Folks buy guns for all sorts of reasons. Some want a firearm just to own it, with no intention of firing a shot. That’s often called collecting, though owning a gun doesn’t automatically make you a collector, just as owning one doesn’t make you a shooter. For collectors, the draw is a gun’s inherent value—maybe monetary, maybe sentimental. For me, the Jericho 941 was one I had to have, purely for the sake of having it. So, years ago, I got one.

Every now and then, when I share pictures of my Jericho 941 on social media, folks ask about it. Growing up, I spent countless hours watching Japanese anime—cult classics like Fist of the North Star and Akira. One series that hooked me was Cowboy Bebop. I didn’t get into guns until later in life, so it was a revelation a few years back when I learned that Spike Spiegel’s signature pistol was a Jericho 941 R. That moment sparked a mission: I needed one.

The 941 R, however, was hard to find. I wasn’t the only Cowboy Bebop fan, it seems—secondhand 941 Rs were often modified to mimic Spike’s gun and carried hefty price tags. Unwilling to shell out that much, I opted for a Jericho 941 F9 and customized it myself to capture that Bebop vibe.

A Collector’s Piece, Not a Shooter

This won’t be a detailed review. I’m keeping it brief, mainly because I want to handle the 941 as little as possible—it’s a collector’s piece to me. I’ll cover the specs, share some photos, and that’s it. I haven’t fired a single round through it, so I can’t comment on its shooting performance or reliability. With that in mind, let’s dive in.

The Jericho 941 is a double-action/single-action pistol based on the CZ 75 platform, sharing many similarities with CZ pistols and their clones. The differences are minimal, often cosmetic. It uses the same magazines as full-size CZ 75 models like the SP-01 and Shadow 2. Internals like the trigger mechanism, sear cage, and magazine release are nearly identical—possibly the same, though I’m not certain. When I got mine, Cajun Gun Works offered a pro-package for the 941 with a parts list almost indistinguishable from their Shadow 2 kit. Without labels, I’d struggle to tell them apart.

Field stripping the 941 is virtually identical to other CZ 75 pistols and clones—simple and familiar to anyone versed in the platform.

The 941 Distinction

What sets the 941 apart? Its slide features distinctive angled cuts along the sides, meeting a narrow, curved top with coarse serrations running from muzzle to hammer. It sports dovetailed white-dot sights and rear cocking serrations. The frame’s full-length dust cover continues the sharp, aggressive angles, complete with an accessory rail. The slide stop and right-hand safety are functional and contribute to the 941’s unique look. While I’m not comparing, I find the 941’s safety more usable than the stock safeties on the CZ Shadow 2 and Shadow 2 Compact.

The trigger guard’s front has a concave, lined texture, though I can’t say if it aids support-hand grip placement—I don’t use that technique, and I haven’t shot the 941. The trigger itself has a long, pronounced curve, which I don’t love due to the extended reach. The double-action pull is long, heavy (likely over 10 pounds, unmeasured), but smooth for the price of this all-steel pistol. The single-action pull is smoother but still heavy, around 5.5 pounds. The reset is notably long—longer than my other DA/SA pistols, though those have short-reset kits.

The frame’s front and backstrap feature lined serrations that look sharp but don’t add much grip. The stock plastic grip panels, stamped with the IWI logo, aren’t interchangeable with CZ 75 panels due to the 941’s frame flaring closer to the heel than the tang. To achieve the Cowboy Bebop look, I swapped them for Black Brass Cowboy Bebop grips from LOK Grips.

Market, Musings, and Memorabilia

Pricing a new 941 F9 today is tricky—nobody seems to have them in stock. The secondhand market is equally dry. Jericho Enhanced models (polymer-framed, otherwise similar) are available for around $550. At 36.8 ounces, the all-steel 941 F9 is a hefty full-size pistol, likely fine for personal defense or duty but too heavy for my concealed carry preferences. If I were to use it defensively, I’d want more aggressive grips and frame checkering—it’s too slick otherwise. I’d also shorten the trigger reach and reset, which are longer than I like. For defense, I’d lean toward a CZ SP-01 or, with a bigger budget, the new CZ Shadow 2 Carry. But that’s off-topic.

This Jericho 941 is a neat gun, and I’m thrilled to own it. This one though is not for shooting—it’s a piece of Cowboy Bebop memorabilia, meant to look pretty and spark conversations with fellow fans. Enjoy the pics, and let me know if you’re a Bebop fan too!