Question 4 CZ and/or Thunderwear experts...

J

jdhermit

New member
Ok, I'm really intrigued by the whole line of CZ's and have spent some time looking at them. I currently am thinking about trading my HK USP9c (and other guns) for one or more CZ's.
Kind of thinking about a summer gun & winter gun. Concerned though, b/c the stat's given for the HK compact and the CZ compact , make them look similiarly sized, if not in favor (smaller) of the HK.
Then, the CZ83, which I'd consider for summer carry in Thunderwear type rig, doesn't appear to be much smaller than the 75 compact.
Especially concerned about width...they say you can use a 1911 with thunderwear, but I don't think it'd work for me. I have fairly small waist and lift weights, so I think it would look pretty weird to have a large bulge down there.

So width for summer carry is important to me.

Any thoughts?
thanks,
jdhermit
 
There's a town cop that teaches a few courses at the local Community College. He usually wears his uniform when teaching but one morning he was running late and came to class in his jogging outfit. There was no doubt he was wearing a full-size pistol in a thunderwear holster. Drew a lot of laughs from the class.
 
The SmartCarry/Thunderwear question has everything to do with how you dress. It's ideal for me in the summer with loose-fitting shorts and shirts. I've carried a Glock30 and Kimber UC in one with no problems at all. However, if I'm wearing pants with a belt, I'll often switch to OWB holsters. The SmartCarry option is a good one for me and is used quite often. It seems that most folks who use SmartCarry really like it. I know I do.
 
In your situation I would say to get the CZ or better yet CZs but, at least for now, keep the HK. Just wait until you can buy it without the trade (or you mentioned trading other guns). Keep the HK until you know you'll like the CZ (yeah, like that will be a problem) and until you know the size will work for you. The CZ 75 Compact and PCR are sized well (it seems to me) for CCW, though I have no idea how it would work in a Thunderwear holster (when I move to a CCW state I will use an IWB holster like I've been practicing with around the house with my full sized 75). Also, if you don't mind striker fired, polymer, DAOs, check out the CZ 100- it seems to be sized just about perfectly for most CCW.
 
chaim: Yes, I'm hesitant to give up my USP until I find the "perfect" (for me) gun. I do like the USP, the grip is just not quite there (90% for my hand) and its a little large for IWB using a tuckable. I'd love to carry this way, or alternatively using Thunderwear, just don't think the USP would work.
I think a Glock 26 might...
Maybe the CZ-83 would. What's the diff btwn CZ-83 and this "PCR"? Its not in the CZ catalog, I don't think.
I'm going for a smaller gun that will go bang everytime. Glock would do this, and from what I understand the CZ's are pretty reliable.

arrrgh! :confused:
 
Have Thunderwear for a small 9 (KT P-11), and I like it just fine. It does the job, and it's comfortable. In fact, it conceals 100% in all situations or contortions you may find yourself doing like bending over, sitting, etc.

Problem is, it's a little too good at its job of concealing. I can't get to my pistol using just one hand in a satisfactory way. Maybe if I wore pants with elastic waistbands and stretch belts, I'd like it better. However, with what I consider to be "my style" of clothing, it takes two hands to draw.

My guess is that a bigger pistol would make the misgivings I have worse....
 
Maybe the CZ-83 would. What's the diff btwn CZ-83 and this "PCR"? Its not in the CZ catalog, I don't think
Click to expand...

The 83 is a large .380 (large for a .380 anyway, it is about the size of most smaller 9mms). It is supposed to be, along with the Beretta 84/85/86, possibly the nicest .380 out there. Most who have one comment that it has a great trigger. I've never shot one and I doubt if I'll buy one, it just seems a bit big for a .380- though it is a very nice gun.

The PCR (or CZ 75 PCR) is a compact CZ 75. It is the Czech police issue gun. It is essentially a modified CZ 75 Compact. It has an alloy frame instead of the Compact's steel frame so it is lighter. It has a decocker instead of CZ's usual safety (no condition one carry, but if you want to carry in DA mode you don't have to manually decock it like a revolver as you must with CZ's with their normal safety). I think it has Novak sights. There are some other minor changes but those are the biggies. Unfortunately, CZ has dropped it. They have a new gun, the P01, that is basically the same with an accessory rail (though I hear there may be some internal improvements).
I'm going for a smaller gun that will go bang everytime. Glock would do this, and from what I understand the CZ's are pretty reliable.
Click to expand...
CZ doesn't make very many lemons, though like everyone they turn out the occasional bad one. If you get a good one (very likely) you will have a gun that will go bang everytime. You may have a few minor hiccups during break-in (if you read the CZ Forum that seems fairly common) but after about 200 rounds you should be fine (I had two hiccups on my CZ 75 during the first 200 rounds, nothing in the 2-3000 rounds since, my CZ 40 is too new, only 150 rounds, to know about it for sure).
 
Ive had and carried both..the compact and 83...CZ's. Both are great CCW's and have there advantages. On paper the sizes are very similar..but for actual carry weight, size and thinness the 83 is the gun to have. The 83 is honestly just as accurate, has the best trigger in any s/a Ive had, held, shot or played with. Dependability is the same for both, sights are good, the ergonomics go to the 83 and it is the most "naturally pointable" gun Ive had also. The balance and way it points for me never was bettered by another. The Compact is a better caliber for self defense but its just another trade off.
Either way you cant go wrong....just give it some thought.

I dont recommend thunderwear..great website and marketing..but its like the pager pal. Very comfortable until I sat down and then...OUCH! If you want a deep conceal holster for either CZ, call Bladetech...the make a tuckable IWB Kydex holster called the UCH...I had one for my 83....perfect.
And people dont think you are a moonlighting porno star :D
Shoot well
 
Porn star comments...

Chaim: Thanks for the info on the CZ's...they are definitely calling out to me.

Eric: I stuffed an unloaded .357 in the position the Thunderwear would be, and couldn't see it at all. SP-101 in 2 1/2" barrel. BUT, as you said, when I sat down it was, cramping my "style", to say the least. I've also considered the BladeTech tuckable for a smaller carry, but just cannot envision that it works well, although lots of people say it does.

Can you really not see the handle of the pistol printing?

jdhermit
 
PCR vs P-01

I am trying to work out an option to carry my PCR in an IWB rig in the center of the back. It hides pretty well there as long as the shirt is kept loose.

On the PCR vs P-01 issue, my PCR has Novak like sights but if the pictures on the CZ USA site are accurate I believe the P-01 will have sites that look like the ones on the 75B. Just an observation.
Gotta like those CZs.
Take care,
S-
 
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