HI Power or CZ 75SA?

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

gengarnett

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2006
Messages
70
I really want to get one of these two pistols. In a perfect world I would get both, but cash is an issue. I presently carry a snubbie and will not likely change that soon. Basically what I want is a range gun that shoots "cheap" 9mm ammo and a gun that could be carried or used for home defense.

I lean towards the BHP for historical/nostalgia reasons. I have held both weapons but have no ability to shoot them prior to purchase. I think the BHP has the best classic looks but the CZ seems to be more ready to use as is. I am almost positive if i go hi power i will need a beaver tail or no bit hammer, and a trigger job. And it seems to me the cz has a better trigger out of box.

I am hoping for any input on which gun I should choose. To be clear, I "want" a hi power but get the feeling I "need" a CZ 75SA.

Any opinions are appreciated.
 
It very much depends upon which fits you best. Both are excellent choices. I fit a BHP and love them. I love the CZ75s also, but they don't fit me as well as the BHP. They do fit my wife, a couple of buddies and my Sifu.

Look over Pax's site and how to determine if the handgun fits you and pick whichever fits you best. http://corneredcat.com/FirstGun/tryongun.aspx
 
I'm a big fan of the Browning, it fits and shoots wll for me. Some people like being ably to carry a CZ in DA mode, but I find the trigger reach excessive for my medium size fingers.
 
+1 hso

My 2-cents as a CZ owner. Ergonomics. You're not going to get a junk gun with either selection you're considering. Get the one which fits best in your hand. Both fit my hand fairly well, however I found the double-stack CZ to be a better value. Before I purchased I test-drove (among others) the Hi-Power and the CZ and they were the last 2 I considered.

Considerations you may want to make are aftermarket accessories and cost for things such as laser sights, grips, magazine availabilty, .22lr (or other caliber) conversions etc et naseum.


Either way you go I'm sure you'll enjoy the new purchase!



Czar
 
Browning allllllllllllllllll the way. I do not mean to say that CZ is bad. It is simply that the ergonomics of the BHP (P35) is exceptional. I have two pistols that fit my hand like a silk glove: Browning High Power 9MM and Colt Series 70 reproduction .45 ACP. But, between even these two, the High Power, wow!

In the end, you really need to rent, or some other way fire both. Take whichever fits your hand.
 
thanks for the replies. it sucks that my local ranges are so stingy and offer little or nothing to test fire. I do try to get a "high grip" and noticed the BHP spur hammer touches the web of my hand. I had a bad experience with a colt officer's model before i got a beaver tail for it. I am not positive the BHP will bite me but I have that premonition.

I do appreciate all replies, insite, opinions, and advice :)
 
I own the BHP Standard and the CZ75BD. Bought them about the same time in 2002. I put the Kadet Kit on the CZand have about the same $ in the two gun set up as the BHP. Both are great, the CZ is more versatile.
 
Hello. Though I don't own the SA version of the CZ, I've had very good luck with several Pre-B CZ-75's and carried them in Condition One. Again, not an exact comparison with the CZ pistol you're considering, but here are some observations that might be of some use:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/CZ-75 or BHP.htm


As has been said previously, either should serve well.

Best.
 
CZ. The CZ-75 took all the favorable attributes of the Hi-power, and then addressed the flaws. IMO, the best auto pistol design since the 1911. I'd venture to say it is the second most copied semi-auto out there.
 
I have a few examples of the BHP and the CZ-75. I shoot them both well. Both fit my had well, but I like the trigger reach a little better on the CZ as its longer and I have long fingers. The BHP's are my most accurate 9MM's, but the CZ's are very close in accuracy, its almost a toss up. If you can shoot both. Maybe a fellow, local THR member can meet you at a range and let you give them a go. If not, you can't go wrong with either. I'd probably get the BHP first as its a classic, then get the CZ when the funds allow.
 
I prefer the hipower and already own two. You cant go wrong with either one. Neither of my two hipowers needed work out of the box(though I do want to get work done on them). I took the magazine (un)safety out of each and they both have sweet triggers now.
 
I've got both, and like both.

(I've also got DA/SA CZs, and a couple of older Sphinxs. I prefer my Sphinx compact, which is DA/SA, to the standard CZ and the BHP... but it costs a bit more, and price is a consideration.)

Its really a matter of personal preference. If you can't try and handle both before hand, wait, or just get one with thoughts of getting the other, later.
 
For me, BHP without a doubt. It's the real thing. Better ergonomics, better balance and much, much better looks. You own a meaningful piece of history too. I have three and have never been bitten by any of them. I have some decent sized meat hooks.

That said, the CZ is a fine gun and if you want cheap, a $399.00 gun, it's the way to go.
 
I like the looks of both, but not the squared off trigger guard of the CZ. The HP is a proven classic with only one flaw for my taste, the trigger. I sold my last BH for that reason. Yet, I am still drawn to the HP every time I visit my local gun store. Perhaps its the ergonomics and the line - good looking pistol.

I currenly have a SA CZ-75B. Flawless reliability, and fun to shoot. If it were me, I'd give the new Armalite-24 a chance. I personally, don't like DA autos, but it can be carried condition one. It also doesn't have that squared off trigger guard.
 
+1 on the hammer bite issue, although the hammer can be swapped. I didnt care for the grungy trigger on the HP, and bought a CZ. Both are proven weapons, cant go wrong with either:)
 
I couldn't find the right place for my longish fingers on the BHP trigger, and its safety has an indistinct feel. The trigger on mine was excellent, because the mag safety had been removed. Reliability was 100%. Since it was a later model, the sights were quite good. If your hand is small, it'll probably work better for you than the CZ.

But I sold mine and kept a bunch of CZ 75's. I prefer the CZ's looks and ergonomics, and it shoots just as well as the BHP. SA triggers are a toss-up.
 
Both are damned good designs either one would last a lifetime if cared for.
It would be worth it for you to call around even if outside your area and make a road trip to any range that rents both and try them out side by side.
Fit and balance is a personal preference you need to decide first hand for yourself and experience is the best teacher.
Always if possible try before you buy.:)
Browning has longer track record and history but CZ-75 has been copied more and is just as good in most variants out there.
Good luck
 
Both are excellent pistols. My own preference is the CZ.

I would suggest holding both to determine which fits your hand the best.
 
There is not a bad choice between the two. Ergonomics should be a deciding factor, along with how each one naturally 'points' while in your grip. If it feels right in your hand, you will probably shoot it well. My personal HP has a set of aftermarkt grips by Craig Spegel (the original grips ware 'blocky' to me), and it points like it seeks the bulls-eye. Between the two, the HP has the lower bore axis.
My CZ, on the other hand, wears Hogue half-checkered grips, and points just a touch high.
It's your choice, and if you can't find a FN HP in your price range, look for an FM (Argentine manufacture, preferably a pre-M90/95 model). The FM is made on FN tooling, takes the same grips, mags and accessories.
 
As most others have said, they're both fine guns. Several years ago I had to make the same agonizing decision, since these two guns were the only ones on the market with a trigger reach that suited my smallish hands. I ended up with the Hi-Power, probably because this is one of the most aesthetically pleasing designs ever offered - it just looks right, and points so naturally. I'll have to admit, though, that I don't shoot a "stock" gun. Firstly, the mag safety has to go - either remove it yourself or have it done, in order to improve SA trigger pull. Since I wanted to shoot mine in IDPA competition, I also had a gunsmith replace the hammer with one from Cylinder & Slide and had him do a trigger job. I've been very pleased with the accuracy. The C&S hammer definitely prevents "hammer bite", but I don't know if that modification was really necessary.
 
I have both and have shot both for several years...but prefer the CZ75
and I have them in both 40 and 9mm...the later a compact...I just prefer them functionally....but the nostalgia and the romance lie with the BHP.
Both are fine weapons...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

R
  • Locked
Hi-Power vs. CZ-75B?
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
Ghost Tracker
G
Quoheleth
  • Locked
Shot a CZ 75...now I understand!
Replies
22
Views
2K
JR47
J
B
  • Locked
CZ's & Hi-Powers
Replies
17
Views
1K
drannor
D
F
  • Locked
Browning Hi-power Price / Value...
Replies
10
Views
9K
GP100
G
S
  • Locked
Tuned Browning Hi Power vs CZ SP-01 Shadow
Replies
20
Views
3K
David E
David E
Back
Top