CZ-75 vs Beretta 92?

Which one would you buy?

  • Beretta 92

    Votes: 52 37.4%

  • CZ-75

    Votes: 87 62.6%
  • Total voters
    139
  • Poll closed .
I'd choose the CZ for the cocked 'n' locked option and Browning Hi-Powerish grip.
The 92 is a REALLY big gun, and I can't abide DA/SA.

My experience with the CZ has been brief, and with various "Shadow" models, which are possibly more refined than mill-run CZ75s.
 
I own both. And would never sell either.

That said, I bought the M9 first. And if I could only have 1, it'd be the M9. The aftermarket is better, the trigger is better out of the box, and takes a $5 spring to make even better. The trigger reach is also shorter if having short fingers is a concern. The CZ75 double action trigger reach is loooong.

The CZ75 does feel slimmer in the grip though, and likely more comfortable for most people. They have a tendency to break slide stop pins, but Beretta's break locking blocks after while too. CZs also have a small amount of slide real estate to grab, which some people complain about during manipulations. And the Beretta has the decocker/safety in the way during slide manipulations.
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Everything DubC-Hicks says above reflects my exact point of view; including the "if I only have one" choice-as hard as it would be to make. But we still live in America and I can happily still have both. :)
 
The $300 price tag would probably be the deciding factor for me to get the Beretta.

I was going to say take a look at the Taurus 99 (it's the same as the Taurus 92 but with target sights) mainly because I really dislike the safety on the Beretta and I really like the frame mounted safety on the Taurus. The Taurus safety is more like a 1911.

All that said, one has to remember the CZ was one of Colonel Cooper's favorites and that certainly should count for something.
 
My friend has a surplus 92s with the heel magazine release. It is a good pistol and he shoots it well. My Taurus Model 99 has much better sights and safety. My favorite 92-ish pistol, though, is my Beretta 96. It is an oddball model with no safety or decocker at all. That thing has a great trigger!
 
Take a good look at the Wilson Beretta 92G compact, as well as the CZ P-01 Omega / 75 D Compact "PCR." They are compact sized pistols, but you don't lose in capacity, only a fraction of your sight radius, and they are both extremely controllable.

The 92G is a decocker only model, eliminating the frustration with the external slide mounted safety, and the CZ compacts have great triggers. My PCR is a great shooter. If I were to go for a full sized frame, I would probably get an SP-01 or Shadow 2. I mean, you can't go wrong with the Beretta either, but it's a bit bulkier.

You can find used 92's for dirt cheap, as well as used CZ's for a reasonable price. Reliability and durability are on par with either, and are two of the most tested pistols in the world. I think the CZ has a better trigger, at least mine does, in double action. Single action, the 92 might be slightly more crisp. Beretta surplus mags are ridiculously cheap. CZ mags can be had new through Mecgar for around 23 dollars, factory for 35 or so.
 
From everything I've heard, I doubt you'd want surplus M9s...

While it could happen, how much do you want for a shot out, full-size 9mm?
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Fair question. For me it will be nostalgia. I carried one in Afghanistan where I earned by first combat action ribbon. I would probably get one and engrave it as a commemorative to friends long gone, then pass it to my kids.

I cede your point for the general public, however. Not all M9s are shot out though. Lots of cosmetic wear, but military pistols in general are fired even less than Police pistols. Many specimens will have a high round count, like pistols held my certain training facilities, MPs, or security forces... But many will not. Your best bet would be to get an infantry battalions pistol. Lots of finish wear, not many rounds.
 
^ It might also be a pistol that's decade old though. While I can certainly get the nostalgia aspect, I think for just consumer purchases you'd be better off getting a new Beretta.
 
I understand that tunnelrat, but it wouldn't be the same for me. A better option for your average consumer, but not my preference.

Not to mention, I would hope a CMP release would help depress prices some on the Beretta. Its not a bad pistol, but IMO its not on the same playing field as several equally priced pistols. CZ being one of them. Of course I could say the same thing about some others as well... So there :D.
 
I own both the Beretta and the CZ... An M9A3, and a 75...

If you are familiar with shooting a 226, I can explain the differences between all three and hopefully give you a good overall picture for your choice.

Shooting experience:

I like to compare the difference between them with an analogy to cars...

The 226 under recoil, its kind of like an old Cadillac when it hits a pothole, smooth, and a little "floaty". Its easy to control, and smooth as butter, but it doesn't feel as responsive. Though, I can still shoot it well, even at faster fire rates, but it requires more effort in recoil management to shoot fast.

Under recoil a CZ75 feels more like a sports car hitting a pothole. You feel the recoil a bit more, but it feels more responsive overall. Very flat shooting, with easy recoil management. It does shoot smooth, but is a bit more abrupt. Because of that responsive feel, its easy to shoot quickly.

The 92, or in my case, the M9A3... Is between those two... Like a modern luxury car over a rough road. Its smooth, but not floaty. It is really fairly middle of the road between the CZ and Sig, but I would say it leans closer to the 226 side of things.


Feel in hand:

Both the Beretta and CZ are comfortable, but different in various ways. For me, the CZ feels the best in hand, and I recommend the rubber grips, not the plastic ones. The factory rubber grips are my favorite... Though the aluminum grips are nice two, if they are checkered well.

Both have long DA trigger reach. There may be a bit of difference in how long the reach is, but it is not huge. My Beretta having the Vertec frame, does reduce the reach, and is the shortest of them. A standard frame makes them more even.

The slide stop is easier to use in the Beretta, but the safety is better in the CZ. I also like how the CZ safety works more. It can not be activated in DA mode, only SA mode, so no risk of it being activated by accident in DA mode. But... No decock function, so if you want to use it as a DA/SA rather than SA cocked and locked... You must manually lower the hammer.

You can get the decocker model, and that is the best for defense use I think, unless cocked and locked is how you want to go. Some feel the decocker detracts from the trigger feel a bit though. (For defense, I would recommend the decocker with the Beretta as well. I do think the new conversion kit works with all 92s, so thats an option)


Trigger:

The Beretta trigger is better out of the box by far... Now, I have never fired one with the polymer trigger they use on the standard 92, that may affect things. Beretta does offer a kit to replace the poly components with steel though.

My M9A3 came with the reduced weight hammer spring, which is called a "D" spring, I believe. So the trigger pull is lighter than other 92 pattern pistols out of the box.

That said, a polished CZ75 trigger, with a tweaked sear to reduce the hammer camming, and a lighter weight hammer spring... (I have an 18# rather than the factory 22#. (I think its 22# factory anyway) Is a very nice trigger, being a little smoother than my Beretta, and a little lighter as well.

Now, spending a little money on a new hammer and sear set from Cajun Gun Works, along with the lighter spring and some polishing of the moving parts... Well, that is a fantastic trigger. I believe it is about $300 plus shipping for them to do the work for their Defense/carry package. Gives you a DA pull of 8lb and a SA of 3.5lb, with reduced DA trigger reach... They sell the parts in a kit for home install as well.

So out of the box, the Beretta is the best trigger hands down. The CZ will smooth out after a few hundred rounds or so, but not be quite as good as the Beretta when both are broken in.

If you are willing to put in a little work polishing and swap the hammer spring, the CZ will pull ahead. Put a bit more effort and money into it, and it will be a very nice trigger. With competent professional work, it is one of the best... There is a reason they are popular in competition the world over.



Final thoughts:

I really like both the CZ and the Beretta... But I really like the tighter responsive feel of the CZ when shooting it more. Also, the ergos, are a little bit better for me.

The SP-01 version is the best shooting version of the 75 I think. A little extra weight up front, keeps the muzzle down a little more. The longer beavertail also helps as well. I really like how they shoot, it is my favorite hammer fired pistol. Modern striker pistols can offer a similar tight feel, but the recoil is a bit stiffer with more muzzle rise, due to less weight... So I would say the CZ, especially the SP-01, shoot a bit flatter.

In the end, its up to you, what feels right in your hands, and what kind of shooting experience you want.
 
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I don't have any real experience with the CZ, never owned one.
People I've met with them seem happy though.

Then again 92 owners are generally happy too.

I would go for the 92, my only complaint is the LONG DA trigger, SA trigger is pretty good especially if you swap out for a lighter "D" spring.

I own a Beretta and a couple Taurus and I actually prefer the frame safety on the Taurus.

The original Beretta also had a frame safety but was moved to the slide early on, some models still persist but are hard to find and all discontinued far as I know.

stock, combat, steel-I (steel frame), Biliennium (steel frame, limited run gun)

If the grip is to fat look for a Vertec (discontinued) or the newer m9a3 which have a shaved down back strap.

DaleA said:
The $300 price tag would probably be the deciding factor for me to get the Beretta.

I was going to say take a look at the Taurus 99 (it's the same as the Taurus 92 but with target sights) mainly because I really dislike the safety on the Beretta and I really like the frame mounted safety on the Taurus. The Taurus safety is more like a 1911.
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Ya sadly in Taurus infinite wisdom discontinued the 99, along with the .40 models 100 & 101

far as I know they only mfg the 92 still.. But I do agree I prefer the Taurus for it's safety.. and it shoots pretty much identically to the Beretta just a few differences like no flaring in the mag well, no serrations on the trigger guard, etc.

I can't believe someone hasn't come out with a modified mag release so it accepts Beretta mags.. I KNOW it's possible but no one's done it in all these years.
 
That's fine just pointing out the Taurus has some perks.

If I was looking to buy a Beretta I'd check out the m9a3
It has a lot of bells and whistles on it not found on the classic 92.

Most of the Beretta's I want have been discontinued for a while :/
 
I had a 92FS for a bit. I longed after one for years and was finally able to get one. I shortly lost interest in it. I didn't shoot it well, the grip is really big, the overall gun is huge. I sold it after a bit, no regrets. Sure it shot good, but I didn't shoot it good. My Dad has a 75 clone and my brother has a 75 variant. I shot my Dad's a bit and it shoots soooo nice, plus I am more accurate with it than I ever was with my 92. I hope to shoot my Brother's variant soon.
A 75 variant is next on my list.
 
I have shot a few 92s and variants, and the M9A3 is the one I like the most.

Why I got it... All the features I wanted. I feel it is the best variant right now, and likely to remain that way in the future.

And as I said, the SP-01 is the best full sized CZ75 variant.

CZ clones can be pretty good as well, maybe even better in some ways, at a lower price point. But aftermarket may or may not work with the clones.
 
One vote for a 75 variant. P-01 or SP-01 if possible, and an Omega if given choice.

The inverted slide rails take some getting used to, in as far as manipulation, but they are also the reason for the reduction in reciprocating mass and muzzle flip (flat shooting).

This is not to say the 92/M9 is a bad pistol; I just never had much love for its size or my own tendency to leave the occasional bit of skin behind during malfunction drills.
 
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