CZ Pistols

I own and carry full time a CZ 75B in .40 cal., when I am not carrying a 1911. I love the CZ guns and have found them to be very accurate, reliable and not too expensive that one can not own several.

I would buy and carry the .45 in the CZ, but I have found the grip to be too large for my hand and it does not sit well. The European American Armory Witness in the .45, a clone of the CZ, on the other hand, has a different design for the grip and it does fit well in my hand and shoots every bit as good as the CZ.

I highly recommend the CZ pistols.
 
I've been shooting my friends CZ-75B and have absolutely fallen in love with it. It's solid and well built. The all steel construction makes for very little recoil and it's the most accurate 9mm I've ever shot (I've shot Sigs, Glocks, and XD's). The trigger pull was incredibly smooth and the shape of the gun is comfortable and ergonomic. They are also priced pretty low. I think you get a lot of gun for your money. I plan on getting a CZ-75BD for xmas. I prefer a decocker over a manual safety. My only criticism is that I would not recommend this for CCW due to it's size and weight. But this really isn't a criticism since this gun isn't marketed for that purpose. I plan on using it as my home protection and SHTF gun because I think it'd make an excellent combat firearm.
 
Unfettered Might said:
As has already been stated, it fires a shortened AK round, although the end is not as pointed.
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Actually, it's NOT a shortened AK round. It was in use long before Kalashnikov left the farm to fight in WWII.

There's 2 versions of the .30 Tokarev (or 7.62x25mm Tokarev, if you must). One's the .30 (7.65x21mm) Luger knockoff, low pressure pocket pistol version used in the TT-33. The other is a Russian version of the .30 (7.63x25mm) Mauser and was used in the PPSH-41 submachinegun and its' variants. Consider it a pistol round throwing out .30 carbine weight bullets at roughly carbine velocities from a 5 inch barrel.

The Czechs made the CZ 52 to use the subgun ammo and it will throw a very noticeable fireball the size of a basketball on a cloudless Alabama spring day, along with covering your flank by throwing brass 10 yards. The report is very flat sounding and LOUD. I've ran folks off the range with my CZ-52 just because they found the sound uncomfortable. ON the other hand, it is VERY, VERY flat shooting. That kinda happens when you throw 100gr bullets at those kinds of velocities.
 
I got a CZ P01 about 4 years ago. I got it based on info and comments on several gun forums.
I went out to the range and it was love at first shot.
I have over 1000 rds thru it now and it's never had a failure of any kind.
I own more than a few handguns and the P01 is my favorite gun to shoot.
Since then I also picked up a CZ 75 compact and a CZ75BD.
All of them are great.
I put those Hogue wrap around grips on the 75BD and that made what felt like a great gun feel even better.
IMO Can't go wrong with a CZ--I love mine and will be getting more as funds allow--I've had my eye on the 97BD for awhile now but they are tough to find around here--but--if I see one --it will be mine
 
CZ

I carry a CZ Rami 40. Have for some years. For those distinguishing shooters, you will absolutely want to do a trigger job as even the CZ dealers say they are rough. That being said, I love the size, reliability, and accuracy of my Rami. They come in a 9mm for your wife, too.
 
jtg452 said:
Actually, it's NOT a shortened AK round. It was in use long before Kalashnikov left the farm to fight in WWII.

There's 2 versions of the .30 Tokarev (or 7.62x25mm Tokarev, if you must). One's the .30 (7.65x21mm) Luger knockoff, low pressure pocket pistol version used in the TT-33. The other is a Russian version of the .30 (7.63x25mm) Mauser and was used in the PPSH-41 submachinegun and its' variants. Consider it a pistol round throwing out .30 carbine weight bullets at roughly carbine velocities from a 5 inch barrel.

The Czechs made the CZ 52 to use the subgun ammo and it will throw a very noticeable fireball the size of a basketball on a cloudless Alabama spring day, along with covering your flank by throwing brass 10 yards. The report is very flat sounding and LOUD. I've ran folks off the range with my CZ-52 just because they found the sound uncomfortable. ON the other hand, it is VERY, VERY flat shooting. That kinda happens when you throw 100gr bullets at those kinds of velocities.
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I stand corrected, the .25 was in production long before the .39 was. I did know that the 7/62x39 predated the AK-47. It seemed like a good point of reference for the round dimensions though, albeit historically inaccurate.

Your right, it has an awesome fireball, a loud report and shoots like a damn laser. It's my SHTF sidearm.
 
Follow-Up to CZ Pistols) I have a GLOCK 23 (40 SW) and bought a Lonewolf conversion barrel to 9mm (plus a 9mm 10 rd magazine/$129 delivered). You can go DOWN but NOT UP with GLOCKS for conversions (the hole will not stretch to fit a bigger barrel). GLOCK is FIRST in reliablity, dependablity and owns 60 percent of the WORLD MARKET because of it. Glocks are self defense weapons NOT designed any other way. One more point. My GLOCK has just about the same RECOIL in nine as in forty. I was told this before buying the 9mm barrel but really did not believe it. My wife can NOT tell the difference in RECOIL but I can. I like the 9mm better than using the 40 barrel. Ever-so-slightly less recoil. I enjoy shooting one handed with the 9mm, NOT SO MUCH with the 40 barrel. My next 'for fun' for both of us will be a 22 caliber lever action HENRY Frontier rifle, NO lever action is smoother and the warranty is the best in the business and if you want to talk to the president of the company he's the ONE PERSON that answers MOST ALL if not ALL of the e-mails. Also Henry rifles are made in USA. Hope this helped you out, RETIRED AND LOVING IT!
 
Glock

Bob & Wife said:
Follow-Up to CZ Pistols) I have a GLOCK 23 (40 SW) and bought a Lonewolf conversion barrel to 9mm (plus a 9mm 10 rd magazine/$129 delivered). You can go DOWN but NOT UP with GLOCKS for conversions (the hole will not stretch to fit a bigger barrel). GLOCK is FIRST in reliablity, dependablity and owns 60 percent of the WORLD MARKET because of it. Glocks are self defense weapons NOT designed any other way. One more point. My GLOCK has just about the same RECOIL in nine as in forty. I was told this before buying the 9mm barrel but really did not believe it. My wife can NOT tell the difference in RECOIL but I can. I like the 9mm better than using the 40 barrel. Ever-so-slightly less recoil. I enjoy shooting one handed with the 9mm, NOT SO MUCH with the 40 barrel. My next 'for fun' for both of us will be a 22 caliber lever action HENRY Frontier rifle, NO lever action is smoother and the warranty is the best in the business and if you want to talk to the president of the company he's the ONE PERSON that answers MOST ALL if not ALL of the e-mails. Also Henry rifles are made in USA. Hope this helped you out, RETIRED AND LOVING IT!
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So I'm wondering how giving me all this info on GLOCK helps me find out if the CZ is a good brand. I already know about Glocks, hence my reason for asking about CZ's, not Glocks. :-/

From what I gather, with a couple exceptions, everyone here has good things to say about CZ. I'll be seriously considering them in my next gun purchase.

Thanks to everyone for the information.

Goat
 
Mountaingoat61 said:
I know this is like asking Which is better, Ford or Chevy but... What are people's opinions/experiences with CZ handguns? I was discussing guns via email with a friend and he told me how great they are, how they compare to other guns but are better in price, etc.

I carry a S&W Sigma .40 (yeah, I know, but it was my first pistol so no comments there) and I'm looking to upgrade plus get my wife a not-quite-compact 9mm. The little 380 pocket guns are just too small, in my opinion so I'm looking at 9's for her.

I mainly would like to know about quality, durability, reliability, etc. and not a bunch of non-related opinions or how great this or that brand is.

Thanks in advance.

Goat
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I must start by saying this is NOT an unbiased reply.

Of all the pistols I own, the CZs are by far the most reliable, accurate, well made and my personal favorites.

I have a CZ 85 combat, which I find to be far more accurate than I will ever be able to shoot it. It functions flawlessly, and has a fabulous trigger in SA mode.

I have a CZ 2075 RAMI as a carry weapon. despite it's three inch barrel, it is almost as accurate as the 85. I love it and and it will fire 750 to 1000 rounds without cleaning or FTF

I also have a CZ 83, which is the most accurate .380 I've ever used, but it's hard to find holsters for.

I am not a fan of polymer (Tupperware) guns, and I would advise against going anywhere NEAR a CZ 100, one of the worst handguns ever made.

My 85 and 2075 are 9mm, and no one who has tried them has anything but praise for them.

I also have S&W, Para P14 .45, and an XD.

Only the Para comes close, the others are just nowhere as good a weapon. Even the Front Sight instructors were impressed by there accuracy and durability. When I used my 2075 at 15 and 25 yards, they were amazed at the accuracy of the short barrel at those distances.

Jeff....
 
I see several posts on here about the CZ 75B is too big for CCW. I would love to hear why you think that way. I carry one, as I stated in my last post, almost daily in a high ride, straight drawn Galco holster, positioned between my belt buckle and hip bone (about where the pocket is on a pair of jeans) and it is comfortable and easy to draw (for me). Do I feel the weight?...Yes! Is it distracting?...No! Now I have tried to use a in-the-pants type holster and the gun feels a big big depending on where I try to place it.
So I was just curious why others feel this is not a good carry gun?
I'm 6 feet, 190 lbs and in good shape and this gun is just not a problem for me to conceal or carry all day. Even between a T-shirt and a light shirt in the summer, if need be.
I have even carried the Witness .45 (a bit bigger than the CZ 75) in the same holster and have never had any problems or thought that gun was too big or too heavy, either.
 
I don't own any CZ pistols, but I have had two people come into the range where I work part-time with them. These people have nothing but glowing reports about their CZ pistols. I have shot the CZ-75 and the P01 and I have to tell you, they were both pretty amazing. They felt good, shot extremely accurately and had no malfunctions. I definitely plan on adding one (or more) to my collection as soon as I'm able.
 
Mountaingoat61 said:
I know this is like asking Which is better, Ford or Chevy but... What are people's opinions/experiences with CZ handguns? I was discussing guns via email with a friend and he told me how great they are, how they compare to other guns but are better in price, etc.

I carry a S&W Sigma .40 (yeah, I know, but it was my first pistol so no comments there) and I'm looking to upgrade plus get my wife a not-quite-compact 9mm. The little 380 pocket guns are just too small, in my opinion so I'm looking at 9's for her.

I mainly would like to know about quality, durability, reliability, etc. and not a bunch of non-related opinions or how great this or that brand is.

Thanks in advance.

Goat
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Goat,

Though CZ-USA put a bad taste in my mouth related to warranty work, I still can give them some serious positive points on their products.

P-07 Duty: Newer polymer pistol with the new trigger package. This thing is slick as can be. The polymer sights leave a bit to be desired because the sight paint tends to scrape/wear off quite easily...not a problem since you can just put white-out on it and keep going. There's a slight bulge in the right side of the frame...NORMAL as it is where the slide stop retention spring mates with the frame. An aftermarket stainless steel guide rod will improve how it shoots slightly, though it's not needed. Mags tend to not drop free on some versions (they are the Euro version, so that's normal). Ambidextrous decocking lever...but wait, that's not all!!! To top it off, CZ built this to have a user-interchangeable decocking lever and safety. That's right, the user can remove the decocking lever and install a manual safety! I've owned 2 and liked them.

SP-01 Tactical: A+!!!! This thing is 5 inches of solid metal, has an 18 or 19 round magazine capability, night sights, and a slick trigger pull. DA/SA set up and an ambidextrous decocking mechanism. The mags for this WILL fit anything that accepts the CZ-75 magazines. It shoots quarter to half-dollar sized groups at 25 yards from a standing position!

SP-01 Phantom: This is basically the Tactical, but in a polymer set up and no night sights. Totally kick-butt platform, but the frame is shaped oddly enough (wide) that the SP-01 holsters will not fit it. Same mags as the SP-01 and these too will fit the CZ-75 family. This one was shooting quarter to half-dollar sized groups at 25 yards as well.

CZ-75 compact: All metal pistol in 4 inch. Well built, shot well, but I wanted something polymer instead and went with the P-07 Duty.


My issue was that CZ-USA's tech ruined my front sight and damaged my frame (it was badly bowed) on my Phantom when it went back for warranty work. Fortunately, the shop that I had purchased it from and sent it back for warranty work through, purchased it back and gave me some store credit.

Other than that one issue, I've not had a problem with their products when I had them.
 
I had a CZ 83, and still kick myself for getting rid of it. Stupid.
 
I picked up a CZ-75BD last week and so far I love it. It's not going to replace my everyday carry gun (a S&W 642) but it's quite thin so carrying it is an option.
 
Mountaingoat61 said:
Ok, pardon my ignorance but I don't see the 52 on CZ-USA.com. Are you referring to a pistol that fires a 7.62 round? As in the kind used in AR-15's and other assault rifles? I can't say I've ever seen/heard of that. Seems like that would kick like a mother. :)
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It's not in the current catalog because it's a MILSURP. It fires the same round as the PPsH SMG, i.e the 7.62X25. Prior to the introduction of the .357 Mag it was the velocity king of pistols. JHP ammo is theoretically available, but it's always out of stock at the place I usually order from. MILSURP ammo is available and cheap for lots of FUN practice shooting. Plus, if the situation in "The Road" ever happens lots of ball will be lots better than 2 rounds in a Model 10. BTW - recoil is nothing to be worried about.

Have you considered the Steyr 'M' and 'S' series pistols? Yes, I am biased or a satisfied customer based on good results.
 
Goat,

If you're considering a CZ-52, please allow me to give you some wonderful points I've picked up about them over the years. They're one of my favorite CZ's.

Rollers: These tend to be one of three notable weak points on the 52, of course that's partly because the rollers may be 1950's production. Fear not, quality hardened replacements are available.

Firing Pin: Factory pins are fragile and prone to breakage. Fear not, quality aftermarket firing pins are available and make a huge difference.

Decocking mechanism: This is the only weak point that is of major concern. The decocking mechanism on the 52 is a cammed lever. Due to the quality of 1950's metal, this cam wears out quite easily. It is not recommended that you use the decocking mechanism on a 52 very often. Once worn, if you use it, it can actually allow the hammer to come fully forward and result in a discharge.

Grips: There are original 1950's grips out there, some of the AK colored bakelite grips, and some super-sexy wood grips out there. Just shop around. The grips can add so much character that it will amaze you.

What to look for: Look for years pre-1960 with emphasis on 1952-1955. I cannot explain why, but these years seem to be of the better quality in what I've found thus far. IMPORTANT - On the top of the slide between the breech face and front sight, most will have a divot or punch mark...nobody can confirm what these mean, but it has been my experience that the versions with just 1 divot are more reliable, have better fitting parts, and tend to be much cleaner than any of the others. Color - you want the "ghost gray" parkerized versions. DO NOT get the newer import versions that look to be refinished in bluing or spray paint, they are not trustworthy.

Bad signs: Look for cracks around the barrel hood, the breech face, and most importantly anywhere else on the slide as these are an indicator that submachinegun ammunition has been fired through it (usually found mostly in Bulgarian head stamps). If you see anything "green" in color, that's usually an indicator that corrosive ammo has been fired through it, that's not always bad but if it's not been properly cleaned it's not to be trusted. Check the rollers for damage, it will be obvious. Check for rust, this is an indicator that it's been improperly cleaned/cared for or even has cosmolene in odd places drawing moisture (might give you some negotiating room on price).

Feel free to post up or pm me if you have any other questions on the 52. I'm no expert, but I can help trouble shoot a lot of things on them. You'll also find the CZ forum to be quite helpful on CZ-52 info.

Link Removed
 
I'm considering getting a cz 75 compact in a trade but was wondering how well they conceal in a IWB holster. Anyone out there carry one concealed? What do you think of it for that purpose?
 
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