[Diesle]

Just picked up a CZ 75 Compact this week and went to the range with it for the first time today. So far so good...

Observations:

Has reasonable out of the box accuracy. The standard rear sight on the compact is not adjustable. So, initially anyhow, your at the mercy of the workmanship of the standard sight and mount. I found mine to be excellently placed and was able to shoot 1 ragged hole on a b-16 target from 25 feet indoors. Hole ended up center but low about 1 inch, but that could just me my need to adjust to this guns sights. Sights are white dot on 3 points, which I like. May explore the CZ adjustable rear sight in the future...
Compact gun with a full size grip. This is not a pocket gun. At 2 lbs unloaded and almost 3 lb loaded with 115's, this gun needs to be holstered. Though, for sure, this gun could be an excellent choice for all day CCW with a modest amount of clothing. The grip is thick with heavy plastic grip panels on both sides. Rubber grips are sold by CZ as an option and I will likely try those.

I find the controls to be just out of reach when Im gripping the gun in a standard way. (gripped in the way I would hold it if I were going to shoot it). I have to lean my hand over, out of my standard shooting grip to get to the slide release, mag release, and safety. Though, not as much so with the safety. That is almost close enough to get to without having to come out of my grip. I have medium to large hands. Additionally, none of the out of box controls are ambi. All located on the left side.

Action is Double/single. There is a version of this gun with a decocker available. Mine does not have that. I am not yet resigned to a particular mode of operation. Condition 1, 2 or 3 I don’t know yet. I’m seriously considering condition 2. Ill drop the hammer on a loaded chamber manually and take the first pull as DA. DA pull is manageable. SA pull is not as crisp as one would want. There is a significant amount op 'play' in the trigger between when you first begin your pull and when it 'engages'. I estimate about a quarter of the SA pull is 'play'.

Fit and finish is clean. In not a smith, so I don’t go over the gun with a magnifying glass, but overall the edges are smooth and the blue gloss gives the gun a nice happy ground between 'tactical' and 'showy'.

I used Magtec and PMC 115's at the range. It fed, fired and extracted all of 200 rounds. Recoil is manageable. I found shot recovery to be as expected. I shot 2 hand strong, 1 hand strong and 1 hand weak.

The mag springs would not allow me to get a 10th round in until I had loosened them up a bit. After a while the 10th got in there. So, ultimately you can run with 11 rounds.

I expect this gun to be a workhorse 9mm. would be my primary CCW and intend to use it at IDPA comp. starting in the spring. As you’re aware, the CZ 75s seem very happy in that work horse role.

Just some thoughts from a regular ole amateur,

Diesle

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Thanks for the very fine and detailed report. It is appreciated.

Best.

[Zak Smith]

Diesle,

Thanks for the report. As a correction, the 75 Compact does not have a full size grip - at least not in "CZ" grip-size parlance. I don't have the two pieces in front of me, but I think the Compact grip is about 0.5" shorter than the full-size CZ grip. However, the Compact grip is about the same length as a BHP grip.

I have purchased two 75 Compacts in the last few months. The first has operated flawlessly on all rounds, from low-power 115gr@900fps handloads to full-power 124gr@1250fps. In my hands, it shoots a little less accurately than my full size CZ's, but I suspect that's just because it has no trigger overtravel adjustment. The SA trigger pull is so/so - about average for CZ's from the box - and not offensive.

The second hasn't been so good, jamming with a FTRB problem about 10-25% of the time with S&B FMJ, and 25%-50% of the time with premium factory JHPs. It also has a couple internal casting flaws in the frame. That one is off at CZ-USA being fixed up.

regards
Zak

[Pilot]

Thanks for the excellent report. I have the compact CZ-75 PCR and a full size 75B. The compact grip is a little shorter. In fact if you put the full size slide on the compact frame, you have a pistol which feels remarkably like a Hi Power and shoots well too.

My PCR compact sometimes out shoots my full size CZ, mostly, I think, because of the better trigger on the PCR. I'm thinking of sending my 75B to CZ USA for a trigger job. Its a good trigger as is, but I hear Mike makes the superb.

[CZF]

Great review! I do have a new pair of the rubber grips for sale.
They came off of my P-01. will fit Compacts and PCRs, too

email me for a pic.

czfshop@orofino-id.com

[PCRCCW]

Your report on the Compact is very good....very cool. This was my second CZ...a poly black compact. I bought it as a CCW..and fell in love. The trigger was so so out of the box but after many rnds turned into one of "those CZ triggers" :D
Ive had 2 83's, compacts and PCR's..currently 2 alloy framed monsters...they make a much better carry due to less weight and IMO better sights. The one thing I wish I could do is carry Cond 1 but such is life......
You need to email Hakan now....If its a carry I can make you a rig to your liking also......just things to ponder....
Shoot well

[Diesle]

You need to email Hakan now

Yup, already did. Asked for a quote on a couple of different things.

What of his do you have already?

Diesle