[Greg_M]

I've had this CZ 75B in 40SW for quite some time and consider it to be my most pleasant shooting handgun. To big and heavy for daily carry IMO but I would open carry it in a heartbeat.

 

[cwo4uscgret]

I have an older CZ75; it is an Israeli Police trade-in. Heavy? Sort of those 15 round magazines loaded with Speer 124 gr. JHP adds some weight but compared to some of my all steel 1911s whats an extra ounce of two?

Here's some pictures, see if you can figure out what's different about it!

 

[Ken6PPC]

I thought that too, until I realized I can't comfortably reach the thumb safety from a normal grip. Those Czechs must have some big hands.

The grips can make a huge difference on these pistols. A slim grip will result in a grip very similar to a 1911. I have LOK slim Bogies on my CZ Shadow, and love the feel and grip with those! I can't tolerate the thick OEM grips.

The late Col. Jeff Cooper (bless his soul) said the CZ 75 was the ONLY DA/SA auto he liked! If you have ever read some of his stuff, that will probably impress you. If you haven't, you probably should!

 

[Ken6PPC]

I have an older CZ75;

Here's some pictures, see if you can figure out what's different about it!

Well, it does not have a front sight that is retained by a roll pin, and it does not have a firing pin block...

It is a Pre-B model... I have one made in 1992, but it does have the roll pin retained front sight, which makes it a WHOLE lot easier to change the sight.

 

[Lobo_79]

Wondering what your thoughts are and experiences have been with the CZ 75.
...
The safety engaged on a cocked CZ 75 sounds like it'd be closer to a 1911......

I have two: a CZ75B in 40S&W and a CZ75P01. The P01 is a great carry gun. The 75B is too heavy to carry in my humble opinion. But when I do carry it my personal preference is to carry it hammer down. The first shot DA is an easy transition to SA for me and unlike the 1911 it doesn't have a grip safety in addition to the thumb safety. Again personal preference but I have had at least one situation where shoving my CZ75B into a Galco Royal Guard holster actually pushed the safety off even though the trigger was protected.

As a small contradiction though I do occasionally carry a 1911. It's usually SA RO Champion in 45ACP. Between the two (1911 & CZ75B) I would give the 75B a better score for reliability although I don't have reliability issues with my current 1911 collection.

The CZ is a fine product but if you want carry one I'd opt for the P01.

 

[BuckyP]

The grips can make a huge difference on these pistols. A slim grip will result in a grip very similar to a 1911. I have LOK slim Bogies on my CZ Shadow, and love the feel and grip with those! I can't tolerate the thick OEM grips.

The late Col. Jeff Cooper (bless his soul) said the CZ 75 was the ONLY DA/SA auto he liked! If you have ever read some of his stuff, that will probably impress you. If you haven't, you probably should!

I have the Shadow 2, which I believe already has a slim grip on it. I just changed the safety to the extended one that comes with it. I can just about reach it, for purposes of "riding" it while shooting. Still, not quite comfortable with using it in a carry situation. Unfortunately, I have the same issue with my HK USP compact.

As for Cooper, I read a lot of stuff from him back when he was still around. Much of which I read when I was not older enough to own a firearm ( I was around 12 when I go my first subscription to guns and ammo ). I think the reason he liked the CZ was that he could carry it cocked and locked. I wonder if he was around today, what guns he'd approve of. Maybe the HK45??

 

[cwo4uscgret]

Guys - look at the where it is made!

 

[grainfed]

My 2 cents worth. I started out years ago finding a CZ82 at a gun show for $200. Ran several hundred rounds through it and liked the size and the Makarov round. Then bought some Hornady Makarov and really liked the accuracy. Possibly the downside was the 12 round capacity. Took it apart...really apart...not for the faint of heart, especially the sear cage....and polished it where ever it needed it...trigger bar, sear cage goodies, hammer strut, etc. It then became a great carry piece with regards to the size for the "glove box" on the 2 wheel Peterbilt I have when touring. That one lead to a CZ97, then a P-01, then a CZ Compact, and recently to a Jericho FS 9mm all steel model. Now the Jericho has shot into first place. I'd place it between a non-customized CZ and a Sphinx SDP model that Quack carries. It might even be close to an equal. The I really was not a IMI fan with the Baby Eagles due to the safety placement. IWI fixed that with the Jericho. The quality of machining is outstanding and I'm about to dig into the Jericho and smooth it up internally. The CZ's have Cajun Gun Works and CZ Custom for all sorts of upgrades but IWI has nothing to offer and I've found zero aftermarket companies for upgrading it, but we'll see what some mirror polishing does on all the contact surfaces with the Jericho. It is not a light gun, similar to carrying any full size 1911, but to me , the attributes of the CZ design outweigh any weight issues. Fits like a typical CZ.....perfect grip....and I just received 2 holsters from Privateer Leather...Wes Dahl....for the Jericho. The Jericho FS .45 is next on the list. If IWI made a FS .50, I'd buy it. I enjoy the attributes of both 1911 and CZ designs, but I guess I've gone to the dark side and lately been leaning towards the CZ based designs. If you dig into them, they are easily broken down UNTIL you get to the sear cage, but after several assembly sessions, it's not an issue. IMO, all CZ's and clones need some polishing on the internals after you look at their machining, and I'm saying polishing, not any removing of any metal. There are plenty of videos on take down and said work. I'll never get rid of my Harrison Springer, Baers, Commanders and the like, but to me, a smoothed out and polished CZ or clone is hard to beat. Now Quack has me thinking about a Sphinx..........crap!!!

 

[Cyberfish2]

Wondering what your thoughts are and experiences have been with the CZ 75.


Somehow.....not sure exactly how.....but, I've never fired one.


Sound like decent guns.


I'm still cutting my teeth on making the change form 1911 to P226.

The safety engaged on a cocked CZ 75 sounds like it'd be closer to a 1911......

Excellent carry guns; I have two on my permit, a CZ75 Compact PCR 9mm, and a CZ Rami 9mm. 100% reliable, accurate, and easy to conceal. Some people complain they are too heavy, but I don't find the extra ounces to be a problem.
I did have some initial problems with the Rami slide not fully closing to battery, but after a couple hundred rounds, some different ammo, and better lube, no more glitches.

 

[cwo4uscgret]

As another CZ Option is the P-09 - 19+1 of 9mm! It came with different sized back straps for different grip sizes.

 

[buckshot]

Disclosure: solid fan of glocks for carry, cz to compete and 1911s as art and for fun. Approx 20 yrs cpl holder, religious weekly action shooter with carry-able arms from concealment holsters under timed conditions. Not popular to say here but my opinion is carry guns should not have safety that requires conscious effort to deactivate. All this said, cz p01 is an excellent carry choice. Compact size, aluminum frame, adequate caliber, 14 rd capacity, night sights and decocker to enable uncocked and unlocked draw and pull trigger 1st shot. If you are on a budget, the omega version is a good choice. If you can afford to put a few dollars into parts, get the original non-omega lockwork and "cajunize" it. I have diy'd 4 cz's with CGW parts and the results have wowed all who have examined them. I tend to carry my glocks over my cz's only because the cz's have come out too nice to subject to the daily abuses of concealed carry. Extensive range use has proven them eminently reliable and accurate. Whatever you choose for a carry gun, the key is extensive, repetitive practice to ingrain proper administration of the weapon i.e. remembering to flick a 1911 safety off to fire and on to holster, or decocking a cz/sig , or, well nothing really with a glock. Learn the manual of arms for your chosen system and practice until it is automatic for you.

 

[switchback]

Never one issue with my 75 compact. Yep its all steel, I have NO issue reaching the thumb safety? And if I did would most likely use the manual decock method for carry. The stock sights do suck. Its not only my least expensive pistol, but in my hand my most accurate and 100% reliable. They have shot up there in price in recent years and seem to be somewhat difficult to locate for sale. Ergonomics? I still prefer my BH-Ps by a wide margin, but do not have a FM detective model and can't afford the cost to cut down a H-P, so the CZ 75 compact.

 

[Greg_M]

"Not popular to say here but my opinion is carry guns should not have safety that requires conscious effort to deactivate."

Which is why I carry an S&W Titanium wheel gun in 38/357

 

[buckshot]

Slim aluminum grips make the double stack p01 slimmer than 1911. 14+1 or 16+1 mags are an advantage over 10 round max for full size 1911 9mm

 

[BBP]

One 2075 RAMI BD will be in stock tomorrow.

 

[mdell49]

I have a 75B SA in 40 S&W. It's a nice gun not any more accurate or reliable than my 1911's. I do really like the ergonomics of the grip. The safety could have a longer paddle on it for easier access. If I were to do it over again I would get the standard 75B DA/SA. The SA trigger pull is no way comparable to a 1911 so just get the DA. It does tame the recoil of the 40 and makes it feel like a 9mm. Excellent pistol at it's price point. Every handgun enthusiast should have one.

 

[Zippy]

CZ's are far from perfect. As noted, the stock sights kinda suck, the trigger isn't all that great out of the box (but gets much better with use), ergonomics aren't very good for folks with small-medium sized hands and they always seem to be in short-supply at my LGS. That said, I think their assets more than offset their liabilities.

They're inherently accurate, have few (if any) issues with reliability, built to last and comfortable enough to shoot all day long. My PCR is the most-trusted handgun in my collection. It's my go-to, SHTF, here-comes-the-Zombies pistol.

 

[Dub]

Thanks everyone....should have a new CZ 75 in my paws soon.

Gonna enjoy running it against my personal "gold standard 9", my G19. I'm not saying the G19 is the ultimate 9mm or anything....just saying it has worked very well for me....very accurate....surprisingly so.....disappears from thought in the Sparks Criterion.....upgraded the sights with Trijicon HD's......and is ridiculously simple just point and shoot. It's the only 9mm that I've carried much over the years. I tend to always run my carry gun whenever I go to the range to shoot any other guns....rifles, shotguns....whatever...thus, the G19 has a familiar feel.


I recently added some Sig226's and was instantly reminded of how sweet they shoot. I'm still getting used to the DA/SA thing. They feel like big & smooth Cadillacs in terms of operation.

Also added my first 9mm in 1911. It performs like a tack driving rimfire. I've not done much with it as it needs a front sight change that's gonna happen whenever I take the time to fool with it. I simply shoot NO GUN better than I do a 1911.....gonna be fun seeing how close the CZ75 can work for me in SA w/ safety engaged.

I have some 9mm ammo waiting on these upcoming shoots. Gonna be fun.

I need another gun like I need another hole in the head........but the allure of the CZ and my total lack of experience with them had me intrigued. The recent return of the P226 pistolas to my meager collection and the overwhelmingly positive comments from CZ owners pretty much sealed the deal.....especially when I started to seriously shop around for one and saw the prices they could be had for (when you can actually find one in stock).


I really appreciate all the insight everyone has provided in this thread so far....keep 'em coming in, too.

I'll update with what happens next around here.

 

[Alexy]

Yes, CZ is s very good for carry. They have 9mm ones that hold 16 rounds per mag, very nice triggers and they have a generally good reputation. And beautiful too. What surprises me is how good they feel in the hand. Almost better feeling than a sig. And they're very lightweight surprisingly. Highly recommend a CZ for concealed carry. Compact, feels good to hold, and beautiful as well!

 

[Dub]

Picked up my new CZ this morning from my FFL.

Had to order one as these guns weren't available locally.

Cool thing is the guys staffing my FFL (local range) were highly CZ informed....both fans of the CZ. One of them was giving me a run down of his personal CZ 9mm & 45acp pistols. He seemed genuinely happy to see one coming through the shop. It just leaves me scratching my head as to why I've never been around these in the past.

He suggested Cajun Gun Works as a place to do any trigger/action work that I may want in the future. Cart before the horse at this point. Gotta run it hard and see how it does as is. I welcomed his insight along with everyone's posted here.

CZ-75 B Omega 9mm was what I was able to get my hands on for well under what I paid for my G19. I can already tell that I like the feel of the gun. The DA/SA trigger is interesting....long & light pulls...never really reaching a firm wall with a crisp break.


Looking forward to seeing how it works for me on the range. Hoping to get some trigger time next week.





The thumb safety takes a deliberate move to set or defeat.....as it should. It's positioned just fine for me as is the magazine release. Both controls are easily reached and utilized without shifting the gun in my hand.




The gun really sits well in hand, too. Extremely comfortable.

I was surprised at the thickness of the grips, too. They are much thicker than I figured they'd be. There's a thumb shelf that I'm not sure if I like or not. Range sessions will tell.



Sweet looking serrations on the top of the slide.

The front sight seems to be somewhat luminous....not so much the rear dots. Either could be easily filled in.





Front sight looks like it could be easily removed, too....tap out the roll pin and the sight slides forward. Interesting set-up. I could see a fiber optic front sight going in and blacking out the rear dots and being really happy with that config.













Interesting addition to the documentation was a digitized rendering of the pistol's 25 meter test target and data.







Looking forward to running this one through some range sessions and doing some side-to-side shoots with my P226's.

Gonna be fun.