CZ Choice

[bainter1212]

I have a CZ75B in the matte stainless and a duo tone CZ75B Compact. My brother has a P-01 in OD Green. I have shot all three and I prefer the compact. It is slightly lighter than the full size 75B, has the same grip dimensions, and doesn't give up much as far as sight radius.

My Brother's P-01 has been 100% reliable and came out of the box with a good trigger. I am not a big fan of the light rail, other than that I would consider getting one. I have to admit I really like it in the OD green finish.

When I bought my 75B I was able to compare it side by side with a compact model. The Compact had a smaller grip, I am sure of it. I picked the full size model specifically because the larger grip felt better in my hands.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

When I bought my 75B I was able to compare it side by side with a compact model. The Compact had a smaller grip, I am sure of it. I picked the full size model specifically because the larger grip felt better in my hands.

All of the 75B-based guns are supposed to have the same grip dimensions except for grip length (compacts are shorter.)

What may have made the P-01 feel different for you was grips (which may have had less of a palm swell), the curved trigger of the P-01 (and PCR) which shortens the trigger reach, and the fact that the decocker models start from the half-cock notch -- which shortens trigger pull (and lightens its, too.) I've had both full-size and compact CZs and could never really identify a difference with a measuring tape. They do FEEL different for the reasons cited.

 

[TomJ]

It was delivered on Christmas Eve, and I had a chance to put about 400 rounds through it this morning. I now get the attraction, as it was flawless. Along with my SA EMP, it's the most accurate handgun I've shot. I need some work getting used to the long trigger pull in DA, but the trigger in SA is perfect.

I would like to confirm that it should be carried with either the trigger down or cocked and locked, but never half cocked. CZ's owner's manual mentions the first 2 options, but not the third, and that the half cocked position is there to stop the gun from going off if the trigger slips while being cocked.

I'd like to put night sites on it, and usually use Tru Glo TFO's, but don't see them for the CZ's. Is anyone aware of something comparable? I was thinking of ordering the Meprolights if the Tru Glos are not available, and was wondering if anyone has feedback on them.

 

[Chocolate Bayou]

I asked my LGS owner his opinion and he said he had a personal P-01 and highly recommend it. I went to a large gun show a couple of weeks later, still not sure if I wanted a 75B or the P-01. Well a I decided I had enough concealed hand guns when I found a 75B in matte stainless. Perfect fit and priced (not a $100 more than the standarded coated gun. I grabbed it up and took it to the range the next day. No regrets!

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I would like to confirm that it should be carried with either the trigger down or cocked and locked, but never half cocked. CZ's owner's manual mentions the first 2 options, but not the third, and that the half cocked position is there to stop the gun from going off if the trigger slips while being cocked.

Of course, you should do what makes you feel most secure, but you should also understand what's going on in these guns.

Internally the CZ Compact and P-01 are almost identical, except that the P-01 doesn't have a safety, and DECOCKS to the half-cock notch. When you carry and later shoot the P-01 or the PCR, you start from the half-cocked position. The trigger is slightly lighter an the pull is slightly shorter. The trigger itself in those models is also more curved, reducing the pull length a bit more, as well. In theory, at least, carrying the CZ Compact on half-cock is no less safe than carrying the P-01 in decocked mode. (It might actually be safer because the half cock position on the 75B Compact hammer uses TWO hammer hooks to engage the sear if the hammer slips, while the half-cock position on the P-01 uses only one hammer hook against the sear if the P-01 hammer slips. (One hammer hook was removed to make room for the decocker mechanism in that design.) I'm unfamiliar with the new Omega system, so it may work differently.) The manual doesn't explain these differences and similarities, but there they are.

Both guns have a firing pin safety, and the firing pin can only go forward if the trigger is pulled fully to the rearm, even if you immediately allow the trigger to go forward, there a very small "window" where the hammer can fall and the firing pin block isn't engaged. But unless it drops with full force, it's likely going to catch on the sear, etc. Manually decocking the Compact can be done safely and quickly, as long as the gun is kept pointed in a safe direction.

With the hammer down or at the half-cock position, the safety on the CZ Compact can't be engaged; some of the the Tanfoglio versions of the CZ pattern allow the safety to be engaged at half-cock and I always preferred carrying my Compact cocked and locked. Better, shorter trigger, and no difference between the first and second (and subsequent) pulls. It's not much different than the P-01, but it seems to be different.

 

[needmorecowbell]

I have both, but if could only have 1 it would be the p01 (or pcr). Both are fantastic, but the p01 is the better all purpose gun. Ergonomically I even give it the slight edge. It's my EDC as it disappears at 3 o'clock with 15 degree can't in my don Hume iwb holster.