The Sphinx SDP Standard 9mm

I happened to pass the Sphinx booth at SHOT.  I may not have even stopped, but apparently Sphinx is owned by the same company that owns KRISS, and who doesn’t love a KRISS, right?!  So as I’m walking through I realized that there are several really good looking pistols that Sphinx is showing off.

Sphinx, like KRISS and 2 other companies, are Swiss owned companies.  The pistols are the new line of SDP (Special Duty Pistol) pistols, and I have to tell you that I was very impressed with what I saw.

I got to talk with Duncan Ball, of Sphinx, and learned that the current versions will all be in 9mm.  Duncan told me that the first of the series to go to market will be the SDP Compact, with the other two hopefully to follow shortly thereafter.  Sphinx has already put together “hundreds” of pistols at their site in Virginia, but they are still awaiting approval to sale from the BATFE.

The SDP Standard is a large pistol, but still relatively light weight.

The Sphinx literature explains that the SDP was developed from Sphinx’s “heritage in international competition”.  The frame is somewhat unique in appareance, and Sphinx reports it has merged aeronautic grade aluminum with corrosion resistant polymer to complete the pistol.  The SPD series of pistols comes in (3) versions:  the Standard, the Compact, and the Sub-Compact.

Holding the SDP Standard

A prototype of their competition version, called the Pro Production Standard, was present too.  Instead of a polymer frame, the Pro Production Standard is made entirely of steel – and you can definitely feel the difference.  There were no specifications for the competition model available.

The prototype SDP Pro Production Standard made of steel

The SDP pistols have an ambidextrous decocking lever/manual safety.  The lever had a 2-stage decocking movement.  Upon pressing the lever down the trigger would move back slightly and the hammer would move forward slightly.  Then upon releasing the decocking lever the safety action would complete its action restoring the hammer safely in the uncocked position, while the trigger returns to its resting position.

The SDP decocking lever.

I have to admit that handling these pistols was a real treat.  The ergonomics of the grip seemed to be personalized for my hands.  It was one of the most comfortable feeling and fitting pistol grips I have held.  The S&W M&P grip is about as close to a comparison as I can give you.  I don’t own an M&P (wish I did), but that grip is a very well designed grip for comfort and grasp.

The Sphinx SPD pistols appear to be a very well made pistol, however the pricing may very well influence their ability to move into an already incredibly competitive market.  Duncan advised that although these pistols will be marketed to the civilian market, they are also going to emphasize government/law enforcement sales.

SPD Standard 9mm

• DA/SA with ambidextrous decocking lever/manual safety
• 6 integrated safeties including a loaded chamber indicator
• Overall length – 8.3”
• Barrel length – 4.5”
• Overall height – 5.5”
• Overall width – 1.3”
• Weight – 1.98 lbs.
• Sight radius – 6.5”
• Front sight – negative angle iron blade with white dot (shown had fiber optic)
• Rear sight – iron or adjustable competition
• Trigger pull – SA 3.3 lbs.; DA 8.16 lbs.
• Advanced match-grade quality trigger
• Slide – steel with black TIAIN coating
• Frame – Upper and lower are hard anodized aluminum with Teflon
• 6-notch Picatinny rail on bottom of receiver
• Grip – polymer based with interchangeable rubber grips
• Grip sizes – S, M, L
• Reversible magazine catch
• Capacity – 17+1
• Options – Lanyard, DEFIANCE Tritium sights, threaded barrel
• MSRP – $1495

The business end of the SDP Standard.

SPD Compact 9mm

• All features are the same as the Standard version except the following:
• Overal length – 7.48”
• Weight – 1.69 lbs.
• Barrel length – 3.7”
• Sight radius – 5.7”
• Rear sight – serrated U-shaped sight
• 4-notch Picatinny rail on bottom of receiver
• Pistol grip includes finger moulds on the front side
• Capacity – 15+1
• MSRP – $1295-1395

The SDP Compact.

The other side of the SDP Compact.

SPD Sub-Compact 9mm

• All features are the same as the Standard version except the following:
• Overall length – 6.55”
• Overall height – 4.97”
• Overall width – 1.22”
• Weight – 21.15 oz.
• Barrel length – 3.13”
• Sigth radius – 5.08”
• Rear sight – serrated U-shaped sight
• Lower frame – proprietary polymer
• No Picatinny rails
• Capacity – 13+1
• MSRP – $1195

The SDP Sub-Compact.

The other side of the SDP Sub-Compact.