Themagazine catch is located on the left side of the
grip, right behind the bottom root of the trigger
guard. Themagazine is identicalwith the ones used in
themetal SP’s,which comprises a double columnwith
a single column issue and the capacity to hold
18 rounds in the 9 mm Luger calibre. The magazine
body is made from steel, its bottom is plastic and
when inserted into the pistol, the magazine bottom
completes the grip front line. According to the
common practice for the current CZ pistolmodels, the
follower is made from plastic.
The slide stop is located only on the left hand side. As
in the all-steel SP-01, the CZ 75 SP-01 PHANTOM is
available with both a manual safety as well as
a decocking lever, however the versions currently
available feature only the safe decocking lever,
corresponding with the all-steel CZ 75 SP-01 TACTICAL.
The plastic SP has an automatic firing pin safety block.
The open sights feature a fixed front sight and a rear
sight basedwithin a dovetail. The sight picture is further
enhanced by means of three white dots, made from
a slightly luminescentmaterial. The standard accessories
for this pistol, apart from the interchangeable grip
strap, include the assembly pin design for protrusion of
the pin securing the interchangeable strap part. Any
other operations that form a part of pistol disassembly
are simple and identical to those for any CZ 75 pistol.
EXTREME RELIABILITY
The test conducted by the collaborator from
the Shooter’s Revue (Střelecká revue) magazine
demonstrated the PHANTOM to be an extremely
reliable pistol. The handgun proved its reliable
operation even with steel cartridge cases, which
frequently would be the cause of spent case ejection
problems in other guns. As far as the accuracy issue is
concerned, the PHANTOMfully confirms our experience
gained with other pistols belonging to the CZ 75 SP-01
series and featuring the classic frame design. The
worst grouping produced by a five-shot series fired
from a “free hand”, at a range of 25 metres, was
approximately 15 cm; the best hits were well below
10 cm. However, this pistol has been designed for task
forces and for IPSC competition shooting and those
users mostly shoot very dynamically, including
fast draws. This is the field in which the PHANTOM
model demonstrates its excellent parameters. The
grip ergonomics in particular are simply superb. The grip
fits into the shooter’s handwith the gun already aimed
and the sight almost aligned onto the target. Everything
the shooter needs to do is tomake aminute adjustment
and then simply pull the trigger.
The sights are very legible. The “broad slide” was of
great assistance as itwould not slip out of the shooter’s
hand, not even when in contact with a sweaty hand or
knitted gloves. The handgun shows even better balance
on the barrelmuzzle; unlike the classic SP, the centre of
gravity lies in front of the connection pin axis. All of the
above, combined with the superior shock absorbent
characteristics of plastic as compared tometal,works in
favour of the feasibility of the rapid repetition of shots.
The controls are within easy reach of the hand holding
this handgun and their positions are positive and stable.
TWO CAPITAL P’S
The CZ 75 SP-01 PHANTOM is very comfortable to
carry, even for people seated in a vehicle, who will not
even sense its presence. The pistol offers overall comfort
for shooters and users as such. Every shooter, whether
recruited from amongst competitions shooters,
members of armed forces or those who carry their
handguns for personal defence, will remain calm,
knowing that he or she can rely on the gun and that the
threshold of his or her shooting performance lies in the
first placewithin his or her own hands, undiminished by
the gun’s parameters. The PHANTOMcomplies perfectly
with all such requirements. It is a very well made
handgun, a pistol with a capital “P”. Even twice.