Hi-Power Mk III or CZ75B?

S

SpareMag

New member
Gentlefolk,

I have decided to treat myself to a new toy.

CS75B has been on my short list for sometime, and at $550 or so on Gunbroker, is within my justifiable treat range.

BUT, my LGS has a very nice, used Hi-Power Mk III, assembled in Portugal, one mag, box and papers for $750+ tax.

No, "both" is not an option.

Thoughts, preferences?

Thx!
 
What are you using the gun for? Range use? Concealed carry? House gun? Gun games?

Have you shot either yet? They look similar but they are very different guns IMHO. What you intend to use it for will help us guide you.
 
Good questions.

I have an IDF Hi-Power that has been refinished, and works fine, but the trigger is not as clean as the one I played with today. Plus the sights are a whole lot better.

I have not played with CZs other than to get a Canik Shark, a CZ clone, which is an incredible delightful pistol.

Purpose: fill a hole I have in full-size all-metal pistols. Mostly a range toy but all my guns work for a living, I don't have any safe queens.
 
I have previously owned two Hi-Powers and currently own a CZ 75 compact. I personally would take the CZ based on my experiences. The CZ's double action trigger, reliability, accuracy, overall build quality, has more appeal to me as a shooter than the Browning.
 
Good questions.

I have an IDF Hi-Power that has been refinished, and works fine, but the trigger is not as clean as the one I played with today. Plus the sights are a whole lot better.

I have not played with CZs other than to get a Canik Shark, a CZ clone, which is an incredible delightful pistol.

Purpose: fill a hole I have in full-size all-metal pistols. Mostly a range toy but all my guns work for a living, I don't have any safe queens.
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Why not install a C&S sear and hammer set and have Novak put their sights on the IDF gun? $750 is not a bad price for a LNIB MKIII.

You could make that old IDF gun look like this.



IMHO the CZ is not a $550 gun. Not that it is not a great gun but they can be had for less. I paid $460 for this one.

CZ-75B_zpscdc84664.jpg
 
Thanks, puppyface, I was interested in opinions about build quality.

Where do you think the CZ is superior?
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IMHO there is nothing about the build quality of the CZ that is superior to a Browning/FN Hi Power.

The CZ is a great gun. I own and have owned many of them but the overall fit and finish of a CZ is not in the same class. They can be built and tuned into fanstastic shooters but they are not refined IMHO.
 
I am not sure (or qualified) that I can state that the CZ is a better build, I am just speaking subjectively; I would chose the CZ. My first Belgium made Hi Power ended up with a cracked frame after a few years. I am sure this is pretty unusual for this weapon. The second one was assembled in Portugal and was too unreliable to carry. I just like my current CZ more than the Brownings, for the price, a used Browning for 750 next to a brand new CZ for 550, it wouldn't be much of a choice for me.
 
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WVSig,

Yup, you have the type of pistols I am looking for. Frankly, rehabbing the IDF had not occurred. The trigger in the IDF has some grit I have not been able to purge. Great shooter, but trigger could use some work.
 
Larger hand = cz 75b
smaller hand = HP

Have both and if had to pick it would be the hp, based on "printability" and hand fit. The cz is mechanically more accurate, the hp is easier for me to shoot accurately.
 
I own five Hi Powers,my Mk II and III are for general fun shooting but at the same time are quite capable of severe use in a combat zone. I have shot the CZ 75 and thought it was a very nice shooter but ergonomically there was nothing to reach out and say "buy me". Next to a 1911 Colt nothing shines like a Hi Power!
 
A couple of regulars at our local matches have both and have let me shoot them quite a bit, as long as I supply my own ammo - of course.
My preference would be the CZ mostly due to both the cocked and locked feature as well as the hammer down double action.
A very nice combination.
For me they both were excellent pointers, so it's a wash there.
Accuracy seemed about equal, too, with my own reloads.
Both had triggers inferior to my 1911, though, with longer takeup.
But curable to some degree with modifications.
Again a wash.
For the difference in price, I vote for the CZ.
As a side note, though, my real choice would be a Ruger SR9.
 
Like zeke says, it's about the size of your hand. A CZ is quite a bit bigger than a BHP. Trigger's a lot farther forward. Pop into your local shop and try a CZ on for size if you can.
No daft mag safety in the CZ either.
 
Personally, I have had more success with CZ. Sold my HP to fund more CZ's because they performed better for me. I have friends that I shoot competition with that are HP freaks. My CZ's out shoot their HP's even with them shooting. My CZ's require very little maintenance (just clean behind the extractor). I bought my CZ75 game gun used and have put about 18,000 rounds through it at this point and it shows no signs of wear! I have shot side by side with one HP and it has been my experience that the CZ is better for my use.

The HP is better looking!
 
I own a clone of each. I have had the HP clone for over 25 years. It has been completely reliable and has good accuracy. It fits my hand nicely and I enjoy shooting it.

I have only had the CZ clone for a year or two. It is my favorite centerfire pistol out of many. It is accurate and reliable. The trigger is excellent. It fits my hand perfectly and I love shooting it.

They are both good pistols, so it's pretty much win/win.
 
Great info, all, thx!

For those HP fans, so you have any preferences among Belgium, Argentinian or Portuguese Hi-Powers?
 
Never heard of a "Portuguese HI-Power". The HP-35 has been ( still is ) made by FN in Belgium and assembled in Portugal. In the US, the FN HP-35 is sold as the Browning HP (BHP). Same gun, different name.
Argentinian made HP is a good, less expensive option.
Hungarian made FEG BHP clones are good too, but there are many variants out there, so one need to be aware of the diferences between each one of those and the original FN HP / BHP. Sometime it gets very confusing.
There is a lot of info. on line (Google) regarding FEG and Argentinian made HP and it is worth to read it if you contemplate to buy one of those.
If I had to have one gun only and the price is not an issue, between the FN / Browning HP and the CZ75/CZ75B/CZ85B, MY choice would be the HP.
In any case, one can't go wrong with any of those two. Both will serve you very well.
 
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