Are Polymer CZ pistols any good

[tipoc]

By Marcus L.

Go to a Sig forum and all the members will tell you that the Sig P220 will give you at least 100k rounds of trouble free service. Even though the DOD and FBI found that most of them were out of action in as little as 10k rounds. Go to an FN forum and the members will make similar claims about the FNP series which did not pass the DHS or DOD trials. Glocks.....H&Ks....S&Ws.....all such fan forums will tell you the same. My past experience on CZ forums was a joke in that CZ fans overlooked the fact that they were replacing broken parts such as trigger return springs, trigger bars, and extractors at a rate of 5-10k rounds and claiming that their pistols were highly durable.....and these were the 9mm models, not the more troublesome .40S&W models or the .45acp 97b nightmare. You simply are not going to get any element of a unbias or realistic measure of a firearm's quality or durability by going to fan sites in which the members spend all their time defending their own confidence and financial investments.

There is some truth to this which is why it takes objective and critical reading of the threads and some broader experience to tell the difference between fluff and accurate information. For example, you personally read some threads and drew the conclusion that failures of small parts after 5,000 rounds did not make a gun reliable to you. The post told you something you may not have otherwise known.

Over to the 1911 forum a fella can read up on Kimbers. People who own Kimbers come there looking for advice on non functioning handguns. You'll notice that Kimber has been having trouble with their quality control at a rate higher than other manufacturers of 1911s.

So in my experience the Sig, CZ, Ruger, S&W, etc. forums are useful regarding the reliability, accuracy, etc. of various guns particularly if you pay attention to the complaints about them and have learned how to read critically. For civilians anyways and for self defense purposes, range work, etc. the forums can be a good deal of help.

If a firearm has been accepted into military or law enforcement service it does not necessarily mean it will be useful or "the best" for any particular shooter though. It only tells you the gun is likely reliable.

The criteria in testing are important. By the criteria used the U.S. military decided the 1911 was passe. The M9 was their choice over the Sig P226 ands entries from Walther and H&K. Some agencies have either ruled the Glock out in advance due to it's trigger or found it wanting in terms of ammo selection or some other criteria.

Some agencies employ point systems in their testing which establish points for both hard and soft criteria. Points for endurance tests as well as points for "shootability" or handling characteristics. Points for length of trigger pull. Points for fixed front sights or removable front sights, etc. Points for the cost of replacement mags and parts, etc. In some cases guns are tested with certain types of preferred ammo.

So if a gun passes or fails tells you something about it's reliability but knowing the criterai tells you more.

In any case the CZ RAMI is not likely to be up for testing by any law enforcement or federal agency anytime soon and for the same reason a J frame S&W ain't.

tipoc

 

[hags]

I don't know, but getting back to the OP I wouldn't put any CZ, let alone the new polymer CZ pistols, in the same class as a Glock, HK, or M&P.

These are purpose built, time tested and proven designs. Glock, HK, Sig and S&W enjoy the reputation they have because these designs work and are repeatable.

Personally it's nice to see the Smith and Wesson M&P doing so well. It's a strong design and if the grip section was a little bigger it'd be my daily shooter.

But, nothing will determine whether or not it's good for YOU more so than YOU shooting it.

 

[armoredman]

Years ago I worked at a city indoor rental range, many handgus on the shelf to use and abuse. Guns being rented get abused 10-20 times greater than ever anywhere else. What failed? Glock, a few Ruger autos, SiG P220 and P232, (still loved shooting the P220), Berreta 92, Smith autos, Springfield autos, 5 out of six HK USPs, basically almost everything except for the one CZ and Smith revolvers. In the interest of fairness, the CZ was not rented as much as the others, and maintenance on a rental range can be a bit spotty. Some of my co-workers just didn't care.
Maybe I have just beem incredibly lucky, blessed from above as it were, but I have yet to have any spring, slidestop, or any other reliabilty issues with my CZs, pistols or rifle.
Oh, on LE purchases? A lot of testing goes right out the window when it comes to price. I have checked in on this with my own Dept. You could have the worlds best sidearm, with decent support and parts, but another bidder comes in lower by a large margin, with a similar sidearm, not quite as nice, but with lotsa support, and boom, the decision is made. Performance is important, (note no LE issuing Jennings 9mm. :O ), but price is really important, and Grock sells guns to LE for a fraction of what you or I pay.

 

[DiN_BLiX]

Correction, Glock, HK, Sig, and S&W enjoy the reputation they do because thats what Jack Bauer (and clones) shoot, and internet hype, oh and lets not forget mall ninjas. Polymer framed is not my thing, but Ive owned CZs before and would not hesitate to own some again.

 

[hags]

Correction, Glock, HK, Sig, and S&W enjoy the reputation they do because thats what Jack Bauer (and clones) shoot, and internet hype, oh and lets not forget mall ninjas. Polymer framed is not my thing, but Ive owned CZs before and would not hesitate to own some again.

Is this a serious post?

Isn't Jack Bauer a fictional character? "and clones" ***?

That is one of the most ridiculous things I have read on this forum.
Maybe to the 20 somethings that live at home and want to impress their girlfriends or the guys they hang out with.
In the real world I can name you 5-6 local PDs and one SD that use polymer handguns.
I can't imagine carrying the SP-01, that gun weighs a ton.

 

[atblis]

Uhh

I think you need to read his post again. Yes he's saying people buy guns based on what a fictional character uses. Not that it is rational or correct, but that it does happen. Look at what Counter Strike did for a number of guns.