TFB Review: Swiss-Made Phoenix AG Redback Ultralight Pistol

From what I have been able to glean from other people, the engineers who used to work for Sphinx have moved on to form Phoenix AG. The Sphinx pistols were stellar pistols but they were designed for self defense. The only ones I saw were short barreled for CCW. I wanted to see a full-size version for use in competition. Well, that is where Phoenix has gone with their Redback line of pistols. Their Redback is on the IPSC production list.

According to Phoenix’s website they are three variants of their Redback pistols; Redback, Redback Light, and Redback Ultralight. The difference is in the materials used for the frame.

The Redback Ultralight is similar to a CZ-75. The frame wraps up and around the slide. This is a tried and trued design made popular with the CZ-75. Having the slide ride inside the frame increases accuracy and makes for an efficient barrel lockup which improves accuracy.

Aside from the basic CZ-75 design, the Redback has been designed for the competitive shooter in mind. The first design feature that drew my eye is the machined texture in the sides of the frame. With the frame over slide design, you can place your support thumb high up on the side. Phoenix AG machined small pyramids into the side of the frame for aiding your support thumb to get purchase and apply downward pressure.

The pistol is well made. You can sense that as soon as you pick it up. However there is a drawback and that would be the price. I have found them for sale for $3,100. Some of my friends had some sticker shock. They question why someone would buy the Phoenix Redback when you can buy two or three CZ-75 Shadows for the same amount of money. I can see both sides of the argument. One comment I read on Instagram was by a sponsored competitive female shooter from France. She said the Redback was better built and less prone to breaking down. But if you buy multiple backup CZ Shadows this problem is negated by the fact that you have spare parts and guns. I look at the Phoenix pistol like a Rolex or other well machined Swiss product. There is a quality that is inherent that adds to the value. While you could have a few pistols for the same price, they are not a Phoenix Redback. If well-engineered and machined firearms are of an interest to you and the price is reasonable to you, I would take a closer look at Phoenix’s offerings. These pistols are exclusively imported by The Attic Imports.