Browning hi power/cz 75
- Thread starter clarence
- Start date
Stephen A. Camp
Staff In Memoriam
Hello. My favorite 9mm handgun for general use is the Browning MkIII Hi Power. Second,it the CZ75. Both are fine quality, all steel semiautomatics and both should group well under 3" at 25 yards with most loads and perhaps under 2" with loads they "like." Original capacity magazines for the HP is 13 rnds; 15 for the CZ. Current HPs come with ambidextrous thumb safeties if that's important to you while I think only the CZ85 does so in that line. The HP has fewer internal parts being solely single-action and is no problem to detail strip for cleaning or repair. The CZ is a bit more complicated.
Both feel great in the hand to me, but that's extremely subjective. If I had to pick one over the other, I'd go with the HP. Best.
Both feel great in the hand to me, but that's extremely subjective. If I had to pick one over the other, I'd go with the HP. Best.
I prefer the early CZ75s (Bauska imported) and not the CZ75Bs. I prefer the scalloped serrations on the slide, rounded trigger guard, better fit, smoother DA/SA pulls and the shape of the slide lock and hammer lock levers. That's me, so all of you CZ75B loyalist don't get all excited as each person has their preferences. Having said that I prefer the CZ75 in general over the Browning HP. I like the DA capability which the HP lacks. I also don't get hammer bite with a CZ, which I do, and cruelly at that, with a HP. Unlike many others I do like the mag safety on the HP, but don't like the way the mags drag on the CZ75. I know it's easy to remove the mag drop safety on a CZ, but I like things stock.
In my neck of the woods, where prices are much more expensive and where it's cheaper to order through an FFL, CZ75Bs with two postban mags sell for $450 while Browning HPs, when available, are sold for $550. I know that you can get a CZ75B with one preban mag for under $400 if you order through a FFL.
Try both and get what you like best.
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"Get yourself a Lorcin and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol."
In my neck of the woods, where prices are much more expensive and where it's cheaper to order through an FFL, CZ75Bs with two postban mags sell for $450 while Browning HPs, when available, are sold for $550. I know that you can get a CZ75B with one preban mag for under $400 if you order through a FFL.
Try both and get what you like best.
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"Get yourself a Lorcin and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol."
In my area you can pickup a CZ-75B Military with 1 10 rounder and one hi cap for about $340. Basic HiPowers run around $500 with no hi caps. I`ve always liked the feel of the HiPower but I was turned off by the trigger pulls of the out of the box examples I tried. Pull seemed 6-7lbs. and a little creepy. I understand removing the mag safety helps some with the creep. The SA pull of the CZs I tried was much better. Between that,the "free hi cap" and the much lower price I went with the CZ. The only thing I didn`t like was the thumb rest grips (very much like newer HiPower grips). I replaced them with checkered cocobolo grips from Hogue,now I`m in love. 
Marcus
MarcusClarence,
It all depends on what you want it for?
For me, the CZ is harder to conceal, I use a shoulder rig for it. On the Browning, I could hide it on a hip holster.
I like the feel of the Browning, but I can carry the CZ,cocked and locked with double action.
I have shot everything but the kitchen sink through the CZ in rain, hail, snow...used submachine gun ammo, the hottest stuff and the CZ kept on ticking.
I keep the CZ for home defense, the Browning for carry (more concealable)...if I choose a 9mm, that's how i would use either gun.
If it came down to it and I had to choose, it would be the CZ (Bauska model) only because it has been through everything with me and it kept on ticking without a glitch.
Good guns, good choices...Good Luck!
It all depends on what you want it for?
For me, the CZ is harder to conceal, I use a shoulder rig for it. On the Browning, I could hide it on a hip holster.
I like the feel of the Browning, but I can carry the CZ,cocked and locked with double action.
I have shot everything but the kitchen sink through the CZ in rain, hail, snow...used submachine gun ammo, the hottest stuff and the CZ kept on ticking.
I keep the CZ for home defense, the Browning for carry (more concealable)...if I choose a 9mm, that's how i would use either gun.
If it came down to it and I had to choose, it would be the CZ (Bauska model) only because it has been through everything with me and it kept on ticking without a glitch.
Good guns, good choices...Good Luck!
Have both and shoot both. My CZ is the older one as described by Telecote (Round trigger guard and no import markings). My Hi-Power is also an older, Belgian made gun.
The advantage of the Hi-Power is that it's been retrofitted with an ambidextrious safety, something required for cocked & locked carry by a southpaw. The CZ-75 would require machining to be retrofitted and considering it has a DA/SA trigger, can be carried with the hammer down. DA on the first shot is no problem since the DA pull is almost as good as the Colt Python.
Grips on either good is good for my small hands. The Hi-Power feels slightly better though but the CZ is a very close second.
If you're into servicing your own pistols, the Hi-Power is the easier of the two.
One nice thing about the CZ is the availability of a 22 conversion kit, the Kadet. Great shooter and I take mine out all the time.
If I had to carry one of the two, it'd be the CZ. Why? Pragmatic perspective and not a reflection on the design of either gun. If you shoot someone, your gun gets confiscated (even LEO). I'd rather had a gun of lesser cost confiscated than one which is more expensive.
[This message has been edited by 4V50 Gary (edited September 09, 2000).]
The advantage of the Hi-Power is that it's been retrofitted with an ambidextrious safety, something required for cocked & locked carry by a southpaw. The CZ-75 would require machining to be retrofitted and considering it has a DA/SA trigger, can be carried with the hammer down. DA on the first shot is no problem since the DA pull is almost as good as the Colt Python.
Grips on either good is good for my small hands. The Hi-Power feels slightly better though but the CZ is a very close second.
If you're into servicing your own pistols, the Hi-Power is the easier of the two.
One nice thing about the CZ is the availability of a 22 conversion kit, the Kadet. Great shooter and I take mine out all the time.
If I had to carry one of the two, it'd be the CZ. Why? Pragmatic perspective and not a reflection on the design of either gun. If you shoot someone, your gun gets confiscated (even LEO). I'd rather had a gun of lesser cost confiscated than one which is more expensive.
[This message has been edited by 4V50 Gary (edited September 09, 2000).]
Richard,read my message more closely. I`ll wait...hmmm hmmm hmmm...there now you see I was refering to out of the box pistols and noted that tuned HiPowers were an exception. I was also refering *only* to the CZ`s SA pull since the HiPower has no DA pull to compare to. The SA pull of my CZ is anything but "long,heavy and mushy". I`ve felt better but it`s better than any *out of the box* recent production HiPower I`ve tried lately. BTW have you ever tried the trigger on a SA only CZ that was tuned? I haven`t,I`m just curious. Marcus
Bill G Gonzales
Inactive
I have a CZ75B and a Belgian Hi Power. The CZ has been a super gun for me. It will feed anything lead or jacketed and it will shoot 2 inch groups at 25 yards. The pre ban mags, both CZ and Promag, are still easily available. The Hi Power has been less reliable and less accurate than the CZ. It's finicky about ammo too. The Hi Power does fit my hand better, and it feels great with Pachmayr rubber grips. All in all I would choose the CZ. The naugahyde 
covered versions with a 10 round and a 15 round mag are around $350 in my area.
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gonzo
covered versions with a 10 round and a 15 round mag are around $350 in my area.------------------
gonzo
Clarence,
I can't give you a review on the Hi Power but I'll be glad to tell you about the CZ.
I picked up a CZ75B a few months ago and it has quickly become my favorite shooter. It is (in my opinion) the most accurate handgun I own, has a very nice trigger, is absolutely reliable with eveything I feed it and feels great in my hand. I took off the stock plactic grip panels and installed a set of Pachmeyer grips which fit me much better.
3 weeks ago I purchased a Kadet .22LR conversion kit for this pistol from www.northeastfirearms.com and have been enjoying it recently. After some minor fitting and breaking in it works perfectly and is very accurate. Great for cheap practise while keeping the same grip and trigger pull of the 9mm version.
I paid $329 for the CZ-75B locally and $189 for the .22 conversion kit.
Hope this helps some in your decision process.
Joe/Ga
I can't give you a review on the Hi Power but I'll be glad to tell you about the CZ.
I picked up a CZ75B a few months ago and it has quickly become my favorite shooter. It is (in my opinion) the most accurate handgun I own, has a very nice trigger, is absolutely reliable with eveything I feed it and feels great in my hand. I took off the stock plactic grip panels and installed a set of Pachmeyer grips which fit me much better.
3 weeks ago I purchased a Kadet .22LR conversion kit for this pistol from www.northeastfirearms.com and have been enjoying it recently. After some minor fitting and breaking in it works perfectly and is very accurate. Great for cheap practise while keeping the same grip and trigger pull of the 9mm version.
I paid $329 for the CZ-75B locally and $189 for the .22 conversion kit.
Hope this helps some in your decision process.
Joe/Ga
Mike Davies
New member
Clarence:
I just traded my '83 CZ75 for a '72 BHP...no regrets.
I just traded my '83 CZ75 for a '72 BHP...no regrets.
Marcus, I have to confess that my CZ75 spends most of its time in a safe. I just plain prefer the BHP. I have said it before and I have witnesses that I have a TZ75, yes, that is right, that will shoot rings around my CZ75. I shoot the TZ more often than the CZ. Food for thought. Regards, Richard.
I really like 9mm pistols, and was VERY interested in buying a Hipower. However, when I tryed one, I got very bad "hammer bite" from it. It actually bled! This only happens to those of use with beefy hands. Before you buy a Hipower, try picking one up and cocking it to test if you are one of us who get bit...
BTW, I really love my CZ 75B.
BTW, I really love my CZ 75B.
Gino, the hammer bite by a BHP is caused by moving your hand upward on the grip to operate the safety and failing to bring your hand back to its original grip. If you shoot two handed and operate the safety with your off hand it doesn't happen. I have size 12 hands and regularly shoot BHPs. Regards, Richard.
I've shot both weapons and prefer the BHP. Of course I'm prejudiced on the matter as I think the BHP is the finest handgun ever made. 
Two of my friends who are policemen recently had to switch to the CZ and the trigger was horrendous. Long, mushy, creepy and full of surprises.
While the BHP is crisp and clean. One thing I do not like about the BHP trigger is it's thin design. After 300 or 400 rounds it gets to wearing on me.
And a copy is still only a copy while the original is well, original. Why has it been copied so much? It's a great piece of work.
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The best weapon for self defense is the one you have when the need arises!
Two of my friends who are policemen recently had to switch to the CZ and the trigger was horrendous. Long, mushy, creepy and full of surprises.
While the BHP is crisp and clean. One thing I do not like about the BHP trigger is it's thin design. After 300 or 400 rounds it gets to wearing on me.
And a copy is still only a copy while the original is well, original. Why has it been copied so much? It's a great piece of work.
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The best weapon for self defense is the one you have when the need arises!
Mike Davies
New member
Richard:
I took a slice out of the right side of my right thumb when shooting my BHP yesterday. This was my first 'proper' session with my 'new' HiPower, and I used the same 'high thumb' grip as with my 1911. I released the tiny safety with my right (strong hand) thumb, and started shooting..the slide's safety notches caught my thumb and sliced it good...
I shot the rest of the morning with my (band-aided) right thumb low, and under the safety.
I took a slice out of the right side of my right thumb when shooting my BHP yesterday. This was my first 'proper' session with my 'new' HiPower, and I used the same 'high thumb' grip as with my 1911. I released the tiny safety with my right (strong hand) thumb, and started shooting..the slide's safety notches caught my thumb and sliced it good...
I shot the rest of the morning with my (band-aided) right thumb low, and under the safety.
Short and sweet...
I would prefer to use the CZ over the Hi-Power.. but based on experiences with both.. I would swear up and down that the Hi-power is much more reliable than the CZ.
Call me a dummy, but I like shooting the CZ better..
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God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!
oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
I would prefer to use the CZ over the Hi-Power.. but based on experiences with both.. I would swear up and down that the Hi-power is much more reliable than the CZ.
Call me a dummy, but I like shooting the CZ better..
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God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!
oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
Bartholomew Roberts
Moderator
I own several Hi-Powers and have shot many of the CZs as well. While I prefer the Hi-Power, the CZ is a much better value - providing a gun that is almost as good (IMO) for a lot less money.
The only downside to the CZ is that it is a bit thicker for concealed carry (although still slim when compared to a Glock). The CZ generally has a better stock trigger than the latest (post 97) Hi-Powers as well.
I'd recommend you look at them both and buy the one you like best personally. Both of them are outstanding guns and you are probably going to be very happy with your decision regardless.
The only downside to the CZ is that it is a bit thicker for concealed carry (although still slim when compared to a Glock). The CZ generally has a better stock trigger than the latest (post 97) Hi-Powers as well.
I'd recommend you look at them both and buy the one you like best personally. Both of them are outstanding guns and you are probably going to be very happy with your decision regardless.