Help me choose: CZ-75 (Pre-B) or Israeli Hi Power?

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mgmorden

mgmorden

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Ok, I'm getting my income tax refund in within the next week or so, and I've decide to buy myself a present, but I've got a connundrum:

Both surplus FN-made Israeli Hi Powers (appear to be the Mk 2 variant) have recently been imported, as well as some surplus CZ-75 Pre-B's from the Czech police (I swear it seems like 90% of my gun purchases are police or miltary surplus :)).

Anyways, I don't think I can swing getting both, so which do you guys think would be the better buy?

I'm kinda leaning towards the Hi Power. Seems like cheap Hi Powers are harder to come by than cheap CZ-75's. Also a factor is that I have small hands and the Hi Power reportedly fits smaller hands better.

The main thing I DON'T like is that the finish in the Hi Power appears to be a black epoxy (read: paint) finish.

I suppose the Walther P-1's over at AIM are an option too, but I'm not quite as excited about those.

These would essentially be strictly range-toys, so carry concerns and the like aren't an issue.

Opinions?
 
CZ75 would be bit more accurate than BHP in my experience. Pre-B may have problem to find parts while BHP has plenty. BHP will have more value than CZ. Same price, I will buy BHP.
 
I bought an extremely ugly FN Hi-power Israeli 9mm you mentioned about 10 years ago. I bought it from AIM, it was my first handgun I ever bought and its still my favorite. Did I mention its ugly, it looks like a blind gut spray painted the crap out of it, but it shoots so nice and smooth. I wish I knew the whole history of my gun because it sure has character. I guess you know im going to say the FN HP9.. :cool:
 
You can't go wrong either way. The CZ 75 will have the better trigger pull of the two in single action, but will be a long reach in double action for smaller hands. Hi Powers are good guns too. That would be a hard choice.

As a guess, I think the price of P1s may drop back down as the novelty of being classified C&R wears off.
 
Ive always had a soft spot for the pre B model. Even though there has been a recent import of them they are still never going to be common. The main problem is finding magazines as they do not inerchange with the B model.

You made the choice to hard. Heck with it.

Get both.
 
You made the choice to hard. Heck with it.

Get both.
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Yep, that's the best way to solve this one.

And yes I know that mgmorden said in the original post that he could only afford one. But.....he could always sell blood, or some of those lightly used organs. :D
 
Well, after much waffling I ended up deciding on the CZ-75 :). A fellow shooting one table over at the range recently had a CZ-75 SP-01 that he offered to let me shoot that helped to convince me :). Put in my order today for the gun and 4 more magazines (a coworker of mine has a Pre-b too and after his horror stories about magazine searching I figured I'd just order extras while they were only $20 :)).

Given that none of my other centerfire autos are suited to it, I think I may give Steel Challenge and/or USPSA a try with this gun. Not really trying to compete at a serious level, but just to have fun and improve my shooting.

Hopefully it will be here by Saturday. :)
 
Put in my order today for the gun and 4 more magazines (a coworker of mine has a Pre-b too and after his horror stories about magazine searching I figured I'd just order extras while they were only $20 ).
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Just want to say you wont regret the purchase. It seems Isreali HPs are more common than I thought as well so you could always get one later.

Pre-B models are scarce.

Great score on the mags for 20 EACH!!!!???
 
Put in my order today for the gun and 4 more magazines (a coworker of mine has a Pre-b too and after his horror stories about magazine searching I figured I'd just order extras while they were only $20 ).
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You got a good deal. Please let us know how it shoots, and don't forget pics. :)
 
Nah I got mine from Robertson Trading Post. Price + shipping was $10 more, but they had extra mags available - Wideners might have them but didn't list on the web listing.

They also had a version with the squared trigger guard and rounded hammer for $10 more. I prefer squared trigger guards, but really prefer the spur hammer, so I figured it was a wash so why pay more :).
 
I have a PreB and a Browning HP.

CZ is NICE, but the finish, if enamel will wear quickly. Mags will be hard to find which fit - you CAN get the mag well relieved, but with shipping, that is expensive. Parts for the safety (probably won't need them) are almost non-existent. It is a BIT larger/thicker, but has a lighter SA pull and CAN be carried DA/SA.

HP is easy to find parts for, holsters, grips, and is a tad better for concealed carry because of the thinner slide. Mags are cheap and easy to find.

Both are very nice pistols.

I can go back and forth, because I like both, but I MAY lean towards the HP - I assume it is Belgian made, and the CZ is one of the ones offered now as surplus. If the PreB is blued AND in excellent shape, I MIGHT side with it. If they both need refinishing, I might go with the HP.
 
Well, I've got it, and I've shot it. Can't complain about the looks or finish. A couple nicks here and there but nothing unexpected for a used duty gun. Function - it was perfectly reliable with 100 rounds of Federal 115gr that I put through it.

However . . . it shoots about 2.5" to 3" low at 10 yards. I'm a little bummed out on it. I think I'm going to try some 147gr loads and see if they raise the impact point. If that fails, I'm debating between buying a set of adjustable sights for it (PrecisionSights.com has them for the Pre-B's - $75 for the sights and I figure about $30 to have them installed by my local smith), or just selling it and looking for a different gun.

cz-75_2.png
 
Anyone else shoot the gun to confirm your findings. When I have accuracy issues with a new platform I often have someone else shoot the gun to confirm what I am seeing. It is especially helpful if that person is familiar with the gun in question.

Good luck tell us what you find.
 
If the problem is with the gun, I'm betting there's something up with the front sight. See if some guys at your local gun shop can take a look at it. Otherwise, looks like a great gun! Enjoy!
 
Two to three inches low at 10 yards may translate into "right on" at either 25 or 50 yards, where many military handguns are sighted to hit. The path of the bullet passes different points on the line of sight as it RISES from the bore to the sights, then above it, then gravity makes it pass below line of sight again further out. I would not start reducing (filing down) an already short front sight to correct things yet. You MAY be able to use a 75B rear sight that is taller than your issue sight to raise point of impact.
 
I figure about $30 to have them installed by my local smith), or just selling it and looking for a different gun.
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Might be time to look for a sight mover at Brownell's if he wants that much.

And if you decide to sell that, PM me.
 
I think Robertson's has a 7 day return policy if you're not happy with the CZ accuracy.

I have both and prefer the Israeli Hi-Power.
 
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