Finally took the dive into the CZ world, should have a SP-01 Phantom in my hands by the weekend. One of the knocks on the gun out of the box I've seen are the sights (which I'd certainly like upgrade), of course for kicks I've also been looking at the CGW website for additional upgrade options.

Few questions that raises:

• For a casual shooter (I shoot often, but generally only at the range) is a CGW standard or pro package worth the money? If so, what "package" or other upgrades should I look at?
• If you order from CGW do you just have them ship the parts to you and take it to a local gunsmith? Or do you have to get the gun to them? (I can call and ask them this, but this leads into follow up questions)
• Alternatively can any of it be done DIY?
• If you have someone local work on it, any recommendations for a CZ gunsmith in the Houston area? Or can I take it to generally any trusted gunsmith in the area?

/Inb4 "Paging Bender". Of course I expect a response from him.

pics or it didn't happen

In Houston and we do a fair amount of work on CZs, come see me

As to the rest, you can install on your own. However, a couple things, generally a gunsmith will do a better job at fine tuning. Most of the cz parts are drop in-ish but sometimes they need fitting. The Phantom does have the infamous sear cage. PITA. I'd recommend letting someone do it for you if you don't actively like gunsmithing. That being said, I always am encouraging of people doing their own work. It's fun, rewarding, and helps you learn your tool. Plus, when things go wrong, I'm happy to help fix.

Start with the Ultra-Lite kit and you can do that yourself easily. It will lighten the hammer spring and reduce the weight of the DA action. You get a better firing pin too.

The jumping off point are the complete packages where you get into the action. I consider myself a decent countertop-"smith" and it was not easy to deal with the sear cage, thumb safety, and a few other parts that required some Youtube videos and a lot of patience.

I don't think you would be disappointed after spending the funds on the pro package and having EyeGuy install it for you. CZs are tremendously under-rated in the US.

Eyeguy pretty much nailed it.

I've installed my own parts in some CZs, and had CZs worked on by CGW and CZ Custom.

While my work is good, the ones worked on by CGW/CZC are better. They've got more experience with the work and are better at getting every little bit of advantage out of upgrades than I am.

Decocker guns are harder to work on than safety equipped models. Sear cage can be a PITA, one way to avoid it is use a qtip/similar trimmed rod to remove the sear cage intact from the gun so you don't have to reassemble it.

CZs don't "need" trigger work to be good shooters. But there is a lot of what I'd describe as slop in the factory triggers that can be eliminated by some work.

If you're used to striker fired stuff, shoot as is and see what you think. You may be perfectly happy with the stock trigger. If you're a 1911 snob, a worked over single action CZ trigger is about the closest thing in a centerfire trigger I've felt to a high end 1911 trigger, so it may be worth the time/money to clean it up.

Patriot defense while they specialize in EAA, those guns are based on CZ's

What is a CZ?

I was thinking about sending my P01 to Cajun for their defensive carry package but it's not on the website anymore, just the pro package and it's mucho expensive. I guess they dropped it.

Standard Package (formerly Defensive Carry) for 75 Decockers

I think they just renamed it.

J.D. c/o 05 said:

---

Standard Package (formerly Defensive Carry) for 75 Decockers

I think they just renamed it.

---

Ahh. Good deal. Thanks

filag88 said:

---

What is a CZ?

---

If this is not a troll, CZ is a brand of firearms from the Czech republic.
CZ usa

Judging from their other posts, I believe they are just learning the gun jargon on this board. Hopefully a new gun owner.

As said above, sear cages are a *****-and if you really want to get all the "speed bumps" out, it's best to have some experience/knowledge in stoning the right surfaces. The latter is the big difference between DIY and a professional job (Cajun, CZ Custom, pro gunsmith etc.)

Having done it myself and a lot of years of DIY gun work, I'd take Eyeguy up on the offer.

Not a troll. Just a believer that the only dumb question is one not asked. Trying to learn and had never heard the term. Thanks

filag88 said:

---

Not a troll. Just a believer that the only dumb question is one not asked. Trying to learn and had never heard the term. Thanks

---

Yep, brand name that me, bender, jabber and a few others have a slight obsession with

YES! Congrats man.

I joined the CZ club too. Got an FDE Scorpion Evo.

Looking at the prices on Patriot Defense makes me wish I hadn't sold my Tanfoglio.

carl spacklers hat said:

---

Looking at the prices on Patriot Defense makes me wish I hadn't sold my Tanfoglio.

---

It depends on the tanfo, but they're popular for competition. Some of the really basic witnesses, not so sought after from what I've seen. The issue with the tanfos imo are that they all have a firing pin block, which aren't necessarily that big of a deal for every day use but when you start tweaking things, that can present a challenge.