Grip size reduction on a CZ SP-01?

[beanz2]

Hey all,

My wife loved my old CZC SP-01 Shadow so much, I had to let her keep it. The problem is, even with the thin aluminum grips, she has to rotate her hand on the grip a lot to operate the slide lock and slightly to operate the magazine release. She has no trouble reaching the trigger though.

Has anyone heard of anyone doing a grip size reduction on the frame of a CZ75, the SP-01 or Shadow specifically?

For years, she had been shooting HK P30L. The paddle mag release and ambi slide lock allowed her to use her index finger to drop mags and to lock her slide back. Now with the CZ, she can no longer do so, even though her shooting improved 100% (she just got Distinguished Graduate on Front Sight's 4 day DHG class with the CZ on Monday)

Could a CZ85 ambi slide lock be adapted for use on a Shadow? I guess the mag release can be reversed, correct? I figured while waiting for a reply from Stuart, I'd post the question here.

[etwinam]

I am a medium hand guy, and the SP01 fits me perfectly however your wife is probably much smaller like mine. I would say that custom controls may be an option. Otherwise I wouldn't touch the frame of the SP01. You could get a p09 and shave the frame like they do to a Glock race gun with the high tail and finger grooves. Or if your lucky enough to get your hands on a P10c.

[rauldelga]

Have you tried getting a new wife?

[beanz2]

I am a medium hand guy, and the SP01 fits me perfectly however your wife is probably much smaller like mine. I would say that custom controls may be an option. Otherwise I wouldn't touch the frame of the SP01. You could get a p09 and shave the frame like they do to a Glock race gun with the high tail and finger grooves. Or if your lucky enough to get your hands on a P10c.

I have no problems reaching mine, but my wife is determined to use it as it shoots so well (I got back her Cajunized SP-01 in the deal as the safeties are not as large as on my old Shadow Custom).

Are the controls on the P-09/P-07 series easier on small hands than on the SP-01? Thanks, I'll let her try it to see if she can operate the slide lock and mag release any better. I have a P-07 that David Milam worked on, but the trigger feel is nowhere as nice as her old Cajunized SP-01.

I will also let her try the P10C when they become available, but I suspect it might be a while before the aftermarket expertise and parts are as available as in the CZ75.

[beanz2]

Have you tried getting a new wife?

LOL. No. If you saw how she shoots, you wouldn't try either.

[rauldelga]

LOL. No. If you saw how she shoots, you wouldn't try either.

Blink twice if you are being held against your will.


All in all, i cant give you advice on how the cz compares. However there is nothing wrong with using your weak hand to work the controls.

[viet4lifeOC]

Try the aluminum thin grips first. Made a HUGELY difference for me.

[bearsdidit]

Try the aluminum thin grips first. Made a HUGELY difference for me.

His second sentence:
The problem is, even with the thin aluminum grips, she has to rotate her hand on the grip a lot to operate the slide lock and slightly to operate the magazine release.

[killnjoke]

When Stuart replies please post as I would like to know what you find out. Thanks.

[solipsism]

CZC does grip reductions on 75 compacts so no reason they wouldn't do them on full size 75s.

[beanz2]

When Stuart replies please post as I would like to know what you find out. Thanks.

Will do. But I bet tomorrow he'll be under a barrage of phone calls about those seventy Shadow 2's. Perfect excuse for me to talk to him or Rob, LOL

CZC does grip reductions on 75 compacts so no reason they wouldn't do them on full size 75s.

I see. So I'd venture a guess if there is enough metal on the rear strap on the compacts, there would likely be just as much on a full size frame.

[beanz2]

Manipulate the slide stop and mag release with the support hand thumb.

Thanks. That would be our strategy if grip size reduction is not possible.

[Tok36]

I have only seen an 85 right side slide lever added to a CZ once. It was a custom job and required drilling the right side slide release frame hole to a larger size.

If you go for the grip reduction i would be interested in seeing some pics when its done. If your going to have to refinish the frame you might as well have the trigger guard and beaver tail undercut. Just a thought.

[heidad01]

Sp01s come with very thin grips to begin with. Hard to reduce grip size. Good luck.

[beanz2]

I have only seen an 85 right side slide lever added to a CZ once. It was a custom job and required drilling the right side slide release frame hole to a larger size.

If you go for the grip reduction i would be interested in seeing some pics when its done. If your going to have to refinish the frame you might as well have the trigger guard and beaver tail undercut. Just a thought.

Thanks, Tok! Do you mean reduce the frame like the factory did on the Czechmate? The gun had been my class gun and has a lot of holster wear. This will be her class gun too and more finish wear is in its destiny. This is how it looked like last year (the gun on the bottom.) It has been used even more since, so a refinishing job would freshen it up.

I did it before, I filed a lot of metal off the rear frame so I can rechecker with 20 lpi.
Here u can compare the two. Top pic, the rear end is closer to the aluminum grip .



This is the stock look:

That is nice! May I ask how you did the 20 LPI checkering? Would the kit from Brownells suffice? Can you see how thick the metal on the rear strap by just looking at the bottom of the pistol grip?

I think I'm OK with filing metal, I used to do car body work in the good old days of hammer and dolly to straighten dents in fenders, but I better think twice before risking $1500 (and an off roster gun from SSE1 days)