NEW 9mm ZASTAVA CZ999 -- Any Good For $289.95?

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Saw-Bones

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The pistol's good looks and metal frame and slide got my attention when I saw this ad along with a 6 minute video for the CZ999 on the AIM Surplus site. If it is reliable and reasonably accurate, it could be a real sleeper for $290

Do THR members have any experience or first hand knowledge about them?


NEW ZASTAVA CZ999 COMPACT 9MM PISTOL - $289.95 
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.a...ail&utm_term=0_6870497a6a-323bfee9d1-18489541 
 
 
NEW ZASTAVA FACTORY CZ999 15RD MAGAZINES - $19.95
 
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.a...ail&utm_term=0_6870497a6a-323bfee9d1-18489541


BTW - I've been dealing with AIM for 8 years and they are very reliable and I have gotten some great deals form them as well.
 
I've been wanting one of these for a few months and hoped the price would come down even a few bucks for the holiday, but I think it's as cheap as it'll get. And AIM is priced well-below everyone else with these. I've also dealt with AIM for a decade and never been disappointed.

I ordered one before the price likely rises. I'm eager to get it. It appears to be nearly identical to Sig Sauers. In my research over the few months, it gets overwhelming positive reviews, and has a lot of nice features not often found on a new sub $300 gun.

I haven't been able to determine if other brand magazines work in it, like other Sig mags. But $20 mags isn't too bad either, unlike some companies who charge $40 for mags... :what::banghead:

So, yeah, I'd pick one up immediately if you can - given the reviews I've read.
 
The CZ-99 and CZ-999 look like SIGs, but are apparently a cross between the SIG P226 and the Walther P-88, incorporating features of both, with some of unique design features of their own.

The "CZ" in the model name has nothing to do with the Czech-made CZ guns, but stands for "Crevana Zastava" (the name of the factory where the guns were originally made, in Yugoslavia); after the original Yugoslavia broke up into several different countries, I'm not sure WHERE these CZs are now made -- possibly Serbia or the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Zastava Arms is a Serbian company -- but I don't know if it's connected this this weapon.

Here's more info: http://www.cz99.org/index.php?page=cz99 It's an interesting read. The only complaints I've seen are by guys working on them, trying to improve the triggers.

I continue to wonder about parts and service -- as there can't be a lot of parts in the Numrich vaults. Anybody know about warranties, for guns bought new?
 
anything that comes from Zastava is the excellent quality. I used to shoot A LOT friend's full size version - CZ99. I was a flawless gun, just a little bit massive for my taste.
yes. these are made in Serbia, by Zastava Arms, former "Crvena Zastava ( Red Banner) "
hence the abbrevation "CZ".
As mentioned above this has nothing to do with Ceska Zbrojovka factory in Checz Republic.
Actually "C" in Ceska Zbrojovka's name has a little ^ above it and is pronounced as "Ch"
 
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I've had those bad thoughts before because it looks like a Sig for a lot less money.
But the lack of parts availability, as well as lack of factory service, kind of scared me off.
Sigs are expensive, but there are a plethora of parts for them, factory and aftermarket. Where can I get aftermarket springs for the CZ999? How about a slimmer grip? Night sights? A short trigger? Anyone? Bueller, bueller

Here's James Yeager's review: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=783628
No ditches were harmed in the filming of that review.
 
Very good pistol IF your fingers are long enough. If you have medium or small palms I would pass.
 
dekibg - After I wring it out, I’ll post pics and a report.

wingman - That might give some folks pause to getting one, but it’s the extra weight of the metal frame that is a plus for me.

Besides, being more that just a few pounds overweight, I ‘ll never notice the difference! :D
 
I bought one of the CZ999s from AIM. Got it cleaned and lubed, then took it to the range. I was getting a FTF about every 3rd or 4th round. The slide would stop 1/4" to 1/2" short, but go into battery with a slight push most of the time. Sometimes it took a hard bang on the rear of the slide to get it into battery. At first I thought the problem was the magazine, but it was happening on both mags that came with the gun. Feed ramp looked good, and rounds appeared to be positioned correctly going into the chamber.

I took it home and took it apart and it was apparent that the problem was with the barrel/slide/frame fit. There were wear marks on the barrel, and slide in weird places. A closer look and I found that the serial numbers on the frame and slide did not match...........pretty strange for what was supposed to be a new pistol??? I probably should have checked this when I picked the gun up at the transfer, but I've never seen a new gun with non-matching parts.

I contacted Zastava to see if this was some weird Serbian practice.....to throw mis-matched parts together to make a gun. Their guy, said no way. All their guns have to have matching parts when they leave the factory by law. So, it looks like something screwy happened at the importer (Century Arms).

I'm now in the process of trying to get this gun exchanged through Century Arms. We will see how that goes.

Just a word of warning to any of you guys buying one. Check the serial numbers to make sure they match before you accept it. It would not have been a big deal for me if the gun had worked properly, but the guy at Zastava said that putting a mis-matched frame and slide together was most definitely the cause of the FTF issue.
 
I thought about it but the FEG Hi-Powers seemed like a better deal. So far I'm very pleased with them. The availability of parts that dropped right in or required minimal fitting was a deciding factor. Well, that and all my Browning and Mec-Gar magazines worked just fine in them.
 
Century Arns did something screwy? Cmon. Never.:p
Yea this doesn't do much to improve Century Arms reputation. My biggest complaint with them before this was the ugly billboard import mark they slap on everything they import.
 
My two cents

I've owned a Zastava ez9 compact for about two years now.
It's a well made reliable service pistol.
I absolutely do not recommend buying one if you live in the USA.
You can not get parts for them at all and Century Arms is zero help.
I would not buy anything, period from Century Arms.
Mine needs a replacement lever spring, slide locks back on every round fired.
I think the combined slide stop,decocker wears out these springs.
A very simple and inexpensive part that has now made the gun useless.
Spend the extra money initially on something like a Glock.
You will always be able to repair it if it ever does fail.
 
Mine needs a replacement lever spring, slide locks back on every round fired.

That's a tough one.

Check around -- some gunsmiths can MAKE springs, and MIGHT be able to help with that problem. It might not be as good as an original part, but it might be better than an unusable weapon.

I had a similar problem with another gun and found that the slide stop, where it engages the mag follower was a bit out of spec -- and the next round, when being raised (as the top-most round was being being pushed forward and chambered was engaging the slide stop and pushing it up. Then as the slide went back, the slide stop engaged the slide. If your gun didn't misbehave early on, and you're using only factory ammo (some hand loads might be a hair out of spec), that's not likely to be the cause of your problem.

My gunsmith and I found the problem with my gun by seeing marks on the slide stop where it was being hit by the nose of rounds... Taking a very lttle metal off the slide stop in that area solved the problem. Mine, however, was using a simpler spring assembly... I don't know enough about the CZ99 or CZ999 to really know how THAT spring works.
 
I just got my Zastava CZ999. Cost $280 + $15 shipping, $15 FFL, and $25 tax. Came with two 15 round magazines. Extra mags only $20.

I have not shot it yet but as an experienced gun owner/shooter, here's my analysis.

I'm experienced with Sig Sauers. This has a very similar feel and design, but not an exact clone.

Its all metal, feels solid and well made. Unloaded balance is forward. Loaded magazine inserted the balance is good. Fit and finish seems pretty solid and nothing "cheap" feeling about this gun, except maybe the grips which can be upgraded to wood if desired.

The gun functions well in dry firing. Notably the trigger is fantastic in DA and SA. I don't have a way to measure, but it's light and crisp with minimal play in DA and no play in SA.

The decocker/slide lock is innovative and I like it. Reduces the number of controls, very streamlined appearance. Controls are ambidexterous for mag release, slide lock, and decoker. One of few guns on the market that is 100% for ambis. Puzzled why other gun companies don't do this. I'm right handed but like to practice left handed so this is a huge plus.

Chrome barrel is a nice feature. Sights are large 3-dot adjustable for windage. Rollmarks are not obnoxious. Disassembly is really easy. Few parts.

Thankfully mags are $20 which is very nice. It does not appear to fit mags from other common handguns (Sig, CZ, SW, etc.), although with some tooling *maybe* CZ or Sig or some other mags might work. Right angle, lockback, but wrong hole. The CZ999 magazine has the hole in the front, unlike most other mags.

Came in a nice clamshell box for storage and transport.

Assuming this shoots well and is reliable, this is an excellent gun for the price. I've paid twice this for Sig Sauers which this is very similar to and would be great for anyone on a budget that likes Sigs.
 
Thanks Walt for the reply.
The cost to have a proper spring made is just too expensive.
I was able to fashion a spring that works but isn't a proper repair.
It most likely will not lock the slide back on a empty mag any longer but at least it should fire 15 rounds rounds without malfunction. Drives me crazy being a millwright by trade.
There was nothing out of spec and the gun worked flawlessly for 300+ rounds.
The spring just weakens and can no longer hold the slide stop catch down.
The tension of the lever spring holds the slide stop down until the mag follower pushes up against it to lock the slide back on an empty magazine.
Don't get me wrong, it's a very good gun.
If you like all metal Sig's this is an excellent budget alternative.
I contacted Century Arms and they replied that they only have parts for warranty repair.
So once your warranty has expired you can no longer get your Zastava handgun repaired and can never get parts at anytime here in the USA.
So in my humble opinion, if you want a budget Sig? get a sp2022 or p250.
I own the p250 and the double action trigger is way better than my ez9.
 
Have you had quotes from a couple of gunsmith?

Unless you have gotten quotes, it may not be as expensive as you think. (The gunsmith would need the defective/worn spring as a model, however.) Gunsmiths often have to make springs for older guns, so some are quite adept at it. Just telling/showing them what you've done might help them speed the process.

If you can get one (or more) made for $100 or less, it might end up being pretty economical for what otherwise seems to be a pretty good gun. And you might be able to sell an extra spring to someone else and lower your costs.

(In my first response, above, I stated that getting parts was one of my concerns.)

As you have probably already done, I've done a good bit of searching online today -- and while somebody at Zastava said, last year, that Century was trying to get a "parts" import license, nothing has changed. Parts are unavailable. (I suspect that Century, if they have to fix a gun under warranty, simply sacrifices a gun from stock. They probably got them so cheaply they can afford to do that.)

What you've got to do is find someone with a CZ999 like yours and give them your bad spring, and see if THEY can get you one under warranty. :)

I came across this site in my search -- I had NOT seen it before. There are IPSC guns based on the CZ99 and CZ999 weapons in use in Serbia and parts of Europe!! http://www.cz99.org/
 
UPDATE on my mis-matched serial numbered CZ999 Compact: Well it took about 3 weeks going back and forth with Century Arms customer service, but they finally let me send my mis-matched serial numbered CZ999 Compact back. I told them I wanted a new firearm and not an attempt to repair this one. We will see what happens.

Also as leadcouncel mentioned above the CZ999 magazines are only $20, but if you have a Dremel you can modify Beretta, or Sig mags to work. The mag release is ambidextrous, and you need a "D" shaped hole on the front of the magazine. Took me about 10 minutes to do one in a Beretta 92 mag.
 
Walt, guess what I should have said is it just isn't practical and or cost effective to have a spring made.
To get the proper diameter spring steel do the heat treating etc, I'm just not going to all that trouble.
I can't fault anyone for purchasing a Zastava handgun.
It may never give a problem but a firearm purchase shouldn't just be about low price.
I want a handgun that is a good value and at this time a Zastava just isn't.
Just my personal experience.
My 2nd gen Glock 17 broke a trigger spring after a few thousand rounds.
A short ride to my nearest gun shop and a $1.50 later I walked out with a new spring and fixed it myself.
Granted the Glock is $250+ more to buy new but at least it will never become a paper weight.
 
basshntr1 said:
Walt, guess what I should have said is it just isn't practical and or cost effective to have a spring made.
To get the proper diameter spring steel do the heat treating etc, I'm just not going to all that trouble.

I understood your reasons for not pursuing it... but unless you've actually talked to a few gunsmiths, your assumptions about time, effort, cost, and difficulty might be wrong.

Getting the right metal and heat treating it isn't something you would have to do, and it wouldn't be all that that difficult for many experienced gunsmiths -- and the gunsmith would be the one doing the hunt (probably from a supplier's catalog!)

If you have done that, and they've told you it's going to be cost prohibitive, that's different... I'll understand and get out of your hair! :)
 
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