Cajun Gun Works advice

Which gun should go to CGW

  • The well loved CZ 75 BD

    Votes: 5 16.1%

  • The NIB CZ 75 PCR

    Votes: 10 32.3%

  • Either one, no difference,

    Votes: 5 16.1%

  • Neither, save your money

    Votes: 11 35.5%
  • Total voters
    31
  • Poll closed .
J

JimmyR

New member
OK folks, I have pretty well decided I am going to send a pistol out to the folks at Cajun Gun Works once I have the cash in hand. I am going to do their defensive carry package and probably add a set of meprolight night sights. It should come to a total of $400.

That said, I am debating which CZ to send them. On one hand, I have a well loved CZ 75BD that I bought used, and have shot a few thousand rounds out of since. It was one of my first guns, and I have no plans of ever selling it unless it is a last resort to feed my family. On the other hand, I have ordered a CZ 75 PCR, and it should arrive soon. I am betting it will join my 75BD as one of my favorites.

Common sense would dictate that sending the 75BD to get worked on would make the most sense, as the TLC would have the most benefit; however, I can also see where having the upgrades put on a NIB pistol would maximize the work done, as the upgraded parts are working with new parts and not well worn parts. Am I over-thinking this?

ETA: At this point, I would ask that we not take resale value into consideration. I'm not getting rid of the 75BD unless absolutely necessary, and I don't think I'll be getting rid of the PCR either.
 
JimmyR said:
OK folks, I have pretty well decided I am going to send a pistol out to the folks at Cajun Gun Works once I have the cash in hand. I am going to do their defensive carry package and probably add a set of meprolight night sights. It should come to a total of $400.



That said, I am debating which CZ to send them. On one hand, I have a well loved CZ 75BD that I bought used, and have shot a few thousand rounds out of since. It was one of my first guns, and I have no plans of ever selling it unless it is a last resort to feed my family. On the other hand, I have ordered a CZ 75 PCR, and it should arrive soon. I am betting it will join my 75BD as one of my favorites.



Common sense would dictate that sending the 75BD to get worked on would make the most sense, as the TLC would have the most benefit; however, I can also see where having the upgrades put on a NIB pistol would maximize the work done, as the upgraded parts are working with new parts and not well worn parts. Am I over-thinking this?
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You're over thinking this.
 
Dave1911 said:
Spend time to figure out how to do it yourself and you can do both for $400 or less in parts.
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While that's a great idea in theory, I live in 2 bedroom townhouse with a 4 month old daughter. I work 7 days a week so that we don't have to keep our daughter in day care, and instead have my MIL keep her 2 days a week while my wife works. My spare time is for family, with a little bit of me time in there.

Further, while I believe I could probably learn how to do it, I believe there is a difference in a kitchen table amateur and a well respected master. I know which one I am, and believe the price I pay is well worth it.
 
You were saying you want to send one of your guns for a defensive carry package. Well if I had to choose which gun I would consider carrying it would be the PCR. It's a smaller lighter gun.
 
railroader said:
You were saying you want to send one of your guns for a defensive carry package. Well if I had to choose which gun I would consider carrying it would be the PCR. It's a smaller lighter gun.
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That is a side I hadn't really thought of, but even if my PCR becomes a carry gun, my 75BD is one of my go to nightstand guns. Both will probably see a lot of use.
 
Strictly "MHO", these are your guns & your money & therefore your prerogative to do as you wish with both. I'd probably want to work on the PCR after I had a chance to dry / live fire it for a while to see how that trigger breaks in. The only changes I would make to my own CZ 75B would be a CZ Custom Shop Short Reset Trigger (SRT) and a F.O. Front Sight. But you should do whatever makes the gun(s) work better for you.
 
Which gun will you use the most -- do you, for example, plan to use the PCR for concealed carry.

The newer gun will likely have the poorest trigger -- remedied by use and normal break-in, maybe 300-400 rounds (or an equal number of dry fires with a snap cap.*)

If you're going to carry the PCR (concealed), I'd get it done first, to have a good trigger more quickly, when it might be needed. (The 75BD is a bit on the big and heavy side for concealed carry.)

If you're not going to carry either, it probably doesn't matter (which was my annswer in the survey.)

*With the older versions of most 75B-based guns, using a snap cap was necessary, as they used a roll pin to retain the firing pin. The firing pen retention roll pin could be broken with repeated dry fires.

I understand that the newest versions of these guns now have a solid retention pin -- and snap caps aren't needed. You should be able to tell by looking. If it's a solid pin you can dry-fire to your heart's content.
 
Once you get one of them done, the other one will feel like it is screaming to you to get it done as well. It just won't feel as nice and you will know it could. If you get one done, you will probably end up getting both done eventually.
 
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Further, while I believe I could probably learn how to do it, I believe there is a difference in a kitchen table amateur and a well respected master. I know which one I am, and believe the price I pay is well worth it.
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David at CGW is a great guy and if you want to send it to him to be done go for it. However, I have to say that CGW also makes a concerted effort for the installation of those parts to be as relatively straightforward as possible and not only directs you to resources that aid in the install but will also offer support over the phone if you have additional questions. These pistols aren't extremely complicated. Many of us perform more complex tasks in our daily lives. The trick is the knowledge and the tools to perform the installation and as I mentioned CGW helps a lot with the first and also sells a number of tools that make the process much easier.
 
very easy to just buy the parts. you may want a smiith to do the front sight is all. a decent setof punches is all the investment you will need for tools.
 
First off, my PCR came in, and I am very happy with it. I have already slapped some VZ Tactical Diamond grips on it, and will be taking it to the range soon (hopefully Tuesday).

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I have read everybody's comments, and have taken them to heart. I've looked at the parts cost that CGW uses, and from what I can see, I feel more confident in having them do the instalation. I know my very limited skills, and my limited free time, and quite honestly feel more confident in someone else's gunsmithing skills over my own.

I also decided to go ahead and send off my FS CZ 75 BD to get worked on. I saw great points on either side, but, for me, it comes down to sentimental attachment. I have fallen in love with my 75BD, and being that I bought it used, it will help me appreciate the gun more than ever. The PCR is brand new, and as I will be the one breaking it in, I want to learn more about this particular platform and decide if I want this to be a regular carry piece before investing the money into the upgrades.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.
 

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Spend $44 for the #54420 extended firing pin/reduced power hammer spring kit for the PCR, the improvement is dramatic. Easy install.

YMMV
 
If you like your BD, your new CZ will eventually feel and shoot much the same -- as the only real difference , internally, is the hammer spring -- and that is a relatively easy replacement if you want a lighter trigger pull. It may take a lot of rounds fired or dry-fires to truly break in the trigger.

The other option, not mentioned, is to have a local gunsmith install the parts.

Doing this will likely be cheaper than paying to ship it to CGW, have the work done, and have it shipped back. This is good, if you have a reputable gunsmith in your area. David Milam's work and reputation, however, are hard to beat -- and that can be worth more than money in many cases.

(Be warned, if you choose to have the work done locally, that not all gunsmiths like working on CZ decocker models... That said, the kit recommend by Urban_Redneck would not be a problem even for the gunsmiths who don't like working on decocker CZ models. Ask around before you spend a fortune shipping your gun to CGW...)
 
Ask around before you spend a fortune shipping your gun to CGW...)
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Typical cost for sending in a personal firearm is around $30.00-$40.00. We send all our customers a very informative document, "How to Ship a Firearm". This keeps our customers from getting over charged.

Worst case scenario, we can send the customer a pre-paid FedEx label.

The OP has options and we never encourage or guide our customers to send in their firearms. We designed our products so the average, mechanically skilled person can achieve excellent results at home. That said, the CZ decocker is not for the first timer or inexperienced home tinkerer.

The CZ design is also "timing sensitive", and not many folks understand the way the action works. Once timed properly, polished professionally, and tuned to their potential, they can be incredible.
 
I am not saying I am against improving something...but at 400, you are approaching new gun territory. No one is going to get custom work with resell.

Having owned the P09 which is reported to have a better trigger than the SP01-the current normally priced CZ flagship gun? I would buy a PPQ and have a better trigger from the get go. You could then spend 100 and get the upcoming APEX trigger and probably have the best trigger on the planet.
 
I don't think investing $400 on custom work is excessive for a $500/600 dollar gun especially when the guns in question are 100% reliable and accurate, which is the case with all three of my CZ's. I too have been considering some custom work but I don't think my 85 combat needs any, the PCR, on the other hand, is a the likely candidate. Eventually she will be sent in for a trigger job, night sights, and a combat trigger as this pistol will be my choice for concealed carry. The serrated trigger has to go, I've tried to smooth it out but after a hundred rounds or so it still puts a blister on my trigger finger. Still pondering who to send it to, CGW or CZ custom and 'd like some feedback on that subject.
 
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