CZ75B or Sig226 ?

Both are great guns so either will be fine. If they were the same price I would take the CZ hands down but that's just me. Your best bet is going to a range where you can rent them both and see what works for you. Good luck with ur hunt

Having owned both SIG's and CZ's, the fit is in no way better with a SIG. CZ also has more options regarding finish.

I don't see how anyone could reasonably argue about which one is "better". They are both quite different and appeal to different shooters with different tastes.

To the OP,

These two are both world class pistols and you can't go wrong with either one. If you want to modify and create a custom pistol that's tailored to your liking, or if you want to compete, the CZ has many more options nowdays and is a dominate force in the action shooting sports.

triplebike said:

MSRP of the CZ is $499. MSRP of the Sig P226 is $938

Slightly better finish. I beg to differ on the fit.

Yes Sig does have a better trigger out of the box, but the CZ's smooth out nicely after a few hundred rds.

Highpoint has the best warranty of anybody, company means more than the warranty.

Both CZ & Sig are both highly regarded firearms manufacturers & stand behind their product.

The CZ is by far a better value.

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MSRP does not matter to me. What matters is what I have to pay for a product. Again SIGs CPO program offers exteme value IMO.

Well I beg to differ with you about on fit and finish that I have seen on several SIGs compared to CZs. I am not talking a huge difference but it is noticeable to me and again that is probably not a show stopper to most as long as all else is good.

The trigger on my son's SP01 after more than 1000 rounds is still no where as nice as any of my SIGs.

I will take a Lifetime Warranty over a short term warranty every day. To me it shows a companies commitment to their product even if most likely I will never need it as I never have with any of my SIGs.

I agree both are excellent products and again in the end the user will have to determine, hopefully actually having trying each being considered, which is best for them for purchase as I did for my needs and wants and I find better value with the SIG P226 even though it costs more or I would have not bought 2 and several other SIGs. Many others obviously feel the same way.

Have fun shooting and be safe!

Sig is the better gun hands down.

Based on what, that it costs a lot more?

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I can buy a Sig today for less than a CZ. When I bought my CZ's they were selling in the low $300's. Today they are $500-$700. I've owned several CZ's in the past and had reliability issues with all. No problems at all with the Sigs I"ve owned. While the CZ's were quite accurate, they were no more so than a Sig.

The idea of having a SA gun that could be fired DA sounds good in theory, but sucks in reality. If you want a single action gun buy a Browning HP or 1911. Either are miles ahead of CZ's and are no longer priced any higher. The SA trigger on CZ's is poorly designed and just plain stinks.

If you can't shoot a DA, then you need practice, don't blame the gun for your shortcomings. Any DA made is a better design than CZ's DA design. A CZ makes a passable range toy after you fix all of the reliabliity issuse that come from the factory, but I'd never trust one with my life.

^ lol.

My CZ 75 has been nothing short of 100% reliable for me. I would trust my life to it about as quickly as I do my Glock. EVERYONE I've let shoot it is like "Wow this is an extremely good shooting gun in most every aspect." It's trigger is without a doubt one of the best I've ever felt in both SA, and DA mode.(and yes that is compared to the SA pull of a 1911) Now with that said my CZ 75 is a later model Pre-B surplus gun that is basically a B model without the firing pin safety. Of course no firing pin safety tends to mean a better trigger on most guns, and being a old Czech police issued gun it has been broken in pretty good. Also I have done some mods to improve it's trigger pull, but it's not like I needed to I just like to mod my guns and people rave about a CZ 75 with a lighter Mainspring, and a competition hammer. I was kind of disappointed as there wasn't a big improvement, but with that said the factory setup was already very good. IMHO my CZ's trigger pull is better than any SIG's that I've handled in the fun stores. To be honest I never been overly impressed with a SIG's trigger. Not that I think it's bad, but I've never said wow this is a great trigger. I've never fired a SIG, but I have looked at a few in the fun stores. The only legit knocks I've seen again the CZ's trigger is in DA mode it's trigger is a little far reaching,(man up) and in SA mode it has a little free play B/F it fires.(if you notice this while firing the gun then you need to start paying a lot more attention to what you are shooting)

People like to say that a low bore axis is over rated, but I personally much prefer a gun with a low bore axis like a CZ 75 to one with a high bore axis like a SIG.

With that said all the SIG's I've handled felt like nice guns, but not to the point where I'm willing to pay the prices people are asking for them. IMO SIG's and HK's(while great guns) are overpriced. 1911's are overpriced, but they're guns I'm personally willing to pay extra for.

I'd prefer a brand new P226. I bought mine new, hell no I'd trade it for a CZ

jmr40, your experience is considerably different than mine. Indeed, I have never, ever, heard of the level of trouble in a CZ that you purport to have experienced.

Isn't it odd that the Israelis issued CZ's and CZ-based copies, then proceeded to use them for decades? Odd, isn't it, that the Turks issued the CZ, then proceeded to produce their own copy? Isn't odd, that the Swiss even produced the CZ and then proceeded to make their own copy? It is also odd that the only guys who ever copied - at least cosmetically - a SIG are Zastava and Astra (you can also count Tressitu and the Golan, both of which are Zastava's produced by companies that, like Astra, have been out of business more than a decade). You can point out Norinco, of course, but they copied the CZ first. As for fit, what minimal differences can you detect that the rest of us cannot?

As for CZ prices, I suggest you find new stores. I have never seen a new CZ more expensive - or even within a hundred bucks - of a new SIG. You can't price-compare a used SIG with a new CZ.

I love my CZ75b. Never had any problems with it.

jmr40 said:

I've owned several CZ's in the past and had reliability issues with all

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Please elaborate.


Go to the Sig Forum. Read what Sig owners say about CZ's.

Pretty much everyone knows where I stand. I do have to say when I worked at the gunshop/range I was able to fire the SiG P226, 229 and 220. I LOVED the P-220, of all of them, a beat up old range gun. I didn't like the one P-226 I was able to shoot, just didn't fit me, and the 229, (I think that was the one, compact 40), was pretty nice. The firearms were well built and rugged, and I wouldn't have had any problem carrying one. At that time, they were over twice the price of the CZs we had on the shelf.
I have had no issues with my CZ pistols, and we've had about 11 of them come through our household. The P-220 at the range had to be sent back for frame breakage, but that cannot be held against it - range gun with more rounds through it in six months than a privately owned firearm would have through it in ten years.

A CZ makes a passable range toy after you fix all of the reliabliity issuse that come from the factory, but I'd never trust one with my life.

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I'm sorry you feel that way, thousands of people in the US and around the world would disagree with you, including myself. My pistols are perfectly reliable with factory or my correctly handloaded ammunition - first try many years ago was pretty bad; who knew a roll crimp on 9mm was a bad idea?
I carry a P-01 as my authorized off duty sidearm, and trust my life, my wifes' life and my sons' life to it's proper functioning. I also love carrying my CZ SP-01 Phantom, excellent pistol that is far more accurate than I am. I never felt comfortable shooting a pistol at 50 ayards before I tried the Phantom. Not a single malfunction with any ammo tried, and the trigger, while definately not a match trigger, isn't bad to me. Full disclosure, I liked that oddball trigger on the HK vP70z when dry firing it years ago.
To the OP, pick both up, and see which one feels better to you. Decide what options you want, and would the other CZ models like the PCR, P-01, P-07, have more of the features you might be looking for, then do the same evaluation of the various SiG models. When you find the one that fits your hand, your needs, and your budget, rock on - no matter what gun it is or what manufacturer it came from.

The idea of having a SA gun that could be fired DA sounds good in theory, but sucks in reality. If you want a single action gun buy a Browning HP or 1911. Either are miles ahead of CZ's and are no longer priced any higher. The SA trigger on CZ's is poorly designed and just plain stinks.

If you can't shoot a DA, then you need practice, don't blame the gun for your shortcomings. Any DA made is a better design than CZ's DA design. A CZ makes a passable range toy after you fix all of the reliabliity issuse that come from the factory, but I'd never trust one with my life.

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You must be the one that got the bad one. What CZ did you buy? A surplus CZ83? a CZ50? For you to say the SA trigger just plain stinks means the one you shot was just a bad one or you have an agenda against the CZ pistols. For you to say it comes from the factory with all kinds of reliability issues puts you in the extreme minority. Scan all of the boards and you see less complaints about CZs than almost any gun out there. It makes me wonder if you ever shot a non-mil surp CZ. JMO of course.

I sold a P239 a couple of years ago. It is one perfectly reliable gun that I don't regret selling.

The decocker is in the wrong place if you shoot any other platform. If you just have Sigs, it's fine. Maybe the DAK is the answer, but I haven't shot it. The high bore-axis made that little pistol "snappy" and accuracy was just "combat accurate". One positive is that I could take it apart quicker than any other pistol.

I have a CZ 75D PCR that is better for me than Sig's classics. Ergonomics are much better. CZ got it right from the beginning. Reliability through 2k rounds has been perfect. Accuracy is truly that. I feel safer with the decocker.

The only way to truly answer the debate for yourself is to shoot both pistols on the same day. When I was looking for a full size steel frame 9mm for the range. I tried out both the CZ and the Sig. I went with the 75BD and have since picked up a couple more CZ pistols.

Nothing wrong with the Sig but I just don't see the price difference between the two. If you want your CZ to be tuned out of the box just pick one up from CZ custom. You can have a trigger job done before you get it.

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9mm ammo

lucky is right, and I agree (as I stated in my first post on the subject). I like 75's. Guys like SIG's. They are comparable in quality, reliability, and build. One is cheaper than the other, but if you shoot the SIG well and prefer a decocker, then the SIG is a fine choice. The stamped slide of the SIG screamed "CHEAP" to me, even though considerably more expensive than CZ's, but in time I came to like their slides, and today would not consider one of the milled SIG's at all (I am always tempted by 220's).

Personal preference. Pick what you like. Use it.

From my perspective, SIGs are significantly better guns than CZs but CZs are quite a bit cheaper so that is a fair comparison. Both have their loyal followers and both have their detractors. I consider CZs to be on a par with Ruger semi-autos--decent, reliable and durable firearms without a lot of refinement or attention to detail but priced well. I like Rugers. I like CZs. I prefer SIGs. Again, that's personal preference.

I find the CZ's quality just as good as Sigs, and perhaps better than the "new" Sigs, especially the PCR, P-01, 97B, and SP-01. CZ's quality, fit and finish, etc, has improved where Sigs has deteriorated, seemingly to ride on their reputation of the older, German made P series guns.

Nothing wrong with an older Sigs except the price they command for what you get. However, the placement of their decocker and slide release bothers me, and is counter-intuitive.

SIG, with stamped controls and slides with anodized aluminum frames? That is refinement and attention to detail while at the same time significantly better? That is not to trash the SIG, but to perhaps better understand where you define better.

SIG, with stamped controls and slides with anodized aluminum frames?

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I don't think Sig slides are stamped anymore, and both company use stamped parts. CZs use both anodized aluminum and cast steel frames.

In my opinion, what makes Sig so good is the design. It is very reliable, accurate, and simply a sound handgun.

Yeah, no stamped slide on the newest SIGs, which incidentally are the ones with the increased customer complaints. SIGs are the ones where many people actively seek out those made in West Germany. We were comparing the 75 versus the SIG and so lay the comparison. Expansion to all CZ models (and so the extension of all SIGs), other features can be considered.

The PCR, P01, and P06 have aluminum frames, the latter two being forged. These things are not lost on me.

The previous question remains.

Both companies have had their share of complaints. Sig with its quality control issues of recent, and CZ with its problems.

SIGs are the ones where many people actively seek out those made in West Germany.

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That is aficionado purchases, much like one sees with S&W P&R era, earlier Colt 1911s, and now HKs made in Germany vs. the US - nothing more.

Dobe said:

Both companies have had their share of complaints. Sig with its quality control issues of recent, and CZ with its problems.

That is aficionado purchases, much like one sees with S&W P&R era, earlier Colt 1911s, and now HKs made in Germany vs. the US - nothing more.

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Certainly they ALL have their problems from time to time. A user on the SIG forum recently reported that his frame cracked on his HK 45C and HK ended up replacing the whole pistol under warranty.

The new SIGs with their milled stainless steel slides are oustanding designs as were the old SIGs with the carbon folded steel slides. The old design slides were pleny good for 9MM and .45 but the new stainless steel slides are designed to EASILY withstand the higher pressures of the .40 and .357 SIG. The new slides however are heavier and some prefer the lighter weight and balance of the older design SIGs.

I have more than a few examples of both and they are all outstanding. The SIG P229 was designed specifically for .40 is one of the finest pistols in existance and has ALWAYS had a stainless steel slide and ALWAYS been made in USA and is one of the most trouble free pistols ever. So it is hogwash that anyone would think that SIG USA does not make outstanding pistols but some have it in ingrained in their heads that only Germans can make great pistols and that makes their German SIG extremely special especially when compared to other mere mortals that are so unfortuneate to own a non German SIG.

I believe a lot of the reason there is a preception of QC issues in general at SIG is due to new pistol launches that did not go so smoothly - in particular the Sig 1911, the Sig P238, and to some degree the P250. These designs did have some of a rocky start but by almost all reports on the SIG forum these models are now great and reliable pistols so I have to give SIG credit for fixing whatever was causing problems. I have a SIG GSR 1911 16xxx serial number range and it is an incredible pistol. Hopefully SIG has learned their lesson on new pistol launches and will be more patient versus a rush to get to market - a mistake that many otherwise great companies have done.

As far as the P220/P226/P228/P229/P239 pistols. Well IMO they are all rock solid extraordinary designs proven the world over that one should not hesitate to buy if it is a pistol that works for them and they come with a Lifetime Warranty.

Almost all the complaints on the P220/P226/P228/P229/P239 line are minor cosmetic issues such as the inside of the slide not being finished where the clamp was located during the finish the coating process. The other is where users notice spots on their alloy frame rails that show wear after use. Almost all of those cases the user reports back that the minor wear stops and does not progress any further nor causing any functional or reliability issues. SIGs do require proper lubrication because of the steel slide on the alloy frame and the recommendation now is to use grease. In the very rare cases where the wear on the rails gets progressive worse SIG has replaced pistols or slides as a burr on the slide was causing the problem. There also have been reports on occasion of the take down lever breaking. I believe that SIG has redesigned that and will replace under warranty. There is a "combat" version available to high volume shooters supposedly tested to at least 25,000 rounds.

Again my point being that each individual potential purchaser needs to decide for himself or herself what pistol purchase best works for them for their investment.

Anyone interested in a CZ75 and a P226 really needs to try both out to see what works best for them rather than rely on internet suggestions as to which to buy and understand they are both extremely reliable designs and that while one may not see the value in the extra investment to get a P226 certainly many will.

For years I had a Glock 19 and I still really like it and have it as I used it for CCW at my business and it was PERFECT for that. I used to go to the range and have fun with it from time to time. I tried different pistols including CZs, Xds, Berettas, etc and thought they were all nice also but never a reason to buy one. I never had tried a SIG because I did not think they could be worth the money but boy was I WRONG when one day I decided to rent a P229 .40 and it BLEW me away with how well I could shoot it and hence started my addiction to SIGs and have never had so much fun shooting pistols in my life. My son has a CZ75 SP01 in 9MM and while it is a nice pistol I still prefer my P226/P228/SP2022 over it and would not hesitate to buy another SIG over anything else.

Of course results will vary from person to person.

Bottom line, no matter how some of you guys want to spin it, is that both brands are world class firearms. The BIG difference is that CZ is able to do the exact same things as the Sig for about half the price, which in my mind makes the CZ a better value for the money invested. Attacking CZ by saying that it's unreliable or poorly made is showing a lack of knowledge concerning this firearm.

Both are dead nuts reliable.
Both are dead nuts accurate.
Both have a proven world class design.
Both will last a lifetime.

Check and see what fits your hand best. That will be the only way. If you can shoot both that would be even better. I like both the CZ and Sig, but bought a full sized CZ because it fit my hand better than a full sized Sig. Both guns can have great smooth triggers.

I felt compelled to chime in. I see several people here mention that SIGs have no issues or rare.
In my experience this is NOT accurate!

My 226 14 years ago had to go back to Exeter NH (SIG) 3 times for a slide stop issue. The 226 would lock up tight and not able to move slide. It was frozen locked open. SIG kept having to fix the issue and finally got it right on the 3rd try.

I also had a 228 (Nitron finish) that had several rust issues. Not neglected.
I don't think the finish is better on a Sig than a CZ.

The CZ is more controllable than the SIG when shooting fast

The CZ feels better in my hand than SIG

The CZ equals the sig in durability, accuracy, fit and finish.

Sig's quality has dropped in recent years and CZ's have gone up in quality IMHO (I know about the CZ pre B triggers)

Personally, I think CZ and Beretta are kicking SIG's in value. YMMV