 

[68Dave]

My CZ75BD did every thing my buddies SP01 did. I like my CZ, but it is a different animal than the M&P. You said you already have a shield, as do I, and my full-size M&P has same POI as my shield. My CZ has more of a 6 o’clock hold to hit targets. I agree with growr, get both!
David

 

[Struckat]

I have both and the SP-01 is noticeably heavier for AIWB. I like the decocker for awib on the CZ. I shoot the CZ better but for defensive distance it's a wash.

If you handload be aware that the CZ SP-01 has a shallow throat and bullets must be seated deeper than the M&P although most factory rounds chamber with no trouble.

I don’t own an M&P, but have owned 5 CZ. I still have two of them, SP01 Tactical in .40 and SP01 Phantom. I am a big CZ fan, but you are comparing two very different animals.

The SP01 Tactical is an all steel, 4.6” barrel hunk of love. At 47.5oz loaded, you know it’s on your hip. And anyone that thinks 40 is a “Less accurate” cartridge, has never met the SP01 Tactical. I cannot say enough good about this gun. The way it handles 40, I imagine in 9mm it would have zero recoil.
I have loaded this 40 way hotter than I could imagine with no signs of pressure. It rocks!

The SP01 Phantom is the polymer version of the Tactical. Loaded weight is a little over 37oz and easy to carry. It is also laser accurate and absolutely reliable. It is also the sidearm of the Czech army.

I love my CZs, but be prepared for some creep in the SA. Doesn’t bother me, but you should be aware. And it has been exactly the same in all five of them.

The 9mm CZ have short chambers compared to other brands. I handload so I know exactly how long to make my rounds and have no issues. On the other hand, one of the boutique ammo makers insists on loading their ammo longer than needed and at times will not go all the way into battery.

I am a hammer guy, M&P are nice, but very different than a CZ.

Don’t overlook the Phantom, the can be had for less than $500

 

[ladder13]

I don’t have an M&P, yet, but do have a CZ75D Compact and it’s a fantastic compact 9.

 

[webfarmer]

I also don't specifically have the M&P full size - sorry. I do have the SP01 (and a P07) and I can safely say that SP01 is the most accurate, great feeling, soft shooting 9mm I've ever owned or fired. It's somewhat heavy for sure so it's not on my list for concealed carry. But for flat out performance, durability and accuracy - it is top dog to me. I like my S&W's, don't get me wrong. Like somebody else already said, if you can scrape up the dinero, might be awesome to own both

 

[TX-Dennis]

The CZ is a better shooter than the Smith - more accurate, a far better trigger in single action. The Smith has better stock sights than the CZ. I like the Smith's big white dots as compared to the CZs smaller greenish dots. The Smith's sights are much easier to use. The Smith is lighter. Both should be ultra reliable for you.

It really comes down to personal preference.

 

[LoneStarWings]

The main difference between the two pistols is weight. The CZ is almost twice as heavy. Some people like this, some people don't. I wouldn't go for the 40 with the 9mm conversion barrel. Reliability will depend too much on the quality of the aftermarket 9mm barrel.

If I could only have one of the guns you mentioned I'd take a 2.0 9mm.

 

[Mahalo_.32]

Personally, I feel you cannot go wrong with either to be perfectly honest.
Now on a more personal level, I have shot both and to me the M&P had a a better feel in the hand but both worked flawlessly.
Which do you want the most?

 

[GunnerMichael]

I understand they are very different pistols, I like striker fired polymer framed guns and hammer fired metal framed guns. Both are my preference. That's why umm having a hard time deciding.

But so far consensus is the CZ.

This would serve as range toy and Home Defense sitting in the quick access safe under my bed.

I'm gonna go with the CZ. Hopefully they still have them in stock.

Thanks for the input all.

 

[GunnerMichael]

Get both.........there I fixed it for you! I have several of each as well.
Randy

If I could I would. Maybe down the road I will own both

 

[GunnerMichael]

I actually like the look of the 75B better and was originally considering that one, I don't care for pistol mounted flashlights much (just my preference), but after handling them both I like the feel of the SP01 more, it's the beaver tail, it fits my hand just a little more comfortable and allowsgor a higher purchase.

My CZ75BD did every thing my buddies SP01 did. I like my CZ, but it is a different animal than the M&P. You said you already have a shield, as do I, and my full-size M&P has same POI as my shield. My CZ has more of a 6 o’clock hold to hit targets. I agree with growr, get both!
David

 

[murphydog]

You have chosen wisely for a new gun, especially since the M & P 9 2.0 (or 1.0) is not on the CA approved list, only the Shield (and only in the right color combination ).

Range report on the CZ!

 

[GunnerMichael]

There are a good amount of the MP9 on the used market and they sell for about the same price as the CZ 75 new. Used the 75 seams to be a little less extensive. The MP9 2.0 are listing used on Calguns for $800++. For that price there are a lot of better options for used handguns IMO.

If you didn't know, when buying used guns the Ca Roster doesn't apply. So if some one moved into California with off roster guns (which is legal as long as the mags are pinned to 10 rounds), or someone owned the gun before the roster was inforced (pre-2001), or they have a gun that fell off the roster, they can still legally own it and legally sell it in state. The only stipulation is that at a certain point you should have registered it with the state. (Don't get all weired about confiscation, if the Federal Government let a state do that the whole country would have the same problem). A lot of people think that if a handgun is not on the roster it's illegal, and that is what the California Politicians WANT everyone to think, but that is only true for the sale of NEW handguns. If you knew that's cool, a lot of people don't. However, I'm not a lawyer so this is not legal advice. The laws here are very confusing and this is just my interpretation (not only mine). Your FFL will know better than I, in most cases. There has never been any court cases so for know it's all conjecture.

You have chosen wisely for a new gun, especially since the M & P 9 2.0 (or 1.0) is not on the CA approved list, only the Shield (and only in the right color combination ).

Range report on the CZ!

 

[GunnerMichael]

Range report on the CZ!

If you were referring to the CZ 97B, it is a fantastic handgun. Not for everyone, you have to like big guns. It shoots much like a double stack 1911.

It's more accurate than I am, has very little recoil, feels great in my hands, one of the 2 favorite guns I own, and I like revolvers 10 times more than autos so that's saying a lot. Once I do more shooting I'm gonna do a writeup on the CZ forum and I will probably copy it here somewhere.

I have the CA model and thought I would like thinner grips so I bought a pair, I was wrong, went back to the original meaty wood grips. They are big but very ergonomic. The only issue I have is its hard to go back to shooting my smaller guns in the same session, my Shield and CA Bulldog feel like I'm holding my son's toys revolver.

The value of this gun, I would say it rivals guns $200-300 more expensive. I want to get the Cajun barrel bushing and do just a little bit of work to the SA trigger.

 

[GunnerMichael]

I put a CZ 75 SP-01 in jail Friday (California has a 10 day waiting period).

Brand new CZ's sell for $100-200 less than M&P9 sell on the used market in California. I say for the price a new CZ in any configuration is the better bargain. Maybe if the M&P9s were selling under the cost of a CZ I might have decided differently. Don't think I would pay more than $550 for a used M&P.

For the price people are asking for an M&P in California, you could spend 10% more and get a CZ 75 Tactical Sport. That's a no brainer.