Some CZ questions

S

SVTNate

New member
I am looking to add another fine handgun to the stable (okay, so it's currently a one-gun stable...but I just started). However, I am not so sure I want to drop 800 bucks right now.

Today I realized that I have never shot a CZ, nor do I know anything about them. I also realized that they aren't expensive, and that everybody seems to love them. So...please fill me in on the good AND bad attributes of CZ pistols, which CZ you feel is best for *primarily* range use and home defense, whether you can get hicaps, local prices, anything you feel like sharing with me.

If it matters at all, the gun will never be carried, and I really baby my firearms.
 
Good points:

*Very Long life
*Excellent accuracy (suberb accuracy in their .45)
*Good Reliability
*Soft recoiling (especially in 9mm and .45)
*Good triggers (on most I've shot)
*top notch ergonomics (if your hands are not small)

Bad Points:

*Parts might be harder to get than the more "common" brands
*Thick grips on many models (especially the .45 CZ 97B)
*Holsters/accessories less common...harder to find (especially for the CZ97B)

The CZ97B is great for range use, and is even a very good competition gun. It has a nice barrel bushing, and very tight tolerances...which makes it the most accurate of the "common" CZ's. It is VERY satisfying to beat folks that are shooting custom 1911's that cost more than 3 times more than my CZ 97B! :)

The CZ75 in 9mm or .40 is a better defense gun. The standard trim CZ 75 series is more proven from a reliability standpoint than the 97B, but not quite as accurate.

Oh, and there are also CZ "race" guns...I think one is called the CZ 75 "IPSC", and the other called the CZ 75 "Champion". These are specifically meant for serious competition at a reasonable price.

CZ Forum: http://pub69.ezboard.com/fczechpistols82792frm4

CZ USA: http://www.cz-usa.com/

CZ Main Page: http://www.czub.cz/homea.htm
 
The cz85 with ambi controls has been an excellent duty weapon. Leather that I have is from Tex Shoemaker and Ross leather. The weapon has been reliable with a large variety of hollowpoints--current duty load is Hornady 115gr hp--with very good accuracy. Double action trigger reach may be a little long for smaller hands but is very smooth. Grip is as comfortable as my Browning hi-power.
 
The main problem that may occour is that cz is becoming more popular so the prices may go up. Fortuniately, there is still a good supply of factory hi-caps reasonably priced for the 9mm.
also own a cz83 in 380cal. Another fine pistol with ambi controls.
Being left-handed, I can go double action or cocked and locked with both of these models.
Check out www.czforum.com for a lot of good info.
 
Recently I went out to look at a CZ-75 again since everyone seems to rave about them. What I did not like is that the gun is larger than a 1911.

It does feel good in the hand, better than a Browning HP to my hands but it is WAY bigger than the HP. The CZ grip doesn't feel as good as the 1911 either. So for me personally for a large gun the 1911 is best, and for a smaller carry auto the Browning is best.

But if you don't like 1911s for whatever reason, and since this isn't a carry gun, you probably can't go wrong with either a CZ in 9mm or their .45 version.
 
Well there are many CZ models, just like there are many models for the 1911, Glock, etc. Some models are for CCW and some are not. Still I do agree with AC that their compact model is kind of big for CCW.

CZ is one of the best handgun for the buck. You can't go wrong with a CZ. I am waiting for the CZ 75 BD or the CZ 75 BD Carry to come out.

Anyway, it's always good to have a rifle in your collection. You might want to look at buying a rifle first before another handgun.
 
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cz75pcr

AC,
have you checked out a cz75pcr? It is smaller and lighter than a cz75 with a decock feature. It is tricked out a little bit with forward slide serations, low profile sights, loaded chamber indicator, and an alloy frame to reduce weight. No cocked and locked option but overall a light and well balanced weapon.
 
I learned about CZ's earlier this year and purchased a CZ83, 32 acp to replace a Beretta Tomcat (a piece of crap). I'm left-handed and the CZ has an ambi safety that allows "cocked and locked" carry like a 45. The trigger pull is smooth and the accuracy is excellent. I also own a P230 Sig and the CZ is by far superior to both Beretta and Sig.

I think the CZ line of products are hard to beat for the money.

Dennis D. Carter
 
The CZs are excellent guns. My CZ-75B Mil. has become my favorite pistol. It`s VERY accurate and 100% reliable. I dunno where folks are getting the idea that it`s a big gun? I`ve compared it side by side a number of times with 1911s,HiPowers Berettas etc. and it`s pretty much the same size or smaller in every respect. The slide is as thin as the HP, the grip is as thin (with most grips except factory Mil. grips) as a 1911. It`s actually thinner with some like my Hogue cocobolos. The barrel is 1/2" shorter than a Gov`t model. Much to my suprise I`ve found my full sized 75B to conceal very well indeed in an IWB holster ,even under a T shirt. The 9mm versions are pretty well "melted" from the factory as well,which adds to the comfy factor. Anyway, back to the original question. For an inexpensive,accurate,fun to shoot gun that`s also ideal for HD you can`t beat the CZ-75B Military. It`s basically the same as the commercial 75B but it`s cheaper and includes 1 hi cap mag in addition to a 10rd one. I paid $340 for mine and I love it! :) Marcus
 
The CZ75 would be an excellent addition to anyones collection IMO. Built well, accurate and highly reliable in my experience. It's a shame you won't be able to partake of the cheap Pre-Ban 15 rd mags in Kali though. :( The PCR wouldn't be a bad choice for CCW if you're lucky enough to have been granted one.

Rick
 
IMO, CZ's are great pistols. They have really impressed me a lot. I started out with a full size CZ75 on the advice of folks on this board. I liked it so much that I now have a Compact, PCR, CZ97 and a Kadet .22 LR kit also. Great value for the money spent.

Only downside is that the steel framed versions are a bit heavy for CCW but since that isn't a factor for you then there is no downside. :)

Joe
 
Thanks, guys. Now I need to find a place that rents the CZ's. I will probably get the 75B Civilian in Nickel, I'm not getting a .45ACP unless its a USP45f, or some form of 1911.

As for the hicaps, I can get those easily enough - it's not a problem. Of course I can't use them for home defense, but they would be fine at the range.
 
Since you are in CA you are not legally able to get hi-caps even if they were manufactured pre-ban. This assumes you do not have special status, i.e law enforcement.
 
Move to a free state while they still exists. I want a CZ bad and I'll be able to carry Hi caps. I love this state.
 
The CZ is a good value for the money but beware of the new models with the damn firing pin safety. They have been known to break their sheet metal roll pin that holds the unit in.

The trigger pull of the stock 9mm guns is just plain gritty and no where near the quality trigger pull of other 9mm's I have owned. Let's face it when you do not have a good trigger pull accuracy does suffer.

Workmanship is good but no where near the workmanship of a Browning High Power.

Accuracy is good off of sandbags but less so when the gun is shot free hand. This is because of the gritty single action trigger pull.

The gun feels good in the hand but not as good as a Browning high power or a 1911.

The gun is heavier than the High Power.

Their are two small screws located way down inside the frame of the gun. This really worries me. Screws have a tendency to back off under recoil. If they do back off at a serious moment then the gun may become inoperatable.

IN conclusion if I did not want to look around for a High Power I would probably choose the CZ75 (orinigal model). I would not own the later firing pin safety mode. W.R.
 
W.R., I was reading opinions and stuff about CZ for something like
2.5 years for now, and I have my own CZ-75B for 2.5 years. You're the first one on my memory to speak about pin problem. Any other references in regard to these "known" problem or this problem known only to you? I'm very concerned now, I only accept 100% reliable guns and would like to hear at least one similar opinion before getting rid of my CZ...Need your help ASAP, bro, with releasing more info on this subject.

Observation about two little screws is very scientific... you are
damn good at this, I must admit...I'll "JB weld" them tomorrow, just to be sure my CZ will not fall apart when I do not need it.
Thanks for a tip.

But this one is a real marvel of deep thought:

"Accuracy is good off of sandbags but less so when the gun is shot free hand. This is because of the gritty single action trigger pull. "

I was naive to believe that accuracy from the sandbag is always better anyway... I really appreciate your input in disclosing the real cause of this paranormal phenomena.
 
WR,please elaborate on this "pin breakage issue",I`ve been following CZs closely for some time now and this is the very first time I have heard it mentioned. I`m skeptical. As for the trigger I dunno who`s CZ you were shooting or what happened to it but you may want to shoot a few more before you damn em all. All of the CZs I`ve shot or handled including my own have very decent triggers. In fact friends with H&Ks,Berettas and Sigs have commented that the trigger on my 75B Mil is better than theirs. Comments vs. the HiPower are pure opinion except for possibly weight. The full sized CZ 75 and HiPower might as well weight the same,the compact and certainly the alloy framed PCR weight less than a HiPower. FWIW I like HiPowers but I like the CZ much better. Marcus
 
Estimate I have over close to 4000 rds thru my cz85b with no problems so far. Trigger only feels gritty when it gets sand in it. Mine has a firing pin safety and it has not given any problems. I have had no problems with this weapon at all. I chose this weapon for its very smooth double action and it has not failed me.
Accuracy has been very good and I would say equal to my browning hi-power mkIII. The extra weight has been an advantage with less muzzle rise.
I have no experience with the cz85 "combat", but I believe that paticular model has no firing pin safety. I may have to try one in the future to make comparisons of the single action trigger pull.
I will still keep the cz85b for street carry as the weapon has undergone some abuse and still has not failed me. The firing pin safety could come into service in case of a drop (heaven forbid).
 
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