Sphinx .380

Kentucky Rifle · February 23, 2002, 07:24 PM

I went to a large gun show in Louisville today and found a little auto that looked pretty good. The guy at the table told me that it was very similar to a CZ, but to me, didn't resemble a CZ at all. It was a "Sphinx", manufactured in Switzerland and had typical Swiss precision. Two 13 round mags came with the pistol. Everything about it felt fine. A VERY tempting little two-tone pistol. However, I wanted to leave a post and ask if anyone had a Spinx or had any experience with one. Any opinion would be greatly appreciated as the show ends tomorrow and I think I can get a better deal.

Thanks,
Kentucky Rifle

SDforce · February 24, 2002, 12:42 AM

Don't know much about them, but I know the detectives at the agency where I used to work carried them.

Walther P99 · February 24, 2002, 01:10 AM

I've heard these were very good pistols, but I've never handled/shot one so I couldn't vouch for that. Since they're made in Switzerland, I'd say it's probably quite true.

Before I got my P99, I looked into buying one of their 9mm pistols, I went to their website and ran the dealer search query and it appears they have no US dealers, which may explain why I haven't heard or seen anything about them in the past several years.

Eric Larsen · February 24, 2002, 04:33 PM

Ive seen a couple and the ones I know of that are owned are safe guns....dont get fired at all. The quality has been rumored to be better than CZ....its the only clone that is even close, anyway. You may want to jump while you can...Shoot well.

QB · February 26, 2002, 09:45 PM

I know that your gun show has ended but I wanted to respond anyway.

A few months ago I purchased a Sphinx AT 2000 Police Special. It was NIB with all originla materials, two 15 round magazines, etc. It came out of someone's safe.

It is the pallidium finish (stainless steel, not two tone or black) and the fit and finish is absolutely stunning.

My dealer was horrified that I was going to shoot this gun but hey, I shoot ALL my guns and don't have anyone interested in guns to leave them to when I die so what the heck.

The Sphinx is expensive but is ever so sweet. I emailed Sphinx and have been conversing with a Sphinx rep for several weeks. Sphinx is working on getting a US distributor and my dealer talked to the Sphinx rep at the Shot Show. I am still waiting to hear about the US rep and when they may get one (as I have about 6 different Sphinx handguns "on order").

There is a dealer in Canada that I have talked to also. He said Sphinx gave him approval to import to the US (as long as there is no US importer) but that he'd have to ship to an FFL that also have a BATF for 6 (or something like that....a form allowing the FFL to import I suppose).

Anyway, I don't know about the .380 but I DO know that the 9mm I have is FABULOUS. I have sold approximately 6 handguns this month in anticipation of purchasing more Sphinx guns.

Oh...THE SPHINX has been to the range 4 times and has performed great. Seemed a little tight at first and had to give the slide a tap a couple of times to fully go into battery but this has now stopped. Last time out was flawless.

They now have a Sphinx 3000 out that sell in the $4k range. As it is the 2000 series sell at $1k+. I picked up the "NIB/safe" stainless 2000 PS that included the two 15 round mags for $950.

OkieCruffler · February 27, 2002, 12:44 PM

I've got one, or I should say "used to have one". It now follows my wife all day long to keep her out of trouble. I have 13 .380's right now, and have owned a few others. I can't think of one as being anywhere near the same league as the Sphinx AT380-M. It took about 500 rds to really break in, but now its trigger is smooth as silk. It's the only non-22 auto pistol my wife will shoot. On the downside, it's heavy (the Swiss apparently don't believe in all this plastic gun mumbo-jumbo) and it ain't the smallest .380 I've ever put my hands on. Of course those two things make for a very mild recoiling gun

which is why my wife stole it from my safe

Jeez, womens

python1340 · February 28, 2002, 11:13 AM

I don't like the name "Sphinx". It looks/sounds too much like "sphincter".

Eric Larsen · March 1, 2002, 07:51 AM

python1340
....now if I was to get "freudian"..I would begin to wooooonnnnnddddeeerrrrr....HHHMMMMMMMMMM!

Okie...how does the .380 compare to the CZ 83 or BDA? Just curious....these are the nicest all around .380's I have shot/owned......shoot well

OkieCruffler · March 1, 2002, 04:07 PM

I've never owned or fired the CZ, so I can't make a judgement call on that one. I think the Sphinx beats the BDA, at least it beats my BDA. The trigger is a little smoother and it's a bit smaller than the BDA. It's abit more accurate than my BDA, but only a bit. And it cost nib a little less than my BDA cost used. But the BDA is DA where the Sphinx is DAO if that matters to you. Either one is a fine gun.

February 23, 2002, 07:24 PM	#1
Kentucky Rifle Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 1999 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 2,689	Sphinx .380 I went to a large gun show in Louisville today and found a little auto that looked pretty good. The guy at the table told me that it was very similar to a CZ, but to me, didn't resemble a CZ at all. It was a "Sphinx", manufactured in Switzerland and had typical Swiss precision. Two 13 round mags came with the pistol. Everything about it felt fine. A VERY tempting little two-tone pistol. However, I wanted to leave a post and ask if anyone had a Spinx or had any experience with one. Any opinion would be greatly appreciated as the show ends tomorrow and I think I can get a better deal. Thanks, Kentucky Rifle

February 24, 2002, 01:10 AM	#3
Walther P99 Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 100	I've heard these were very good pistols, but I've never handled/shot one so I couldn't vouch for that. Since they're made in Switzerland, I'd say it's probably quite true. Before I got my P99, I looked into buying one of their 9mm pistols, I went to their website and ran the dealer search query and it appears they have no US dealers, which may explain why I haven't heard or seen anything about them in the past several years. __________________ Walther P99 9mm SIG P230 HK P7M8 (sold) HK USP9 (sold)

February 24, 2002, 04:33 PM	#4
Eric Larsen Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2001 Location: Bountiful....Ut. Posts: 3,226	Ive seen a couple and the ones I know of that are owned are safe guns....dont get fired at all. The quality has been rumored to be better than CZ....its the only clone that is even close, anyway. You may want to jump while you can...Shoot well. __________________ If they dont know you have a gun.....then I did alright! If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice......Rush

February 27, 2002, 12:44 PM	#6
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 721	I've got one, or I should say "used to have one". It now follows my wife all day long to keep her out of trouble. I have 13 .380's right now, and have owned a few others. I can't think of one as being anywhere near the same league as the Sphinx AT380-M. It took about 500 rds to really break in, but now its trigger is smooth as silk. It's the only non-22 auto pistol my wife will shoot. On the downside, it's heavy (the Swiss apparently don't believe in all this plastic gun mumbo-jumbo) and it ain't the smallest .380 I've ever put my hands on. Of course those two things make for a very mild recoiling gun which is why my wife stole it from my safe Jeez, womens __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood

March 1, 2002, 07:51 AM	#8
Eric Larsen Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2001 Location: Bountiful....Ut. Posts: 3,226	python1340 ....now if I was to get "freudian"..I would begin to wooooonnnnnddddeeerrrrr....HHHMMMMMMMMMM! Okie...how does the .380 compare to the CZ 83 or BDA? Just curious....these are the nicest all around .380's I have shot/owned......shoot well __________________ If they dont know you have a gun.....then I did alright! If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice......Rush

February 24, 2002, 12:42 AM	#2
SDforce Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 2000 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 111	Don't know much about them, but I know the detectives at the agency where I used to work carried them.

February 26, 2002, 09:45 PM	#5
QB Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2000 Posts: 96	I know that your gun show has ended but I wanted to respond anyway. A few months ago I purchased a Sphinx AT 2000 Police Special. It was NIB with all originla materials, two 15 round magazines, etc. It came out of someone's safe. It is the pallidium finish (stainless steel, not two tone or black) and the fit and finish is absolutely stunning. My dealer was horrified that I was going to shoot this gun but hey, I shoot ALL my guns and don't have anyone interested in guns to leave them to when I die so what the heck. The Sphinx is expensive but is ever so sweet. I emailed Sphinx and have been conversing with a Sphinx rep for several weeks. Sphinx is working on getting a US distributor and my dealer talked to the Sphinx rep at the Shot Show. I am still waiting to hear about the US rep and when they may get one (as I have about 6 different Sphinx handguns "on order"). There is a dealer in Canada that I have talked to also. He said Sphinx gave him approval to import to the US (as long as there is no US importer) but that he'd have to ship to an FFL that also have a BATF for 6 (or something like that....a form allowing the FFL to import I suppose). Anyway, I don't know about the .380 but I DO know that the 9mm I have is FABULOUS. I have sold approximately 6 handguns this month in anticipation of purchasing more Sphinx guns. Oh...THE SPHINX has been to the range 4 times and has performed great. Seemed a little tight at first and had to give the slide a tap a couple of times to fully go into battery but this has now stopped. Last time out was flawless. They now have a Sphinx 3000 out that sell in the $4k range. As it is the 2000 series sell at $1k+. I picked up the "NIB/safe" stainless 2000 PS that included the two 15 round mags for $950.

February 28, 2002, 11:13 AM	#7
python1340 Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 197	I don't like the name "Sphinx". It looks/sounds too much like "sphincter".

March 1, 2002, 04:07 PM	#9
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 721	I've never owned or fired the CZ, so I can't make a judgement call on that one. I think the Sphinx beats the BDA, at least it beats my BDA. The trigger is a little smoother and it's a bit smaller than the BDA. It's abit more accurate than my BDA, but only a bit. And it cost nib a little less than my BDA cost used. But the BDA is DA where the Sphinx is DAO if that matters to you. Either one is a fine gun. __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood