CZ 75B Compact

[Muncus Agruncus]

Yes it’s another CZ thread! So what is the word on the 75B Compact (compact with safety)? Does anyone here haul err carry it? Found one locally NIB for a Helleva price and before I hand over a few C-notes, wanted to hear from owners of this model. Any pictures to share would certainly be welcomed!!

 

[armoredman]

My first CZ was a steel frame Compact. That was what got me hooked, and I deeply regret having to sell it. Go for it!

 

[Gary G23]

The 9mm is a great gun. There have been reliability problems reported with the 40cal Compacts though.

 

[wqbang]

I think it balances better than any other CZ. A wonderful gun that is very shootable. Everyone who shoots mine raves about how well it shoots.

 

[saltydog452]

CZ 75 B Compact, DA/SA.

I have one and its considerably less useful than I had hoped.

The reach in double action is much too long for my non-NBA arthritic fingers.

When carried single action, cocked and locked, the design of the shelf on the thumb safety does not lend itself to positive control at speed.

I'm told that a replacement trigger will decrease the 'reach' by a small amt. I also understand that a replacement thumb safety offering a positive control surface is also being considered.

Maybe the SA only or the de-cocker model would have been a better choice for me.

If you bought one, as I did, thinking that you would be getting something close to the handling qualities of a BHP, but with a short Commander length barrel, that just ain't so.

That said, I am not going to sell it just yet. Maybe the aftermarket thumb safety will eventually be produced and the CZ Compact will be suitable for carry.

They have a large and loyal following. Maybe if I had gotten a different model, I'd be amongst them.

salty.

 

[briang2ad]

What is a good price?

Also a few notes. Feel the trigger, gun, and safety - if it feels good to you, then it is probably right. It IS veratile - DA/SA, or like a 1911 - SA C/L. The safety is better OTB than the BHP or the 1911 - especially if you use a HIGH handhold. It is also well suited for a high hand hold because the slide rides INSIDE the rails. I can see a complaint on trigger reach IF you have short fingers. You CAN get a different trigger, like on the P01. Also, if you get a really good price, you can BUY Thin Cocobolo grips from CZ (about $50) and the grip is MORE like a 1911. Also, if you do have trouble, you have a great web-site HERE: http://p201.ezboard.com/bczechpistols82792

So what DEAL are they offering???

 

[Logos]

Muncus, I have the 75D PCR Compact. I'm not sure what you have.

Mine is the most comfortable pistol I've ever owned--the grips are shaped perfectly for me. Cost $475 in 2003.

They go fairly reasonable around here--when you see them. Dealers say everybody wants a Kahr or a Glock, so CZs are mostly sold on special order and not kept in stock.

Almost always.....you will find one new 75B and one used 75B mixed in with all the other pistols. Rarely any more than that and rarely any other models.

I've also found that trade-in value is usually about $100 less than that of a Glock or a Kahr and sometimes even worse than that.

I recently had problems (after only about 600 or 700 rounds) with extraction. CZ sent me a new extractor spring and my smith put it in and then noticed that the problem was actually with the mag lips being a bit wide so the round in the mag sat up a bit high and sometimes blocked the outgoing casing from coming out of the chamber all the way.

I'm going to put a few more hundred rounds through it and see how things go, but I'm getting real tired of pistols. If it's not one damn little thing it's some other damn little thing that causes reliability problems.

Magazine lips DO widen out with use. Springs (several different kinds) do get tired. Extracters DO fail. Firing pins DO break. Magazines get dirty or old or just don't work.

I think the CZ is a great pistol, but pistols are pretty complex and subject to failure for one reason or another.

I may just forget pistols and go to revolvers--I've never had a single problem with one, but I've had dozens of problems with pistols.

At least I'd know the damned thing was gonna go bang when I needed it to.

 

[briang2ad]

Pistols Vs. Revolvers

Yes, I never had a "bang" problem with my old SW 28 357. But, I did get a lot of blowback from I guess powder. Also, I read thread after thread of how a heavier cylindered N frame may wear tiiming out quicker, etc. I also remember a friends 357 competely locking up because of a bad primer, and it went to a smith to even open the cylinder. Also, what happens to a revolver than flies down a flight of stairs, etc.

CZs DO sometimes need a new extractor spring - 5 minute DIY job. Some need a ramp or chamber polish. Bu, by and large they are very reliable. My Compact needed an extractor spring and a breakin - now it seems to be fine. If you want an autoloader, CZ is a very good option.

 

[Logos]

CZs DO sometimes need a new extractor spring - 5 minute DIY job. Some need a ramp or chamber polish. Bu, by and large they are very reliable.

But.....revolvers don't need any of those things, don't have all those strange little doodads that plague the autos......and, by and large, they are not just "very" reliable--they're totally reliable.

If you see me.....I'll be the guy with suspenders, belt, a spare car key and two revolvers.

 

[Golddog]

I've got two 75B Compact 9mm's, and neither has ever given me a moment's trouble. Great ergonomics, excellent SA trigger in cocked and locked mode, safety easy to reach and snick, terrific accuracy, 100% reliability with everything. They're the best of the many semi-autos I've shot.

 

[armoredman]

Logos, there is nothing wrong with a good wheelgun! I myself am looking for the $ to get my carry leather for my inherited Smith 10-8 4", which shoots straight as a laser.
But I like the 15 rounds on tap, and the 28 backup, I get with my PO1, the CT lasergrips, the ergonomics, and I can also hit what I aim at with it, too! It fits me like a custom made glove...but I never "down on" the round gunners.

 

[HorseSoldier]

The only thing I don't care for with the 75 Compact is that it ships with mags without the slight extension/bump pad they put on P-01 magazines. Without that pad the pistol grip is just a bit too short for my hands, with them it's perfect.

 

[Logos]

Yes, I love my CZ, I just question if it will function properly if I need it to save my life. I will have to put a few hundred flawless rounds through it before I will trust it again.

BTW.....I don't know of a CZ that's designated 75B Compact. Is that a nickname or an official designator?

 

[CraCZ]

Well mine is an 'o1 dual tone with brushed nickle frame in 9mm and it came with those base pads as in the the 10 rnd version but Im not aware of any 14rnd mags with that base you may be referring too but I could be wrong. As far as a CZ75B compact goes they are technically a CZ75 compact just like it says on the slide. Ive even seen them refered to as a CZ75C. You know the "B" just refers to block as in firing pin block. By the way its one of the best guns Ive ever owned and Ive had'em all! Now its CZ's only!

 

[briang2ad]

They now ship with the rubber mag pad...

at least the one I bought 2 years ago came with them. This makes the grip perfect and helps to anchor it in your hand.

Logos - I hear you. But there are thousands who have used autos reliably in life dependent scenarios and have succeeded. The military and police now don't use revolvers. Again - I have never seen an auto lock up like my friends Smith revolver.

Sounds like you will stick to a revolver - fine.

 

[Logos]

That totally depends on the performance of my CZ75 D PCR Compact.

If it's flawless......I carry it.....and I'll probably buy the latest version as a spare.

My revolvers are flawless, I expect no less from this heralded auto.

 

[MDW GUNS]

It's a great gun and I hate to see going out the door, but as a FFL you can't keep them all!

 

[armoredman]

Ah, the semicompact, almost mythical beast, so hard to find...

 

[GaryArkansas]

I've got the 75B and the P-01. They are tough and dead on accurate. Most will benefit from a trigger job. Matt Mink, Angus Hobdell, Jim Miossi and Mike Eagleshield all specialize in CZ's and have a great reputation.

Here's one of mine:

 

[Logos]

This is the same model as my CZ......which the smith claims is gonna work ok now.

I think the OP was talking about a different model, but I'm not sure which.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Well mine is an 'o1 dual tone with brushed nickle frame in 9mm and it came with those base pads as in the the 10 rnd version but Im not aware of any 14rnd mags with that base you may be referring too but I could be wrong.

I could be wrong about current practices -- my P-01 came with the bump pads on its 14 round mags, my girlfriend's 75 Compact did not (also 14 round magazines). Both were '03 production.

 

[Muncus Agruncus]

Oops, sorry to confuse some members here. The CZ I am looking at is the plain jane steel framed compact with safety. Not the alloy framed P01 or PCR.

The deal is this, a (05 production IIRC) polycoat NIB 75B compact with three standard capacity magazines, box and documents for $382 out the door. The guy is gonna get out of the firearms business due to personal issues and this CZ is the last gun in his safe.

Thanks for the responses and keep them coming!

 

[Logos]

Sounds like a pretty good deal. They usually go for about $425-450 around here. If you don't mind not having the de-cocker, it's a good opportunity.

Since, at least in my area, it is not a popular gun......resale or trade-in value may be low unless they are hot in your area for some reason.

Here, everybody wants a Kahr or a Glock......and the CZs sit on the shelf for years, especially those lacking the de-cocker.

What you are calling the 75B Compact is just called the 75 Compact on the website.....maybe it used to be called the 75B Compact in days gone by, I don't know.

 

[Newguy1]

I guess that I lucked into my Semi-Compact. I found it at a small local gunshop, and got it for 400 OTD. It is one of my favorites.

 

[Logos]

The revolver vs. auto debate is always interesting and enjoyable and will undoubtedly go on forever.

Someone said:

The military and police now don't use revolvers.

And I can see why. They need all the firepower they can get and if a gun jams in that environment, cops usually have partners or backup guns to continue shooting, and in the military you usually have a lot of people around you to cover you while you get your jam cleared.

Those of us who carry in normal life don't have others with guns to back us up like that.....if your gun jams, the Bad Guy just executes you......which is why some of the Good Guys carry revolvers.

One of the reasons the tunnel rats in Vietnam often used revolvers was that some of them simply wanted a weapon they knew would not jam......those guys were about as alone as one could get.

I know that a well-tuned autoloader almost equals the revolver in reliability.....maybe autos should only be carried by those who are willing and able to do the required tuning or at least see that it is done.

Clearly, there are arguments to be made for either choice, and, like many other things, your personal comfort level is what makes your choice right for you.