CZ Pistols

B

beaverhunter09

New member
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
11   0   0
Location
Lloydminster
Hi guys, I have been looking more and more at CZ sidearms. They seem solidly build and economical. I have never fired one and none of my shooting friends have either. I would like to ask about your experiences with them. I know it is mostly personal preference but I would like to hear it anyway since I read reviews and stuff before purchasing which is more or less the same thing.

Thanks in advance.
 
Great guns, but crappy finish that will chip, and rub with any rough use...

Very accurate, and reliable...

Shorter throat that can cause issues with some ammo, and requires a shorter OAL for reloading.

Long double action trigger pull, that is a very far reach for anyone with smaller hands. People often talk about the CZ 75 as being good for small hands but I disagree based on the long reach for that first trigger squeeze. If all you are gonna do is shoot SA then it isn't a huge deal but for competition where that first pull has to be in DA then it can make a difference.

As far as being economical goes, I kinda disagree. They have continually rised in price for no other reason than there popularity and marketing. They used to be great guns for then money, but now they are pretty much in the same price category as many others.
 
PS. If you want a great economical pistol in 9mm look at Grand Power K100.

I think they are the new CZ, in that they are currently undervalued, and priced like the CZ's used to be.

I imagine that will change...
 
I own several CZ's pistols (both in blued and black polycoat finishes) and have yet to see any of the finish loss which Revlover describes. My CZ 85 Combat is my main competition pistol and has been in and out of the holster thousands of times, and the black polycoat finish still looks like new. CZ builds a sturdy, reliable, accurate and great bang for the buck pistol. Would I recommended one to the OP? Yes! Agree with Revlover that the OP should handle one to make sure that it feels right in his hands (especially with the long DA pull).
 
My 75 had several chips and scratches in it, but I have heard that the newer ones have improved.

I was not impressed, but it functioned as advertised, and I can't say amything bad about the gun other than that, and the ergos.

That said my comments about crappy finish ring true wether it chips or not. I think a painted on finish is just plain crap to start with. ;)

Some say that it is a great way to cover up poor machining...
 
they have a smaller slide than most so they are a little hard to rack, the slide rides on the inside of the rail as opposed to outside the rail which makes them a little more accurate than most mass produced pistols, they are the number one issued pistol world wide for le military police use (combine them all), so they obviously are a good reliable platform that has worked well for many years.

like any pistol try it before you buy it, because if it doesn't fit your anatomy you won't shoot it well. As for me, they are one of my favourites as they are durable, shoot any ammo reliably, don't break, accurate, easy to tune to my liking, and easy to get parts for if ever needed. Not much not to like about them. They are much more popular in other parts of the world than north america.
 
I love my CZ SP01 Shadow (even though I've currently got a single action trigger issue I'm sorting out). The fit and finish is great, all edges nicely rounded, feels nice and solid in my hand and really accurate. One of the best single action trigger breaks I've come across in my center fire hand guns. My STI Trojan is about the same, and my STI TargetMaster is slightly better. Field stripping and cleaning is much easier than my 1911's, and just a little more effort than my Glock's. Aftermarket parts are not as readily available as for the 1911's and Glocks - but then I haven't really needed or wanted to do much to my Shadow. Would definitely buy another - and may just do that as a backup for my first one.
 
My CZ75 SP01 Shadow is my best gun.. Accurate, reliable, great finish, and excellent trigger. There is no better pistol in that price range, period. Comparable to Beretta 92A1 but you still get more value in the SP01 Shadow. Fiber optic front, 3 magazines, rail. Never had an issue with scratches or holster ware or feeding issues - factory or reloads.
 
Looks like I'm not the only convert who preaches the Grand Powers to people looking at CZ's!


Revlover said:
PS. If you want a great economical pistol in 9mm look at Grand Power K100.

I think they are the new CZ, in that they are currently undervalued, and priced like the CZ's used to be.

I imagine that will change...
Click to expand...
 
Love my CZ Shadow, still a good value. Hard to believe gun owners will cry over $200 price difference and make their sole decision based on it. Just an observation, not pointing fingers.
 
I am a new owner of a Shadow. Only 150 rounds through it. I can't comment on wear obviously but it fits me well, shoots really nicely, great trigger. good price and all steel. I bought it to bookend my M&P, another great but different 9mm.
 
OP, if you're want an all-steel pistol, then CZ is the obvious option. I assume that means you want the weight, right? I find the Shadow variants to be very nose-heavy, which is not my personal preference. Many others like them for exactly that same reason. Next time you're in Edmonton, you should really give them a heft so you know what they feel like. Most people seem to like the ergos, even if the slide is not very tall (making it hard to rack after reloading on empty).

The triggers on the Shadows and 85 Combats are the best of the bunch, by far. (no firing pin safety)

I should add that I tried CZ pistols for a few months (three or four models), and I decided against them (for me, personally). They are fine to shoot, I just didn't care for them, mechanically. Part of the reason is that I don't really like double/single pistols, but mostly their internals are just not as appealing to me as 1911s or striker-fired plastic wonderguns. Detail stripping the CZs is a real pain in comparison, and they are more prone to parts breakage. Not that they break very often, but it's known that the slide stop will break after 10-15k rounds, for example.

But if the platform really grabs you, then all of that doesn't really matter. Go shoot one and you'll know!
 
Last edited:
I suggest the following as recommended spares for CZs:

-Slide stop
-Slide stop spring
-Trigger return spring
-Extractor
-Extractor spring (the Wolff spring must be trimmed ~2 coils to fit)

They are nice shooting guns, but they do require more frequent maintenance than some of the more modern designs.
 
Best pistols ever made. I have an orange and a regular shadow.
I don't care what others say, they are truly amazing. There is a reason why so many other companies copy them.
 
I've owned the bottom CZ in the pic since the mid 1980's and zero maintenance required other than regular cleaning. The Shadow is several years old and again never a problem with the gun. Other 9mm's have come and gone but hanging on to my CZ's - great guns.

As for the finish on the guns flaking other than those early guns with the bakelite finish I have never seen a issue with the wear on the blue.

IMG_0167_Medium_.JPG
 
olbar70 said:
What about IWI Jericho 941 in steel ? Great gun with Shadow platform and cheaper (don't know why). Great gun !
Click to expand...

If my information is correct, there are many copies of the CZ and this is one of them. Not putting it down, but likely the reason (if correct) for it being less expensive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom