Sphinx Systems Limited was a Swiss-based manufacturer of high quality pistols used mainly by special forces, elite police units and sports shooters. Sphinx was founded in 1876, specializing in tooling and machining, and then diversified into the firearms industry during the 1980s. Sphinx is best known for its ongoing development of the original Czech designed CZ 75pistol, which has been evolved into the Sphinx 2000, Sphinx 3000 custom competition pistol, and Sphinx SDP Compact. Sphinx went out of business in July 2016.
History
Sphinx started its work with pistols based on the CZ 75 design when they redesigned the ITM AT-84 licensed copy of the Czech CZ 75 and ITM AT-88, a first evolution of the CZ 75 that had been developed in Switzerland by ITM. In the past, Sphinx manufactured all pistols in Switzerland, slides are made from solid billet steel, frames from casts, forgings or also from billet, and fits each pistol with high quality barrels. Past Sphinx pistols were not mass-produced and were hand fitted to tight tolerances, so Sphinx pistols were more expensive than mass-produced products. All custom-made Sphinx pistols except the AT380 are shipped with an actual test target, which confirms the accuracy of each. In 2010 Sphinx joined KRISS Group and began production of the SDP Compact in 2012. The US-built SPD Compact, based largely on the 3000 Series, was Sphinx's first mass-produced firearm. Initial reviews were positive. Sphinx products were historically imported to the United States by SILE corporation, and until 2008 by SABRE Defense Industries. Since 2010, Sphinx products are being imported into the US by KRISS USA in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Sphinx Systems AG was declared bankrupt on 30 November 2015. The parent company, KRISS Group SA, has been in financial trouble as well. KRISS USA, an independently operated subsidirary of KRISS Group SA, has since taken over the production and other business activities. In July 2016 Sphinx went out of business. The downfall of the traditional weapon manufacturer is primarily the result of a Federal Council ban on the supply of weapon parts to the Arab region.
Sphinx pistols
;AT380 Series: A sub-compact pistol. Slightly smaller in general overall dimension than the Walther PPK/S, it also has a larger magazine capacity. The sights are adjustable. Safeties include: 1. an automatic firing-pin block type which precludes the striker from being hit unless the trigger is pulled, eliminating slam-fires etc. 2. Manual firing-pin block safeties on "M" models. Due to tighter firearms trade restrictions, the AT.380 is no longer imported into the United States. ;Sphinx 2000 Series: A full- and medium-sized defense and sports pistol that shows its CZ 75/AT-88 heritage. ;Sphinx 3000 Series: A full- and medium-sized defense and sports CNC machined pistol made out of various metals such as stainless steel, aluminium and titanium. The Sphinx 3000 was designed as a modern combat pistol with features like a Picatinny accessory rail, a low bore line, extended magazine release, various safety system options, various finishes, sights, pistol sizes and materials to choose from. ;Sphinx SDP Series
: "Kantonspolizei" of Obwalden, Schaffhausen & Valais. However, Canton Valais has replaced the Sphinx 3000 pistols with the Heckler & Koch P30 in 2011, some municipal police forces are also using the Sphinx 3000 as their standard sidearm. The Kantonspolizei Obwalden use the Sphinx SDP Compact. The Sphinx 3000 is also in use with the BKW-FMB Betriebswache of the nuclear power plant in Muehleberg in the Canton of Bern.
