CZ vs Colt

[wiiawiwb]

I've been thinking about getting a CZ in 9mm. The difficult part is that most local gun stores don't carry many in stock. If they do carry one, it is usually the 75B. I'm looking at a lighter weight model, such as a P-01 or P-07, for carrying while hiking.

Today, I happened upon a gun store that had a Colt Defender in both 9mm and 45ACP. It felt great in my hand. CZ seems to have a fairly good reputation but I'm not sure I'll be able to actually handle a P-01 or P-07 before buying.

I'm wondering if I should consider the Defender in either the 9mm or 45ACP. It is lightweight and did feel good in my hand.

Any suggestions?

 

[hso]

Get what you point naturally.

I point a 1911 and my buddy points a CZ. Get what fits you.

 

[JTQ]

I'm a 1911 guy and that's what I'd prefer, but the Defender and the CZ P-01 or P-07 are completely different guns.

The CZ's are DA/SA, double column, compact(ish) duty size guns. The Colt is a single action, single column, compact concealed carry gun. Do you want a DA/SA gun or an SA only pistol?

Any will probably work fine, but make sure you know what you're getting before you buy.

 

[Smitty79]

I'm a CZ fanboy and carry a P-07. It may not work for you. I'm not a fan of single stack guns when you can carry a double stack.

Also, unless you live in a state that doesn't allow modern self defense ammo, more rounds in a 9mm trumps a bigger bullet in a 45

 

[hAkron]

Have you considered a Colt Z40, which is a Colt designed by CZ, or a CZ 1911A1, which is a CZ designed by Colt.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Have you considered a Colt Z40, which is a Colt designed by CZ, or a CZ 1911A1, which is a CZ designed by Colt.

If you can find one, a Colt Z40 would be great -- but very expensive. Most of them had fine DAO triggers. The CZ40B is basically the same gun, but DA/SA, without the Colt rollmark; when found they're typically several hundred $ less expensive.

 

[Ash]

"more rounds in a 9mm trumps a bigger bullet in a 45"

That, of course, is merely a matter of opinion.

 

[C0untZer0]

Are you looking for a single action, manual safety? Do you want a single-stack?

What are your criteria ?

It seems like you've landed at two choices based on what is carried at LGS.

 

[chris in va]

You simply cannot go wrong with a P01. I sold my beloved 75bd because I wanted something lighter for carry, and it certainly works well. It has a few 'carry friendly' features such as muzzle melt treatment, recessed takedown pin, extended slide and mag release, full 3 finger grip, 14+1 rounds, and light rail for HD use. I also like that the frame is forged.

I've heard great things about the P07 too but haven't fired one yet. I like the ability to switch from decocker to safety if desired.

 

[Pilot]

I carry a 75D PCR which is similar to the P-01 but without the rail. I also have 1911's but not for carry. I agree with the others. Carry what fits you best.

 

[Scarpia]

Check out the TriStar C100 which is a 9mm clone of the CZ-75 compact. It has an alloy frame with 15+1 capacity. These guns are as good as the CZ-75 in every respect. I have two C100's one in 9mm and the other in 380 Auto with my next purchase being the the 40 S&W model. All three are under $400 out the door. My daily carry is the C100 in 9mm with 147 grain Hornady XTP's.

 

[hAkron]

If you can find one, a Colt Z40 would be great -- but very expensive. Most of them had fine DAO triggers. The CZ40B is basically the same gun, but DA/SA, without the Colt rollmark; when found they're typically several hundred $ less expensive.

Agreed. I was just being ironic.

I have seen one Z40 ever in real life, and the price was pretty staggering for something only about 5 people would appreciate. Honestly, the 40B doesn't do a whole lot for me either (possibly just because I don't find .40 S&W comfortable to shoot), but the one bright spot to come out of that design is the RAMI, which I do enjoy to shoot (in 9mm).

 

[bannockburn]

wiiawiwb

I had them both, actually I had a Colt New Agent with the XS sights, and a CZ P01. I'm very familiar with 1911s so the New Agent was a natural fit for me and I liked that it was compact, lightweight, had a decent SAO trigger, and was very flat for concealed carry. Only negative thing about it was the smaller magazine capacity. The P01 to me is like a condensed version of the Browning Hi-Power; the overall grip shape and contours are very similar and it feels great in my hand. The one thing that took me a while to get use to was the DA/SA trigger; not quite as smooth or light as the SAO trigger of the New Agent.

So to me the bottom line would be to try out both (are there any decent sized gun shows you could go to?), to see which one feels best to you and then take it from there.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I have seen one Z40 ever in real life, and the price was pretty staggering for something only about 5 people would appreciate. Honestly, the 40B doesn't do a whole lot for me either (possibly just because I don't find .40 S&W comfortable to shoot), but the one bright spot to come out of that design is the RAMI, which I do enjoy to shoot (in 9mm).

I've only seen two Z40 in real world, and both at a gun show, and both priced in the $800 range. (I paid $300 for my CZ40B when they first came out, shipped!)

The CZ-40B is the only .40 I've ever traded away that I regret trading. (I've had several and moved most of them on.) I think the CZ-40B was my first .40 and at the time I didn't care for .40 that much. It was a great shooting gun and the recoil was very pleasant. I wish I had it back. I've had a number of other .40s, but none of them as nice -- except for my current FNH-40s.

For a brief while Bar-Sto offered a .40 > 9mm conversion barrel for CZs, and then apparently dropped them for lack of interest -- but that was before the CZ-40B was introduced. I think CZ sells far more 9mms guns than 40s, except for their IPSC-type guns. (SIGH)

 

[Smitty79]

wiiawiwb

I had them both, actually I had a Colt New Agent with the XS sights, and a CZ P01. I'm very familiar with 1911s so the New Agent was a natural fit for me and I liked that it was compact, lightweight, had a decent SAO trigger, and was very flat for concealed carry. Only negative thing about it was the smaller magazine capacity. The P01 to me is like a condensed version of the Browning Hi-Power; the overall grip shape and contours are very similar and it feels great in my hand. The one thing that took me a while to get use to was the DA/SA trigger; not quite as smooth or light as the SAO trigger of the New Agent.

So to me the bottom line would be to try out both (are there any decent sized gun shows you could go to?), to see which one feels best to you and then take it from there.

The P-07 has a wonderful feature that you can set it up with a decocker for DA first shot or you can carry it cocked and locked with the safety installed. I prefer this over the safety decocker combination that you see on Berettas. The stock trigger, cocked and locked, won't be a nice as a good 1911 ( I own a Dan Wesson). It will be a great defensive gun. I have guns with very crisp 2# triggers. They are not what I'm going to reach for for a gun fight.

Shooting a gun with DA first shot does take practice. The first time I started shooting them, I spent about 20 min a day for a week and a few hundred rounds down range. Now it's second nature.