Phoenix Drake vs Atlas Athena

Рет қаралды 5,299

Жыл бұрын

Hello and welcome. This was a special video to film. The newly released ‪@ipscsphinx‬ Phoenix Drake vs. the ‪@AtlasGunworks‬ Athena. Both are absolutely amazing and in my opinion, among the very best in the handgun world. If you could walk away with only one, which one would it be and why? I look forward to your comments. Special thanks to ‪@RangeUSAOfficial‬ and to my friends Bill and Eric for lending me their awesome handguns for this review.
Thank you for stopping by and God Bless.
KZfaq Manual Reviewer: this firearm is 100% factory stock as shown by the photo of the manufacturer's website. It has not been modified in any way by me or anyone else prior to or during the filming of this video. This video (as all my videos) was filmed in a safe and professional environment and it is meant for educational/entertainment purposes. It is not meant for children. What all this tells you is that it checks all the boxes for an advertiser friendly video. Thank you.
Please remember that I upload videos every Friday morning and at times during the week as well. So click on that Bell icon so you are notified when I upload a video.
For additional content and photos you can follow me on:
Patreon: / mdpologunchannel
Instagram: / mdpologunchannel
Disclaimer: These videos are strictly for educational and entertainment purposes only. Imitation or the use of anything demonstrated in my videos is done AT YOUR OWN RISK. All work on firearms should be carried out by a licensed individual and all state and federal rules apply to such. We (including KZfaq) will not be held liable for any injury to yourself or damage to your firearms resulting from attempting anything shown in any our videos. I do not endorse any specific product and this video is not an attempt to sell you a good or service. I am not a gun shop and DO NOT sell or deal in Firearms. Such a practice is heavily regulated and subject to applicable laws. I DO NOT sell parts, magazines, or firearms. These videos are free to watch and if anyone attempts to charge for this video notify us immediately. By viewing or flagging this video you are acknowledging the above.
Fair Use: In the rare instance I include someone else’s footage it is covered in Fair Use for Documentary and Educational purposes with the intention of driving commentary and allowing freedom of speech.
** Affiliate disclaimer: some of the above links may be affiliate links, which may generate me a sales commission.

Пікірлер: 53

@Jarrow13 Жыл бұрын

Just my worthless 2 cents by observing. I think you were more comfortable with the Athena and that the incredibly short trigger reset on the Athena was causing you to be caught off guard when you were shooting the Drake. I think both pistols are awesome, I just think there is something incredibly special with the Athena's trigger. Great video as always. I love these on range videos and how authentic they are. Thanx to the 2 gentlemen for lending their pistols. Even that I would never be able to source one of these myself in South Africa, it's really nice of them to lend out these awesome pistols to for for showing us what can be done to these 2 platforms.

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for your kind words. The trigger on the Athena is incredible. I felt more comfortable with the Athena, but I also felt like I shot the Drake better. It was interesting. Thank you very much for stopping by.

@JustDataReviews 8 ай бұрын

I have a drake and an artemis. The drake’s magwell coupled with the giant trigger guard causes my support hand to be scrunched. So far I prefer the drake even with that said.

@jaycoffsky8979 Жыл бұрын

I fortunately have the Phoenix "Drake"and Redback, Atlas Titan and Erebus with SRO. All shoot great but in my old eye and hand--Erebus groupies always the best.Actually I am fortunately to have a number of quality 1911s and one of the least expensive (CZ Parrot) shoots in my hand as good as any including STI, Cabot, Les Baer, Wilson, Nighthawk. Yes I am old and retired and spend my retirement on custom guns.

@techguy1911 Жыл бұрын

Living the dream!

@garymeharg9084 6 ай бұрын

Own any Republic Forge or Volkmann?

@TheGunfighter45acp Жыл бұрын

What an outstanding review and comparison, thank you! I would imagine if both pistols were yours and both zeroed for your needs, the results would be even closer. Nothing but 2 winning pistols here today. 👍👍

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

+TheGunfighter45acp it was awesome. Thank you very much for your kind words and we’re stopping by.

@michaelvrchota4089 Жыл бұрын

Both seem very smooth shooting. However, it looked like the Athena was a better fit for your shooting? Thanks for explaining about the mags on the Athena. I personally like the Drake with a thumb rest. Many thanks for an excellent video. Thanks to Eric and Bill also.

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

They were both fantastic. But to be honest with you, the Athena felt better in my hand but it seemed like I shot the Phoenix Drake better.

@sharris7034 Жыл бұрын

That Athena is something special 🔥

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

It sure is. Absolutely amazing. Thank you very much for stopping by.

@lboog343 Жыл бұрын

Did I miss the part where you compare shooting characteristics and felt recoil impressions?

@daniel9x19 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video. I would choose the Atlas, although the Phoenix is also a beautiful pistol. With the first magazine you shot the Atlas better. With the second one we could say it was a tie. It seemed like the trigger finger was a little high when shooting with the Phoenix (maybe I'm wrong). You have also made very good groups with both pistols. Both are really awesome pistols. Best regards.

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

Yes, they are both outstanding. It would be a hard choice. Thank you very much for stopping by.

@ipscsphinx Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. It is also interesting to see the Athena so close even if I did my choice already 😂 BR Remo

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

Hello Remo! So nice to see you stop by! This was a fun video to make. Cheers!

@lennoxjames9444 Ай бұрын

What grain were you shooting for the Athena?

@northshoretacticalleague5620 11 ай бұрын

Good video. Which one would I pick? I'd pick Altas without any hesitation. This of course is based on my experience and circumstances with Atlas and Phoenix and may be different for you. I have been shooting 2011 STIs for years and when I decided to try USPSA Carry Optics division I bought Readback Heavy. Loved the gun, right until I needed some replacement parts. There is only one dealer in the US and they don't consistently carry parts nor advice on comparable parts from CZ. It took almost 6 months to get a replacement for the trigger screw and faulty mag release. So from my perspective, Phoenix makes super high-quality pistols but until they develop a service network in the US I'd stay away. So when I wanted a gun to shoot in the new Limited Optics division I got Atlas Artemis.

@MDpolo 11 ай бұрын

Good comment. I very much appreciate feedback from people that have actual experience with the gun they’re commenting on. Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to stop by. Cheers!

@awokeone7997 Жыл бұрын

There is numerous Altas Gunworks pistols videos but this is the first for the Drake in 9mm. Both are great and I actually prefer the looks of the Drake but I would go with the Athena since I have a STI and really like that platform.

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

You obviously cannot go wrong with either one. I really enjoyed making this video for y’all. Thank you very much for stopping by.

@awokeone7997 Жыл бұрын

@MDpolo Gun Channel thank you for making the video and can't wait to see which one you choose.

@dylancockrell5544 9 ай бұрын

I was there a couple weekends ago

@TheAndrewc5120 Жыл бұрын

i specifically ran 115gr norma and blazer brass through my athena. zero malfunctions over around 500 rounds.

@KeanonGilliamSlang369 Жыл бұрын

Both are fantastic firearms. We all can see you shot the Athena better. Both are fine looking and shooting firearms.

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

It was a pretty special day at the range. As always, thank you very much for stopping by my friend.

@onpsxmember Жыл бұрын

If you substract the flinch, the Drake has the better group and the Athena had the ultra catered ammo too. You shot better groups than the Athena with different pistols. Neither is built solely for accuracy, but reliable speed in ipsc matches. Great video! Just cause they ship it with them, it's still sound advice. Sig ships setups that won't fit a box they specifically cater it for and above weight too. Atlas caters to those that mostly won't mess it up. Did the generous lender order the slide lock? The rds staying on the plate of the Phoenix is nice, so is having the irons as backup. If one could remove the optic without the plate on the Atlas that'd be another nice feature. I wonder why there aren't flip up backup irons. I'd take the Drake based on availability of service, 3 mags, rds mounting, weight, and being rare. The Athena is the most pushed pistol on yt and pushed to the limits being ammo sensitive. If components aren't available in bulk to load for a season it might not run reliable. It'd be interesting to test different ammo in both to see what to avoid.

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed reading your comment. Thank you very much for sharing it with us.

@RobinVerhulstZ Жыл бұрын

as a european my choice goes out to the drake, the athena is already expensive in the US and if you add multiple layers of tax and import tarrifs to that it makes the drake (4000-4500 euro with 19% tax included) much cheaper in comparison although at that much, the laugo alien isn't particularly far away in terms of cost, but the drake being a CZ75 derivative makes it much more of a known item in terms of reliability and possible parts replacement/gunsmith work (that and as far as i know, the alien has a tendency to chew through slide stops/locks even faster than CZ75 style guns do) at this budget level one could also order a bespoke single gunsmith handmade roller delayed target pistol

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

I completely agree with you. Once you get to spend this kind of money, there’s a lot of things you can do. Thank you very much for stopping by.

@jaycoffsky8979 6 ай бұрын

I recently got the laugo alien and I know most disagree but somewhat disappointed --not nearly the firearm atlas or drake in my opinion. I wish I had spend another k or so and bought sand hawk when I find one. @@MDpolo

@silverbackgorilla2112 Жыл бұрын

2 awesome pistols. My choice would be the Atlas.

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

You really can’t go wrong with either one. As always, thank you so much for stopping by.

@munzevikul641 Жыл бұрын

Although I'm a Phoenix Drak fan, Athena is a little better. Only in Europe is the price difference big. Athena is around 6000-6500 euros and drake is 4500 euros. Thanks for video

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome. That’s a big price difference. Thank you very much for the information and for taking the time to watch.

@bluesoverlord Жыл бұрын

I scratched my itch with a Redback ultralight, but wondering if I should get the Drake when I’m not competing. Mmmmm, decisions, decisions. Haven’t pulled the trigger on an Atlas, my Staccato shoots way better than I do. Lol, most of my guns shoot better than I do.

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

All of these guns shoot better than I do! If you already have a Redback, the Drake is simply awesome.

@inspectorman2018 Жыл бұрын

Both are beautiful pistols but if I had 5k to spend it'd be the Atlas.

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

You can’t go wrong either way. Thank you so much for stopping by.

@joehassett1421 Жыл бұрын

It looked to me that the weight of the drake was causing you to flinch. Maybe there is a threshold on too heavy of a firearm. Get the athena md

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

A difficult choice for sure! Thank you very much for stopping by.

@EdCanupp 11 ай бұрын

Atlas Athena

@CoolGunz 11 ай бұрын

I think you need some practice Sir, I put bullets on top of bullets with my CZTSO 25 yard. can’t imagine what can I Do with that Athena.

@MDpolo 11 ай бұрын

You must be awesome… Thank you for watching.

@JamesReedy 9 ай бұрын

1.75 lbs my man, not ounces. I have an Athena, 1.75 ounces would be terrifying.

@MDpolo 9 ай бұрын

Yes I miss spoke. Thank you for stopping by.

@makotoyuki2199 Жыл бұрын

HOOOOO BOI… Two pistols representing the literal apex of what their platforms are capable of… Well- lemme give my 10 cents on the matter of which I’d pick. The Atlas Athena 2011 is still a 1911 at heart mechanically, which means it still comes with the problems the standard 1911 does. When the slide locks back on an empty magazine, you can actually damage or break the ejector if you smash the magazine in too hard. One point against it for durability. You also can allegedly mess up the entire gun if you drop the slide on an empty chamber, another gigantic point against it. You don’t have those problems with the Phoenix Drake because it’s a CZ-75 at its core, which is gonna have virtually none of the durability and fragility a 1911’s components will have. THAT BEING SAID, the Atlas Gun Works 2011 also has the best trigger I think humanity can possibly come up with; the shortest reset mechanically possible, and capacity going as far as 30 rounds for magazines that do not lock back when empty. The Drake does come extremely close trigger wise though, and it won’t ever have the capacity a 2011 is capable of with MBX magazines, but the Drake’s magazine availability is thousands of times more affordable and easier to come by than the 2011’s magazines. If I had to choose between either… I’d probably go with the Drake over the Atlas Athena, but does that mean I would refuse and throw away an Athena if someone slapped my face and put it into my hands for me to keep? Absolutely not! Both are not fantastic firearms… They’re literally the top of the mountain!

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed your comment. Very good information. It would be a difficult choice for me. Thank you very much for stopping by.

@flinch9748 Жыл бұрын

Logical conclusion; you need em both!

@MDpolo Жыл бұрын

@@flinch9748 absolutely! Thank you very much for stopping by.

@jimmylarge1148 Жыл бұрын

Ones American ones Swiss right? One should always choose American when the product is actually good. Not like American cars. They are garbage. Support quality Americans.

@jamesdomenico2953 Жыл бұрын

The Atlas is a competition gun at heart. They way it is designed is to reload with the slide locked back. In fact there is an option to get the gun designed from the factory with no lock back in the gun and the magazines. The issue of damaging the ejector is not just isolated to 1922/2011 platforms. For example you can also bend/break the ejector on P320s by jamming reloads into it with the slide locked back. As with every tool, one should understand the tool completely before use. There are zero issues with the Atlas in the way its designed. It is designed to be a race gun and loaded with a round in the chamber, and/or with the slide forward. Its up to the user to understand this. If one is in need of the gun that does not damage the ejector when reloading with the slide locked back, it should be ordered with the appropriate magazines to prevent over insertion, which is also an option. Lastly, Atlas Magazines only cost $90-$120 with competition springs and followers depending on if you can catch them on sale, which happen often. That is a bargain in regards to the cost of 2011 magazines.