Hey, all you CZ-75 experts.......

D

Don Gwinn

Staff Emeritus
Finally decided to get another pistol and we have some disposable income right now (it's a long story, but basically the wife owes me a gun 'cause she promised) and I've basically decided I want a CZ-75 in 9mm. A few questions:

1. When I went into one local gunshop today, the dealer quoted me $400 for a "military" version and $500 for a CZ-75B. Am I crazy or is he? I tend to think that's outlandishly high.

2. What's the difference between the military and the CZ-75B? The dealer seemed to think it was only the finish, but he couldn't tell me what the finish on the military was or explain why a different finish would be worth $100--he says dealer cost is $100 more for the CZ-75B which would have the polymer.

3. Having explained the differences between the CZ-75B and the "military," which do you suggest? And is the CZ-85 really that much better-made than the 75?

Thanks. Obviously I'm not buying from this dealer, since I was thinking closer to $350 for a CZ-75B, but I want to know as much as possible.
 
Here in southern Indiana, $350 buys you a new CZ-75B in black with two 15 rnd magazines.

$500 buys you a new Springfield 1911 MilSpec .45acp. in stainless steel.

I bought the CZ. I'm saving for the Springfield.

Your guy's priced way too high--for market value. The CZ performs better than most any $500 pistol. You just don't have to pay that much for it. The pistol without the highcaps should run $300-325 new in the box.

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Take the long way home...
 
1. $500 is ludicrous. J&G has the military on sale right now with tritium night sights for $350. I paid $370 for my polymer last week and got 2 factory hi-caps as well.

2. The only difference between the military CZ75B and the polymer CZ75B (they are both CZ75Bs) is the finish. Parkerized and polymer. He may be thinking polymer means CZ100, which is the polymer framed gun, and is still only $375.

3. CZ85 just has ambidextrous control of the manual safety and slide stop. Something to think about if your a southpaw. Otherwise, CZ75B military with tritium night sights for $350 from J&G is a real hard one to pass up!
 
I'm far from an expert, but I'll throw in my two cents.

1. When I went into one local gunshop today, the dealer quoted me $400 for a "military" version and $500 for a CZ-75B. Am I crazy or is he? I tend to think that's outlandishly high.

As others have said J&G has the "military" on sale right now for $349. Unless the sale changed recently it doesn't include two factory preban. It comes with one factory preban and one factory postban mag. The night sights are included.

2. What's the difference between the military and the CZ-75B? The dealer seemed to think it was only the finish, but he couldn't tell me what the finish on the military was or explain why a different finish would be worth $100--he says dealer cost is $100 more for the CZ-75B which would have the polymer.

The so-called military pistols sold here are little more than a polymer finish CZ75B with night sights. I think CZ caught on that anything called tactical or military will sell better. The original CZ75 military pistols has a lanyard ring at the bottom of the mainspring housing, a squarish hammer and wood grips. A while back CZ sold some Turkish contract pistols. These had a polymer finish, some had night sights and others didn't. The most recent military contract CZ75Bs that I've seen have a deep blue finish and don't include night sights. I guess it depends what military orders the pistol.

3. Having explained the differences between the CZ-75B and the "military," which do you suggest? And is the CZ-85 really that much better-made than the 75?

The CZ85B (unless you found a back stock CZ85) is basically a CZ75B except it sports ambi slide release levers and safeties. I've never found much use for the ambi levers, but some folks swear by them. I'd get the CZ85 Combat. This is a substantially better finished and fitted pistol that includes asjustable sights.

Thanks. Obviously I'm not buying from this dealer, since I was thinking closer to $350 for a CZ-75B, but I want to know as much as possible.

Well don't discount your local dealer immediately. A CZ75B "military" with one factory preban and night sights for $400 in a shop isn't bad. Sure, J&G has them for $349 but don't forget you need to add shipping and FFL transfer. At the very least this will add $30 to the price. So now you're at $379 from J&G with no chance of seeing the pistol before buying. If your local shop is willing to drop $20 I'd say buy from him.


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So many pistols, so little money.
 
Actually, that makes sense. I didn't realize CZ's were that high (well, relatively cheap, but you know what I mean.) Have they gone up in the month or two that I've been out of the game, or am I just crazy? J&G quotes $389 as their standard price, which means that after shipping and transfer that dealer is cheaper than they are, without the sale. Even with it he's only $10 over. Perhaps I'll have to take my allegations of mental illness back.
 
Would it be reasonable to buy the CZ85 for the adjustible sights and then change the ambi slide release to the original one sided one?

Also I'm hung up on the high polish finish which eliminates the military model doesn't it?
 
Don,

I don't claim to be any kind of an expert but I'll try to help. :)

Yes, I think $400 is a bit high. I picked up a NIB CZ75B with polymer finish a month or so ago for $339. Came with one hi-cap and one 10 round magazine. Shop around, there are good deals out there but you have to find them. For example, another shop in metro Atlanta is selling this exact pistol for $425. I think some shops count on folks not shopping around for the best price.

Others have explained the "military" version so I won't go into that. I guess that comes down to if you want night sights or not.

Same thing with the 85 version. How important are control levers on both sides of the pistol to you?

Good luck with the search. I'm sure you will enjoy the new purchase. Personally, I like the CZ so much I'm now saving for a 97 in .45ACP. :)

Joe/Ga
 
There is a guy (dealer) on Bowers board that has a CZ 85 Combat NIB for $385, and has the two tone CZ75 with factory mounted sight for $400 (NIB). Not bad.
 
Also Empire Arms (www.empirearms.com)has CZ75B's for $339 with 1 15rd mag. Extra factory mags are $40 each. I bought two when I got my old CZ and they were great. Dennis Kroh is a great guy to deal with. Add $25 for shipping and some amount for an FFL transfer and your probably looking at $385 or so. However if you do buy one someplace else, keep him in mind for the mags. His prices are currently cheaper than CZ-usa's
 
I think your dealer is smoking crack. The only CZ which would go in that 500 price range is the 85 COMBAT. The 85 COMBAT is one of CZ's factory custom pistols. Lots of hand-fitting and polishing, smooth trigger, solid frame to slide and barrel to slide fit. I own one and find it to be an excellent gun overall.
 
I was told that the Military had a parkerized finish, plastic grips and plastic sights. $275-350 is the going rate. Either one is a winner. Mike
 
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