Hi-Power versus CZ-75 opinions

[FrankD]

I'm thinking about another 9mm. They're the CZ-75 and Browning Hi-Power.
I never handled or fired either and only know what I read on each manufacturers web site, which isn't all that much. Sure appreciate input from those that are familiar with both of these guys.

 

[ChuckB]

Try this site: www.hipowersandhandguns.com. He has much info about the Hi-Power, and a review- quite favorable- of the CZ75.

Chuck

 

[MCgunner]

I'm thinking about another 9mm. They're the CZ-75 and Browning Hi-Power.
I never handled or fired either and only know what I read on each manufacturers web site, which isn't all that much. Sure appreciate input from those that are familiar with both of these guys.

Mmm, well, they're danged funny lookin' revolvers!

I'm partial to DA autos when I auto, so I'd probably go with the CZ75. You can carry it cocked and locked, too, if that floats your boat. I have no great reverence for original JMB guns, so I ain't one of those "if JMB didn't design it, I won't shoot it" types. Besides, I've been told FN engineers finished the high power design after JMB's death. It ain't all his.

 

[atblis]

They are not the same gun.

This sounds obvious. What I mean is that if you like one, that does not mean you'll like the other. They are both good guns, but chances are one will fit you better than the other. Handle both and decide which one feels better (if you can shoot both than...).

There's really no reason to choose one over the other, other than personal preference (except price perhaps).

For the money the CZ75 is a better gun.

BHP is cocked and locked only. The CZ can be carried with hammer down or cocked and locked.

Personally I think the CZ75 is a better design. I find the HiPower to be a bit quirky/dated.

 

[Rob1035]

http://hipowersandhandguns.com/

great reviews on both guns

For me personally, the BHP is more comfortable than the full size CZ

 

[Steve C]

Both these pistols are fine guns. If I where selecting one that would be used as a CCW it would be the CZ as IMO DA semi's make the best choice for self defense carry. For CCW I would select the 75 compact version too.

For a shooting pistol that would double as a home defense weapon then the Browning Hi Power would be my choice as it is a classic that will most likely retain and increase in value over time.

 

[Mulliga]

BHPs bite my hand like crazy. They are nice guns, but I'll take my CZs.

 

[Trebor]

I own both. I like them both. I'd be hard pressed to choose one over the other. If I had too, though, I'd pick the stock CZ 75 over the stock Highpower. The Highpower comes with a mag disconnect safety, which I hate, and the main spring is overly heavy at 32 pounds. I plan on installing a reduced power main spring to make the slide easier to work.

The CZ, on the other hand, is good to go out of the box. They are both reliable and accurate.

My advice, try to shoot them both and see which you like better. If you can't shoot both, at least handle both. You might find that one fits your hand better. "Feel" is subjective, but is very important.

 

[JDGray]

I looked at both before getting the CZ. CZ had a way better trigger. Although the high power felt good in by hand, I didnt like the gritty trigger, or the hammer getting that close to my hand.

 

[xtarheel]

I own both a 1959 BHP with the internal extractor and a CZ-85 Combat. I like them both but they are different guns. The magazine disconnect "fell out" of the Browning years ago.

To me the browning feels better in my hand and I can shoot better groups. The CZ is more user friendly being double action. Do you like brunets or blonds? Both have been used sucessfully all over the world by military and police.

 

[armoredman]

CZ. HP is fun to shoot, but I am not a SA fan. CZ.

 

[Northslope Nimrod]

Single action issue.
If you like SA...then get the Hi-Power. More slim, a classic, an investment; Very smooth action.
If you are not a C&L kind of guy....then get the CZ.

I have a CZ and a Hi-Power. The Hi-Power feels more Hi-end to me.

As for issues mentioned above. $25 gave me a trigger job and removal of that darn mag safety thingy. Now the trigger is much better on my BHP than on my CZ.

Both are GREAT guns. Again if you are not already a Cocked and Locked guy then get the CZ. Try the compact for concealed.... OR I love the PCR but it has a decocker....so you can't carry cocked and locked. Thus, if you are NOT a C&L guy....I recommend the CZ PCR!!!

 

[Gunsnrovers]

If you are not a C&L kind of guy....then get the CZ.

The CZ75 is great for C&L. The safety works the same way as the BHP and 1911.

My only gripe is the magazine break which is even easier to fix then then BHP mag disconnect.

That said, I prefer my BHP's with trigger work then my CZ. Slimmer and quicker in my hand.

I have no intention of getting rid of either.

 

[Jiml3]

I have both and would not part with either one. In the CZ models, I have the PCR which is an alloy frame and is more lightweight than the other compacts.
I don't like cocked and locked and greatly appreciate the decocker on the PCR model. What I am saying is, my preference is for the CZ PCR because it is more compact than the BHP but I still enjoy very much taking it to the range. Both are great guns and as stated before, blond or brunette. You can like them both for different reasons. Get them both and you will be very pleased.

 

[HankB]

I often carry a BHP cocked and locked - I think it's a better, more ergonomic design, with better "pointability" than the CZ . . . also, the manual safety falls more naturally under my thumb on a BHP. The BHP SA trigger is generally better than the CZ once you lose the magazine disconnect.

CZs are good for the money, and those I've seen and tried have all worked well.

My recommendation is to see which one feels better and points more naturally in your hand, and buy that one.

 

[Lone Star]

That 32 lb. mainspring is probably in the Browning to keep it from being battered too much by modern loads. The gun is an older design, not being built as sturdy as the CZ

Between the two, I'll take the CZ, and I've owned both, several of the Browning.

CZ-75 accuracy is about on par with the MK. III Browning, which is very good. Reliability for me has been better with the CZ.

Lone Star

 

[P. Plainsman]

I can only speak to half of this comparison.

My CZ 75B is an excellent gun, especially for the price. Reliability has been perfect, and it is significantly more accurate in my hands than my previous autoloader, a SIG.

One beef: my CZ's single-action trigger is somewhat creepy. This is fairly common among other CZ autos I have handled in gun shops, such as the P01. I don't know enough about CZ gunsmithing and aftermarket options to know how fixable this is.

The DA trigger is rather heavy, but I have little interest in that. I bought the CZ 75B because it can be carried cocked-and-locked.

In an age of butt-ugly pistols, the CZ 75 and BHP remain steel-framed guns with classic lines.

 

[jeff-10]

I have both, a BHP in 40S&W and a CZ in 9mm. I like the CZ much better. I know it isn't scientific but that is my answer. Fits my hand better, I shoot it better and it has been more reliable. Keep in mind also I bought the Hi-Power NIB and the CZ-75B used at a gun show with nothing but one faulty magazine. Once I bought all new magazines the CZ is stone cold reliable.

 

[bobaloo]

The biggest difference between the two is the action, as stated. The reason I don't have a CZ is the looong reach out to the trigger for my stubby little fingers, it just doesn't fit. Lots of folks have them and love them, but they don't fit my had so I don't shoot them. Try one on for size and see how you feel.

My everyday carry gun is a Hipower in .40. For carry purposes I really like the SFS system that Cylinder & Slide sold to FN, and I have it in my gun. With the SFS system you cock the gun, then push the hammer forward. This raises the thumb safety and locks the trigger and sear. When you draw the gun you swipe the thumb safety as normal, the hammer springs back and the trigger unlocks and the gun goes bang.

After removing the mag disconnect the trigger on my Hipower is as good as on my 1911, about 3.5 pounds and a very clean, crisp break. The gun is so flat and thin it's a pleasure to carry. The .40 version carries 10+1, it's a nice middle ground between a 9mm and a 1911.

CDNN still has some left at a great price, call them and see what their stock is. A year from now you'll be able to sell it for more than you paid for it, it's hard to lose at $400 for a real FN gun.

 

[Marshall]

Both are nice. I'll take the Browning/FN over the CZ though, and have many times.

 

[Northwet]

Any difference on trigger assembly for SFS?

I have a new FN SFS and have a couple of references on disassembling the traditional H-P. I'd like to know if there anything different about disassembling a SFS version to the point of removing the magazine safety.
North"wet"

 

[ArmedBear]

I'm thinking about another 9mm. They're the CZ-75 and Browning Hi-Power.
I never handled or fired either and only know what I read on each manufacturers web site, which isn't all that much.
Sure appreciate input from those that are familiar with both of these guys.

I've fired both. I really like shooting both. They're both good guns. Both are proven designs that have been around for a long time.

Some Hi-Powers are reputed to feed only FMJ reliably. Cor-Bon's new plastic-tipped FMJ's make this less of an issue than it once was.

But dollar for dollar, the CZ-75 wins hands down, unless it doesn't fit your hands. There are other models (Compact, P-01, 2075, etc.) that are different sizes, too. They can be up to $100 more than a standard 75, but they're still a good deal.

 

[KrankyKraut]

The BHP fits my hands better. On the CZ I had to stretch and contort my hand to reach the slide release. On the BHP, everything fit perfectly. However, I didn't feel like spending the money on a BHP, so I tried on a CZ clone, namely the Baby Eagle. That one fit my hands much better than the CZ75. I was about to buy one when I stumbled upon a used BHP clone, an Arcus 94 for $160. Perfect fit, perfect price. I'm happy.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

I'm thinking about another 9mm. They're the CZ-75 and Browning Hi-Power.
I never handled or fired either and only know what I read on each manufacturers web site, which isn't all that much. Sure appreciate input from those that are familiar with both of these guys.

I have one of each. They are both excellent, but the High Power is a nicer gun, and a little slimmer, easier to carry and more concealable. It also tends to be a little more reliable. I've had three High Powers over the last 25 years, and none have ever malfunctioned in any way, clean or dirty, lubed or dry, and with just about any kind of ammo. My CZ 75 occasionally jams (It's about 99% reliable) even with FMJ ammo, and even when well cleaned and lubed. If it's for defensive carry, go with the High Power. All of mine have been 100% reliable.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

I'm thinking about another 9mm. They're the CZ-75 and Browning Hi-Power.
I never handled or fired either and only know what I read on each manufacturers web site, which isn't all that much.
Sure appreciate input from those that are familiar with both of these guys.

I currently have one of each. They are both excellent, but the High Power is a nicer gun, and a little slimmer, easier to carry and more concealable. It also tends to be a little more reliable. I've had three High Powers over the last 25 years, and none have ever malfunctioned in any way, clean or dirty, lubed or dry, and with just about any kind of ammo. My CZ 75 occasionally jams (It's about 99% reliable) even with FMJ ammo, and even when well cleaned and lubed. If it's for defensive carry, go with the High Power. All of mine have been 100% reliable.