1911 Operator vs. 92FS vs. SP01

metalgunner · April 5, 2025, 11:05 AM

Hello everyone. I apologize if similar topics have already been discussed on this forum. I want to get a 9mm pistol for personal protection, occasional carrying and recreational shooting. I am not a fan of plastic or small pistols. I have tried most pistols, and the ones I currently like the most are the Springfield Armory 1911 Operator, Beretta 92FS and 92A1, as well as the CZ-75 SP-01, especially the SHADOW version, which I have had the opportunity to shoot several times.
All of these pistols fit quite well in my hand, but my main criteria is reliability, that the weapon lasts a long time and does not break down. I am not able to buy more than one. Help me narrow down my choice. Thanks!

wild cat mccane · April 5, 2025, 11:44 AM

Can't tell you what to buy and that list is pretty different in features.

Also consider the Sig P226. It has the exact same, I mean exact same, grip as the Shadow but better.

The Sig SRT resets faster than the Shadow and the trigger pull is nicer.

You get the benefit of lighter, without going to your disliked plastic. Well worth investigating before you decide on your "one."

bac1023 · April 5, 2025, 12:02 PM

Out of those, the CZ for sure.

I like the 1911 design best, but in that rice range, the CZ is a better option. I look at the Beretta design as a very distant third within that threesome

pete2 · April 5, 2025, 01:44 PM

Haven't shot the CZ. I own a 92FS plus 1911/Commander size 9mm. I had the 92FS modified to decocker only, it's easy to put on safe by accident if you slingshot it on a reload. The 92 is very reliable, no jams in thousands of rounds. I have a DW Valkyrie that's never jammed but I haven't fired thousands of rounds in it. I'd rather shoot the DW but the 92 holds 16 rounds. I guess I'd carry the DW, it's more compact then the 92. My 2 cents worth.

jetinteriorguy · April 6, 2025, 06:14 AM

My CZ75B SA is the best pistol I’ve got, and I have a few to choose from that many would consider better. But the CZ just fits me and shoots fantastic and is rugged and reliable.

glider · April 6, 2025, 08:05 AM

All of those are good choices but the Sig is without a doubt the best for longevity and reliability. You just can't get a better pistol than a P226 or P229 and both are extremely accurate. And I'm actually a 1911 nut but I also grab a Sig when TSHTF. LOL

Super Sneaky Steve · April 6, 2025, 11:14 PM

Get the CZ.

**Aguila Blanca** · April 7, 2025, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glider

All of those are good choices but the Sig is without a doubt the best for longevity and reliability.

SIG wasn't one of the choices.

Quote:

... the ones I currently like the most are the Springfield Armory 1911 Operator, Beretta 92FS and 92A1, as well as the CZ-75 SP-01, especially the SHADOW version, ...

PatientWolf · April 7, 2025, 05:02 AM

I can’t tell you which is best, but for me the CZ would definitely have the most interest from your list.

Nathan · April 7, 2025, 06:11 AM

I like your 1911 idea, bu5 not that one. Have you looked for a Dan Wesson?

I also wonder if the SA35 ticks any boxes for you. I’ve been pretty impressed with a new one of those recently.

Also, a S&W M&P m2.0 metal is a nice gun. They make an all metal version with a thumb safety around this price range.

Sorry, I’m having a hard time sticking with the list. Good luck in your shopping.

glider · April 7, 2025, 06:33 AM

If I have to pick one of the 3 it would be the Beretta. It and the CZ are both good pistols, I haven't had good luck with S.A. but lots of other folks like them.

pete2 · April 7, 2025, 11:06 AM

I have an S35. Trying to like it but not in the same class as the DW Commander or the 92FS. SA35 hasn't jammed yet but shoots way low and the safety isn't positive enough to carry. 92FS shot low, had to buy a lower sight as Beretta don't give a rat's behind about it. Only Beretta I'll ever buy due to lack of customer service.

amprecon · April 7, 2025, 01:39 PM

Don't short change yourself with those options. Consider a lightweight commander 9mm, the alloy frame with 4.25" slide/barrel. I never considered a 1911 in 9mm, but then bought a Tisas Aviator 9mm because the price was so right and it has become my favorite pistol to shoot and has been utterly reliable and accurate. I did modify it slightly, longer trigger and beavertail grip safety and new ejector as brass was hitting me on the forehead. I believe they are no longer in production, but if I were to purchase a lightweight commander in 9mm today, it'd be the SA Ronin lightweight commander, maybe a Ruger lightweight commander as a runner-up.
For comparisons sake, I recently picked up a Beretta 92 GTS Centurion, although it is nice and shoots well, it is a larger pistol and feel it recoils more than the lightweight commander. Also it is being replaced by Beretta as I had to send it back for problems.

Nathan · April 7, 2025, 01:41 PM

Quote:

I have an S35. Trying to like it but not in the same class as the DW Commander or the 92FS. SA35 hasn't jammed yet but shoots way low and the safety isn't positive enough to carry. 92FS shot low, had to buy a lower sight as Beretta don't give a rat's behind about it. Only Beretta I'll ever buy due to lack of customer service.

Oh yea, DW is much nicer. That said, price can be a bit much.

I’m sorry to hear about your SA-35 struggles. Seems like they vary from great, but heavy’ish trigger to poi off, bad trigger, bad finish, unreliable, etc, but I find my newer one a best buy at this point. It can put 15rds into a 3” bullseye when aiming at said bullseye, all rounds feeding, trigger has slight creep and a bit much weight. I want to try some polish on the sear.

Algunner · April 7, 2025, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalgunner

Hello everyone. I apologize if similar topics have already been discussed on this forum. I want to get a 9mm pistol for personal protection, occasional carrying and recreational shooting. I am not a fan of plastic or small pistols. I have tried most pistols, and the ones I currently like the most are the Springfield Armory 1911 Operator, Beretta 92FS and 92A1, as well as the CZ-75 SP-01, especially the SHADOW version, which I have had the opportunity to shoot several times.
All of these pistols fit quite well in my hand, but my main criteria is reliability, that the weapon lasts a long time and does not break down. I am not able to buy more than one. Help me narrow down my choice. Thanks!

Those are closer to competition guns than carry guns. I would get something that is light that can take the bumping and scratching that a carry weapon can take.

Shadow9mm · April 10, 2025, 03:51 PM

Not a fan of 9mm 1911. Friend had 3 different ones over the years including a kimber. All had reliability issues. The kimber was super ammo picky.

Not a fan of the baretta 92s, safety is in an awkward position for me and made racking the slide hard.

Sp01 shot one a few times, really enjoyed it, its on my short list

wild cat mccane · April 10, 2025, 04:18 PM

Nothing fails drop and torture tests as consistently as the CZ. A thought.

"And no one is more quick to point this out than you"

Then we agree on what consistently means

Shadow9mm · April 10, 2025, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild cat mccane

Nothing fails drop and torture tests as consistently as the CZ. A thought.

"And no one is more quick to point this out than you"

Then we agree on what consistently means

cough, cough, P320, cough cough

bac1023 · April 10, 2025, 09:43 PM

The competition CZ’s don’t have firing pin safeties, just like high end 1911’s or 2011’s don’t. This is nothing new.

It’s amazing how many people didn’t understand that. People are clueless

jmr40 · April 10, 2025, 10:22 PM

Beretta by default. I like the 1911 well enough, but it's really a range and competition gun best chambered in 45 ACP. Not a fan of the slide inside the frame on CZ's.

If I'm spending my money, there are other options that I like better than Beretta. But I've owned a few and respect them. If I were issued one, I'd carry it with confidence. It's probably the most accurate and reliable of your choices.

I'm not a fan of the DA/SA trigger and backwards safety/decocker lever. And they are bigger than they need to be. But they just work.

Koda94 · April 10, 2025, 11:06 PM

If only one; the 1911 is a timeless classic that never gets old, has virtually unlimited holster and accessory options, and something about them if its the only gun you have for years you will never want to part with that one even if someday you finally get a different gun its the old 1911 that gets talked about the most.

101combatvet · April 11, 2025, 02:23 AM

I own several 1911s, but I rarely shoot them. I have a 92FS with nearly 40,000 rounds through it, and I love this pistol. While I appreciate CZs, I don't own one because they are heavy, and I probably never will. I have switched to the Walther PDP for both competition and carry, as I believe it is the best striker-fired pistol on the market today.

wild cat mccane · April 11, 2025, 10:32 AM

P320 makes through garand thumbs mud test and drop test.

The CZ broke on the drop test and failed the mud test.

czgunner · April 11, 2025, 03:21 PM

Of these, the Beretta, but there are better choices for me outside of your list.

Sent from my Pixel 8a using Tapatalk

Paul B. · April 11, 2025, 07:22 PM

My basic carry is a Colt Combat Commander in .45 ACP. The gun is strctly stock other than I replaced the grip safety with a beavertail style. The Commander style ate holes in the web of my have and I have the scars to prove it. The trigger has been lightly smoothed plus I polished the feed ramp and throat.

The gun has been 100& reliable and I feed it with an 8 round Wilson magazine plus two 10 round Wilson magazine as back up. I also have an S&W M60 .38 Spl. and my back up gun should I need it.
Paul B.

April 5, 2025, 11:05 AM	#1
metalgunner Junior Member Join Date: April 5, 2025 Posts: 1	1911 Operator vs. 92FS vs. SP01 Hello everyone. I apologize if similar topics have already been discussed on this forum. I want to get a 9mm pistol for personal protection, occasional carrying and recreational shooting. I am not a fan of plastic or small pistols. I have tried most pistols, and the ones I currently like the most are the Springfield Armory 1911 Operator, Beretta 92FS and 92A1, as well as the CZ-75 SP-01, especially the SHADOW version, which I have had the opportunity to shoot several times. All of these pistols fit quite well in my hand, but my main criteria is reliability, that the weapon lasts a long time and does not break down. I am not able to buy more than one. Help me narrow down my choice. Thanks!

April 5, 2025, 11:44 AM	#2
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,864	Can't tell you what to buy and that list is pretty different in features. Also consider the Sig P226. It has the exact same, I mean exact same, grip as the Shadow but better. The Sig SRT resets faster than the Shadow and the trigger pull is nicer. You get the benefit of lighter, without going to your disliked plastic. Well worth investigating before you decide on your "one." __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

April 7, 2025, 01:39 PM	#13
amprecon Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 1999 Location: TN Posts: 788	Don't short change yourself with those options. Consider a lightweight commander 9mm, the alloy frame with 4.25" slide/barrel. I never considered a 1911 in 9mm, but then bought a Tisas Aviator 9mm because the price was so right and it has become my favorite pistol to shoot and has been utterly reliable and accurate. I did modify it slightly, longer trigger and beavertail grip safety and new ejector as brass was hitting me on the forehead. I believe they are no longer in production, but if I were to purchase a lightweight commander in 9mm today, it'd be the SA Ronin lightweight commander, maybe a Ruger lightweight commander as a runner-up. For comparisons sake, I recently picked up a Beretta 92 GTS Centurion, although it is nice and shoots well, it is a larger pistol and feel it recoils more than the lightweight commander. Also it is being replaced by Beretta as I had to send it back for problems. __________________ "You can't get 'em all Josey." "That's a fact". "Well how come you doin' this then?" "Cause I got nothin' better to do."

April 10, 2025, 03:51 PM	#16
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 4,603	Not a fan of 9mm 1911. Friend had 3 different ones over the years including a kimber. All had reliability issues. The kimber was super ammo picky. Not a fan of the baretta 92s, safety is in an awkward position for me and made racking the slide hard. Sp01 shot one a few times, really enjoyed it, its on my short list __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload. Last edited by Shadow9mm; April 10, 2025 at 08:38 PM.

April 10, 2025, 04:18 PM	#17
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,864	Nothing fails drop and torture tests as consistently as the CZ. A thought. "And no one is more quick to point this out than you" Then we agree on what consistently means __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

April 5, 2025, 12:02 PM	#3
bac1023 Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 1,214	Out of those, the CZ for sure. I like the 1911 design best, but in that rice range, the CZ is a better option. I look at the Beretta design as a very distant third within that threesome

April 5, 2025, 01:44 PM	#4
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,610	Haven't shot the CZ. I own a 92FS plus 1911/Commander size 9mm. I had the 92FS modified to decocker only, it's easy to put on safe by accident if you slingshot it on a reload. The 92 is very reliable, no jams in thousands of rounds. I have a DW Valkyrie that's never jammed but I haven't fired thousands of rounds in it. I'd rather shoot the DW but the 92 holds 16 rounds. I guess I'd carry the DW, it's more compact then the 92. My 2 cents worth.

April 6, 2025, 06:14 AM	#5
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,476	My CZ75B SA is the best pistol I’ve got, and I have a few to choose from that many would consider better. But the CZ just fits me and shoots fantastic and is rugged and reliable.

April 6, 2025, 08:05 AM	#6
glider Member Join Date: March 16, 2025 Posts: 54	All of those are good choices but the Sig is without a doubt the best for longevity and reliability. You just can't get a better pistol than a P226 or P229 and both are extremely accurate. And I'm actually a 1911 nut but I also grab a Sig when TSHTF. LOL

April 6, 2025, 11:14 PM	#7
Super Sneaky Steve Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,328	Get the CZ.

April 7, 2025, 05:02 AM	#9
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 956	I can’t tell you which is best, but for me the CZ would definitely have the most interest from your list.

April 7, 2025, 06:11 AM	#10
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,825	I like your 1911 idea, bu5 not that one. Have you looked for a Dan Wesson? I also wonder if the SA35 ticks any boxes for you. I’ve been pretty impressed with a new one of those recently. Also, a S&W M&P m2.0 metal is a nice gun. They make an all metal version with a thumb safety around this price range. Sorry, I’m having a hard time sticking with the list. Good luck in your shopping.

April 7, 2025, 06:33 AM	#11
glider Member Join Date: March 16, 2025 Posts: 54	If I have to pick one of the 3 it would be the Beretta. It and the CZ are both good pistols, I haven't had good luck with S.A. but lots of other folks like them.

April 7, 2025, 11:06 AM	#12
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,610	I have an S35. Trying to like it but not in the same class as the DW Commander or the 92FS. SA35 hasn't jammed yet but shoots way low and the safety isn't positive enough to carry. 92FS shot low, had to buy a lower sight as Beretta don't give a rat's behind about it. Only Beretta I'll ever buy due to lack of customer service.

April 10, 2025, 09:43 PM	#19
bac1023 Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 1,214	The competition CZ’s don’t have firing pin safeties, just like high end 1911’s or 2011’s don’t. This is nothing new. It’s amazing how many people didn’t understand that. People are clueless

April 10, 2025, 10:22 PM	#20
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,974	Beretta by default. I like the 1911 well enough, but it's really a range and competition gun best chambered in 45 ACP. Not a fan of the slide inside the frame on CZ's. If I'm spending my money, there are other options that I like better than Beretta. But I've owned a few and respect them. If I were issued one, I'd carry it with confidence. It's probably the most accurate and reliable of your choices. I'm not a fan of the DA/SA trigger and backwards safety/decocker lever. And they are bigger than they need to be. But they just work. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

April 10, 2025, 11:06 PM	#21
Koda94 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Cascadia Posts: 1,362	If only one; the 1911 is a timeless classic that never gets old, has virtually unlimited holster and accessory options, and something about them if its the only gun you have for years you will never want to part with that one even if someday you finally get a different gun its the old 1911 that gets talked about the most. __________________ lightweight, cheap, strong... pick 2

April 11, 2025, 02:23 AM	#22
101combatvet Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2011 Posts: 675	I own several 1911s, but I rarely shoot them. I have a 92FS with nearly 40,000 rounds through it, and I love this pistol. While I appreciate CZs, I don't own one because they are heavy, and I probably never will. I have switched to the Walther PDP for both competition and carry, as I believe it is the best striker-fired pistol on the market today. __________________ Special Operations Combat Veteran Gunsmith, BS, MFA, Competitive Shooter NRA Certified Firearms Instructor [9 Certifications]

April 11, 2025, 10:32 AM	#23
wild cat mccane Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 3,864	P320 makes through garand thumbs mud test and drop test. The CZ broke on the drop test and failed the mud test. __________________ My wife is a pulmonologist (respiratory Dr) and epidemiologist. If you have any questions on COVID, please reach out to me in PM.

April 11, 2025, 03:21 PM	#24
czgunner Member Join Date: November 9, 2006 Posts: 32	Of these, the Beretta, but there are better choices for me outside of your list. Sent from my Pixel 8a using Tapatalk

April 11, 2025, 07:22 PM	#25
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,933	My basic carry is a Colt Combat Commander in .45 ACP. The gun is strctly stock other than I replaced the grip safety with a beavertail style. The Commander style ate holes in the web of my have and I have the scars to prove it. The trigger has been lightly smoothed plus I polished the feed ramp and throat. The gun has been 100& reliable and I feed it with an 8 round Wilson magazine plus two 10 round Wilson magazine as back up. I also have an S&W M60 .38 Spl. and my back up gun should I need it. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!