TriStar T-120 Preview

[joefrank64k]

Hello everyone!

I've been hearing good things about TriStar's line of CZ clone pistols. I picked up one of their semi-auto shotguns (Raptor A-TAC) for $299 last year at Turner's and it's one of my favorite shotguns, period. Dead reliable and a super value for the money (http://www.tristararms.com/raptor-atac-home-defense.php).

Anyway, their T-120 was on-sale through Gun Genie the other day (sale appears to be over). Even with the cost of SSE added, it was too much for me to resist at $439. So I had my LGS order one.

I just picked it up from it's 10-day layover, and got a chance to go through it. Thought I'd share some pics for those of you thinking about getting one.

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It comes in a basic, fitted case with 2, 17-round MecGar rebuilds; a cleaning rod and brush, lock, owner's manual, mag loader, and small allen wrench (for the lock screws on the rear sight):



The T-120 has those classic CZ-75 lines. The fit and finish is outstanding. Any 'blemishes' you see in the pics are dust or oil.
Bonus: the pistol was drenched in oil and smelled like Turkish tobacco, so you know it's an authentic Turkish firearm. Cool!

The slide to frame fit is perfect. The action of the slide is smooth and slick, like an Italian-made Beretta. The DA trigger is good, the SA trigger is great. No complaints from me, especially for the money.

Plus you get that nifty 'TriStar' rubber band and green hangtag!




The field strip will be familiar to anyone with a CZ or clone. In other words, dead simple...


Check out that barrel to bushing fit! Nice!!!



Top of the slide and sights. Your basic three-dot action. Word is that aftermarket CZ-75 sights fit the TriStar, along with aftermarket grips...




Shots of the front strap, rail, and internals. Again, basically you're standard CZ-75 layout...




And the T-120 is light...it came in at 30.50oz with an empty mag inserted. Not bad at all.
Bonus: all of my CZ-75 mags fit fine...



So far, I'm very happy with my purchase! Of course, proof will be in the shooting. Hopefully I can get this out to range before to long and put a few hundred rounds through it.

For the lefties out there (myself included), the mag release appears reversible! The only 'problem' is that the screw that retains the trigger bar and mag-catch spring doesn't quite clear the trigger bar, so I'll have to drift the pin holding the trigger bar in place before I can flip the catch. Not a big deal, I'm just glad that it's reversible!

Hope you enjoyed the picture show.

[infringed711]

...not bashing or anything but why not just buy a cz?

[Arkangel]

Thanks for the write-up, let us know how it runs.

[joefrank64k]

...not bashing or anything but why not just buy a cz?

I hear you...the closest model CZ to the T-120 seems to be the SP-01, is that right? (I ask as someone who is not a CZ expert/collector by any means!)

The T-120 has the rail and grip geometry of the SP-01. The T-120 weighs about 1/2 pound less than the SP-01 due to the alloy frame (again, not a CZ expert, I'm going off of published weights...T-120 = 30.50oz SP-01 = 38.4oz).

I've never seen an SP-01 go for less than ~$600...so the way I saw things, I get an alloy-framed SP-01 clone that takes all my CZ-75 regular-cap mags for $440 ($140 savings).

And I was actually able to buy one...not like the mythical CZ-75's that once-in-a-great-while show up at the LGS!

Besides, ask anyone who's seen my collection...I've got a soft spot for the odd and unusual pieces. Why be normal?

[stormvet]

I have owned the Canik Shark FC for a couple months, same gun but ported. Only 200 rounds fired, but its a darn good shooter. Main difference from the SP01 it's modeled after besides the lack of ambi controls is alloy frame and steel guide rod. I bought mine to see how it compared to my SP01. With the limited rounds fired so far it's not fair to say its on a par but if nothing changes in the next 1000 rounds it just may be.
Canik Shark with VZ Frag grips.

[joefrank64k]

I have owned the Canik Shark FC for a couple months, same gun but ported. Only 200 rounds fired, but its a darn good shooter. Main difference from the SP01 it's modeled after besides the lack of ambi controls is alloy frame and steel guide rod. I bought mine to see how it compared to my SP01. With the limited rounds fired so far it's not fair to say its on a par but if nothing changes in the next 1000 rounds it just may be.
Canik Shark with VZ Frag grips.

Nice! Do you find the porting makes an appreciable difference?

[SilverTauron]

...not bashing or anything but why not just buy a cz?

Because the "clones" are really distinct firearms in their own right.A Tanfoglio isn't the same as a Canik, which in turn is different from an AR-24. They may share a common operating platform, but that's it.


Its akin to someone saying an SW1911 is garbage because a Colt Enhanced is the "genuine article". Both 1911s are good guns, and so it is with the CZ-75 derivatives.

[Trenchfoot]

Just checked out their website. The P-120 looks pretty sweet.

[Freagan]

...not bashing or anything but why not just buy a cz?

Isn't this a Turkish version of the Jericho? Which is based on the CZ75.

[NoSpam]

nice T-120, thanks for sharing all the pics! It appears to be built really well. Price even after the SSE is very attractive. Looking forward to your range report.

[stormvet]

Nice! Do you find the porting makes an appreciable difference?

The recoil is very close to my SP01, the SP is an all steel gun noticeable heavier then the Shark. While the recoil is not less, the porting allows the alloy framed gun to basically have the same recoil as an all steel gun. But since we are talking 9mm the recoil is pretty tame anyway.
I bought it pretty much for the same reason you did. As a fun range gun and to compare with the original CZ's. I will say this the Turks surprised me, they are making some good weapons. I also own an Escort MP/A semi auto shotgun that has been good to go as well. And for the price they are very hard to beat. I would have no problem using any of my Turks for defensive purpose's.

[joefrank64k]

The recoil is very close to my SP01, the SP is an all steel gun noticeable heavier then the Shark. While the recoil is not less, the porting allows the alloy framed gun to basically have the same recoil as an all steel gun. But since we are talking 9mm the recoil is pretty tame anyway.
I bought it pretty much for the same reason you did. As a fun range gun and to compare with the original CZ's. I will say this the Turks surprised me, they are making some good weapons. I also own an Escort MP/A semi auto shotgun that has been good to go as well. And for the price they are very hard to beat. I would have no problem using any of my Turks for defensive purpose's.

Here, here!!! I've got Benelli's, and have shot the heck out of them over the years, but my S/A TriStar Raptor leaves nothing to be desired: light weight, great ergos, shoots high base, low base, and slugs without a single hiccup. And for $299 before tax/DROS, it was a no-brainer.

[infringed711]

I'm not bashing them I think they are cool little guns, any place in Southern California carry any?

[meaty-btz]

Fascinatingly clean looking machine work. Not something I would expect from the Turks.

So if I get this right, most SSEs are about $100-$150.. so that would mean a free state price of right about $300ish? Now that is a good deal for a solid looking platform.

[Mr. Magoo]

Thanks for the write up and solid pics. Looking forward to a follow-up.