Basic Flaw in CZ-50 and CZ-70 ?

.32 ACP?

One issue was that the metallurgy in the CZ-50 slide wasn't what it should have been, and the slide, where it pushes back the hammer when cycling, would eventually form a swollen area on the underside of the slide, from the two different metals (slide and hammer) rubbing against each other. There's a term for that process, but it eludes me at the moment.

I had that happen with the CZ-50 I owned, but it never caused function problems with mine - it did with other CZ-50s. OK little gun, and it shot as least as well as the Walther PP and Walther PPK from which design elements were copied. That metal problem was apparently corrected with the CZ-70.

The Czechoslovakian Ministry of Interior, after WWII, asked for a new design, and it was used by government agencies and later by state and municipal police. I don't think it ever saw much (or any) military use. The caliber was widely used in Europe by police forces.

Walt

One issue was that the metallurgy in the CZ-50 slide wasn't what it should have been, and the slide, where it pushes back the hammer when cycling, would eventually form a swollen area on the underside of the slide, from the two different metals (slide and hammer) rubbing against each other. There's a term for that process, but it eludes me at the moment. I had that happen with the CZ-50 I owned, but it never caused function problems with mine - it did with other CZ-50s.

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Are you thinking about the term "galling" where the slide and hammer come in contact with each other?

Galling it is...

I owned a CZ-70. For me the shape was extremely uncomfortable. It was much snappier than any other 32acp pistol I've ever shot. I have very large hands. My friend with tiny hands felt the same way about it. I own several other 32acp pistols that are roughly the same size and weight, yet are pleasant to shoot. Mine was admittedly reliable for the couple of hundred rounds I shot through it. For me the way it was shaped, poor ergonomics basically, seemed like a design flaw.

Honestly, for the money, I'd rather have a Kel-Tec P32, one of the best small 32s, and one that is virtually trouble-free. It IS a pocket gun (or "on a necklace" gun, or in a shirt-pocket gun.)

My FEG cost around $150. My CZ70 cost $200. They're roughly the same size (IIRC), but the FEG is lighter due to the aluminum frame. Due to its basic shape and balance, the FEG is way more pleasant to shoot. That's why I kept the FEG and traded the CZ70 towards something else.

Go stand over there while I pump a magazine of .32s into you.

Doesn't seem so flawed now, huh?

OP is a troll.

The CZ70 is a heavy gun, for the caliber.
The CZ70 has a DA pull of about 15#
The CZ70 seems snappier than other .32ACPs I've shot.
But....
I think it has an elegant shape.
The SA pull is very nice and crisp.
It is as reliable as the sun coming up.
I like my CZ70.
I even bought Marscal grips for it which cost nearly as much as the gun.
Something about wood on steel....

$200!?!?

I have a CZ70, and many of my friends do also, because someone (forget who) had them for $70 (retail, less to dealers), and it was back when my LGS didn't mind buying stuff on spec so got like a dozen, we took most of them for that price. They sold the rest in moments for maybe $90 to walk ins.

I think it's comfy, but that's a hell of a long DA pull, and it feels not at all like you are shooting .32 when you do pull the trigger. Not sure how they managed that.

"$200!?!?"

It was just a few years ago. I probably overpaid. IIRC, it was LNIB with... stuff? Maybe cleaning tool and shoulder holster and papers... something like that. It wasn't my best purchase. It was at least reliable. I like the wood grips above, btw.

Gun Master said:

Maybe a CZ-70 hammer in the CZ-50 would fit and work to solve the "galling" problem ? For the difference in cost, by having to buy an extra hammer, and with the other improvements, I'd prefer to buy a CZ-70 even though it's not a C&R.

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I think the problem was with the metal of and the hardening done to the slide. From Wikipedia:


If the problem is the CZ-50 slide -- what I understood to be the case -- changing hammers might not have the desired effect. But even finding a hammer might be a challenge. Finding things like that, and screws and magazines can be a problem.

The problem with all of this is that you'll end up with a heavy little gun that is expensive to shoot, and while an adequate pistol, it's more a conversation piece that a reasonable, practical weapon..

For a bit more you can get a new Turkish-made CZ-pattern gun, some newer varieties of striker-fired guns, maybe an updated version of the Tokarev, a used Bulgarian Makarov, etc., etc. It's amazing what $300 will buy, nowadays, and much of it in 9mm! (Just saw the new 9mm Ruger "economy" gun on sale for well below $300 at Academy!)

(Years back, when I first got my Curio & Relic FFL, the CZ-50 was what many new C&R (03) FFLs were buying up. I bought mine from CDNN along with a Yugoslavian Mauser. I don't do C&R any more -- but keep the FFL, as it gives you discounts at places like MidwayUSA and Brownells.)

larryh1108

I even bought Marscal grips for it which cost nearly as much as the gun.
Something about wood on steel....

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I was thinking the same thing when I saw the grips: beautifully made but probably cost more than the gun!

The gun cost me about $200. The grips were about $125 from EU with a 4 month wait. I believe the son at Marschal now runs the company and the grips price has come down to the $60-$70 range. Silly? Maybe. But I like them.

Tallball said:

"$200!?!?"

It was just a few years ago. I probably overpaid. IIRC, it was LNIB with... stuff? Maybe cleaning tool and shoulder holster and papers... something like that. It wasn't my best purchase. It was at least reliable. I like the wood grips above, btw.

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Stuff helps. I wish I had stuff. But when I see it, it's expensive. So, maybe a hell of a deal.
I forgot my emoticons. Mostly just screwing with you. Though I do like that I am not 103 years old and own a gun I bought for way under $100.

Be aware that finding spare mags for either of these are like hen's teeth,

im thinking of adding a CZ70 to my collection.. if not, then i would probably try to find an unpitted "shooter" M1903 colt or 1914 mauser if i can find one for a similar price.. one with little collector value that i could have a bit more fun with, ya know?

Venom007 writes:

Go stand over there while I pump a magazine of .32s into you.

Doesn't seem so flawed now, huh?

OP is a troll.

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Huuh...? I didn't see it that way at all. The OP didn't even mention caliber. If he was indeed a caliber-troll, why would he have selected just those guns about which to ask? After all, the Kel-Tec P32, (probably because it's a Kel-Tec) is much more fun for "trolls" to pick on.

(Now, maybe you take issue with post 2, which does mention the caliber...)

The 1903 is my personal favorite. I haunted Gunbroker for quite a while and got this one for... I think that the bid was $330 or something like that. It was buffed and refinished and had the grips replaced, so the collector value is nil. It sure is fun to shoot, though.

not wanting to derail.. but what does a "shooter" quality 1903 go for?.. say no rusting or pitting, but finish is gone, maybe the grips are cracked.. maybe it needs new springs.. you know, something you can bring back to life iwth a little work?.. im also wondering what a same quality 1914 goes for because i'll either buy one of those two, or a CZ70.. im wanting a .32 specifically

jmace57 said:

Be aware that finding spare mags for either of these are like hen's teeth,

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You reminded me, I saw some of these for sale earlier this year (somewhere... online though) for an okay price with like a holster maybe... and no mag.

That's not helpful. I guess for spares maybe but annoying when mags are that rare. There are a few like this, where they technically have a removable mag but the government bought 1 gun, 1 mag x whatever and that's it. Loose or damage the mag, not a self loader anymore.