Horrors! CZ-85 B

N

Nightcrawler

New member
It seems that according to CZ USA's website, the CZ-85B, which I had been eyeing, is NOT available in the Satin Nickel finish I wanted (they list only Black Polycoat and Glossy Blue as available for the CZ-85 B). However, the slightly more expensive CZ-85 Combat, which, in truth, has more target shooting features than "combat" ones (like adjustable sights, adjustable trigger), IS available in Satin Nickel.

(Please correct me if I'm wrong on the available finishes here.)

So, if it comes down to it, I'll have to decide. Paying more for the finish that I REALLY like, and getting some features I don't really need, like the adjustable sights and trigger, or paying less and settling for "black polycoat".

Hmm...
 
You are correct. Also note that the Combat version doesn't have the firing pin block (hence no "B").

I'm also hooked on the satin nickel finish, not to mention the firing pin block, so one day I'll own a 75B.
 
If its not yer carry gun, go for the 85 Combat.

It is also slightly melted and finished to a slightly greater degree than the already excellent 75's and 85's.

And the satin nickel is sooooo nice looking.

When was the last time you bought a gun that needed absolutely nothing but you and some ammo???
 

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Are you left handed? If not, I'd get the 75. The mag release is not reversible, to my knowledge.

The polymer finish is very durable and a lot less prominent than an all-nickle pistol. They are kind of big and heavy for carry - most would buy the Compact or PCR for that use.

I have a '93 85 Combat. The right side magazine release just broke off, but other than that it is a very nice pistol for the money.
 
I may have spoken out of turn...I thought the nickel 85 b was available..oops. If it is a carry gun..hmmmm! I would have a slight dilema. The nickel is NICE! if you want an 85 to further your south paw shooting..your stuck! Its a big gun for a carry.
If you wanted a carry gun..get black and smaller. The pcr or compact are better choices..black will print less and reflect less
is your concealment garb happens to shown your weapon. Smaller is easily more concealable. I am 5'10" & 160#'s , my
compact is concealable on me. If you are a larger person the 85 may do the trick...tough choice...Shoot well
 
Sounds to me like the 85B in black polymer is the way to go. The finish is VERY durable,my CZ-75B Mil. has thousands of rounds through it and is one of my favorite carry guns but the finish is still 99.9%. They are a big large for carry but they`re also very slim. IMO they aren`t any harder to conceal than something smaller and chunkier like a Glock 30. Just make sure you have a GOOD belt. I have no problem concealing mine IWB under just a T shirt,course I`m 6'2"/240lbs. :) FWIW if you REALLY like silver guns you could always sent to to Robar and get it NP3 plated or something like that. Marcus
 
You may regret getting the satin nickel finish. This is not like a hard chrome gun. The satin nickel will stain, and requires more maintenance, while the black polymer is really a joy to maintain. Always looks good!

Just my humble opinion
 
The polymer finish is very tough and durable, not to mention corrosion resistant. Underneath that polymer coating the steel is also parkerized. As far as the gun being to big for carry, I don't think so. It is no different than carrying a full sized 1911 for a CCW. I've carried mine for 16 hours in a day already without any problems.
 
Although I feel the polymer finish is probably the most ideal finish on the CZ line, I should warn you that the polymer finish WILL chip off eventually, especially at the posterior ejection area on the slide. Most likely caused by the brass hitting the slide after ejection. Also, note that some CZ75 Milsurp guns (like mine) have a few 'dollops' of polymer that ran onto the frame rails....not really a big problem, but for some reason these WON'T come off. Always takes me by surprise when I clean it, thinking it's some kind of stubborn powder residue.
 
Schmackey, I've been searching for where I read this, but cannot find it. What I read claimed that certain solvents stain the finish, and that it darkens under certain circumstances.

Maybe if you emailed or phoned CZUSA they can tell you exactly what the problems may be (if any).

I do know that it is not the same as the hard chromed satin on other guns
 
There are two polymer finishes

CZ makes (or made) two levels of polymer finish on the CZ-75B. I bought a CZ-75B in 1996 (gun has 1995 date stamp) that was imported by Magnum Research. This has a lesser quality, somewhat thicker polymer finish that did chip, very slightly, around the ejection port after a few hundred rounds. The gun still looks almost new today even after thousands of rounds and the slight chip is barely noticeable, but the polymer finish is not as evenly applied or nice looking.

Last year I bought another CZ-75B Mil (Turkish contract gun) which is a CZ-USA import throught Kansas City. Although this gun was made in 1996, the polymer finish is MUCH nicer and seems thinner than and more evenly applied than the other polymer finish and it has not yet chipped anywhere and I don't expect it to.
 
LET ME FINNINSH THIS THREAD (Oy)

Suggest buyng the GUN you want, then after you get the GUN, test the GUN, and decide you like the GUN, conversing with Bob Cogan at Accurate Plating & Weaponry or one of the folks at ROBAR about finishes.

Make sense?

Hardchrome, electroless nickel, NP3.......
 
In an earlier message I cast doubt on the satin nickel finish as being prone to staining and difficult maintenance. I would like to say that I had read this somewhere, but cannot verify it.

So just forget what I said. Sorry to have caused concern.

Spiros
 
I've had an 85 Combat for about a year now. I shoot it a lot.

The nickel will darken in spots, but I'm not sure its correct to call it a "stain." If it bothers you, Flitz will get rid of the the "darkness" without abraiding the finish, and it'll only take a quick wipe.

I don't find the CZ-85 Combat's finish to be substantially different than any other Nickel-finished gun I've had. Very similar to some of the Electroless Nickel finishes, etc.

The gun is a real joy to shoot: great ergonomics and good trigger. (Mine has been work on a bit by a local gunsmith, so the trigger is a lot better than good.)

And while it doesn't have a firing pin block, if carried cocked and locked, there should be no concern about accidental discharges. And, as I understand it, you'd have to drop the darned thing from about 16 feet and it would have to land JUST RIGHT for there to be even a remote possibility of an accidental discharge.

I don't carry it often, but I have carried it. (I have a smaller 9mm that I use most often for carry...)
 
Hey Walt. I picked up a CZ 75B over the holidays. I've put about 600 rounds through it so far. I like it. Who did you get to do your trigger work? I've took a couple of my guns to Benbow Beck lock smiths. Once I get a few dollars to play with, I'll probably take mine there. Brad
 
Brad: Tim Gallagher, at Benbow Beck.

He's got a full machine shop there, and is pretty innovative.

(I've never had a gun problem that he couldn't resolve -- and in a few cases, this was after other gunsmiths had given up.)

Come to the range and try my CZ-85 Combat, then tell Tim you want a trigger like that... <grin>
 
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