CZ 75B or Sig 226? Which is a better buy?

[Johnny Lightning]

I have been looking at both the CZ 75B and Sig 226...which is better, and are there any pros or cons to either? They both seem to be well liked firearms and are both reliable, comfortable, and DA/SA which is what I would like to purchase. Also is either one easier to work on yourself as far as trigger work or changing sights...etc...

 

[sigarms228]

Which one is a better buy is an individual decision which should be based on what works best for the shooter via actually shooting each for comparison.

For me it is the P226. I own several SIGs old and new and through 1000s of rounds they have all been flawless for me with NEVER a single malfunction and what I shoot best out of any of the DA/SA pistols available. My preference for striker fired pistols is Walther.

I have tried the rest including my Son's CZ 75 SP01 which is a nice pistol but I prefer and own P226s as I shoot them the best and have no problem paying the price for them though I bought each of my P226s for less than $500 as there are plenty of great used, low mileage police trade ins, and Certified Pre Owned SIGs available . In any case the investment one makes in their pistol/firearm will be a very small percentage of their shooting costs, but very important investment decision, over a lifetime unless someone buys a pistol, shoots one box of ammo through it, and then leaves it in the safe or closet which honestly does happen a lot but I am talking about those of us that love to shoot and want what works best for us.

I find SIGs easy to work on and all the parts I needed, if I ever need one, are easily available from sources such as Top Gun Supply and others. I have not changed sights but I do have the sight changing tool if I ever need to.

I have never had a need to do any trigger work on my SIGs as they all have been excellent at time of purcahse - new, CPO, or used. I would never do trigger/action work myself if I feel the need but would sent it to a qualified gunsmith such as Bruce Gray or to SIG for their reasonably priced Action Enhancement Package.







Good luck in your quest.

Here are my 2 P226s

 

[Pilot]

I have both CZ's and Sigs. Well, I'm down to one Sig now, that's a P228. Great gun, but my CZ PCR is better. Ergos, accuracy, size, all go to the PCR. I carry that and the Sig sits in the safe, and will probably get sold. I also have a 75B, and Kadet Kit .22LR conversion. All are fantastic, and I'd actually pay more for a CZ than a Sig if I had to, but as they are typically a much better value, that isn't an issue.

 

[chris in va]

Had a Sig 220, couldn't get used to the hard DA pull and transition to SA. Bore axis was absurdly high, round count low.

Of all the handguns I've bought and sold the past decade, my 2003 CZ 75BD is still here and gets used the most at the range and in competition. I've recently picked up a CZ 97b and thoroughly enjoy that one too.

The Kadet kit is fantastic BTW. Feeds everything.

I will say though that CZ's tend to have what I call 'teething problems' that need working out. Every one had some weird glitch that needed fixing. Not even necessary to send it back to Kansas, but actually a nice little challenge that pays off in big rewards.

 

[WinThePennant]

Easy - Sig P226.

Arguably, the finest combat handgun ever made.

If you don't like the trigger, then you can always have that improved with the Sig Armorers. I don't for the life of me understand why people sell guns because "the trigger just ain't right." Sig's "Action Enhancement Package" will almost certainly make your Sig trigger a dream. One of these days, I'm going to get that done to my P226.

 

[nebeel]

Love the 226 that I have, but also have a CZ P-01 that is awesome to shoot as well.

I am very happy with both, but I think that if it came down to it and I could only have one, I would go with the Sig.

 

[JDGray]

I've tried to like Sigs, owned the behemoth 226(with the DAK trigger), and a very top heavy 239, both didn't stay long. Had lots of CZs, and will always have one around. My favorite is my 75B-SA! The CZ has a lot lower bore axis, and doesn't feel like I'm shooting a revolver like with the Sigs. The Sigs slide catch is right where I like to have my thumb, and they never worked because I rode them.

Your gonna get more for your dollar buying the CZ(IMHO)

 

[Quick Shot xMLx]

Both are great guns but I have to go with the CZ 75 just because of the price. The fact you can even compare the CZ to a gun in a completely higher price range shows just how good it is.

 

[Dogguy]

CZ costs less. But I prefer the SIG at the higher price.

I actually went to a local store to buy a CZ a couple of years ago. After handling and inspecting a 75b and a 75b compact decocker, I passed on them. There was nothing wrong with the CZ that I could put my finger on but the gun just didn't turn my crank at all.

'Course the bottom line is that the best buy for you is the one that you like the best, learn to shoot well and keep up with frequent practice.

 

[Johnny Lightning]

I really like the looks of the CZ 75 sp01 shadow target! It has all the enhancements i would want in a cz 75 and looks geat too...any one here ever shoot one? Is it worth all the extra coin? I have picked up several p226's and one cz 75b and would have to say the cz felt better minus the gritty trigger. There is alot of love for both of these pistols but price wise it seems that the cz could be the top dog.

 

[mgmorden]

I've not owned the P226, but do own a P6 (which is like a single stack version of it. Have owned the CZ-75 in the past.

For me, the CZ-75 was mostly a better gun. The erconomics are better, the trigger was better - even the looks were better. The only thing I didn't like was that the CZ-75 that I had hit very, very low. At 10 yards with a 12" target I had to aim for the top of the target if I wanted to hit the middle. The SIG hits where I point it.

With that in mind, I got rid of the CZ and still have the SIG. My CZ was an older Pre-B model though and I'm sure that all of them (particularly the newer ones) can't have that same issue mine had.

 

[Stringfellow]

My general take after handling and shooting the two is that the CZ is a bit more solid feeling and the SIG is a bit more refined.

I don't see machining marks on the internals of the SIG, but then again some (most? all?) SIG slides are stamped sheet metal and all of their controls are. Part of the cleverness of the SIG engineers is that whatever stamped metal they use, performance has not been detrimentally affected.

So as others have said, it will likely be a subjective decision as to what features and ergonomics fit your preferences. The pistols should otherwise be indistinguishable in terms of performance and reliability.

I will have more personal experience when I get my SIG P220 in January and can compare it to my CZ75.

 

[sigarms228]

SIG slides are stamped sheet metal and all of their controls are

SIGs used to have carbon steel folded slides with internal extractors and they were very rugged and worked well. P226s made since about 1997 have milled solid stainless steel slides with external extractors. ALL P229s have milled solid stainless steel slides which can easily handle the pressures of .40 and .357 SIG rounds. The milled solid stainless steel slides add about 2 ounces of weight to the pistol and some prefer the older German P226s with the carbon steel folded slides because they feel have better balance in the hand.

Let us know how you like your P220 when you get it - I love mine.

 

[Stringfellow]

Let us know how you like your P220 when you get it - I love mine.

I have high hopes. I got to spend some time with my dad's P6 and P220 Carry a few years back and generally liked them quite a bit. However, I have large hands and just can't quite warm up to compact pistols. The full-sized P220 should be just right. I can't wait...

 

[Jeb21]

I have never owned the 226 but I have owned a number of other sigs - the 220, 229 and the 239. I also have owned a cz 75 and cz-75b. I like the both but the sig gets my vote. Accurate, reliable, plenty of aftermarket accesories.

 

[Fumbler]

If I had to go out and buy one right now I'd get the CZ 75B simply due to cost. If a 226 CPO was available at around the same cost then I would buy it.

Currently I own a 225, 228, and CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical and have owned a 75B in the past.

The biggest non subjective difference between these two is the machining/fit/finish is better on the Sig, but you pay for it too.

You can't go wrong with either and it truely is preference as either should do you good.
IMO the CZ has better ergos but Sig triggers are smoother and crisper. I think the CZ has a tiny bit less takeup on SA though if that matters to you.
I think the 226 is better balanced than the 75B. The 75B feels muzzle light to me, which is why I own an SP-01.
The bore axis on the 75B may be a little lower, but that's never kept me from shooting my Sigs well.

I really like the looks of the CZ 75 sp01 shadow target! It has all the enhancements i would want in a cz 75 and looks geat too...any one here ever shoot one? Is it worth all the extra coin?

I have the SP-01 Tactical, not the Shadow, but I can say the SP-01 kicks butt.
The ergos on the 75B are very good, but the SP-01 is even better. The distance from the front strap to the backstrap is a little less on the SP-01 making it easier for a lot of people to get a good grip. I think the grip also aids in pointing the gun when you're in awkward positions because the smaller circumference allows a little more wrist flexibility. The added weight on the front from the rail makes it a very easy shooting gun.
If you have the extra cash then the upgrade to an SP-01 is definitely worth it.

I have picked up several p226's and one cz 75b and would have to say the cz felt better minus the gritty trigger.

The trigger will smooth out after use, but in my experience it'll never be as good as a Sig. Close enough though.

 

[kimura]

Shoot both a lot before you buy and decide based on you. I haven't heard many complaints about either gun. The older German Sigs are simply considered one of the best combat handguns ever made. The newer U.S. ones seem to be hit and miss. I own a late 90s German Sig and it's a fine pistol. I've ran a newer Sig pretty extensively and it seemed to be fine, but I've heard they're hit and miss. Btw, both guns were 9mm.

I've never owned or shot a CZ, but guys that like them really seem to like them. I think if there were a lot of problems with them, you would have heard by now.

Personally, even though I own a Sig, Glock works better for me. Hence shoot both extensively before you buy. I shoot the Sig ok, but for me, it takes more concentration to shoot it well and every time I shoot it I have to convince myself that I like it, which means I really don't. All me, nothing to do with the Sig. As I said, fine pistol. The Glock is just so much easier for me, so mostly I'll stick with the 17 or a 1911. Now Sigarms228 looks like it's exactly the right pistol for him. People are different.

 

[Bozwell]

The trigger will smooth out after use, but in my experience it'll never be as good as a Sig. Close enough though.

That may be true from simple use but with some work the CZ's clean up amazingly well and can at least equal the Sig's trigger. The biggest difference between the two in the trigger department (in my opinion) is that the CZ is more like a diamond in the rough while the Sig is very nice out of the box. CZ's can sometimes be a bit on the heavy and gritty side sometimes when they're fresh out of the box, while the Sig is a bit more polished feeling. That said, given the price difference, you can order a CZ and have custom work done to it for the same price as you'll pay for a new Sig.

I really like the looks of the CZ 75 sp01 shadow target! It has all the enhancements i would want in a cz 75 and looks geat too...any one here ever shoot one?

I have a couple of the CZ custom shop guns and they're fantastic. I have a Shadow custom and it's a phenomenal gun. I'd say it's by far my favorite gun to shoot. It's just very comfortable and has almost no recoil whatsoever. I also have a friend who just bought a Sig P229 E2 and, despite all his practice with his own gun, still shoots my Shadow better.

 

[allaroundhunter]

When the funds allow....I will buy a Sig first....and I will probably buy about 3 Sigs before I consider a CZ

That is just my preference for Sigs though, they fit me well, and I shoot them well.

 

[sirgilligan]

I have owned a SIG P229 and I still own (recently acquired) a CZ 85B.

I like the CZ better. I have a Browning Hi-Power as well. I like it. It would be an interesting study, but I am going to speculate now, I think if you like a Hi-Power you will like a CZ 75 family pistol.

Value is hard to generalize.

Dollar for dollar I think the CZ wins (in the new market). If you get a great deal on a used gun that is different.

Here is some info I found on line:

A Briton, now living in the US, told me that he was privy to the
knowledge that when the SAS tested handguns prior to adopting the
SIG P-226 and P-228, their trials “control gun” was a CZ-75, which
did as well as the SIG entries. It was supposedly not adopted for
political and supply reasons. (At that time, the Czech Republic had
just emerged from the Communist Czech years and was entering new
nationhood, and wasn’t as reliable an ally as was Germany.)

A factor in the high reliability of the CZ-75B is surely that the
factory runs the guns on a machine that cycles the actions several
hundred times in an oil bath. This wears off any small burrs of the
sort that have to be “shot out” of most competitive new auto
pistols, during a “wearing-in” process. Thus, the CZ tends to be
more reliable “out of the box.” Neither I nor a brother who owns a
gun identical to my CZ-75B has had any reliability issues, right
from the first magazine through each gun.

It is important to mention that recent CZ chambers aren’t polished
bright. In fact, their dull grayness as seen through the opening in
the slide will encourage many to get out the Flitz or Simichrome
polish and shine them up. Don’t! That appearance is the result of a
heat treatment intended to harden that area and extend the life of
the barrel.

 

[david_the_greek]

I really like the lower barrel of the cz, it makes the gun pretty easy to control and point well. The sig barrel seems strangely high, though I think you just need to shoot a gun to get used to it. I'm getting a sig soon and am actually thinking of transitioning to mostly sigs for handguns (getting the 245, hopefully a 228/229, maybe a p6 someday). To me felt recoil was nothing with the two sigs I shot, but I'll have to get used to their different size

 

[mesinge2]

226 for me

I wanted one .40 S&W gun and as much a I like shooting my Beretta I generally dislike DA/SA guns. Not fond of transitioning from DA to SA.

That's why I like 1911s (SAO) and revolvers (I never cock the hammer on DA revolvers). So I bought a police trade SIG 226 DAK in .40 S&W. I figure its one constant trigger pull from shot to shot, just like my revolvers.




.40 S&W SIG P226 DAK trigger: Impressions -

Ok, its a flat high capacity revolver, that's it. Oh, and I love the damn thing! I am such a revolver guy that this may be my new favorite pistol. The sights were grouping slightly to the left and I didn't bother to compensate. Shot with Winchester Ranger 180 grain BCHP loads.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4npgyXP61hY

 

[ATBackPackin]

I have owned a CZ SP-01 for about two years now. I also carried a Sig 226 for a year and a half while working for the Federal Reserve Bank. Now obviously any gun choice is highly subjective, but for me not only is the CZ a better buy but I like it better out right.

The ergonomics go to the CZ hands down. Those guns simply fit me like a glove. I also think its lower bore axis makes it much easier to shoot and allows for faster follow up shots, but the higher bore axis of the Sig would not be a killer for me. The capacity and the sights are about the same although the SP-01 came with night sights and 18+1 magazines. The fit is a little better for the Sig, but the CZ is no slouch either and finish is equal. For me the killer with the Sig is the springy trigger. To be fair however the CZ trigger was a bit gritty out of the box, but it did smooth out after a few hundred rounds.

To me for the money the CZ is a better buy. If the trigger bothers you that bad, you can get a trigger job and still be around the same price as the Sig. I love my SP-01 and will NEVER get rid of it. The ergos and accuracy are remarkable.

This of course is only one man's opinion.

 

[sirgilligan]

Additional info

I got my CZ 85B about one month ago. I haven't been back to the range with it. (Which really stinks)

Loaded 5 rounds in it. Target 7 yards. Free standing. Two hands. No support. UMC FMJ. I am always nervous with a new pistol. I can envision the slide flying off and end up sticking out of my eye socket. (Is that graphic or what!)



Immediately reloaded. 15 rounds. Same ammo. Same stance. No support. 15 yards.



Immediately reloaded. 25 yards.



Now 10 round mag dump. First time I have mag dumped a pistol. But hey, I was smiling so much I couldn't help it. Seriously, the gun points great. Never done such a thing and figured I would miss the paper by the third shot.

7 yards, 8.5x11 sheet of paper.


And lastly, I drew seven circles with a marker and ran it out 7 yards. Loaded 7 rounds. I shot this as fast as I could, working from left to right. Retrieved the target and drew a line from the POI to the POA. Remember, as fast as I could do this.



I am not a professional shooter. I am just an average guy. I share this as a testament to the weapon. It fits my hand. It points. It gets back on target. It doesn't bounce. I like it so much it is tempting to say, "If you buy it and don't like it I will buy it off of you." But I can't afford to do that. But I feel that way.

The CZ is the best value I have found. Period.

And it doesn't look bad either. Here it is next to it's amigo, a Browning Hi-Power.



Does anyone think I am using too much oil. First time cleaning and I wanted to get some on all the pivot points, springs, etc. I wipe a little off each time I get it out. Next time I fire it it should blow it all out!

 

[dcarch]

Were I in your position, I would go with a CZ or a nice CZ clone any day of the week. The ergonomics of the CZ, as well as the manual safety option, are great. Plus, it generally runs about 200 dollars cheaper.