CZ 75 Compact Overview, All Steel

I carry a CZ75C (all steel) in an Old Faithful Holster. A good holster and belt make all the difference.


IMAG0047 by sinbad339, on Flickr

I love the ergonomics of the gun, and it is a great looking handgun, but every range trip with it, I come away convinced that the trigger leaves a lot to be desired. I also had Cajun Gun Works do a trigger job on it, which helped the smoothness, but it has a very long reset. The only way to eliminate that is to remove the firing pin block, and I'm not willing to do that on a carry gun.

Don't get me wrong; this gun is a keeper, and part of my current three gun carry rotation. Its been rock solid reliable with plated RN handloads as well as Gold Dot and Golden Saber SD ammo. Did I mention its a really good looking gun (especially with wood grips)?


IMAG0066 by sinbad339, on Flickr

sinbad339 said:

I love the ergonomics of the gun, and it is a great looking handgun, but every range trip with it, I come away convinced that the trigger leaves a lot to be desired. I also had Cajun Gun Works do a trigger job on it, which helped the smoothness, but it has a very long reset. The only way to eliminate that is to remove the firing pin block, and I'm not willing to do that on a carry gun.

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You would not know the difference on reset in a sd situation. Its a lot shorter then my CW9, and while rapid firing, my CW9 feels like my Glock. There is a way to shorten it wo removing the block parts, just not as easy. My compact was a great little gun, just too heavy for my liking in a carry gun.

JDGray said:

My compact was a great little gun, just too heavy for my liking in a carry gun.

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That is why I carry the 75D PCR, with lightweight alloy frame. Similar to the all steel Compact, but lighter. Good range gun too.

JDGray said:

You would not know the difference on reset in a sd situation. Its a lot shorter then my CW9, and while rapid firing, my CW9 feels like my Glock. There is a way to shorten it wo removing the block parts, just not as easy. My compact was a great little gun, just too heavy for my liking in a carry gun.

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I really notice the reset when I shoot controlled pairs; other than that, I'm OK with the trigger.

I sure like 75 Compacts but have now started carrying a Tristar C100 due to the lighter weight.

I carry a PCR. I like the CZ 75C, but it's not left hand friendly for carry.

I just wish that my new 75 Compact would get here!

do you think a steel frame would be more durable over time than the alloy?

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I have not heard, seen, or read about any failures of the alloy-framed guns, and was a moderator on the CZ Forum for years, and have followed the guns on these forums even longer. They're strong guns.

I've noted it before, had alloy-framed Compacts (i.e., safety rather than decocker) been available when I had several Compacts, I'd probably still have one. That version is now available -- although I've only seen it on the CZ Custom Shop website.

Wolverine -

I went ahead and ordered the CZ 75 Compact; the all steel version. It was a trade deal through my LGS, and he has it on order from Davidson's. I'm not really looking for it until some time in April, at the earliest. I also ordered a set of checkered oiled walnut grips (with the new CZ logo) from Denes Marschalko in Budapest.

Didn't mean to ignore your question. I've been sulking about the way the basketball season has gone!

I've bought and sold CZ PCR's three times. This one isn't going anywhere. Great little gun.

And how do you think the cz trigger compares to the Sig trigger?

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I have a 75D (decocking lever) Compact PCR. Compared to SIGs I have owned, I prefer the double-action trigger of my CZ over SIG's due to its shorter stroke, but the single-action is comparatively heavy and rough due to "hammer camming."

A few parts from CajunGunWorks will solve the camming issue.

Same here. They're an awesome alternative. Tristar says they're NATO tested so the frame has to endure 50,000 rounds.

If you're in good health with a good belt and holster, an all steel gun isn't a terrible thing unless you're humping 25+ pounds of gear through the wilderness all day IMHO.

I liked all the cz's I tried and carried. I prefer the decocker models so I'm an oddball. PCR, p-01 and BD models were all reliable, accurate, easy to carry and fun to shoot. Mecgar mags work great so you have some of the cheaper magazines readily available. You can order sp-01 base plates and then run full size magazines in compact models with a flush fit look. Bonus!

The trigger is the best trigger on the market in DA/SA IMHO. Right up until sig released the SRT trigger. But for the price of an SRT equipped sig, you can pick up a cz and send it to the cz custom shop for a trigger job. Then the cz has the better trigger again IMHO.