CZ 75 SP-01 9mm vs CZ Shadow 2 9mm

Both are steel-framed hammer-fired CZs, and the CZ Shadow 2 9mm is the larger: 46.5 oz against the CZ 75 SP-01 9mm's 41.3 oz, a 5.2 oz difference, 8.5" overall to 8.15", and 6.2" tall to 5.79". It is 0.16" narrower, though, at 1.3" against 1.46". The Shadow 2's trigger is 1.1 lb lighter, 3.4 lb against 4.5 lb, and it uses a fiber optic front with a height-adjustable rear notch where the SP-01 runs fixed 3-dot sights. The SP-01 holds two more rounds, 19+1 against 17+1, on a 4.6" barrel against 4.7". Neither is optic-ready. MSRP is $999 against $1,399.

Pick the CZ 75 SP-01 if:

• You want 19+1 rather than 17+1
• You want the lighter, shorter gun at 41.3 oz and 8.15" overall
• $999 against $1,399 — $400 less

Pick the CZ Shadow 2 if:

• You want the 3.4 lb trigger, 1.1 lb lighter than the SP-01's 4.5 lb
• You want an adjustable rear notch and a fiber optic front rather than fixed 3-dot irons
• The extra 5.2 oz and 0.41" of height help you hold the gun flat

The SP-01 is the lighter, higher-capacity, less expensive pistol; the Shadow 2 adds 5.2 oz, a 1.1 lb lighter trigger and adjustable competition sights for $400 more. Which side suits you depends on whether the gun spends its life on a belt or on a shooting bay.