Best "Small" CZ

Which compact CZ 75 do you reccomend

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J

JimmyR

New member
OK folks, I have been kicking the idea around about getting one of the smaller CZ pistols, and think I will probably bite the bullet on one soon. I've been putzing around with a few other pieces, but it all comes back to my CZ 75BD that i absolutely love. None of my local shops have any of these in stock, so I have to make a bit of a gamble. I'm looking for suggestions. My criteria are 1) Metal frame, 2) Decocker, 3) 9mm.

That should limit my options to either the CZ 2075BD Rami ($596 on Buds), the CZ 75 D Compact (not currently available on Buds, about $600 on Armslist), or the CZ 75 PCR ($539 OBO on Buds). Anybody have any suggestions, or advice on where to find any of these at a good price?
 
I'd get the 2075 RAMI. It may be the best shooting subcompact on the market, likely because: (1) it's a CZ, and (2) it's a big subcompact.

Besides, admit it, you will eventually own at least one of each size. By getting the RAMI now you can ponder on whether you'll want your compact with or without a rail. My recommendation, make it a PCR for carriability, and get an SP-01 Tactical for home defense and sports shooting, onto which you can hang assorted rail-attached accessories.
 
p-01

The P-01 is a fine compact that meets your criteria, has great ergonomics like the 75B, shoots sweet and, according to CZ, has undergone extensive reliability testing for its use with the Czech police.

The RAMI is a sub-compact with a much chunkier build than the other CZs I know. Cool gun but you might want to handle one first to make sure it's what you're looking for.
 
Best small CZ

Hello Jimmy R,
I like you love my CZ,75bd & carry it a lot. On a smaller CZ75 the PCR & 75 PCR (I think you are talking/looking at the P-01) they are alloy frame's not metal. I have the P-01 but not PCR & like them all. But like you I like the metal frame better so when I carry a smaller CZ I carry my CZ,75compact. Its all metal but does not have a decocker has the safety. I just don't use it. And you can only use the safety if you carry cocked & locked. It is a great carry & I carry it over my P-01 because I like the weight of the metal frame over the alloy frame. IMO I would think about the CZ,75compact I think you will like it. The rami looks to small to me. Good luck.
 
volkstrm said:
Hello Jimmy R,
I like you love my CZ,75bd & carry it a lot. On a smaller CZ75 the PCR & 75 PCR (I think you are talking/looking at the P-01) they are alloy frame's not metal. I have the P-01 but not PCR & like them all. But like you I like the metal frame better so when I carry a smaller CZ I carry my CZ,75compact. Its all metal but does not have a decocker has the safety. I just don't use it. And you can only use the safety if you carry cocked & locked. It is a great carry & I carry it over my P-01 because I like the weight of the metal frame over the alloy frame. IMO I would think about the CZ,75compact I think you will like it. The rami looks to small to me. Good luck.
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An alloy, by definition, is a metal. I really don't have a strong preference between the all steel and the alloy frames. I just don't want polymer.

The three I mentioned were the CZ 75 D Compact, the CZ 75 PCR, and the CZ 2075 Rami. Those are three distinct weapons, with some shared characteristics. I hadn't looked at the P01, but it might be an option. I choose not to carry weapons with safties, and since I have the BD model of the full size CZ 75, I don't want to complicate it with the saftey version of the compact 75.
 
The three I mentioned were the CZ 75 D Compact, the CZ 75 PCR, and the CZ 2075 Rami. Those are three distinct weapons, with some shared characteristics. I hadn't looked at the P01, but it might be an option.
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I believe:

CZ 75 D Compact = CZ 75 P-01.

The terminology is different on guns sold by CZ-UB and those sold by CZ-USA, and I think some with roll marks forbthe former might sometimes show up here. Download the English version of the CZ-UB catalog and the CZ-USA catalog and I think you'll see the nomenclature is the only difference.

Visit the RAMI forum at the original CZ forums. Owners are enamored of their purchase. The subcompact RAMI is not chunkier than the compact; in fact, I believe it is 0.1-in narrower in width. As I recall, it comes with a 10-round mag for subcompact carry and a 14-round, flush-fitting compact mag for enhanced backup firepower.
 
Limnophile said:
I believe:

CZ 75 D Compact = CZ 75 P-01.

The terminology is different on guns sold by CZ-UB and those sold by CZ-USA, and I think some with roll marks forbthe former might sometimes show up here. Download the English version of the CZ-UB catalog and the CZ-USA catalog and I think you'll see the nomenclature is the only difference.

Visit the RAMI forum at the original CZ forums. Owners are enamored of their purchase. The subcompact RAMI is not chunkier than the compact; in fact, I believe it is 0.1-in narrower in width. As I recall, it comes with a 10-round mag for subcompact carry and a 14-round, flush-fitting compact mag for enhanced backup firepower.
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From what I can tell, the CZ 75 Compact was "replaced" by the P-01, with the biggest difference being the addition of the accessory rail.
 
The "P01" is the same gun as the 75 Compact, except that the frame has a much chunkier dust cover portion, with an accessory rail. Other than that, it is the same. The 75 models (and the Rami as well) are all available in two flavors, the standard, with the thumb safety.....and the "D" models, with the decocker. The "PCR" model is identical to the regular Compact 75, except that it has a light alloy frame....and is thus a few ounces lighter than the regular Compact 75. Same dimensions, just lighter.

I hope that clears up any confusion regarding nomenclature, which can be difficult with CZ's.

Personally, I dislike the "P01" model.....because the nose of the gun is quite chunky in appearance. The rail destroys the clean lines of the Compact or PCR models. If it were me, I'd choose the CZ75BD PCR model. It has the slim profile of the 75 Compact, the decocker, the same capacity, but is a few ounces lighter, which is nice for carry. No downside - the PCR is just as robust and reliable and shoots just as well (yes, I have handled and shot all of the models I have mentioned).

The Rami is another matter. It may seem like the obvious choice for carry. I myself have a bit of a love/hate relationship with it. Though it is a bit smaller in some dimensions than the 75 Compact models (shorter, because of the 3" barrel, mainly....and shorter grip with lower capacity), it is quite chunky and not particularly light in weight. The lower capacity I don't mind. But, even with it's other attributes, I'd still opt for the CZ75BD PCR, myself.

They are ALL great shooters, very reliable and well made ....so whichever you choose, those things should not be a worry.
 
The "P01" is the same gun as the 75 Compact, except that the frame has a much chunkier dust cover portion, with an accessory rail. Other than that, it is the same.
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The aluminum-framed, railed, and decocker-equipped CZ 75 P-01 is not the same as the steel-framed, rail-less, and safety-equipped CZ 75 Compact; the CZ 75 D Compact is another name for the CZ 75 P-01, as shown in the link to the CZ-UB catalog I posted above.

The 75 models (and the Rami as well) are all available in two flavors, the standard, with the thumb safety.....and the "D" models, with the decocker. The "PCR" model is identical to the regular Compact 75, except that it has a light alloy frame....and is thus a few ounces lighter than the regular Compact 75. Same dimensions, just lighter.
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The CZ 75 PCR differs mostly from the CZ 75 Compact in that the PCR is aluminum-framed and has a decocker. The CZ 75 Compact has never to my knowledge been offered with a decocker. A CZ 75 P-02 has been made, which is a P-01 with a safety, but I don't think these are common, and the OP would have no interest.

From CZ-USA:

- CZ 75 Compact -- http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-75-compact-9mm-black-14-rd-mags/

- CZ 75 PCR -- http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-75-d-pcr-compact-black-alloy-9mm-14-rd-mags/

- CZ 75 P-01 -- http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-p-01-9mm-black-alloy-14-rd-mags/

From CZ-UB:

- CZ 75 Compact -- http://www.czub.cz/en/catalog/79-pistols-cz/PC/CZ_75_COMPACT.aspx

- CZ 75 PCR -- no such thing

- CZ 75 D Compact (aka CZ 75 P-01 over here) -- http://www.czub.cz/en/catalog/79-pistols-cz/PC/CZ_75_D_COMPACT.aspx.

In the US one is best referring to the CZ-USA catalog, because they are the sole importer of new CZs.
 
I love the PCR, had a smooth faced trigger placed in it and it made it even better. Cool little gun and no accessory rail I don't need on a gun that size.
 
I love the Rami. It's small enough that you will take it along all the time.

I like the sa/da cocked and locked version as it matches my 1911s.

The BD of course is a little different on the manual of arms. YMMV. Seems like you know what you want.

Very nicely made gun.
 
Limnophile said:
The aluminum-framed, railed, and decocker-equipped CZ 75 P-01 is not the same as the steel-framed, rail-less, and safety-equipped CZ 75 Compact; the CZ 75 D Compact is another name for the CZ 75 P-01, as shown in the link to the CZ-UB catalog I posted above.
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It gets even more confusing because the PCR also often has a "D Compact" roll mark on the slide, as it does on mine. As I understand it, it's mechanically identical to the P-01, so the slides are mixed & matched at the factory depending on what's in stock as orders are filled.
 
^ CZ-UB cranks out some odd stuff that never is mentioned in a catalog. I see that the photo on the CZ-75 PCR page shows the PCR slide marked "CZ 75 D Compact." But, the PCR slide cannot be the same as the P-01 slide, can it, because the PCR has a loaded chamber indicator, while the P-01 does not?
 
[LIMNOPHILE]^ CZ-UB cranks out some odd stuff that never is mentioned in a catalog. I see that the photo on the CZ-75 PCR page shows the PCR slide marked "CZ 75 D Compact." But, the PCR slide cannot be the same as the P-01 slide, can it, because the PCR has a loaded chamber indicator, while the P-01 does not? [/QUOTE]

As you say, over the years, CZ has created a lot of guns that don't fit in the the standard pigeon holes shown on the website(s).

When I pulled up the CZ-UB site this morning, there is no P-01 or PCR shown, but the 75 D Compact looks exactly like the P-01 except for the roll mark. I noticed, too, that in Europe the 75 D Compact is apparently also available in .40 S&W; the US site offers the P-06, which is the same gun in .40. (The P-06 has a different rollmark and is a bit more costly.)

The PCR sold in the US has the 75 D Compact rollmark on the slide but has the Novak-like rear sight. They say it has the loaded chamber indicator. (That sight, unless they've changed it, requires special milling in the area in front of the rear dovetail -- it won't fit on any other CZ, compact or full-size.) It would make sense to change the sight to fit any CZ.

The difference seems to be the slide -- and since they're doing some special "milling" for the sight, they might also be making changes to accommodate the loaded chamber indicator. Exceptions seem to be the rule in the CZ factory, not the "exception." :)

CZ Custom's website has shown, from time to time, a P-02, which is (I think) an alloy-framed compact with the Omega trigger. (I think the one I saw had the safety, but don't know if it -- like the P-07/P-09 -- can be switched to decocker or vice versa.) I always thought an alloy-framed CZ compact with a safety (allowing cocked & locked) would be a great gun.
 
OP, what is your primary intended use for this new gun? I always want to carry a gun I can shoot well, for me that would be a P-07, but you indicated a non-polymer framed gun. The P-01 and PCR are close, but if you need a light mount, you have to go P-01. The RAMI is probably a better pure carry gun.
 
^Walt,

I agree a P-02 with the safety installed would be nice. All too often I see CZ offerings that get me shaking like a drug addict in withdrawal as I struggle to convince myself I can live without it.

I remember a Shot Show video in which Angus Hobdell pulled out a pair of CZ 85 Compacts!
 
As folks stated, what you see are often guns with markings that don't match what is officially shown in the US catalog. A lgs near me has a whole run of what are essentially CZ P-01s with slides that say CZ 75 D Compact. Meanwhile my CZ P-01 clearly says CZ P-01 on the slide. I've also noticed that not all CZ P-01s seem to have the NATO stock number on the frame whereas mine does. We all know that additional numbers stamped on the frame increase the shootability of the pistol ;).
 
Tunnelrat said:
I've also noticed that not all CZ P-01s seem to have the NATO stock number on the frame whereas mine does.
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A year or two ago CZ changed their production methods -- to assure more precision in how parts of the P-01 parts fit. This change supposedly allows true drop-in parts exchanges. About the same time was when they CZ dropped the NATO spec. markings from their weapons and advertising. The production changes may have caused some changes that kept the guns from meeting NATO spec. standards, required a new evaluation process (which might be quite expensive) or CZ simply found the marking more trouble than they're worth. There is NO TESTING actually done to win that designation.

Meeting NATO standards is not a big deal -- as a wide variety of militaries use weapons (Glock, SIG, H&K, Beretta) that may or may not meet the NATO standards. Many countries will go with a guns made there (ala SIG, Beretta, Belgium.)
 
Limnophile said:
I remember a Shot Show video in which Angus Hobdell pulled out a pair of CZ 85 Compacts!
Click to expand...

I remember when they first came out. They seemed to be a CZ Compact that was ambidextrous. Don't know why they never really pushed it -- except that the Compacts were heavier than the PCR (back then) and folks like small, LIGHT, guns.

CZ also announced a CZ-75B Compact in .40 -- and Pro-Mag made the mags -- but that gun never made it across the pond form Europe, if it was ever produced.

During the great hi-cap magazine drought during the Clinton years, the Pro-Mag CZ-75B Compact mags in .40 kept those of us with 9mm compacts CZs happy -- as those .40 mags worked beautifully with 9mm rounds, had a higher capacity than the 10-round factory mags (14 rounds? -- maybe 13, it's been a while, I don't have a compact CZ now, and I don't remember) , and cost a lot less. And unlike some Pro-Mags, these mags worked beautifully.
 
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