[rich'sguns]

Just wondering what everyone's opinion is - why aren't the CZ pistols as popular as other mainstream pistols? Is it quality-related or what? I think it is because they are relatively new to the US and there is not a lot of CZ advertising. Any thoughts?

Thanks

[Al Thompson]

Until the Iron Curtain fell, they were difficult to obtain. (IMHO) Most savvy gun owners sort of stocked up as they became available. The general public is starting to catch on too. Not sure of the exact timing, but I think it's only in the last five years or so that I've noticed them on dealers shelves.

[Ky Larry]

I have no idea. CZ's don't seem to last long at my local dealer. I have several and they have never given me any problems. Maybe they're like Harley-Davidson. They may sell everything they produce so they have no need to advertise. :confused:
OBTW, I just bought a CZ PCR Compact Monday.

[PCRCCW]

The Iron Curtain falling is the reason. With the Cold War we were on the "outs" with alot of Com Block countries and didnt "do " their guns.
The entire world has known about the CZ75 series for a LONG time...well since 1975 anyway. :D
They have been available for a while..but the importers Mag Res. etc didnt do the job in marketing the guns they should have. CZUSA took over a while back and with the CZForum, ya Im biased :rolleyes:, helping out....weve begun to get the little shooters noticed......they are finally getting the limelight they deserve.........the only bummer is pricing will go up accordingly.
You just bought the best CCW that CZ offers......probably one of the best if not THE best CCW gun offered anywhere......PCR is the S**T! Just my humble opinion :scrutiny:
Enjoy it........If you have any questions about the little shooter......Im always here.
Shoot well.

[10-Ring]

Tough to say :confused: More times than not, I read positive comments re: the CZ's. They seem to be well made, good shooters & great values.

[Skunkabilly]

Ummm...because they don't advertise so and so elite team using them like almost all other companies do? (at least it keeps the prices down)

CZ75BD....sweeeet..... :D

[CWL]

I think that they have always been known of and respected in shooting circles, they just werent available until recently for purchase in USA. The average buyer and shopowner never got to handle one and so knew nothing about them.

Col. Cooper has always thought highly of them, -which is a rare thing for him to stray away from 1911s. I suspect that his contemporaries also felt the same.

[martin]

Poor marketing and they aren't offering what a lot of shooters really want. For instance, all models should offer polished blue finish as an option instead of the horrid polycoat.

Second, offer adjustable sights on ALL pistols at least as an option - CZ97 and CZ75B SA particularly. The excellent sights on the Champion should be offered as an option. Also, replacement front sights should be available!!!! Spare parts should be more readily available, too!!!!!

Another major gripe I have with CZs(I have 3) is their quality control isn't the greatest. One of my CZs was smooth as silk out of the box and the other two required action jobs to be shootable by mere humans. When they were disassembled the actions looked like they were machined by rats gnawing on the metal - pretty bad. They need to understand what tooling life is!

When all three have been put in a Ransom Rest their accuracy rivals or surpasses firearms costing several times what they do.

I will buy more CZs in the future, but, will factor in the cost of an action job, adjustable sights, and a bluing job as well. I despise the polycoat finish that is prevalent on most of their models.

[CZF]

CZs enjoy brisk sales in Europe and other parts of the world where
people have come to recognize them for reliable and durable service
arms at economy prices.

Well, the prices have went up in the last few years.. and the folks
who bought them for a good value now buy cheaper (junk) pistols.
This seems to be an issue with shooters in S. Africa and Czech Rep.
Even some Germans have complained that CZs are no longer priced
like they once were.

I feel that CZs are niche guns. Those guns that you buy after you have owned most of the major brands of pistols.

Cee-Zeds offer exactly what is needed in a defensive/service arm,
and leaves out what is not needed.

1.) Reliable as hell

2.) Durable..no cracked steel frames.

3.) Affordable, as compared to other European made guns.

4.) Above average accuracy in most models

5.) Excellent Customer Service ( Should you ever have a problem)

That people in the USA ignore CZs, just means more guns for those
of us who own and admire them.

I don't like the polymer finish, prefer satin nickel or glossy blue.
However, for a service pistol the polycoat is probably better.

[jrpeterman]

It's probably due to poor marketing and the iron curtain of days past. I remember reading various gun rag articles in the late 80's about the CZ-75. The articles always raved about the gun's accuracy, reliability, and ruggedness. They were very rare in the U. S. and commanded a pretty hefty price at the time. The first one used that I saw at gun shop was in 1989 with a price tag of $350.00. That wasn't bad considering most used CZs were going for nearly $500.00 at the time. In today's market, you can get a new CZ for less than the cost of a used one 14 years ago. The biggest boost for the CZs are from satisfied owners. I think it's those comments which have people looking at the CZ line and giving the guns a try. I know it was influencial in my purchase of a CZ-97B, and I am not one bit disappointed. I think that they will become more popular overtime, especially if the price can remain stable and the gun maintains its quality.

[Wildalaska]

Nice guns, but they are too big for many peoples hands (CZ75)

WildincludingmineAlaska

[firestar]

I think it is just a matter of time before the general population finds out about them. As a rule, they make great guns at good prices with only a few dogs. It happens to every gun company, a few bad ones will slip through the cracks.

When CZ-75s were $299 with a 10 and a 15 round mag, they were steals! Once they get to be priced above $400, they will have found the max that most people will pay. Right now, they are still worth more than they cost but not 2-3 times what they cost like some people claim.

If you compare CZ to SIG, you will not find many people that will seriously claim that CZ is a better made pistol. SIGs cost about $500-700 depending on model and local prices, I just can't see anyone paying that kind of money for a CZ-75 with a painted on plastic finish, poor internal machining and a sub par trigger.

If you have noticed, there arn't many used CZs on the market and the ones I have seen, cost as much as a new one. That says a lot about what a value they are. They are kind of the Toyota of the gun world (high resale value). :D

My main point is, give it another 10 years and I think CZ will be considered one of the better guns on the market by most people. IMHO, they are better than Ruger, S&W, Taurus, and they give Glock and H&K a run for their money but they are not as good as SIG and Beretta yet.

[martin]

I would definitely put them above a Ruger and a Taurus without a doubt.

[ojibweindian]

There ARE CZ's with blue finishes, two-tone finishes, etc. They're just hard to find. The poly-coated CZ's floating around are the CZ-75B mil. You know, the overruns from the Turkish contract.

The first time I saw one was three years ago in St Louis. I couldn't afford to get one at that time. The second one I saw was in Huntsville; bought it on the spot, and have been a happy camper ever since. That poly-coating is perfect for the weather here in the south.

[rich'sguns]

My CZ-75B is glossy blue and quite good looking for a carry gun. It has some holster wear. The key for me, when it is hot and humid, is to wipe it off with an oily rag every evening at the end of the day. I have done this as well with other guns and it is really not a big deal (at least with me).

Thanks

[martin]

The polycoat is on current production CZs as well, not just the contract overruns. My statement was that the polished blue should be offered on ALL models, which it isn't. For example, the SA model is only available with polycoat and fixed sights. For a sport pistol(their marketing words) that makes no sense.

[Berg01]

Why isn't the CZ line of pistols as well known and popular as others

My theory is that you have 2 kinds of handgunners;

1) gunstore commando yuppies who look at a CZ and say "such a low-cost firearm can't be any good",

and

2) honest-to-goodness shooters who have owned and fired enough different kinds of handguns to appreciate how good the CZs are, and who own CZs and love them. These guys may not want the fact that they are possibly the best damn value in a sevice pistol to get out, because then they get popular, they get in short supply, and then the price of your next CZ goes way way up.

FWIW, I have a CZ75B in .40S&W, and would recommend one to whomever bothers to ask me, and I consider myself a "2". Just my own $0.02 on the subject, and YMMV!

[Hal]

Just wondering what everyone's opinion is - why aren't the CZ pistols as popular as other mainstream pistols? Is it quality-related or what? I think it is because they are relatively new to the US and there is not a lot of CZ advertising. Any thoughts?

Let me put it this way:

Just wondering what everyone's opinion is - why aren't the BMW automobiles as popular as other mainstream automobiles? Is it quality-related or what? I think it is because they are relatively new to the US and there is not a lot of BMW advertising. Any thoughts?

Or you could even substitute Honda if you wanted to for a more dramatic effect, but it would be 100% true. CZ's are quality pieces,,,the early Honda Civic's weren't all that great.

[Selfdfenz]

For a Company that has only been trying to sell in the US market for a small number of years CZ is doing very well.
IMO the US is THE market.

If we could turn the dial back on the time machine I think Sig and HK might have had approx. an equal share of the market to what CZ has today given the same length of history. Its possible CZ is actually doing better over the same time frame.

CZ market share will increase. New buyers will enter the market, see the value and buy. Remember, the new buyers will not remember the Turk contract pistols once sold for 275$ and the fact that they did will be a stupid reason not to buy a CZ 5 years from now if the price is still reasonable for the quality.

Glocks did not sweep the market overnight if you will remember. If there is a place for a widely accepted, and in some circles respected, pistol that is half polymer there sure will be a growning market for an all metal poycoated pistol that is well made, accurate and reasonably priced.

per the comments on polycoat

The CZ designers do a fair amt. of testing. They show a fair amount of ongoing innovation. (RAMI)
CZ Polycoat is a well tested and durable finish. It's not blue. I have repaired my poly finish and it was really easy. I've also blued several guns and done touchup work and I would only describe it as a pain in the you know what and a toxic process. My guess is given the durability of poly and by making the assumption its easier to poly a pistol then blue it, poly is one of the things that makes it possible to hold down costs and something the CZ designers will stick with. BTW CZ blued pistols and rifles are first rate for production guns basefd on the ones I personally own (several).

I don't think CZ claims their products are perfect in any of their literature.
That's another company all together but I won't get into Glock non-Perfection and what they charge for it. The fact that Sig or HK or Beretta make fine products (which they charge more for than a CZ) does not detract from the quality of a CZ product or it desirability. If a few tool marks or the poly are that undesirable get something else.

If I were HK, Sig, Beretta or Glock I would be worried about my market share when it comes to CZ.
S-

[makdaddy03]

You mean they're not? I would choose the CZ 75 over any other handgun out there. Well? Besides my Mak.:D

[PCRCCW]

Well ....I love this thread. Just a few notes on a couple of posts........

The machining inconsistancy of days gone by are gone at Cz....since the inception of the PO1 all CZ are made with "standard gun/machining tolerances" .....you have to remember all CZ's before the little Compact PO1 were hand fit....the tolerances didnt have to be there and you still got a pretty good trigger.....most of the time.

As far as this.............."My main point is, give it another 10 years and I think CZ will be considered one of the better guns on the market by most people. IMHO, they are better than Ruger, S&W, Taurus, and they give Glock and H&K a run for their money but they are not as good as SIG and Beretta yet.".........

Ya...you knew it would happen didnt you???????? :D

I agree with most of the above statement.......BUT PUTTING Beretta above Glock and HK......Blasphemy! :fire: Sig is on par with the others...yes Ive owned/shot/ etc alot of them. Id put them on top along with HK and a few others......Beretta has made nice guns for A LONG TIME, but they are not any nicer than a 3rd gen S&W.......In fact Id take a 5906/6906 over a 92 anyday of the week............just my opinion....and I have plenty :rolleyes:

Shoot well................

[RustyHammer]

ssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh .... don't spread the word yet,
I'm still "accumulating" them!

[mephisto]

IMHO the CZ-97 is the best handgun out there. I bought one for 450 from a guy who did not like the size on the gun ( he is 5' 3" 135lbs) he almost cried when i handed him the cash. I love it. It is a big gun but im a big guy (6'6" 225lbs) and most guns are too small for me.

[martin]

I have a two toned CZ and 2 that are polycoat. The bluing on the two tone is beautifully done. Of the other two, the polycoat is durable and functional. The polycoat definitely enables CZ to hold down costs since less polishing is required. Personally I would pay more for a blued finish if given the choice.

[Ian11]

1. Probably the fact it was an Eastern Bloc gun makes people think of the "Cold War". So forget 1911 shooters. They don't want no "Commie-Gun" (That was a joke people!!! ;) )

2. CZ pistols are rarely seen in movies or TV. They needed more exposure in really bad action movies by Seagal, Stallone, Van Damme in the 80's and 90's.

3. CZ needed to be in a rap song. Always a mystery to me why gangstas never took to CZ's like Glocks. "Sales" or shall we say "procurement" ;) by gangstas made everyone notice. Now even cops are rollin' wit da G.

4. Its inexpensive so people assume its a "cheap" gun. Probably the biggest misconception.

5. CZ not as catchy as "Glock". Maybe try CeeZed or C&Z or
maybe........ "Shizle-my-Wizzle"

6. When people are in the market for a "European Gun" they immediately think West Europe, usually thats Germany. Maybe in ads and on the gun print "Made in the Czech Repub..... We used to be Germany for awhile. " would help? (Okay bad joke :uhoh: )

*I think if CZ came out with a really nice version of the CZ75 it would do a lot to change people's perception about CZ. Take a standard CZ75, put some decent sights, polished blued finish, slightly better trigger, polish any machine or tool marks, nice wood grips (Hakan-like), and inflate the price to H&K/SIG levels. Sort of a "flagship" model so it gets people's attention; then people will stop associating CZ as a manufacturer of inexpensive guns. Or, maybe we don't want that to happen. :neener:

[martin]

quote *I think if CZ came out with a really nice version of the CZ75 it would do a lot to change people's perception about CZ. *

They do - one is the Champion and the other is the CZ 75 STANDARD IPSC.


As for the previous comment about the P-01...
If CZ goes down the road thinking that aluminum framed pistols will take the world by storm they are sadly mistaken. Most people that shoot a lot will shun them in favor of steel frames.

[twolf]

CZ has done well as far as sellers go. The only problem I see with them is their importer, does not advertise and it can be a pain trying to find decent gun leather for their pistols.

I have never even heard of a catastrophic failure from CZ. However, I have heard of catastrophic failures from Glock, HK, Smith, and Beretta. Does that mean, I got rid of my Glock, HK and Smith? No!

Bottom line, I think CZ is a decent firearm. It is also inexpensive. Lorcin firearms are cheap. To me their is a load of difference between cheap and inexpensive.

[rich'sguns]

There are really some great replies/information from everyone. Very interesting to read different perspectives on the CZs. I'm currently overseas in the Middle East and have found some individuals here working for military organizations who carry CZ-75s. Yesterday I saw one, manufactured in 1982, that is in perfect operating condition though some of the bluing is gone. They seem popular with people who are true "gun" fans and who shoot a lot or know a lot about handguns.

None of these people I have talked to have had any problems, including the slide stop issue - the guns just keep going.

[Walt Sherrill]

Selfdefenz wrote:

CZ Polycoat is a well tested and durable finish. It's not blue. I have repaired my poly finish and it was really easy.

I'm a moderator on the CZ Forum, and we've not found a good way to repair the poly finish. Got any recommendations?

I've found the polycoat to be VERY durable. If it messes up a polycoat finish, I shudder to think of what it would have done to a blued finish...

I prefer the CZ "satin nickel" finish, however -- more durable, still, and very, very attractive.

[gun-fucious]

well there are a few "celebrities" that shoot CZs:
http://www.sportshooter.com/events/swedishbikinis.htm