RANGE REPORT #20 for the CZ P-01 9mm
June 21, 2008
This is intended to be an ongoing history of working my new CZ P-01 9mm compact pistol at the range. I will track the number of shots, jams/failures, goal while at the range, general comments on ergonomics and performance, and cleanings ... over the life of the pistol, from new. Each ~500rds or so, I will come back and post further comments as to performance, what I'm trying to achieve at the range sessions, how the gun's parts are holding up, how recent gunsmithing changes are working, and so on.
Hopefully, someone will find this useful, either when considering purchase of a P-01 or as a reference for reliability.
Gun: CZ P-01 9mm compact pistol. 28oz forged aluminum frame w/ steel slide, decocker, no safety, Browning-style tilt/lockup, plastic guide rod (though I've got a stainless FLGR now); 14-rd magazines.
Purpose: Daily concealed carry.
June 21, 2008 -- 20th range session since original purchase.
Note: Recent problem resolved, in which a screw loosened in the magazine release spring area, which then caused the trigger bar to fail to move the hammer at all. Deadly problem, but easily resolved. While it was in the shop, I had them give it the once-over.
- Goal -- Validate that the gunsmith's attentions completely corrected the "trigger bar" problem, and to get back into the swing of things with the CZ P-01. It has been too long. Second goal was to ensure exactlymypoint couldn't break it, as he seems to think he's been doing, lately.
- Initial Field Strip and Cleaning -- Cleaned with CLP, cleaned barrel with patches, then lightly oiled all mating surfaces. Squeaky clean.
- Feel -- Wonderful, as always. The P-01 is a joy to shoot. Light recoil, very little muzzle flip, points naturally, hits target at point of aim.
- Grip -- Still a bit large for my hands, but I've gotten used to it. With the "bite" provided by the custom Omega ebony grip panels, the gun is easy to hold and fire.
- Shots -- 6 magazines of Remington UMC FMJ "range" rounds, plus a couple magazines of DoubleTap JHP 124gr rounds. That brings the total to 3756 + (8x14) = 3868 rounds fired since purchase. Distances were all at ~6-9yds or so.
- Aim -- (I shoot left handed.) Quite a few fliers, but then I'm out of practice with the P-01. POI just a tad low/right of POA, which has been the case since purchased.
- Cleaning at Range -- None, given how few rounds were fired.
- Jams/failures -- Not one problem. No cycling, feeding, ejection or other problems. The ejected rounds could take an eye out, though, with how crisply and far they eject, but that's about the only "issue." Smooth as a good single-malt. Aaaahhhhhhh. Of course, not many rounds were fired, today.
- ExactlyMyPoint-O-Meter -- Not a chance. Not one single failure induced by him, despite his worst fears. Jinx is officially non-existent. Yaaaaaay!
- Cleaning -- After the session, field stripped and cleaned all surfaces with Break Free CLP, including patches through the barrel, magazine lips. Lightly oiled friction surfaces. It's time to replace all the magazine followers and springs, plus the main recoil rod and spring.
The only issues I have with the gun are minor ergonomic ones.
- Magazine Release -- Having knocked down the edges, it now fits well. Trouble is, the surface wasn't checkered, leaving it slick to the finger's touch. Bad, in a situation needing to quickly eject the magazine, if it slips. Time to order a new mag release button, but to get more specific about how little to knock down, then to ensure the surface is checkered again.
- Thickness of Grip -- Having smaller hands, I'm all for reducing the circumference of the grip. I can easily achieve this by simply removing a bit of the rear of each grip panel. They will still fit, but they'd be tighter into the gun.
- Stippling of front strap and back strap --This would make it perfect, I think. The grooves on the front strap of a stock P-01 are vertical, believe it or not. That's not conducive to the greatest amount of control. Stippling or "golf balling" would be just the ticket.