Surplus CZ 85s/first pistol purchase

Those prices aren't great, and some of the pistols that Frontier has posted show a lot of external wear. If it were me I'd wait for a CZ75 or 85 on the EE myself that might cost a little more (and might not!) but will likely look a lot better. CZs are excellent pistols— you can get older classic ones or a more modern one like the Shadow or Shadow 2. My first centrefire semi-auto in the mid-1980s was an original "Pre-B" (although back then they were just CZ75s!)
 
Those CZ pistols at M###xxR are a good deal.

Also worth noting; Extra magazines and spare parts for those guns are abundant and easy to find.
 
Looks like more than a couple importers are bringing in surplus handguns, might as well wait and see who has the best guns for the best prices!!!
 
Those prices aren't great, and some of the pistols that Frontier has posted show a lot of external wear. If it were me I'd wait for a CZ75 or 85 on the EE myself that might cost a little more (and might not!) but will likely look a lot better. CZs are excellent pistols— you can get older classic ones or a more modern one like the Shadow or Shadow 2. My first centrefire semi-auto in the mid-1980s was an original "Pre-B" (although back then they were just CZ75s!)
If a private seller will list on EE a CZ 85 with external wear and with Frontier listed price will stay for months unsold.
 
If a private seller will list on EE a CZ 85 with external wear and with Frontier listed price will stay for months unsold.
But they might list one that looks a lot better for maybe only $100 more (and maybe not even that much). I'd say it'd be worth the diference in price, especially when you factor in tax paid when buying from a dealer which will add $25-$90 depending on where you're located. There have been some nice looking Pre-Bs on the EE recently and IIRC they were under $600. CZ75s/85s are not uncommon pistols and there is always some available on the EE. For me, unless I could look at the surplus model I'd be buying, I'd pass.
 
For anyone who has bought one would you let us know the date of manufacture of the gun. It is the number by the extractor back of the breach face on the guns. For the over 40 set the sights might be an issue as they are the small MIL/LEO sights popular back in the day. They can be replaced.

Take Care

Bob
 
For anyone who has bought one would you let us know the date of manufacture of the gun. It is the number by the extractor back of the breach face on the guns. For the over 40 set the sights might be an issue as they are the small MIL/LEO sights popular back in the day. They can be replaced.
Take Care
Bob

My CZ 85 police surplus purchased from M###xxr (see my post #4) was manufactured in 1992 in Czechoslovakia. There is a number "92", stamped in an oval on the slide just above the extractor. In front of that number there is stamped a small standing crowned lion which was the coat-of-arms of Czechoslovakia and is still the coat-of-arms of the Czech Republic nowadays. I'm not sure if that coat-of-arms is a special mark on the pistols belonging to the Czech police/military or it's a general mark on all the CZ pistols. Except a serial number there are no other markings. It seems that the CZ I have was the last batch of the CZ pistols manufactured in Czechoslovakia because in 1993 they split into the Czech Republic and the Republic of Slovakia. For a 25 year old pistol it looks fantastic and works splendidly. The rear sight has two white dots and the front sight has a white stripe (not a dot).
Like I said before the holster wear is minimal (see #4).
For me the price I paid ($549+tax) is very reasonable. I bought my CZ 85 as a shooter and it does shoot splendidly.
Those surplus CZ 85's sold by Frontier have much more wear and are much more expensive.
 
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Thanks for all the responses guys! I'm still pretty set on getting one (especially after hearing that they are a fairly decent deal) but I think I may still go check out a few other options in person before rushing into a purchase without seeing what else is available. Any other recommendations in the sub $600 range? I was also considering the sd9ve and zastava M70a but it looks like the CZ beats them in everything but price.

On a side note I'm really not looking forward to the Ontario transfer time. The waiting game continues I guess!
 
At the $600ish price range I'd go for a CZ before most any other 9mm, although you can find some S&W M&Ps and older Glocks at around the same price.
 
Thanks for all the responses guys! I'm still pretty set on getting one (especially after hearing that they are a fairly decent deal) but I think I may still go check out a few other options in person before rushing into a purchase without seeing what else is available. Any other recommendations in the sub $600 range? I was also considering the sd9ve and zastava M70a but it looks like the CZ beats them in everything but price.

No and No

Others to consider would be a M&P9 or a Grand Power. But the CZ is an excellent pistol.
 
The surplus Beretta 92S presently available is a good value for your money as well. I would rate the CZ ahead of the Beretta option due to the latters heel based mag release but if that is not an issue the 92 platform is an excellent pistol.

Take Care

Bob
 
The surplus Beretta 92S presently available is a good value for your money as well. I would rate the CZ ahead of the Beretta option due to the latters heel based mag release but if that is not an issue the 92 platform is an excellent pistol.

Take Care

Bob
Well very shortly there is going to be a large amount of both 75/85 and 92 on the Canadian market
 
Thanks for all the responses guys! I'm still pretty set on getting one (especially after hearing that they are a fairly decent deal) but I think I may still go check out a few other options in person before rushing into a purchase without seeing what else is available. Any other recommendations in the sub $600 range? I was also considering the sd9ve and zastava M70a but it looks like the CZ beats them in everything but price.

On a side note I'm really not looking forward to the Ontario transfer time. The waiting game continues I guess!

I would suggest you to check Jericho 941, metal frame range kit for 699. A bit over your set price, but worth it. 3 mags, holster, mags holster comes with it. Way way way better than an old CZ :)

SD9VE is around 350$, works, it is just a different feeling. I have one for sale new for 340$ new. So yeah, they are affordable.

But a quality full metal frame pistol is a real nice feel in hand.
 
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Well very shortly there is going to be a large amount of both 75/85 and 92 on the Canadian market

Any idea on a time frame as to when they will be available? I'd much rather give my business to a supporting retailer than "the dealer that must not be named", but a man can only not buy firearms for so long!

And here I thought firearms would be a cheaper hobby than cars.
 
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