CZ P-01 Opinions

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Spencer267

New member
So I'm considering purchasing this gun and I want to see the thoughts of people that own it. This is going to possibly serve as a conceal carry gun.
Regarding myself, I currently carry a Beretta 92FS with a tuned trigger and G-conversion. I load her with 147 grain Speer Gold Dots as I have a preference for heavier bullets. The reason I'm considering changing is because I want to try carrying a smaller gun this summer and I've heard wonderful things about the CZ line.
How has this pistol performed for you? How did you like the trigger? Do you or have you ever carried it? How often have you had failures? Is it finicky with certain types of ammunition? Finally, how is the aftermarket if I wanted to tune the trigger myself? Thank you for taking the time to read.
 
I carried one for years, an outstanding little pistol. Mine ate everything factory I could shove down it's throat. Now all CZ pistols have a "short chamber" syndrome so some ammo with a really wide ogive can hang up. However, mine ran like a top with all factory defensive ammo I could feed it, and tailored hand loads also worked great.
Want work done on a CZ? Cajun Gun Works. Want to get the parts and do it yourself? Cajun Gun Works. They are the wizards of CZ in Louisiana, and the only outfit who touches my CZs.
High Noon Holsters has a bunch or great holsters in the CZ lineup - the Down Under is one of my favorite IWB rigs, and the Slide Guard the favorite OWB holster.
You really can't go wrong with a P-01, excellent sidearm and remember, when you're buying magazines, if it says "CZ-75 Compact" or "PCR" they will fit, all the same magazine for slightly different pistols.

Incidentally the only reason I quit carrying it was to move up in CZs to larger pistol, specifically the SP-01 Phantom, and now over to the P-10C...because I could. Nothing wrong with the P-01 at all.
 
I own a “pre-Omega” P-01 and it is one of my favorites, it is a carry gun that shoots about as well as my 75B, so it works for whatever you want to use it for. I highly recommend this firearm!
 
I've been a big fan of CZs for years, and have had many. I loved the CZ-75b Compact, which is similar to the PCR, except it's steel and has a safety. The only negative with THAT model was that, while smaller, it was almost as heavy as the full-size gun.

I always wanted the lighter (alloy) PCR (which is simlar to the P-01) with a safety, but it wasn't available.

The newer Omega version has of the compact 75B with an alloy frame, and a user-changeable safety or decocker should be almost perfect: great ergonomics, great reliability and accuracy, and less weight than the steel compact.
 
My CZ P-01 is my primary carry, just as accurate and reliable as my 75 BD.

Although smaller than the 75, loaded with 15 rounds it does have some heft, making belt and holster choice important.

And the decocker makes it an ideal carry pistol.

Some reviewers have complained that the rubber grips and rubber on the magazines are ‘sticky,’ and an issue for concealed carry – but the rubber dries and hardens after one or two trips to the range, so this isn’t a problem.

I can highly recommend the CZ P-01.
 
I have a PCR, and I think it's my favorite compact. With a 3.75-inch barrel, it's also my smallest handgun. (I don't care for true pocket pistols.)

PROS

Like the overall weight.
Love the look and feel, especially the curvy rubber grips.
Like the decocker without a safety (compared to, say, a Beretta).
Seems reliable, although I have not run a variety of ammo through it.

CONS

Not 100% sold on DA/SA in general.
I'm not a fan of the narrow slide.
The recoil spring is hefty, which, combined with the narrow slide, makes it a chore to cycle. (This, I know, may change over time.)
For whatever reason, the trigger bites my finger a little bit when I shoot it.

Very good gun overall. I'm not 100% satisfied with any pistol, but I mostly love the PCR.
 
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The CZ is one of my three favorite pistols. I have only owned it for 7 or 8 months. I have about 400 rounds throuh it of various types. Have not had any types of failures. I carry it in a paddle holster purchased from Stoners holsters in Middletown Ohio. Great company to deal with. The CZ is not my favorite carry pistol because of the weight and size. My Sig P938 is my favorite carry pistol. But the CZ P01 is my favorite over all pistol. The CZ as a do all pistol would be hard to beat.
 
Held a P-01 today along with a 75D. Thought they would feel heavier. But I was surprised. No mag was insterted. The clerk was surprised and said it was the first time he had picked up either and he thought they felt surprisingly light. Then I picked up a Glock 19 with mag - thought is would have felt lighter, but it felt pretty close to the CZ's. Clerk, who carries a G19, agreed. I guess that balance and ergonomics can make a difference in how something feels in hand. How it would feel on your hip might be very different. Weight is weight.
 
I love mine. Planned on sending into CGW before I bought one. Still haven't because its so good. Incredibly accurate, fits my hand like a molded glove, and extremely easy to carry. It is the first handgun I'd replace if I lost them all.
 
Some consider the CZ-75 the greatest combat handgun in human history.

Some consider the CZ P01 as the greatest iteration of the CZ-75. It also has the prestigious NATO stock number, having passed their grueling tests with extreme ease.

What you speak of boils down to one of the best fighting handguns yet to be made, anywhere, at any time.

Buy with confidence.

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My favorite pistol is the CZ P-01.

Everyone I've let shoot it has loved it. Buy one that has the NSN (NATO) serial number and you'll be pleased.
 
jackstrawIII said:
...Buy one that has the NSN (NATO) serial number and you'll be pleased.
Click to expand...

You'll probably be pleased, regardless.

CZ discontinued the NATO serial number some years back, when they changed some production methods.

As it was explained by CZ, the gun's production methods were slightly changed so that all parts were more uniform -- important later support and parts replacement. CZ didn't bother to get the P-01 recertified,which would have been required if they wished to continue using the NSN on the upgraded models.

CZ's decision to put the NATO Serial Number in the P-01 was probably more marketing hype than anything else and it certainly impressed a lot of buyers here in the U.S. I would note, however, that nearly all NATO member nations use guns made in their own country or from other NATO members, and only a few of those guns carry a NATO Serial Number on the gun, and not all go through the certification process.

With or without the NATO Serial Number, the P-01 is still basically the same gun, but the newer, non-NATO-numbered guns are arguably slightly better -- but I doubt that anyone not working on the gun (and maybe not them, either) could tell a difference.

All of CZ's newer guns (not just the P-01s) are being produced with these new "production" methods in place.
 
Buy it!

Of the handguns I've fired, the PO1 is one of the best! Never had a hiccup in mine ever. And yes it's been fired a lot. This is the better model to carry with the aluminum frame. For bedside I'd get the full size all steel SP01.
 
If I could only keep one of my semi autos, it would be my 75B SA. It's the only semi auto that I've been able to shoot as good as, if not better, than my revolvers.
 
jetinteriorguy said:
If I could only keep one of my semi autos, it would be my 75B SA. It's the only semi auto that I've been able to shoot as good as, if not better, than my revolvers.
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That one's single-action, a different kettle o' fish. I'd love to give that thing a whirl one day and compare it to my 9mm 1911s.
 
jackstrawIII said:
My favorite pistol is the CZ P-01.

Everyone I've let shoot it has loved it. Buy one that has the NSN (NATO) serial number and you'll be pleased.
Click to expand...
+1

While the NATO stock number (NSN) technically isn't required (it's the same gun regardless), it has a definite cool factor. I, too, am in the market for a P01 and personally wouldn't want one without an NSN.
 
Do you have thick fingers? If so you might have a problem with the PO1s recurve trigger. The CZ85 replacement trigger can be installed at extra expense to correct a problem.
 
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