CZ-85: Trouble with new grips and magazine

[honkeoki]

I picked up a CZ-85 for a great price at the last gun show. It didn't come with a factory mag, so I bought a Mec-Gar mag and a set of Hogue finger-groove grips.

I tried the magazine first -- it fit too tightly, and had to be pushed the last inch or so into place. I assume this is just sticky grease or something that will wear in.

Then I installed the Hogue grips and tried the Mec-Gar mag again. This time, the mag refused to go the last inch into place. I got and SHOVED it in there -- now it's stuck. I put everything away before I got more

Questions:
1. Something wrong with the mag, or will it break in?
2. Maybe I installed the grip wrong and it's intruding into the mag well?
3. Anyone else had this problem?

Thanks for the help!

 

[eerw]

Not sure if the 85 series of guns followed the same manufacturing as the CZ75..but I have been told there is a difference in the magwell dimensions on the CZ75 PreB version vs. the CZ75B models..and that new style magazines will not fit the Pre-B version..

it might be the same situation on your CZ85..if it is a pre-B version vs. B-version.

B models have the Firing Pin block in them..the only other one that does not is the CZ85Combat.

 

[JDGray]

Take the hogues off, some times they need to be shaved down on the inside, they stick into the mag well to far. You should be able to remove the magazine, with the grips off. There is a differance in the mags. My 75B 9mm mags are sloppy fitting with the grips off.

 

[Master Blaster]

Check the grip screws, are they protruding into the mag well ????

Thats most likely the problem too long grip screws.

 

[Trebor]

The year of manufature is stamped on the outside of the extractor. Take a look and tell us what year it was made. That will help determine what the problem is. If it's an older gun, it might have the spec for the older mag well that was narrower.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

If its a CZ-85 rather than an 85B, it has the same dimension inside the grip as a pre-B 75, and most non-factory mags won't fit.

You need to use ONLY true factory 10 and 15 round mags. (The new 16-rouind Mec-Gar factory mags won't work, either.) Only a few of the mags made for the CZ "Clones" (Sphinx, EAA, Jericho, Baby Eagle) will likely work.

As noted, above, the rubber can be grabbing the mags. But don't bother until you get good mags.

 

[robertbank]

The mag well can be opened up a bit by a good 'smith and should solve your problems. I have an older CZ 85 made in 1988 and it didn't take long with a dremel or much metal to get the mags to work fine. Performance of the gun is not effected or at least mine hasn't been. Any good smith ought to be able to fix you up. Until you get this done you are going to have nothing but problems dealing with the mag issue for the older guns.

Take Care

 

[Juna]

Ditch the Hogue grips. Get the CZ rubber grips. They feel great, have fantastic ergonomics, and will fit perfectly on your CZ without giving you magazine issues.

Field strip your gun and take off the grips. Check the inside of the mag well and see if anything is obviously wrong.

 

[robertbank]

Juna

Did you read Walt's reply there is no secret to the problem here. Unless the mag well is widened by a 'smith the mags won't work in the Pre B CZ. Size 28 lady ain't gonna slip into a Size 10 dress. Just that simple.

Take Care