Review - Sphinx SDP Compact

[himurax13]

looking to buy a Sphinx SDP please message me if you want to sell or know someone who has one for sale please. thanks

There is a WTB section ...

[customiiguy]

[73 RB-Z]

Just for you, my Custom II with my Sphinx. Love both of these. My Kimber keeps getting better and the honeymoon hasn't worn off on the Sphinx

[penguin0123]

Now that I'm in a state that doesn't treat me as a 2nd class citizen, I want to do a follow up.

I've since switched over to shooting left handed using a KT Mech holster (with moderate cant) and found the Sphinx to work quite well with that. I swapped the mag release to the right side as I like to hit it with the thumb rather than my trigger finger. When reloading from slide lock, I place my trigger finger on the slide release and when I slam the mag home, it helps to push down the release. I actually prefer this over using the strong/weak hand thumb to hit the slide release.

I've probably put 2k thru the gun at this point since there is always something happening every weekend, be it USPSA or steel challenge. The poly rifling is stupidly easy to clean. Run one wet and one dry patch thru with a jag and done. To date, I've never had a gun or mag related failure (all due to ammo). As an aside, it pays to be able to shoot both left and right handed as some stages setup to be challenging for right handers can be easy for left handers, or there may be call to switch sides as you run thru the course.

On the cosmetic side, I've added a few idiot marks. Not sure what the slide finish is, but things that I suspect wouldn't mark a Glock marked my Sphinx. The KT mech holster I ordered uses the thicker plastic. During the break in period, some of the material rubbed off onto the picatinny rail area and the top left area of the ejection port. In fact, the area at the ejection port has now worn thru the finish. Not a big deal because this is an everyday gun for me, but some may care.

The trigger has worn in very nice and smooth while it is still heavy. I've been exclusively shooting the Sphinx for awhile and the Sig's DA trigger now feels light. Heck, I can actually work a Nagant revolver double action now. Really, this thing is just like a stress ball.

I've talked to Kriss USA about a month ago, and they're still working out supply with Switzerland. So for now, I can't get regular mags and spare parts. Maybe I'll pick up a bunch of 10 rounders and run production class instead of limited.

Overall, I am very happy with this puppy. With a full mag, it isn't so heavy that it drags on the belt. Unfortunately, you'll have to be conscious if you carry. The handle prints like crazy if you bend over to pick up the soap. However, it packs fine for the rest of the time. I wear a long sleeve shirt untucked and have no problem with the KT holster worn OWB at 9 o'clock. Between matches and carry, I think while the SDP Compact is too big for optimal carry and too small for optimal match use, it strikes a good balance between the two.

[el_clingon]

Now that I'm in a state that doesn't treat me as a 2nd class citizen, I want to do a follow up.

I've since switched over to shooting left handed using a KT Mech holster (with moderate cant) and found the Sphinx to work quite well with that. I swapped the mag release to the right side as I like to hit it with the thumb rather than my trigger finger. When reloading from slide lock, I place my trigger finger on the slide release and when I slam the mag home, it helps to push down the release. I actually prefer this over using the strong/weak hand thumb to hit the slide release.

I've probably put 2k thru the gun at this point since there is always something happening every weekend, be it USPSA or steel challenge. The poly rifling is stupidly easy to clean. Run one wet and one dry patch thru with a jag and done. To date, I've never had a gun or mag related failure (all due to ammo). As an aside, it pays to be able to shoot both left and right handed as some stages setup to be challenging for right handers can be easy for left handers, or there may be call to switch sides as you run thru the course.

On the cosmetic side, I've added a few idiot marks. Not sure what the slide finish is, but things that I suspect wouldn't mark a Glock marked my Sphinx. The KT mech holster I ordered uses the thicker plastic. During the break in period, some of the material rubbed off onto the picatinny rail area and the top left area of the ejection port. In fact, the area at the ejection port has now worn thru the finish. Not a big deal because this is an everyday gun for me, but some may care.

The trigger has worn in very nice and smooth while it is still heavy. I've been exclusively shooting the Sphinx for awhile and the Sig's DA trigger now feels light. Heck, I can actually work a Nagant revolver double action now. Really, this thing is just like a stress ball.

I've talked to Kriss USA about a month ago, and they're still working out supply with Switzerland. So for now, I can't get regular mags and spare parts. Maybe I'll pick up a bunch of 10 rounders and run production class instead of limited.

Overall, I am very happy with this puppy. With a full mag, it isn't so heavy that it drags on the belt. Unfortunately, you'll have to be conscious if you carry. The handle prints like crazy if you bend over to pick up the soap. However, it packs fine for the rest of the time. I wear a long sleeve shirt untucked and have no problem with the KT holster worn OWB at 9 o'clock. Between matches and carry, I think while the SDP Compact is too big for optimal carry and too small for optimal match use, it strikes a good balance between the two.

Thank you for the follow up...I have the Sand model and love it...I am a SIG guy and I started out in this order, with SIG P226 Scorpion, P220 and then 229, but shooting the sphinx just out performs them.

The down side are lack of holsters, Mags are freaking expensive, and parts are hard to get such as I can't find night sights. I have to admit the SA trigger really needs to get used too. It is very lite...Other down side is that coating seems cheap and easily can be scratched. I was thinking about having it Cerakote to FDE or just black, but i was told that not many Sand models made it into CA. If that is true, then I will keep it as it is.

The Upside are that the Ergo's on the SDP is just perfect to me easy to shoot and I am not a perfect shot. For the trigger again, once you get use to the SA, it is sooooo awesome. I feed it with 100 rounds of cheap 115 gr. Winchester white box and 200 115 gr of Federal with out any issues. I was going to write up a review on my experience, but I want to put 300+ rounds to see how she holds up.

[johnny_boy02]

I have probably 800 or so rounds through mine. The failure to lock back after the last round issue I was having has not happened the last couple range trips. I am still pretty sure I was to blame since my finger rests right near the slide stop. This gun eats any ammo you feed it.

I agree about the size, it is to big for me to easily carry. I really like the SDP but I think I like the Sig 229 a bit more.

[penguin0123]

The failure to lock back after the last round issue I was having has not happened the last couple range trips. I am still pretty sure I was to blame since my finger rests right near the slide stop.

I'm not entirely sure it is you. I had some failures to lock open when hand cycling where the mag follower is pushed to the side by the slide lock rather than pushing up the slide lock. Check your mag follower and see if the part where it engages the slide lock looks scraped. Another thing I noticed is that when I have the failure to lock open, the mag does not drop free because the mag follower is bind up against the slide lock.

I've never had this failure when using live ammo. And when I torn down the mags and reassembled them, the problem went away.

[penguin0123]

PSA for Sphinx users looking for mags:

http://www.jgsales.com/canik-stingray-c-9mm-15rd-magazine,-blued,-new.-p-71206.html

Canik Stingray C mags works for half the price. The mag body is exactly the same. The Sphinx finish looks more painted on. The Canik finish looks more like a blue. The Canik has windows on the left side which is marked for 40cal; apparently the same mag can be used for both. The follower for Canik is blue and Sphinx is red. The front of the Canik mag body is marked MecGar.

To make the Stingray mags work, you have to take the base pad and sand it down some. Just grab some 60grit and sand and test fit until the mag seats. The Canik base pad has a small downward extension. The front contour does not exactly fit the SDP, but it is very minor.

I've emailed Kriss and they have no timeline of making spare parts available. But they did tell me they'll have new sights available once it works its way thru the govt red tape.

[el_clingon]

PSA for Sphinx users looking for mags:

http://www.jgsales.com/canik-stingray-c-9mm-15rd-magazine,-blued,-new.-p-71206.html

Canik Stingray C mags works for half the price. The mag body is exactly the same. The Sphinx finish looks more painted on. The Canik finish looks more like a blue. The Canik has windows on the left side which is marked for 40cal; apparently the same mag can be used for both. The follower for Canik is blue and Sphinx is red. The front of the Canik mag body is marked MecGar.

To make the Stingray mags work, you have to take the base pad and sand it down some. Just grab some 60grit and sand and test fit until the mag seats. The Canik base pad has a small downward extension. The front contour does not exactly fit the SDP, but it is very minor.

I've emailed Kriss and they have no timeline of making spare parts available. But they did tell me they'll have new sights available once it works its way thru the govt red tape.

Cool, thank you for the heads up about the mags. $54 is over kill for just one mag. i will need to buy me one of these aftermarket mags. Always like to have a minimum of 4 mags for each handgun.

I talked to Kriss about the sights too and they told me the same thing, that they have to go thru red tape.

[scottbadger]