CZ 85 pre B model and Odd experience with CZ customer service.

[Master Blaster]

Yesterday I was in my favorite retail gun emporium, I had decided that I needed to add another of JMB's classics to my collection. I was in the market for a browning high power.

The shop had one it was a MKIII in matt blue brand new made in Belgium by FN with one 10 round magazine (I think one not sure), I tried the trigger and looked at the position of the spur hammer as I racked the slide, I have never suffered hammer bite even with a standard grip safety on a 1911, but I could feel the hammer hit my hand when I racked the slide.
I also noticed that the trigger is Horrible the WORST on any handgun I ever handled.

the price $599.

I passed.

So next to the High power is a gaggle of CZ 75B and one CZ 85.

The CZ a pre B 85 imported by magnum, research dated 1994 is LNIB, it was maybe fired 100 rounds if that, and it came with 2 15 round CZ magazines.

All papers original cardboard box, and even the warranty card uncompleted.

The price $350 out the door!!!!!.

I tried the trigger and it was decent much much better than the highpower,

So I bought it.

Later when I disassembled it I realized it was missing the slide stop lever that snaps on the right side of the stop, and snaps off for cleaning.

Neither I nor the sales guy at the shop realized this, so I called CZ and the first person I talked to told me that this was a common problem and I would have to send the gun in so they could redrill the frame for a new one!!!!!!

HUHUHUHUH???????? It looks like it snaps off I said so you can remove the slide stop to clean it. Other wise you cant disassemble the gun to clean it!!!!!
The person there tells me its not supposed to come off, they will have to drill the frame and put a new one on at no charge.

So I hang up shaking my head that this cant be right.

I called CZ back and asked to speak to the smith.

I tell him of my conversation with the CS person there, and that it makes no sense, cause I can see the part just snaps on. He asks for my name and address and says it does snap on and off, and he will send me one at no charge!!!!!!

So did I get taken????

The trigger on the 85 was much better than the trigger on the 75Bs they had in the case.

Any ammo advice????

The computer test target showed a 3" 6 shot group at 25 meters with S&B 9mm.

What holsters do you folks like????

Thanks

 

[George Hill]

NO!
You didn't get taken. CZ wants to make sure your screwed up gun is in perfect condition.
They are very good. Taken? Not hardly. This is like calling the dealership and telling them you can't find the gas cap and Ford saying, bring it in!
CZ USA is awesome.

Holster for a CZ? That means:
http://www.hbeleatherworks.com/

 

[PCRCCW]

Well as a CZophile Id say you got what alot of companies have to deal with...a person trying to be techinical when they have not merit doing so.

ALWAYS TALK TO MIKE! He took care of you and you got the part for free...hell, they charge me 9$ to ship me a 2$ part.......LOL.

I do believe all companies fall into this once in a while......I will, on your behalf, email a link to this thread to the Pres. of CZUSA..She will take care of it.....Twust me. Shes a good business person, one of the best.

As far as your price you did pretty good...these are in demand among Comp shooters and the trigger is very very good.....you did well, esp. w/ 2 high caps.

Ammo advice is any damn thing you can find it will shoot........

The test target in NO WAY reflects what the gun will shoot. They have a fulltime gaggle of employees that do nothing but shoot guns all day. The part of their operation is more to test the guns function more than its accuracy. Every CZ Ive had will out shoot its test target. The target you got more or less, reflects whether the guy shooting the gun had a good day or a bad day

Many top holster makers make CZ gun leather. Alessi, Sparks, DelFatti, etc........I do custom work for all CZ guns. If you need help in figuring a proper setup for you..Id be happy to assist you.

Shoot well and enjoy your gun...............Eric

 

[MoNsTeR]

I removed the right-side slide stop lever from my 85 Combat once. ONCE. It's not too hard to get out but it's a bear to get back in. It's retained by a spring detent, not by a screw or a pin or anything, so unless the older guns are significantly different in this area, I don't buy the whole "we need to drill the frame" nonsense.

Anyway, good luck installing that lever once you get it

 

[George Hill]

Maybe they have a new pin?

 

[Walt Sherrill]

As indicated, the 85B (and the similar 85 Combat) have a different slide stop than the rest of the 75 and 75B line.

There's an extra piece on the right side of the gun that inserts into the frame and stays there when the slide stop is pulled out. Its held in place by a small spring. (Its easy to get this piece in and out if you have a long dental pick, or something small to lift up the spring from inside the frame while you insert the piece into the frame. A notch on the little lever engages the spring and the spring holds it in place.)

The end of the slide stop is "keyed" to fit this frame-mounted piece, which is a lever. Once installed and the slide stop is in place, you can flip the lever on the opposite (right) side to activate the slide stop.

Taken? Not really. Good gun, good price, and they'll make it right. (Be warned: without the lever in the opposite side of the frame to help align the slide stop properly, you're almost GUARANTEED to break the slide stop.)

 

[Master Blaster]

Thanks for the information Walt, as always you are a great help.

I just got back from putting 100 rounds through the pistol, and it shoots great.

I can see the spring and it shoul be no problem to put the new lever in since I have a good dental pick.

I will refrain from shooting it until I get the slide stop lever from CZ.

 

[sarge48]

Absolutely love my 85 Combat! CZ smith Mike Eagleshield is a great guy to work with. You did good!

 

[Master Blaster]

Well I called Mike Eaglesheild at CZ yesterday afternoon.

He said who ever told me the new slide stop lever would fit was wrong.

He said send the gun in to CZ FED-ex, and they will mill the frame for the new larger slide stop lever.

The barrel which went into the frame on the old one was too small and thin and they often broke, sometimes the first time they were used, a replacement would only break again.

The work will be free of charge, (except the money I have to pay to ship it), and they will pay the return shipping.

It should take about 2 weeks to fix.

Oh well.

 

[Master Blaster]

Well since my CZ is on its way, on saturday I rec'd the new slide stop and lever in the mail form the second person I talked to at CZ.

Thought I dont have the gun it appears that it would be too big for the existing frame hole, the part is beefier than the old slide stop.

 

[CZF]

That is really the Only downside to collecting and shooting the Pre-B
models. If a part breaks, you usually have to get a B series part as
replacement.

For that reason, I've retired my pre-Bs. Nice to have you in the
CZ crowd.. hope you join CZF. Did I mention to you CZ guys on
THR, that CZ-USA now has Sweatshirts and other CZ logo clothing??http://www.angelfire.com/amiga2/czid/cswa.jpg

 

[George Hill]

Maybe so... but since CZUSA is more than willing to fit the parts themselves and make sure it's done right, I see no downside to this.
Wouldn't this be great if automakers did this?
Have an 86 Mustang with engine problems and get a nice new engine dropped in at no charge... That would be fantastic.

 

[J.Bourne]

The best customer service I have ever received was Ruger, followed by CZ, followed by Sig, followed by Glock. All four went out of their way to make me a happy camper.

Ruger customer service is thebest, though.

The worst firearm customer service I have received was HK. It's a pity too, because I love HK firearms. They were incredibly arrogant on the two times I had occassion to contact them.

There's a smith at CZ named Mike. He is the one to talk to for any problem. Don't even bother talking to anyone else, cause he'll straighten out whatever ails you the quickest. Very cool gentleman.

Good choice on the CZ. Best value on the planet today IMHO.

 

[armoredman]

Enojoy, and do visit czforum.com. Hey czech out Hakans grips for CZ, as well...http://www.imageseek.com/hakan/

 

[Master Blaster]

Thanks for all of your replies.

Yesterday I arrived home and was surprised to find a box on my front porch.

Low and Behold, It was my CZ 85 returned from Kansas City, fixed with the new slide stop lever installed.

According to the fed-ex web site they rec'd it at 9:11 monday morning.
So it took one day to turn around and arrive UPS next day air.

Great service, Thanks CZ, and Mike.