CZ Handguns

RangerPark

RangerPark

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Near Edmonton, AB
So I recently started appreciating CZ as a brand. It started with a 455 Supermatch, then a 557 Range, and just this week a 527 Carbine in .223". I really love every one of those rifles and I've been slowly replacing other rifles of the same caliber. But this isn't what this thread is about.

As for handguns, I have had my eyes on the CZ 85 Shadow 2 for quite a while, but never brought myself to close a deal on one. Recently, Tenda had a sale on the CZ 75 SP-01 Phantom so I went with one of those. I'm partial to duty pistols myself, I prefer hammer fired pistols and have no use for a safety on a handgun. I've been really happy with the Phantom so far. Absolutely flawless in sub zero temperatures, not a single hiccup through the first 300 rounds, very accurate, great ergonomics, decent trigger. I don't mind heavy DA triggers and the Phantom definitely has some of that going on. I also really enjoy the half #### trigger that you get when using the decocking lever. I've been so happy with the Phantom that I considered buying a second one.

Then I found out about the P-09. It also has all the features I look for in a handgun with a more modern design overall. Having just bought the Phantom, I wanted to wait and see if they would ever come on sale. Turns out Durham Outdoors is currently running a pre-order at a very attractive price. I couldn't pass on that one either.

So that's it in a nutshell, I've really been enjoying CZ pistols and rifles as of late. Feel free to share your experiences with CZ pistols as well!
 
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Pre-B CZ-75 was the first pistol I bought many years ago. "Made in Czechoslovakia" proudly displayed on the side. Still one of the most accurate pistols I own. My buddy has been rocking his P10C for almost a year now (IRG import). It's a very accurate compact polymer pistol.

Can't go wrong with CZ.
 
I bought a shadow 1 as my first CZ.... I couldn't understand the big hype after shooting it the first time. It was comfortable and heavy compared to other pistols and the accuracy was Oh hum pie plate. I was new to pistols when I got it so combination of lack of skill and un-broken in CZ pistol and my groups were the full 8x11 paper at 25meters.
Then I kept shooting it and then I got past 400 rounds...then past 600 then 800 and the groups are getting smaller and smaller...It is a very accurate pistol....Funny the rifles are the same as the pistol in that they take several hundred rounds to break in to a sweet spot. The CZ 527 in 7.62x39 was a rifle I picked up off the EE. Initially I thought I had a Lemon, the magazine scraped on the bolt, rounds would bounce out of the magazine while cycling the action...then I kept on cycling the action and shot the heck out of it and Wow that this cycles well not and can shoot within a Toonie at 100m with decent ammo and 1-2inch groups with surplus. Also the bolt action and semi auto CZ 22's are fantastic.

How do you like the CZ 557 Ranger? I have about 200 rounds into it and a Bushnell 2.5x10 scope on it. I'm not sold on this rifle, the bolt action is improving and becoming quite nice the more I shoot it (initially was clunky and wobbly). I don't like that the magazine moves slightly as I cycle the bolt. Took it with me deer hunting this year but only carried it for one day, used the CZ 527 instead for the rest of the deer hunt. The rifle is much heavier with a scope than the 527 so for drives its a no brainer taking the smaller rifle. I have used a K98 mauser with a scope for the moose hunts so far and I don't see the 308 CZ 557 replacing that rifle for moose either. It looks and feels like a nice gun but the weight and proven alternatives I already have kind of dulled my excitement so far on the 557. I am considering just pulling the scope rail and trying rings directly attached to the receiver or to just use it as an iron sight rifle.
 
I just got a Shadow 1 and so far I'd consider it alright shooting. It's not great but it's good. I need to put more rounds down it to get it broke in but it's hard not to put it up against my P226 from the get go but I don't think it's at that point yet. I think it has the potential to become my favourite but time will tell.
 
crowellsr said:
I just got a Shadow 1 and so far I'd consider it alright shooting. It's not great but it's good. I need to put more rounds down it to get it broke in but it's hard not to put it up against my P226 from the get go but I don't think it's at that point yet. I think it has the potential to become my favourite but time will tell.
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Toss in a 13lb mainspring and you'll like the Shadow a lot better than now. The trigger is heavy out of the box. A little instruction will help too. Enjoy!
 
philhut said:
How do you like the CZ 557 Ranger? I have about 200 rounds into it and a Bushnell 2.5x10 scope on it. I'm not sold on this rifle, the bolt action is improving and becoming quite nice the more I shoot it (initially was clunky and wobbly). I don't like that the magazine moves slightly as I cycle the bolt. Took it with me deer hunting this year but only carried it for one day, used the CZ 527 instead for the rest of the deer hunt. The rifle is much heavier with a scope than the 527 so for drives its a no brainer taking the smaller rifle. I have used a K98 mauser with a scope for the moose hunts so far and I don't see the 308 CZ 557 replacing that rifle for moose either. It looks and feels like a nice gun but the weight and proven alternatives I already have kind of dulled my excitement so far on the 557. I am considering just pulling the scope rail and trying rings directly attached to the receiver or to just use it as an iron sight rifle.
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I hear your concerns on the 557, mine was a bit of a diamond in the rough. When I got mine the bolt would close tight on factory ammo. My go gauge revealed headspace was a bit short. A quick examination also revealed lug engagement to be marginal. This was the perfect scenario for lug lapping. This brought the lugs to approximately 80% contact and now the bolt closes just fine on the go gauge. I don't believe headspace has changed that much but I think there was a high spot on the lugs. It would have probably broken in just fine, I likely accelerated the process. Most people would have sent this rifle back but I prefer to do that kind of work myself. It now has the smoothest bolt I've ever seen on a bolt action rifle.

That being said, it's by far my favorite .308 bolt rifle at the moment. To me it's the ultimate workhorse in a hunting rifle. I don't consider it heavy compared to other rifles I've owned bit it's definitely not a mountain rifle either. I'm not into shooting from the bench so much anymore. I'm really looking forward to putting this rifle through various field shooting exercises. The rifle is perfectly balanced and is a pleasure to shoot. This is much more important to me than simply being lightweight. I remember reading a quote on here about ultralight rifles "pointing like a power drill." This is definitely not a problem with this rifle.

My 557 is now Devcon bedded. Taking apart the rifle for bedding made me appreciate the way it's built. There's a lot of machining work in that action, much more than you'd expect to see in a rifle at this price point. The trigger was typical CZ, coming apart in about 20 different pieces. This made me appreciate the simplicity of the Remington 700 trigger. I do enjoy the feel of the CZ trigger though, mine being set as a dual stage trigger with a crisp second stage.

While zeroing the scope it gave me a nice 1" group at 200 yards with 180 grains Federal Fusion. Good enough to finish the season. I have a Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44 on it and I'm using Leupold QRW2 quick detach rings. Scope is zeroed at 200 and the irons are zeroed at 50 and hit the same as the scope at that distance. Hard to beat this combo for actual field performance. I'll fine tune the system in the spring also with my ultimate goal of both the irons and scope hitting the same at 200 yards.

I have 2 mags for it, both needed feed lips tuning to feed optimally. My mags don't fall free, and that's perfect for a field rifle. I wouldn't want to hike a couple of miles and realize the mag fell out somewhere along the way. I really enjoy the double stack double feed feature, much more versatile than a single feed AICS compatible variant.

That's enough for now. I'll do some load development in the spring. Based on what I've seen so far this is going to be a very accurate rifle.
 
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Bought a shadow first...then a cz75 pre b ...loved it but was the only pistol I’ve ever owned that gave me hammer bite..and I didn’t want to file the spur hammer so I let that one go...then a cz97b ..kinda miss that one..was a great .45..but at the time I couldn’t get past my Sti...might have another soon...would love a .40 Cz if anyone wants to trade...Shadow has never been on my trade list..trigger job made it even better than factory..just perfect for me...
 
Import said:
Bought a shadow first...then a cz75 pre b ...loved it but was the only pistol I’ve ever owned that gave me hammer bite..and I didn’t want to file the spur hammer so I let that one go...then a cz97b ..kinda miss that one..was a great .45..but at the time I couldn’t get past my Sti...might have another soon...would love a .40 Cz if anyone wants to trade...Shadow has never been on my trade list..trigger job made it even better than factory..just perfect for me...
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I've read most CZ handguns greatly benefit from a trigger job. As the kids are getting older and I have some more free time on my hands I would like to get back into IPSC. I will start back in the production class. As much as I know my Phantom would be a different beast with a trigger job, but it would also disqualify me from using it in production. Same for the P-09.
 
A trigger job is fine for competition as long as you use parts that are original like the race hammer that CZ has. it is used in some of their production guns so it is legal. Changing the hammer is the best thing you can do to a CZ, It is because of the smaller hammer hooks, the trigger is much crisper with no creep/camming and with lighter springs it will give you a 2.5# trigger pull SA. My 85b/KADET has the race hammer and a single action only trigger in it and the action is incredible. You can also get parts from CAJUN GUN WORKS for cz and they are awesome. I bought a used P07 and put the CAJUN PRO kit in it with new low profile sights (1st gen p07 has plastic sights) and I shoot it as good as mySP01 SHADOW.








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RangerPark said:
I've read most CZ handguns greatly benefit from a trigger job. As the kids are getting older and I have some more free time on my hands I would like to get back into IPSC. I will start back in the production class. As much as I know my Phantom would be a different beast with a trigger job, but it would also disqualify me from using it in production. Same for the P-09.
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Not necessarily anymore...Check out the new rules for production for 2019...
 
silverfoxdj said:
^^^^^ I found mine great right out of the box..just lucky I guess
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The 13lb spring makes the pull lighter, so yours will be even greater.
A buddy bought a new Shadow, and even with the stock mainspring, (18lb?), it was so incredibly smooth. Super easy to shoot that gun, even DA. Easily in the 9-10lb pull range in DA, but smoooooooooooooth. Much nicer than mine was when new. Yours may be like his.
 
I don’t think you can get Cajun parts up here!!!!
barny961 said:
A trigger job is fine for competition as long as you use parts that are original like the race hammer that CZ has. it is used in some of their production guns so it is legal. Changing the hammer is the best thing you can do to a CZ, It is because of the smaller hammer hooks, the trigger is much crisper with no creep/camming and with lighter springs it will give you a 2.5# trigger pull SA. My 85b/KADET has the race hammer and a single action only trigger in it and the action is incredible. You can also get parts from CAJUN GUN WORKS for cz and they are awesome. I bought a used P07 and put the CAJUN PRO kit in it with new low profile sights (1st gen p07 has plastic sights) and I shoot it as good as mySP01 SHADOW.








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You just get them when you go to the US on vacation or something. it is not illegal to bring springs, hammer or sights back etc. They just won't ship to Canada unlike CZ CUSTOM. They were the only ones who had the parts I wanted for the P07 I bought.
 
Can somebody comment on the durability of the CZ Urban Grey finish? I’m window shopping CZ Shadow 2s and have noticed they sell for hundreds less in Urban Grey.
 
barny961 said:
You just get them when you go to the US on vacation or something. it is not illegal to bring springs, hammer or sights back etc. They just won't ship to Canada unlike CZ CUSTOM. They were the only ones who had the parts I wanted for the P07 I bought.
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You better read up on what ITAR is.
 
I did a little reading on that and like I said I do not think springs, grips or a hammer would apply. Barrels, mags and ammo or reloading components are an issue, We have several customs officers at our club and and that's there opinion also. CZ CUSTOM ships similar parts to Canada but I could not get what I wanted from them for my P07. CAJUN just doesn't want to have to get an international export license is what I was told talking to them on the phone. I have also ordered parts directly from CZ-UB in europe with no problem.
 
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barny961 said:
... CAJUN just doesn't want to have to get an international export license is what I was told talking to them on the phone. I have also ordered parts directly from CZ-UB in europe with no problem.
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So you have an international export license that Cajun doesn't have?

The issue is exporting from the US, not importing into Canada. ITAR won't affect parts coming to Canada from Europe.
 
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