Please tell me about CZ

I can't tell you about the RAMI, but I have a brace of 75Bs in 9mm and 40 Smith, and I love them. They are some of the most pointable guns out there. To me, they feel much better than any glocks or M&Ps. I think that CZ is the best buy on the market.
Mauserguy

CZ2075 RAMI 9mm, my wife's



It was the first RAMI in AZ, one of the first in the US. She loves it. Accurate, reliable, and dependable. Shown here with Hakan Pek grips, extended 14 round mag, and HBE COMIII IWB holster.

I have a 75 compact and it's the gun that I shoot most often. Very reliable..countless rounds down range and not one problem. Very accurate and a lot of fun to shoot. I like that it is SA/DA so there's no need to carry cocked and locked. Breakdown and reassembly for cleaning is a snap. If I had to criticize anything, it would be the grips. I have meaty hands and relatively short fingers. The thickness of the grips makes the DA trigger pull a little long for me. I think if I got some thinner grips, that reach would be more comfortable. The reach isn't bad mind you, but it could be improved upon for my circumstances.

I've fondled just about every CZ available the past 3 years. What suprised me the most about the RAMI is how thick the gun is. For it's caliber (usually 9mm) it's just so blocky.

Have you looked at a PCR yet?

One thing I don't like about the rami is the slide release is small and smooth. It's pretty hard to get a good enough grip on it to close it without working the slide also. No complaints besides that.

I used to love CZs. I still like my CZ 75B. However, I personally know too many people who have had touble with theirs (and mine, while generally reliable, is far from 100%) to be quite as enthusiastic as I used to be. They are generally good guns, but seem to put out slightly more lemons than the average. They also tend to be a bit rough inside- good to great fit and finish outside, lacking inside.

If you have the budget for something nicer, you may want to go that way. If you are on a Ruger budget, get the CZ.

I do not have a RAMI. I do have 2 CZ 75 Compacts (9mm-40 S&W) and a CZ 75 Kadet. I would check out the CZ Forums and CZ Shooters web site. I believe there have been some problems reported on the RAMI in 40 S&W but not many on the 9mm.
Having said that I have heard rumors about the CZ 75 Compact 40 S&W having problems but I haven't had any with mine.

PCR? Explain.

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The PCR is a 9mm with decocker. I looks to me like the P-01 without the rails.
http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=37

The "PCR" is the CZ-75D compact, alloy framed 9MM. It is my favorite all around pistol in my inventory.

I carry a PO1, a pistol which looks blocky, but conceals easily in a Bianchi M-100 IWB rig. I did have a CZ PCR, another outstanding pistol, which was my BUG of choice. The only reason some of my CZs are no longer with my is financial, nothing else. I have never had an issue with any of my CZs, save caused by my beginning reloads, and they will put that little high speed pill right where I want it.
The CZ2075 RAMI in 40 has indeed had issues. I haven't had one, so I don'tknow if that's been cleared up, but I have been told the newest ones are trouble free. I haven't heard of any issues with the Compact 40, but I am looking forward to trying out the brand new PO6, a PO1 chambered in 40.
CZ rocks.

The PCR is the one CZ that is still on my wish list (well, also a 40B to replace the one I stupidly sold- the CZ 40B and PCR may have been the best recent CZs they put out).

chaim, can you elaborate on your earlier post? What kind of problems have you seen with CZs, and which models were affected? I'm asking primarily because IME it is rare to hear of a problem with them, even on internet forums where people tend to post about issues with their guns. But I know that all guns can and will inevitably have problems. Having just purchased a P-01, I'd like to know what you have to say.

I picked up a Rami a couple of years ago and it just did not feel right. I have a couple of compacts that feel right so I passed on the Rami.

2075 Rami in 40 sw

I have a new Rami in 40 sw. I like the way it shoots and used it to take my carry permit test. I shot well with it but it is not perfect. In 40 sw it is supposed to hold 8 + 1 rounds. If you can get 6 rounds in the magazine without it jamming up and not feeding, then you are a better man than I am.

I wrote CZ about it and they said this has been an ongoing problem with the gun. They said that new magazines would soon be available. I waited a month and wrote them again to get the new mags and have been waiting a week for a return email.

This may not be a problem in the composite gun because the mag is different but I know I wont carry mine with more than 5 rounds in it.

chaim, can you elaborate on your earlier post? What kind of problems have you seen with CZs, and which models were affected?

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My friend on the internet's gun (I met him on the net, we became real world, though long-distance, friends in the couple years before he passed) was a 75B (actually, 2). I don't remember the specific issues anymore, if they were "only" ejection and feeding issues or if there was something more (he passed away a couple years ago so we haven't discussed it in some time). I just remember him being very frustrated with all the work to get it right (sending it in to CZ-USA on more than one occasion), then being extremely frustrated when CZ saw how bad his gun was and replaced it, and the replacement was no better. He eventually got it working well enough to be a range gun (he loved it when it worked), but never well enough to trust to defend him and his wife (he ended up buying a S&W 910 for that purpose, it never hiccuped, and prior to that he used his S&W model 10).

My best friend has an 85 Combat (a nicer version of the 75B). As far as I know it has just had ejection and feeding issues, but it has had quite a few of them and his fixes (springs, checking for burrs, polishing select parts, and other work I'm not sure of) have done nothing except slow the problem (it is still an issue, just not as often).

My gun is basically reliable. I stopped counting at 5K rounds so I expect some issues. However, even it has feeding and ejection issues more often than I'd like and an occasional failure to go into battery (on average over its lifetime I've had 1 hiccup every 3-500 rounds, lately, more like one every 100-200, and last range trip, one every 2 or 3 mags). I change the springs regularly, but the increase in issues may signal a need for new springs. It is a 75B.

I had a 40B which was 100% (if I remember right, I stupidly sold it about 4 years ago- Spot77 is the current owner, and last I heard he is quite happy with it).

On the internet you hear mostly about feeding and ejection problems on the 75B and 75B based guns (that's pretty much all CZ makes). In many cases it may simply be a result of CZ's use of underpowered springs. However, not all the problems seem to be solved by replacing springs.

All that said, I don't necessarily have a problem with CZ (I know my posts may sound like that sometimes). I just want to bring some sanity into the room when all the CZ-fanatics (I used to be one) start in, sometimes claiming the CZ to be better than such guns as SIG and HK. When you get a good one, they are very good guns. You may be a little more likely than average to get a lemon (my experiences along with internet observations suggest that to me), but most of their guns are just fine. If they improved their QC a little to stop some of the problems, put in better springs, and improved their fit and finish of the interior parts, they indeed would be in the same league as SIG, HK and the better 1911 makers (but then, the price wouldn't be the bargain it is).

As they stand now, I don't consider them competition for guns like SIG, and if you can afford the better gun, get it. I consider them competition for Taurus, Ruger, and other good but more budget oriented guns (they may be good guns, they may be nice guns, but some corners are cut somewhere). For reliability they probably are very similar to Taurus (good guns, they could improve their QC, but if they did they wouldn't be the bargains they are), and I love Taurus. I defend Taurus all the time, I try to put some reality back into CZ discussions. Why? Because you hear Taurus being attacked quite often and CZ being lauded as the best thing since sliced bread, when in reality both are good guns that could be better- in both cases I try to bring (sometimes emotional) discussions back to reality.

I used to be a fanatic and want one of nearly every variation. Now that I'm more down to Earth about it and consider CZ to be an average gun, I don't really want to add much to my CZ collection. One 75B is enough, I don't need a 75SA, 85Combat, etc. They aren't so well made and reliable that I need more than one of the basic design. For ergonomics I'd rather have a 1911 or Hi Power. Still, I would like to find a LNIB condition 40B eventually to replace the one I stupidly sold, and I'd love a PCR. The P01 may be their best engineered gun yet, it just doesn't do it for me (I don't like the rail on that gun).

Thanks for your input. No one can fault you for your opinion -- if I ran into issues with my Glock and observed friends having issues as well, I probably wouldn't think as highly of Glocks as I currently do.

As I said before, any gun from any manufacturer can malfunction. The problems reported from CZ owners seem to be few and far between, though that may very well stem from the fact that they aren't as popular (in this country, at least) as Glock, SIG, etc. But it's highly unrealistic to think that they are perfect or immune to occasional issues. I agree that you're more likely to experience issues with the lower priced brands such as CZ, Taurus, and Kel-Tec; sure, the QC could be improved but then again the guns wouldn't cost what they do.

CZ seems very much like Taurus in that if you get a good one it's a GREAT firearm for the price, but you're more likely to get a lemon than if you purchase an HK. I happen to think HKs are overpriced for what they are, but I also think that some of the cost is justified by superior engineering and QC. I'll admit that I've heard about more problems with Tauruses but again, that could be because a greater number of people buy them and that in turn means a greater number of potential issues.

At any rate, I thank you for sharing your experiences. It's only realistic to hear of problems from any gun, whether it be a CZ, Taurus, or HK. I believe people should weigh the pros and cons of every gun, including the possible failure rate, and choose the one that fits their needs. Though you can possibly reduce the chances of a malfunction by choosing a particular handgun, what good is one that never fails but feels like the most awkward piece of plastic/metal that you've ever held?

Just to add one bit of trivia, the PCR (Police, Czech Republic) model was brought in to compete for the service pistol to be used by the Czech Police. Previously, the Czech Police had been using pistols chambered for Soviet-era ammunition. The pistol was so well-received that CZ-UB made the configuration available for the civilian market.

My take on the pistol is that the smaller the frame, the blockier the pistol feels in my hand. If you feel better with a full-size frame, but want the compact slide, take a look at the CZ 75 SemiCompact. There are a few as of this writing on GunBroker.com.

I am a CZ-aholic. I have had no troubles with my CZs, that were not caused by my own reloads, (OAL too long, etc.), but it's a fact that every company produces a lemon or two. I don't know why people bag on Taurus, either, as they were some of the more reliable guns on the rental shelf at the range I worked at. I have seen every single gun fail, every make, SiG, Glock, HK, (watched a cop, on duty, come in to pop a few caps with his issued USP - failed every other round, poor guy turned pale, and left for the station.), Taurus, Ruger, Springfield, Berretta, CZ, etc. If we had someone shooting it, it would fail eventually. But, the two makes that failed the least were the Ruger P series and the CZ, honorable mention was Taurus. The cheaper sidearms took more abuse than the expensive ones, and the USPs were the worst...OI!
My Czs are the best bang for the buck I ever had, and I will get a PCR again.
But, for the request earlier, here's a pic of my old PCR. Never burped, very accurate/reliable.

My PCR is awsome. I count on it every day for me and my families protection. The only modification I have made is to install some trijicon nite sites. I have found that mine likes 124 grain gold dots the best. I ran a long trial period through the gun using all the latest hollow point ammunition.


My gun is now just over a year and a half old. I may need to raplace the recoil spring soon. I hear wolf has some good ones...I will also probably replace the plastic guide rod. It has not caused any problems to this point...but for some reason I dont like the idea of plastic in that area of the gun.

Armoredman, nice PCR. That is the CZ that I want the most. I've wanted one for years, then they discontinued it, they've brought it back for a while now but I had other priorities, and now my money is tight- one or two guns a year tight- so I don't know when I'll finally do a PCR. Hmm, maybe I'll trade my CZ 75B and a few bucks for the PCR (after a spring change in my 75B since the springs are probably why it is currently failing), but then I also like the accuracy of a full-sized pistol. Buying without a trade may take a little while because I'm currently on a .40S&W kick and I think they still make the PCR in only 9mm. Still, that is probably my most wanted 9mm right now (other than the Kahr PM9 which is just so small and light - it should even work in a pocket).

The issues with the 75 Compact in 40 S&W are related to the mags. Mine is ammo sensitive and will not allow you to load more than 5 - 6 rounds of Hydra-shock before the follower hangs up and all the rounds drop out. It has no problems with Rangers though.
Very accurate, durable and dependable..

The bayonet is tacticool also! LOL