[FireArmFan]

It seems to me that CZ has become way more popular than they used to be. I don't know hardly anything about the history of CZ but i just seem to keep hearing so much praise about them recently when in the past i wouldn't hardly ever hear about them. (by recently i mean like in the past year or so) I just realized i technically haven't really asked a question yet so i guess my question is how long has CZ been around and why now the sudden popularity. (maybe they've been praised about for a while now and i've just never heard it)

Sadly, I've never shot a CZ before but from all the praise i hear about them, it makes me want to shoot one really bad. who knows, i may be a future CZ lover.

[Stachie]

I, too, am a virgin with regard to CZ. However, I plan to change that shortly.

I am considering the 85, because I shoot leftie.

[FireArmFan]

A fellow lefty here as well

[Stachie]

FireArmFan, are you right-handed? I only ask because I am right-handed yet left eye dominant. Recently, I switched to south-paw to better accommodate my eyesight. Thankfully I am still young and need not overcome decades of muscle memory/practice.

[jashobeam]

I don't know much about the company's history offhand, but you can read all about it at cz-usa.com. I can, nevertheless, tell you about my history with CZ.

Just about exactly one year ago I began to hear all sorts of impressive stories from owners of CZ pistols. I decided to purchase a CZ P-01. It took me until March of 2006 to locate one that I could buy and call my own. I love that pistol. I shot it today, as a matter of fact. About 3 months later (July '06) I just had to have another CZ! I hadn't bought a gun in over ten years (prior to the P-01) and here I was buying two within months of each other. I bought the CZ 97B, .45 ACP. Excellent gun.

I have now fired about 1300 rounds through the P-01 without having any failure or malfunction of any type. I've shot about half that many rounds with the 97 and it, too, has performed flawlessly. The P-01 fits my hand perfectly. The 97 is large but the action is smooth. Both triggers are a little gritty at first but improve with use.

If I buy a rifle it will most likely be a CZ.

Oh, did I mention that both guns are extremely accurate?

[FireArmFan]

I am completely left handed. I do everything with my left hand. left eye dominant. makes using scissors quite difficult too might i add.

[FireArmFan]

jashobeam thanks for the reply, yeah right after i made this thread i went to the CZ website and i saw they mentioned something about 60 years or production, so they've been around. maybe it's b/c they are czech that they haven't been as popular until recently.

anyways, any other stories good or bad relating CZ let me hear. i'm definetly considering one from what i've heard

[chris in va]

I've had my CZ 75BD for about 3 years now.

I have large hands. When trying out various handguns, a rental 75 in .40 really just sold me with it's amazing ergonomics. No other gun has fit me as well. I promptly ran out and bought the BD which is 9mm.

One thing I gotta say about the piece, it's damn accurate. For example, I set up a small SCUBA tank to about 70 yards. If I aim carefully, it usually provides a nice PING 8 out of 10 times, and it's only 8" across.

However, after a few boxes of cheap WWB, the gun started some FTE issues. An incoming round would get stuck on the outgoing shell and jam. Called CZ, they sent a new extractor and I changed various springs. Nothing helped. New mags, nada.

So now a .22 Kadet kit sits on there and provides flawless performance for plinking duty. Probably the best $200 I've spent on a firearm.

I now have a Sig 220 for carry, so no ill will toward the CZ. I just needed something more reliable is all.

[blackedoutharley]

While the CZ85 would be nice for a lefty (as I am) dont be fooled by the possibility of the other offerings from CZ.
I currently own both a CZ75B and a CZ75 Compact in 40 S&W. They have ambi safeties and the controls are easy to manipulate. So much so that the full size 75B is my daily CCW.

If you are up in the area, let me know and you can take them for a spin!

(yes, California does issue ccw's)

[armoredman]

I started with a CZ clone, the first EAA Witness 40 to hit the US shores. The grip ergonomics had me sold right from the get go. I carried that gun for 13+ years, and through an accidental meeting, (by this time, I had had 6 Witness pistols), I recieved a near new CZ75 Compact. I was hooked on the original instantly. Nothing bad about my Witness, but the CZ fit better, shot better, and I wanted more.
Nowadays, my carry pistol is a CZ75 PO1 with Hakan grips, brass grips screws, and everything else stock. The backup is the easy carrying CZ PCR, everything stock but a JackAsh FLGR. Here is a target from Saturday's range session with this pistola, at 25 yards.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/czprc120906.jpg

CZ works for me.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/CZPO12.jpg

[19-3Ben]

If I'm not mistaken, until the "iron curtain" fell, the fact that they were produced in a commie country made them hard to get here in the US.

They are great guns.

[TwistedPear]

CZ makes sexy, functional guns.

You obviously want to match ergonomics, but they do the job well. Their popular 75 line shoots an odd caliber, but availability or effectiveness haven't ever really been a problem. Price, fit, concealability, accessories are all right. And I've never heard a functional or reliability complaint about them.

Some people dislike the no-decocker models, but I tend to prefer them.

There's definitely a romantic appeal to CZ handguns.

[robctwo]

Be careful, CZs are addictive. I bought the 75BD in 2002, added a Kadet kit on it for inexpensive .22 shooting. It really smooths out the trigger to run 10,000 rounds through the gun. Added the P-01. Then had to have the IPSC Standard. Recently bought a used 97B with the blue finish. All reliable, all accurate. My P-01 is my carry gun.

[hso]

A buddy of mine just picked up a CZ Model 75 made in 1985 in 95% condition with 2 original magazines to go along with the CZ 75 "transition" and CZ 75B he already had.:D

[MikePGS]

How would you rate the various CZ's as CCW guns? Looking at the website after hearing such good things about them, i see there are several different models that could probably be considered CCW guns. Any specific preferences? if so, why?

[wheelgunslinger]

CZ's are awful. Don't buy them!
If you guys start buying them and realize how great they are, then they will cease being such a bargain for the rest of us "in the know"!
:neener:

Seriously. They're great.

[MADDOG]

I bought a 40B when they were $239, but couldn't stop there. Since then I added an 83, and a 97B. I am amazed with all of them. I know it will not stop with only three. All are accurate and problem free. SHHHHHHHH keep this quite.

[Seven High]

chris in va: If you decide to shoot your CZ in 9mm again, try some hotter ammunition. Fiocchi is hotter than WWB. It should solve your FTE problem.

[AH-1]

I have 2 a cz 75 pre-b and a cz40B.the pre-b is from back when they were part of the evil empire:) .note the round trigger guard and lanyard loop.
excellent pistols.everyone should have a CZ.
pete
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/txpete/cz004.jpg

[Texfire]

Not very informed on the history of the company so I'll limit my comments to my experience. I'm a lefty and the happy owner of a CZ 85. It's a steel-frame full sized 9mm pistol that goes bang every time. I have the option of carrying it cocked and locked, or with a double action first shot. The only reason that I don't carry it is I find the grip a little long to conceal. However as a range pistol or competition pistol you really can't go wrong with the 75/85 line.

Tex

[MikePGS]

Unfortunately i'm still to buy christmas presents and such, but if i didn't i would definitely pick up this CZ 75b for 275 http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=62328781

[wooderson]

Is there a better deal going in full-size 9mm than the SP-01? Brand new under $500, excellent fit and finish, nary a problem for me yet, accurate as can be, trigger is good.

For a little more, buy one straight from Matt Mink (on the CZ shooting team, I think) with whatever modifications you might want.

[Golddog]

The CZ 75B Compact is a great carry gun; it holds 14 rounds, but has an .8" shorter barrel than the full size and a shorter grip as well (though still long enough for all fingers). I much prefer the cocked and locked capability of the regular CZ B's over the decockers of the BD, PCR or P-01, but the latter two have the lighter aluminum frame for those who don't like heavy carry guns.

I've got two Compacts, two full size 75B's, one 75 SA (single action only) and a Kadet .22, in varying finishes (Polycoat black, satin nickel, satin stainless, bright stainless). They're the only semis I've ever fallen in love with, and I've shot/owned many different types. The rest went away when I discovered the ergonomics, triggers, and aesthetics of the CZ 75 series.

[bearmgc]

If you go to the CZ website, there's a few guys that make some really nice wood grips to customize your CZ. My 75 compact sure is purrty now, as well as accurate and reliable. Its almost as purrty as Armoredman's.

[armoredman]

Why, thank you, Bear! It's a working gun, goes with me every day. Same as the PCR, my workaday backup.:cool:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/PCRPO1.jpg

[DrBoomBoom]

I've had a 75B for almost a year, bought it used. The first two or thee hundred rounds I had a few FTE's and FTF's. After that, it's had at least 1,200 more rounds through it and only had one hiccup which probably was the ammo. Tap and rack and it kept running.

It had Wolff springs and a trigger job before I got it. Also Wolff springs in the magazine.

I carry it in a FIST IWB if the weather is cool. Then it uses Pow'rball, 20 rounds of which it ate like cornflakes. The 75B is a little hard to conceal, but a good fall jacket hides it...can't make it disappear in a t-shirt or dress shirt.

Nice gun.

[boogalou]

I'm a certified CZJunkie.

I currently own 7 CZ's or Tanfoglio clones and have owned 4 other ones at one time or another. Great ergonomics, accurate, and reliable with many different types of ammo and my handloads. I usually carry either a PCR or my "96" CZ75B in a HBE holster. I've also carried a CZ40B on occasion.

The best thing about the different CZ/Tanfoglio designs are the choices you're offered in calibers, ability to carry C&L or DA, and variety of different guns from range queens to competition, all in a package that is usually easier on the wallet then other pistol designs.

[Uncle Alvah]

CZ is one of the largest firearms manufactures in the world.
BRNO and CZ are the same outfit.
Military sales are huge, the 75b is the most widely issued handgun in the world.
CZ stands for Cheska Zobrovka, literally "Czech Armory".
They even own the iron mine from which their steel is produced!

I'd put my 97b .45 up against any other .45 out there, including Keeblers, er, I mean Kimbers, SA's, whatever, in any catagory ie accuracy, reliability.

[armoredman]

Actually, BRNO and CZUB are sister companies, but not together.They were part of the same state conglomerate during the commie years, but privatisation hath split them asunder, back in '88. CZUB was established as a private stock issuing company in '92.
CZ does make the best pistol for me...wishing to see a PO1 in 40, a CZ75B in 357SiG, 10MM, and 45ACP, plus a CZ97 in 10MM, maybe even in something wild, like 50AE... Not to mention CZ-USA setting up a production line at the Dan Wesson plant for a civvie legal semi-auto vZ-58 clone...

[skers69]

The only thing I do not like about my PCR is the fact that I can not lock back the slide. Other than that it is about perfect.

[Bazooka Joe71]

Sadly, I've never shot a CZ before but from all the praise i hear about them, it makes me want to shoot one really bad. who knows, i may be a future CZ lover.

FireArmFan,

Go shoot one. The only problem is, there are no if's, and's, or but's....Once you shoot one, you WILL be a CZ lover.

[MikePGS]

Can you use the .22 modification barrel on a CZ 75 compact, or does it only work on the full-sized guns?

[PythonFan]

Yes, the Kadet kit will work on the compact as well.

[huaco]

I'm just glad I didn't buy my PCR and Kadet Kit earlier, otherwise my collection would be considerably smaller. In 9 mm or .22 this unit has been totally 100% and is way more accurate than me. The ergonomics are perfect and I think it's a really nice looking shooter. I'd like to put some nice wooden grips on it but the stock rubber grips just feel too good.

Accessory options aren't great but the Fist leather IWB holster I bought for an SA-XD9 works better with the CZ than it did for the XD.

Mine does seem to be a bit low on economy. The rounds/hour rate is way higher than any other handgun I own.

[daysleeprx]

I think every CZ owner should own a Kadet Kit. It's easily one of the most fun/cost efficient ways to get to the range and put a whole lotta rounds downrange. :)