CZ handguns Info wanted!
- Thread starter Skeets
- Start date
Drop by here and begin looking around.
http://www.czforum.com/index.php
http://www.czfirearms.us/
http://www.cztalk.com/
http://pistolsmith.com/cz-pistols/
tipoc
http://www.czforum.com/index.php
http://www.czfirearms.us/
http://www.cztalk.com/
http://pistolsmith.com/cz-pistols/
tipoc
Limnophile
New member
There are two CZ web forums. The original one in particular is packed with good information.
The US importer is CZ-USA. Their web site has links to a catalog. The Czech web site of CZUB, the manufacturer, is interesting to peruse.
CZ Custom Shop and Cajun Gun Works are two gunsmith operations that do custom work on CZs.
I'd start at the original CZ forums: http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?PHPSESSID=6344111b581f7bc9a7556aee5b9283fd;. Links to all other info sources can be found there.
The US importer is CZ-USA. Their web site has links to a catalog. The Czech web site of CZUB, the manufacturer, is interesting to peruse.
CZ Custom Shop and Cajun Gun Works are two gunsmith operations that do custom work on CZs.
I'd start at the original CZ forums: http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?PHPSESSID=6344111b581f7bc9a7556aee5b9283fd;. Links to all other info sources can be found there.
BigMikey76
New member
There are also a number of reviews of various CZ models on YouTube. Some are better done than others, of course, so watch with discrimination. I like the video reviews, overall, though, because that way I can see the various gun parts and how they work. Just go to YouTube and search for "CZ reviews." You will literally find hours worth of videos to watch. I would recommend any videos by Sootch00 or Colion Noir. They both take the time to make sure they are giving accurate info and they both communicate the info clearly for their viewers.
Independent George
New member
What, specifically, are you looking for?
The biggest reasons I like CZ's are:
1. Ergonomics. This will vary from person to person, but their grips feel like they were molded to my hand.
2. Steel Frame. This is sadly becoming more and more of a rarity, but I really like steel framed pistols. The SP-01 is the softest shooting 9mm gun I've ever fired.
3. Hammer-fired DA/SA. This is also becoming rarer, but it's my preferred action type. A lot of people also like them because they can be carried cocked and locked.
The CZ-75B is the flagship model - it's an all-steel, DA/SA semi-auto chambered in either 9mm or .40 cal. Due to Cold War politics, CZ never filed for patent protection on the 75; as a result, there are tons of CZ-75 clones available from EAA, Canik, IWI, etc. They're excellent guns and are generally extremely inexpensive, but support and accessories are a little harder to come by.
The 'B' is used to designate that it's equipped with a firing pin block. The original CZ-75 did not have a FPB, and those early models are highly sought after because of the rarity and because many feel that it has a superior trigger as a result (I'm personally skeptical of this claim, but it could be true).
The standard model is equipped with a thumb safety; they are also available in decocker versions, marked with a 'D' at the end of it (CZ-75 BD). The CZ-75 Compact is steel-framed with a safety; the CZ-75 D Compact/D PCR are the alloy-framed decocker versions. The CZ-85B Combat is an ambidextrous version of the 75.
The SP-01 (Full-sized, steel-framed, thumb safety), SP-01 Tactical (Full-sized, steel-frame, decocker), P-01 (Compact, alloy frame, 9mm), and P-06 (compact, alloy frame, .40 cal) are mechanically the same as the original 75 line, but have an accessory rail and slightly different grips. Magazines are interchangeable with the 75 line.
More recently, they released the Omega line of pistols, which have a simpler trigger mechanism and can be switched between decocker and safety. The Omega trigger is better out of the box than the original, but as I understand it, it doesn't smooth out as nicely over time.
The CZ-75B Omega has the same steel frame as the original, but with the Omega trigger. The P-09 (full-sized) and P-07 (compact) are polymer DA/SA pistols. I have yet to shoot them (though I've fondled a few), so I can't give you any first-hand reports on them. P-07 and P-09 mags will not fit in the 75, but the full-length 75 mags will fit in the compact P-07 (they are too short for the P-09).
The biggest reasons I like CZ's are:
1. Ergonomics. This will vary from person to person, but their grips feel like they were molded to my hand.
2. Steel Frame. This is sadly becoming more and more of a rarity, but I really like steel framed pistols. The SP-01 is the softest shooting 9mm gun I've ever fired.
3. Hammer-fired DA/SA. This is also becoming rarer, but it's my preferred action type. A lot of people also like them because they can be carried cocked and locked.
The CZ-75B is the flagship model - it's an all-steel, DA/SA semi-auto chambered in either 9mm or .40 cal. Due to Cold War politics, CZ never filed for patent protection on the 75; as a result, there are tons of CZ-75 clones available from EAA, Canik, IWI, etc. They're excellent guns and are generally extremely inexpensive, but support and accessories are a little harder to come by.
The 'B' is used to designate that it's equipped with a firing pin block. The original CZ-75 did not have a FPB, and those early models are highly sought after because of the rarity and because many feel that it has a superior trigger as a result (I'm personally skeptical of this claim, but it could be true).
The standard model is equipped with a thumb safety; they are also available in decocker versions, marked with a 'D' at the end of it (CZ-75 BD). The CZ-75 Compact is steel-framed with a safety; the CZ-75 D Compact/D PCR are the alloy-framed decocker versions. The CZ-85B Combat is an ambidextrous version of the 75.
The SP-01 (Full-sized, steel-framed, thumb safety), SP-01 Tactical (Full-sized, steel-frame, decocker), P-01 (Compact, alloy frame, 9mm), and P-06 (compact, alloy frame, .40 cal) are mechanically the same as the original 75 line, but have an accessory rail and slightly different grips. Magazines are interchangeable with the 75 line.
More recently, they released the Omega line of pistols, which have a simpler trigger mechanism and can be switched between decocker and safety. The Omega trigger is better out of the box than the original, but as I understand it, it doesn't smooth out as nicely over time.
The CZ-75B Omega has the same steel frame as the original, but with the Omega trigger. The P-09 (full-sized) and P-07 (compact) are polymer DA/SA pistols. I have yet to shoot them (though I've fondled a few), so I can't give you any first-hand reports on them. P-07 and P-09 mags will not fit in the 75, but the full-length 75 mags will fit in the compact P-07 (they are too short for the P-09).
In my experience, people who like a 1911 or Browning Hi Power generally also like a CZ-75. This is because the CZ has very similar ergonomics to those two pistols (pointing, balance, location of controls). In my hands, a CZ-75 feels very similar to a Hi Power except the grip is slightly more comfortable for me due to its more rounded contour.
The combination of all-steel construction and slide-inside-the-frame design makes for very mild felt recoil and minimal muzzle rise, my CZ is one of the easiest semi-autos to shoot at speed in my experience. The balance of a full-size model, in my hands, is just right in that it's quick to bring on target without being whippy or difficult to hold on target. I also find it to be an extremely attractive looking gun.
On the negative side, the SA trigger isn't the most crisp and it does have a noticeable amount of creep. I've read that this can be improved somewhat, but it's never been enough of a detriment when shooting for me to bother with it. Also, at one time they were known to occasionally break slide stops particularly when fed moderate to high amounts of +P or +P+ ammo. I know it has been theorized that, at one time, the guns were coming undersprung from the factory and that was the cause of slide stop breakage, but I don't know if that holds true today. Regardless, a replacement recoil spring from Wolff is quite inexpensive and would probably be a wise investment. Finally, the standard model is quite heavy at over 35 oz unloaded (I don't find the weight problematic with a good holster and belt, but it could be an issue depending on how one wants to carry). However, the weight and mild recoil makes it a superb range or bedside gun.
All in all, I'm very happy with mine. As a matter of fact, I like it so well that I've really never seen much need for any other full-size 9mm as I've yet to find one that I like any better than my CZ. Mine is plenty accurate with just about any ammo I stick in it, but it does seem to have a slight preference for bullets in the 124 gr range. Mine has also been extremely reliable with only two malfunctions that I can think of in over ten years of ownership (one grossly out of spec round and another from another shooter limp wristing it right after I'd installed an extra power recoil spring). At one time, they were something of a sleeper in the market but I notice that the price has steadily crept up (I paid $410 for my duo-tone model NIB
)
The combination of all-steel construction and slide-inside-the-frame design makes for very mild felt recoil and minimal muzzle rise, my CZ is one of the easiest semi-autos to shoot at speed in my experience. The balance of a full-size model, in my hands, is just right in that it's quick to bring on target without being whippy or difficult to hold on target. I also find it to be an extremely attractive looking gun.
On the negative side, the SA trigger isn't the most crisp and it does have a noticeable amount of creep. I've read that this can be improved somewhat, but it's never been enough of a detriment when shooting for me to bother with it. Also, at one time they were known to occasionally break slide stops particularly when fed moderate to high amounts of +P or +P+ ammo. I know it has been theorized that, at one time, the guns were coming undersprung from the factory and that was the cause of slide stop breakage, but I don't know if that holds true today. Regardless, a replacement recoil spring from Wolff is quite inexpensive and would probably be a wise investment. Finally, the standard model is quite heavy at over 35 oz unloaded (I don't find the weight problematic with a good holster and belt, but it could be an issue depending on how one wants to carry). However, the weight and mild recoil makes it a superb range or bedside gun.
All in all, I'm very happy with mine. As a matter of fact, I like it so well that I've really never seen much need for any other full-size 9mm as I've yet to find one that I like any better than my CZ. Mine is plenty accurate with just about any ammo I stick in it, but it does seem to have a slight preference for bullets in the 124 gr range. Mine has also been extremely reliable with only two malfunctions that I can think of in over ten years of ownership (one grossly out of spec round and another from another shooter limp wristing it right after I'd installed an extra power recoil spring). At one time, they were something of a sleeper in the market but I notice that the price has steadily crept up (I paid $410 for my duo-tone model NIB
)I have owned the 85 and now own a 75 single action which I consider to be the continuation of what the Browning High Power started. I never used the double action capability of my 85 and so a tuned 75SA is perfect for my needs. A 16+1 round pistol with 1911 handling characteristics that doesn't break the bank.
Walt Sherrill
New member
Bultaco said:
A continuation?
I see almost NOTHING in the CZ design that has much to do with the BHP, except that they both have superior ergonomics. And share a vaguely similar "look."
DA/SA (or a striker-fired DA/SA) seems to be the only thing being continued, nowadays. And I expect CZ to offer a striker-fired model one of these days, just as H&K and SIG have done.
I would argue that it's hard to view the CZ as a continuation of anything from the BHP. While they look similar, the similarity is only skin-deep. Internally, they are quite different; there are almost no design features shared, except that they both use a variant of the Browning Short-Recoil, locked breech design -- as do the majority of the modern handguns.
I have a well-tuned 85 Combat, have owned a bunch of CZs over the years, (including a CZ 75 SA), still have several semi-custom CZ-pattern guns, and a very nice T-series BHP. The CZ and BHP are totally different designs.
The only real difference between the the SA version of the CZ and the DA/SA version of the CZ is that the disconnector has been removed from the SA model. The CZ SA model is quite a bit more complex than the BHP.
Last edited:
sirgilligan
New member
I really like my CZ 85B. I would have got a 75B, but I found the 85B used for a great price and couldn't resist. Since then I bought my son a 75B, found a 75 Compact for my son-in-law and he bought it, helped my neighbor pick a new pistol and he got the 75B.
I started with the Browning Hi Power and read Stephen Camp's website about the CZ 75 and trusted his opinion and man was he right.
I started with the Browning Hi Power and read Stephen Camp's website about the CZ 75 and trusted his opinion and man was he right.
sirgilligan
New member
RAfiringline
New member
I've got a CZ p01. Reliable, not ammo finicky, ergonomics are good for me, I can hit w/ the gun better than any other 9mm.
Agree with this statement. I had 1911's and a BHP before I had the CZ-75B, the grip angles for all 3 guns are very similar, so it's easier to shoot the CZ. Once I replaced the crappy plastic grips on my 75B, with the CZ rubber grips, it dawned on me that the CZ 75B fits my big hands better than just about any other gun, and i didn't have to swap out a backstrap or a backstrap & grip sideshells to get this to fit my hand.