CZ slide hard to grip?

[Plan2Live]

I was out shopping today. Specifically I was looking at the CZ Rami and the CZ Compact. Both seemed to be very well built pistols. It did seem to me that there is very little to grip when racking the slide, especially if you are using what I would call an overhand grip on top of the slide with thumb and forefinger of the weak hand facing the rear of the pistol. I'm sure there is a technical name for this method so excuse my ignorance. Regardless, the serrations are minimal and I could see myself losing my grip and raking my palm across the top of the rear sight leaving lots of DNA behind.

So for all you CZ guys, is this just something you work around or am I imagining a problem/challnege that doesn't exist? Not knocking your brand, genuinely curious.

 

[armoredman]

Good question, but no, I haven't had that issue with any CZ I've owned yet.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Some folks seem to feel it is a problem.

I've had a bunch of different guns, and have had a NUMBER of CZs (and Witnesses) and never noticed it to be that big a deal. But I generally lay my hand OVER the slide, using the grip you describe, resting on the slide in front of the sights. Doing that gives the hand something solid to push against. I do this with other guns, too.

Gripping the slide in that manner just seems more natural to me, and any other way forces you to move the gun away from your likely target even farther.

Related issue: some folks like to "Sling Shot" the slide when releasing it -- and it's an approach that has been taught for years.

An acquaintance, a professional shooter (IPSC, etc., with sponsors) has been working as a firearms instructor training and tuning up Special Ops folks at Ft. Bragg. He says that they now teach soldiers to NOT sling shot the slide but, instead, to release the slide with the slide release/slide stop lever.

Why? Turns out there were too many cases of the gun NOT going into battery properly when releasing the slide using the SLING SHOT method, under fire, over in the two big sand boxes. Given the heat or cold, the use of gloves, etc., sling-shotting caused as many problems as it solved. You should still know how to do it, as part of the Slap Rack Bang clearance drill...


.

 

[johnnydollar]

I found the short slide on a CZ-75 (pre-B) to be a problem when trying to clear a feeding malfunction with a very hot gun. There's not much slide to hold onto, particularly when the gun is hot! I've since sold the gun.
Jd

 

[Walkalong]

If you are used to a 1911 or other auto where the slide rides outside the frame, it takes a bit to get used to.

 

[Mr.Blue]

I own 4 CZ pistols and love them, but the slide is harder to rack than other guns. The Serrations are fine, but the height of the exposed slide is thin. This is due to the design of the frame rails over the slide rails. It supposedly results in a lower bore axis, thus decreasing recoil. I'm not sure it works, but the guns are as accurate as heck. I've gotten used to racking the slide on CZs and use them in action pistol shooting. You should not let this perceived problem keep you from buying a great pistol. That said, I'd get a P01 or PCR over a RAMI .

 

[Plan2Live]

Well, coming from Mr. Blue I will keep that recommendation in mind. I saw one of the target photos you posted recently after it met you and a CZ. Great shooting!

From my limited investingating so far, the biggest thing the the RAMI has going for it for my use, conceal carry, is the fact that it is smaller than the Compact PCR. Of course that means a slightly shorter barrel too, which one would assume would mean slightly less accurate. Still looking, still investigating. Unfortunately my local rental range doesn't have any CZs on the rental rack.

The list of comparables is very short. Sig 239 and two older S&W models, the CS9 (found one new sitting in a gun store) or possibly the 908 (if I can find one). All are metal framed, have hammers, are DA/SA and are about the size I'm looking for. Those features make for a short list.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I have a PCR. It takes a little more attention, but I've never had my hand slip off, "short stroked" it or any other mishaps. The front serrations, I can't find any use for at all.

I could see myself losing my grip and raking my palm across the top of the rear sight leaving lots of DNA behind.

Are the corners of the sight not rounded? (This is why I don't like some types of adjustable sights on a fighting pistol, BTW.) Also, if you pinch it firmly between the heel of your hand and your fingertips in an overhand grip, your palm should not be contacting anything. (At least, mine doesn't.)

 

[stanmo]

Never gave it any thought on my P-01. The only slide I don't like racking is my Buckmark.

 

[NMGonzo]

not on my omega ... but that is the only cz i have ever played with.

 

[Pilot]

I've never had a problem with either my 75B or PCR. I find my blowback Beretta M85FS much harder to rack due to the required stiff recoil spring, and small surface area, but its not an issue.

 

[*NOVA*]

My CZ75 Compact is slightly harder to rack the slide compared to my 1911. But I recently started using a high quality lubricant (try Slide Glide or Slip Stream) and it did make a diffrence.

 

[Plan2Live]

Thanks Nova, good lube is always a must. But the spring tension/slide friction isn't what I was referring to, it was the limited amount of gripable surface when compared to other autoloaders. I was just curious if other CZ shooters noticed and thus compensated in some way. Sounds about 50/50. I wasn't saying this is or will be a deciding factor, just throwing it out for discussion.

 

[easyg]

When compared to pistols like 1911s, Glocks, XDs, Berettas, Rugers, and most other modern pistols, some CZs can be a little difficult to quckly rack the slide.
As stated above, it is mostly because of the slide riding inside the frame.

 

[ATBackPackin]

It definitely has a smaller surface area, but it has never been a problem for me and have never had my hand slip off as a result.

I also agree you would most likely be better off with one of the compacts as opposed to the subcompact.

Shawn

 

[2ac]

It was definitely a deciding factor in selling my P-01. With sweaty hands I found it difficult to secure a sure grip. And with what there is to grip, I found too many sharp edges for my liking.
It really is a personal choice though.

 

[EAJ]

Barrel Length: 3"
Overall Length: 6.6"
Overall Width: 1.25"
Overall Height: 4.7"
Weight Unloaded: 1.6 lbs.

Barrel Length: 3.9"
Overall Length: 7.2"
Overall Width: 1.4"
Overall Height: 5.3"
Weight Unloaded: 1.7 lbs.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Now that I see the picture, the rear sight on the RAMI does look rather high and sharp.

 

[hemiram]

I've never had a problem with handling the slide on any CZ or witness I've owned, but a friend of mine has problems with my guns every time he shoots them. I have to admit, I really don't get it at all.

 

[Oldnoob]

It's all about getting used to it.

 

[Reddragon1260]

Oldnoob said it right, when its someone elses gun it is hard to get used to it right away unless you have owned one. I can not get used to my friends 92FS but he loves it, on the other side of the coin he has trouble with my P-07 but it is second nature for me.

 

[makarovnik]

I don't like the slide inside the frame idea. I prefer the old standard of the slide wrapping around the frame. You get a much better purchase on the slide

 

[CZguy]

I own and shoot several models of CZs and for me this is a non-issue.

 

[ATLDave]

I've got an EAA Witness with similar geometry to a CZ, and have shot CZ's many times. I have never had a problem manipulating the slide on any of them, and I put a 20lb spring in mine (10mm needs a stout spring, I'm told).

I could see a problem for those who put their hand over the top of the slide, as opposed to the "slingshot" method of grabbing the rear of the slide from behind.

 

[jmr40]

I've owned several CZ's and the narrow slide among other issues are why I no longer own a one. In my experience CZ's tend to be above average in accuracy, but below average in relaibility. While you may get to the point where you no longer notice the narrow slide, you will never be able to operate it as well or quickly as the wider slide found on any other gun to clear malfunctions.

For a range gun where accuracy is more important than reliablilty the CZ is an excellent choice. For a SD firearm, they are near the bottom of my list and the narrow slide is a big part of my decision.