CZ questions

[KAR120C]

At present the only pistols I have are a .22 Buckmark with a bull barrel, and a J-frame in .357 (for carry). I'm sure over time I will expand that number. My next step is to get a full capacity semi-auto. I don't want to get into caliber debates at this time. For now I figure I should own at least one 9mm (due to inexpensive, readily available ammo). I'd also like to get a .45 eventually, but first things first, therefore I'm only considering a 9mm.

I want a double action, and don't like Glocks because their extreme grip angle requires me to make a very concious effort to avoid pointing at the sky. I have large hands so would prefer something with a large grip. I really like the idea of having a .22 conversion barrel for the gun. Anyway...at this point I'm liking Sigs and CZ's.
I've been on the CZ website, but can't figure out what the difference is between a CZ 75 and an 85. What's the dif? Also, all I see are 10 round magazines. When is CZ going to be selling normal capacity mags? My local gun stores don't impress me with either their prices or (lack of) knowledge about the CZ. Any recommendations for what/where I should expect to pay for a CZ75, a .22 conversion kit, and normal capacity 9mm mags?

Thanks

 

[Mulliga]

85 is the ambidextrous version of the 75.

CZ is supposedly going to be selling normal cap mags soon. Full-cap mags are plentiful and available at places like CDNN or at gun shows.

NIB CZ-75 will be about ~$400, I believe. YMMV. I got a used CZ-75 (Turkish military overrun) for $270 OTD, so it pays to shop around and look for offers in your area.

.22 conversion slides are available at many places for around ~$225. I know http://www.jgsales.com has them for sure.

Normal cap mags shouldn't run for more than about ~$20 a piece, maybe less. Been a few months since I bought my mags, so hard to be sure.

Hope that helped!

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Good summary.

I've got several CZs and the Kadet (.22 conversion) Kit. Its about as accurate as any dedicated .22. (I had a Ruger Target Competition, long-barreled slab sided gun in stainless, and traded it away after getting my Kadet Kit -- as the Kadet was just as accurate.)

Bunch of different CZs out there, now, including several on the "compact" frame design, with the biggest differences between them being a steel or alloy frame, and decocker or safety. (The safety allows "cocked and locked" carry -- so be careful which you get. The standard 75B/85B has a safety, but variants of the 75B are DAO or Decocker.)

 

[KAR120C]

Thanks for the info guys.

As to the decocker/safety choice... Since I'm a newbie to semi-autos I'm not sure if I fully understand the choice. This is my understanding of it.

- the CZ safety can only be applied when the gun is cocked. So its intended utility is to allowed cocked and locked carry.

- The decocker allows you to safely lower a cocked hammer. This is useful after you've loaded the gun, operated the slide (to chamber a round, though this cocks the hammer too), and you then want to lower the hammer on the loaded chamber in preperation for firing the gun in double action mode.

Am I correct? Am I missing something?

FYI, my intended use for the gun would be partly to use at the range, but also as a more appropriate home defense gun than my 5 shot J frame. In rare circumstances I'd like to be able to carry it. I understand it is not a small gun, so this would probably require a covering garment, but I'd rather have a full size gun at this point than another small one. I find the thought of cocked and locked carry a little unnerving, so I'd expect to get a double action version and carry with the hammer down.

While I've got your attention again I have another question...
I understand the .22 conversion has adjustable sights and that's what I'd want, but I'm actually debating whether or not to get adjustable sights on the 9mm barrel. I suspect these are inappropriate for a home defense role, correct? I'm thinking I should get the sights with the three tritium dots and be done with it. I'm just a sucker for fine machinery and accuracy, so I'm tempted. Set me straight.

Thanks

 

[bratch]

You are correct on the safety and decocker. Main decision there is if you are comfortable with gun cocked and locked (saw you weren't).

Can't help you on the sights since I have no real knowledge. Personally on anything serious I would prefer fixed sights less to go wrong.

If you don't want C&L then you have a wider range of CZ options. You might look into a PO1. It takes full size magazines, has an alloy frame, and is a bit shorter than a 75. This would give you a good home gun and a good carry gun.

 

[McNutt]

You can keep any CZ loaded with a round in the chamber. If your gun doesn't have a decocker you can manually lower the hammer. This may sound shakey, but I'm sure you've done such a thing a million times at the range and never once thought that you're about to have an AD. You don't have to carry it cocked and locked.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

As noted above, you can safety carry any modern CZ (with a "B" designation) with the hammer down on a loaded chamber. They all have a firing pin block, and the firing pin CANNOT move forward unless the trigger is pulled fully to the rear.

(I mentioned the safety vs decocker in my original message in case you felt you EVER might want to do "Cocked and Locked"; you can't do that with a decocker model.)

 

[McNutt]

Sorry, I should have said "You can carry any newer CZ. . ."

 

[PCRCCW]

Great decocker and safety answers.......lowering a hammer on a loaded chamber is NOT a large deal.

The tritium sights can be had many places.....they do help in low/no light situations. The Kadet kit.....22 lr kit does have adj. sights on it........

Shoot well.........

 

[armoredman]

Part time carry, full time home defense? Yep, PO1 or PCR. PO1 is my choice....The decocker will help you, being a newby to autos, and the grip will sell you the moment you pick it up....Don't forget the full size deocker model, the CZ75 BD.
Full cap mags are available from CZ-USA, and have been for a while, buit at $37 each are a bit pricey. I saw an ad in CDNN catalog today for CZ 15 round mags for $9 each. Probably ProMag range only mags, but what the heck....