1911 vs CZ-75 ($500-ish to spend)

My own bias is towards a CZ 75. Think of it this way. Losing the clone left a hole in your collection. If you loved it, it left a hole in your heart too. So why not replace it with the real deal?
 
The reason I'm considering a 1911 is the Rural King near me has a big selection of them (Some ATI's, RIA's, a Remington at least that I saw) right around the $500 mark. Don't currently own a .45 ACP firearm, so no ammo in stock.nI apologize because I know this might start a war, haha.
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IMHO, your $500.00 budget puts you in solid CZ-75B territory. Which you will enjoy until the day that the 1911 bug bites you hard in your....wallet! One reasonably priced 1911 that (again, IMHO) stands the best chance of running straight out of the box is the SW1911 E-Series, but that one is $760.00 at Bud's, then figure about $100.00 for three good aftermarket magazines (Wilson, CMC, & Trip are 3 good ones). After about 1K live-fire rounds, you might consider some reliability & trigger tuning and maybe better sights, all done by a good 1911 pistolsmith. BTW, Dawson makes a really trick F.O. front sight , and also a rear sight for the SW1911, which has an oddball rear dovetail. Then you'd have yourself a good solid 1911 with the proper upgrades, that will go like gangbusters for many years to come!
 
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1911 hands down

I've got both a 1911 in 9mm and a cz75b omega. I love the cz, it's perfect for all scenarios. My advice to you is buy a $500 1911 and learn all there is to know about it. Most of today's pistols are modelled after it and it is a strong foundation for learning all there is to know about semi-auto pistols. I have gone through enough issues, upgrades,questions, how to videos, gunsmith videos etc to learn a lot about these machines. If I only had a cz I would still be clueless about these aspects and might not have gained as much experience. The 1911 has more to offer the owner in my opinion. There is aftermarket galore! Order any shiny part you want from 10 different companies. Cz is limited for these things. I think the Cz is less hands on and built as a tank, the 1911 will require tlc, but will be more rewarding.
 
Having used both a 1911 and a CZ clone for action pistol matches, often switching back and forth, either one will do ya' just fine.
Ironically, since both were in .45acp, the CZ clone cost 50% more than the 1911 at the time.
But both designs are so good, it really doesn't matter which one you choose.
Or better yet, get one of each and then you can't go wrong.
But in the long run, there's really no better support for any handgun than for 1911s.
And that's the only reason I let the CZ clone go to a new home.
Doing all my own work on my stuff, parts availability is a primary concern.
 
Love my CZ 75 it's probably the one pistol I would keep if I had to get rid of all the others. I'm a 1911 fan too but you can see by my username how enthusiast I am about the CZ 75 :D
 
I own both. My experience is win/win.

My 9mm CZ clone cost $300 used and is absolutely excellent.

My Turkish 1911 cost $400 new and is also excellent.

My stepbrother adores his RIA 1911. He paid less than I did, too.

Keep in mind that CZ75 variants and 1911 variants are BOTH available in 9mm and 45acp.

My surplus Star Super B (9mm) cost $200, and is a great shooter. It strays from the 1911 by having a different locking system and no grip safety, but looks and feels very much like a 1911.

If you are willing to look at used or surplus guns, it wouldn't be unlikely to get a 1911 variant AND a CZ75 variant, both in good shape, for $500 - $600 total.
 
Tough choice. Love my SR1911 but love my CZ75BD and PCR as well. PCR is my favorite carry gun and the other two are a toss-up for a favorite range toy. Since the CZ is newer than the 1911 I tend to shoot it more often now. Maybe not tomorrow. Like I said, tough choice. I'm probably with the get the CZ now and save for a nicer 1911 crowd even though for now my SR1911 satisfies my .45 1911 appetite.
 
As mentioned above there are good options that overlap i price. Find a well stocked gun store to look and feel to make your final decision.
 
CZ PCR D and if you want to go a little smaller....the Rami. grabagun.com has 'em both for about $525. IMO, NOTHING feels as good in the hand as the Rami with the extended mag, NOTHING.
 
Having only handled a CZ-75 once, the similarities to my superb, very well-designed CZ-82 impressed me.:)
The DA trigger on the 75 seems just a bit better than the excellent 82.

Superb Czech engineering gives me plenty of confidence that my next gun will be the CZ-83 (.380 Auto), only because my handguns are compact, and were chosen by police depts. or military forces.

A handgun used by anti-terrorist Delta Force, South Africa, Russia (but Not a Russian gun...), Lithuanian Armed Forces, Israeli Intelligence etc seems to have a lot going for it. I might choose it based simply on that, if ergos are good.

Ammo: a less-expensive round always mean more practice, does it not?
 
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For that money, get the CZ. I can not say enough good things about them. I have five CZ pistols, plus the Kadet Kit. I just bought a new 97B, and a pre-B. I would be fine selling most of my other pistols, but not the CZ's.
 
I have a CZ75 and I'd still pick up another 75 instead of a 1911.


I still want a 1911 though....just not as bad as another CZ.
 
I wouldn't buy a 1911 but I do want a Colt Government Model. You might notice that Colt does not list anything they call a 1911. Don't know why people keep using that model number.

But I don't want a .45. I want a .38 Super. I have a good supply of .38 Super ammunition and even a couple of magazines. Besides, I like the cartridge better, even if it's only a hair better than a 9mm, generally speaking.

And I only want a Colt. I realize there are less expensive versions, as well as ones costing twice or three times the price of a Colt. I wouldn't buy anything that I thought needed anything done to it.

There's just a problem. It costs money. Even ones that cost less still cost something. I'm thinking of trading everything just to get one but that may require more than I'm willing to do. But I'm also figuring this to be a "last gun," although I'm only 69 and, anyway, we know how that goes.

And by the way, one gun I'd have to trade, probably, is a CZ. It's just that I'm too old to wait. Old folks can be so impatient, you know.
 
I have a cheap RIA 1911 that's performed flawlessly for over a decade now. My Kimber is a bit nicer, but when my Kimber gets a scratch it hurts me on the inside a bit. In my opinion, get a workhorse first, then shop around for your Mercedes when budget permits.

Not much of a CZ expert so I couldn't contribute anything that hasn't been said already on them.
 
I have a cheap RIA 1911 that's performed flawlessly for over a decade now. My Kimber is a bit nicer, but when my Kimber gets a scratch it hurts me on the inside a bit. In my opinion, get a workhorse first, then shop around for your Mercedes when budget permits.
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I had one of RIA's double-stack 1911s for a while. I bought it used. It definitely wasn't built for looks and the finish was already dinged up when I got it. (It looked like the previous owner carried it through hell and back.) Like yours, mine was a dependable workhorse. It worked flawlessly for the few thousand rounds I put through it.

I only sold it because I don't love 1911s and I needed the cash for a different gun. Overall, I'm left with a very positive opinion of Rock Island Armory.
 
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