How horrible is the stock CZ 75B trigger?

[kazaam]

I'm strongly considering buying a CZ 75B but am holding back because of the trigger. I hear it's a great gun, but without trigger work from a third party, the trigger has a ridiculously long reset, gritty, etc.

Any advice you guys can offer for someone who wants this as a first gun but doesn't want to send it out for third party work (and spend even more money)?

Thanks!

P.S. I was going to get a Sig P225 Elite Stainless but nearly everyone (even on two Sig forums, and 5 other general gun forums (yes, I'm that thorough lol )) says that they like the CZ 75B over the Sig P226, except the P226 has a way better stock trigger than the P226.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Maybe pick one up and give it a squeeze.

 

[Kiln]

The CZ75B has a great SA trigger out of the box IMO, the DA is fairly light and smooth. It will get better after it has seen some use too. Mine was good out of the box and after about 1000 rounds it feels awesome.

The CZ75B probably has the best trigger out of the box of the guns that I own. My XDM's are great but I'm almost always more accurate with the CZ when I hit the range. The 75B's steel frame makes it absorb alot more recoil than the XDM and keeps it on target better.

 

[Tcruse]

For the CZ there is a very vocal group that will say the gun is "best in all areas" and there is another less vocal group that will say the gun is not reliable, does not shoot well and is not worth nearly the selling price. My first issue with the CZ is that the grip is too big, trigger reach too far and gun too heavy. I have friends in both of the described groups.

My recommendation that you stay with the more mainstream brands. If it is your only gun, I would recommend that you get a Glock 17 (or 19) Gen4. They have best track record on reliability and shoot really well. Second in the list would be Ruger SR9/9c series.

 

[sigarms228]

The ones I have tried at my LGS counter had horrible triggers as did my son's CZ P01. I also don't buy that they get better in 200 rounds or so with the experience my son is having with his. My son's P01 has over 2000 rounds through it now and the trigger is getting a little bit better but still not where I would want to see it at. I also do not like the shape of the trigger on his P01.

If you want a nice out of the box trigger get a SIG or Walther PPQ, I hear Beretta has nice out of the box trigger also but do not have personal experience with that.

CZs are not for me but each is different in what works for them. By all means test fire whatever you are considering and ideally during the same range session.

IF I were to buy a CZ I would buy it brand new from the CZ Custom Shop with the trigger work already done rather than trying to buy one in LGS though that will probably add close to $200 to the price of it but will save you in shipping in the long run rather than trying to deal with a crappy trigger later having to pay shipping/FFL fees both ways.

Try a Walther PPQ before you buy anything if you get a chance.

 

[silicosys4]

I don't have a 75b, but I have a cz75, and I like the trigger very much. VERY smooth DA trigger, best I've ever owned on a SA/DA auto, and a nice clean SA break. This is from a surplus, imported gun, completely stock. It has a better trigger pull than my:
Steyr m40 (striker fired, not really comparable)
USP .45
Taurus pt 111 (striker)
Taurus pt99
Ruger p89
Sig p229 DEFINITELY
Sig 1911 (SA)
RIA 1911 (SA)

You should definitely give one a pull before making any decisions about whether you do or don't like it based on the trigger.

 

[Kiln]

For the CZ there is a very vocal group that will say the gun is "best in all areas" and there is another less vocal group that will say the gun is not reliable, does not shoot well and is not worth nearly the selling price. My first issue with the CZ is that the grip is too big, trigger reach too far and gun too heavy. I have friends in both of the described groups.

My recommendation that you stay with the more mainstream brands. If it is your only gun, I would recommend that you get a Glock 17 (or 19) Gen4. They have best track record on reliability and shoot really well. Second in the list would be Ruger SR9/9c series.

That may be so but I've yet to clear a jam from my 75B in a couple thousand rounds. I won't try and say that the CZ's are the best out there but at the price point you'll have trouble doing much better.

I've also been seeing reports of problems with the SR9 having constant light strikes after 500 rounds or so...just thought that information would be important. The guns in question had to have the slide replaced because of the issue so I'm guessing that the firing pin channels are to blame.

 

[TonyT]

I enjoy shooting my CZ-75 but if one is unsure about their trigger prefernces they should try the trigger before purchsing.

 

[ATLDave]

In my experience, they seem to vary greatly from gun to gun. I've picked some up with reasonably good triggers, and picked some up with awful triggers.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Here's my honest opinon as a non cz fan boy.

I love the cz 75. It is a great gun. Accurate, concealable and felt really great in my hands(I had the PCR compact).

The only complaint I had were the sights and the trigger.

Sights - I'm picky so I'll complain about almost any set of sights on any new gun. Quite simply, if the sight picture doesn't look like one of these pictures I will hate them:




Since I'm so picky and love my flat black rears, we'll say it isn't a real complaint that bothers most folks. The stock sights are adequate.

Trigger: Adequate. The one I test fired was a well worn model. I loved it. I bought my own shiny, new one. The trigger was...different. Horrible? Heck no. Pretty good, just a little heavier than I like. I was satisfied in both DA and SA. Break it in and it gets better. That being said, my well worn glocks felt like they had a lighter trigger pull than my CZ did even in SA. Edit:: MY CZ also had a bit of trigger creep, even in SA. More so than I'd like. A trigger job would fix it.

Bottom line, the stock trigger was OK. After 500 or so rounds, it was better. I wouldn't say it was fantastic until you triple that round count or do some work on it. A trigger job from Angus won't break the break. I fired a CZ with a trigger job from Angus and it was phenomenal.

As with any firearm purchase, go rent one. If you can't find one to rent, find a local forum in your state. You'll likely find someone close to you with the one you want to buy. They're almost always full of great people who will let you take something of theirs for a spin.

 

[Keaner]

I had a CZ-75B Tactical for a while, and selling it is my only regret with it (it got caught in my 'limit calibers' effort).

The trigger was very nice from the factory, and after a few times on the range it became very smooth, great break, easy reset. Also, not a single jam or problem whatsoever!

The above poster is right about the grip though, it is a little large, and the CZ is a HEAVY weapon, but great all the same.

 

[bikerdoc]

Admited 64 y/o fanboy here.
75 compact
CZ75 BD

Here is the deal.

The compact took 500 rds to smooth out. The BD about 300
CZ give you snap caps to dry fire.
So I dry fired both a couple hundred times between range trips.
I like the heft and both are accurate.
Ya , I like them.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Here is the deal.

The compact took 500 rds to smooth out. The BD about 3900
CZ give you snap caps to dry fire.
So I dry fired both a couple hundred times between range trips.
I like the heft and both are accurate.
Ya , I kike them.

Oh I dryfired mine to death. Granted, my 500 round break in was all in one day. I dryfired it dozens of times nightly when I had the chance...undoubtedly hundreds. I tried another hundred rounds or so. The trigger still wasn't where I wanted it. I decided it was time to send it to Angus or sell it.

Keep in mind, we're talking about my preferences. I'll never say it awful or that I disliked it, just that it could have been better. The stock cz trigger was definitely good, if not great. It was just slightly heavier and more creep than I wanted.

(Sorry for the emphasis, I just wanted to be clear that I wasn't bashing wjat I felt was a great gun. )

 

[beatledog7]

Either CZ-75 factory triggers vary widely or the people who shoot them have many ways of describing them, so YMMV.

I have two, and neither was technically new when it came into my hands.

75B-SA was was at 1,000 rounds or so, now has twice that. Has long-ish take-up, adjusted to just a bit of overtravel, very smooth, but typically long reset, breaks very cleanly at about 4 lbs.

75B was virtually NIB, just getting to 200 rounds and DA is already beginning to smooth out nicely (will take another 500 or so, they say), very little overtravel, about 11 lbs, and shorter reset than the SA trigger. In SA has a clean break at about 5 lbs.

I expect the B will keep getting better, but honestly it handles so nicely and shoots so accurately that I don't trouble over the trigger. I bought a factory custom trigger for the SA for I can adjust out most of the overtravel, but haven't gotten around to installing it.

 

[MagicD]

Would rate cz 75 compact I have had for several years 800- 900 rd count as 7/10 SA 6/10 DA compared to a python ,and several slicked up 1911s I shoot regularly.Sort of surprised by threads title !

 

[Bozwell]

Comparing a P226 Elite Stainless to a stock CZ75B isn't exactly apples to apples. For the price of that Sig, you can buy a CZ Shadow which will have a fantastic trigger. While I have other guns that are "prettier", my Shadow Custom is still my favorite gun to shoot. The stock 75B's have a decent trigger but how good depends on how picky you are. My $0.02, once you've shot a tuned CZ, and especially once you know how to tune them yourself, it's hard to own a stock one. I'd bet the Sig has a nicer trigger out of the box, but keep in mind a stock 75B is half the price of that Sig.

While (most) CZ's are are all-steel guns, most people aren't going to try and CCW a P226 either. For a range/home defense weapon, I don't really see how weight is going to affect you, other than more weight will make for a softer shooting gun. Trigger reach is potentially an issue if you have tiny hands and/or stubby fingers. My finger reaches well past the trigger's resting position, even with thick grips, so I've never really had a problem with it. You can also install thin grips or a reach reduction kit.

 

[Furncliff]

I guess my 75b is about 8+ years old. I got a good price on it because the first owner didn't like the trigger. It was grity, but a snap cap and a lot of trigger pulls later it's very smooth. If you're really fussy about triggers, the 1911 format is a good way to go. I'm fussy about triggers but the strengths of the CZ far outweigh any objections I have about the trigger. I bought a Kadet conversion kit for it and that gets alot of use. The bang for the buck factor of the 75b is hard to beat.

There are a couple of options for improving the trigger. You tube instruction videos, custom work done by a smith or drop in parts sold by folks like this.
http://www.cajungunworks.com/index.html

What ever the case, selling a 75b is not a difficult proposition should you need/want to do so.

 

[APIT50]

My 75b is so so the DA is decent out of the box
I did try a custom shop phantom and found out it is possible to get a 1911 esque match trigger pull

 

[chris in va]

I have a 75bd and 97b. Both have a bit of camming and took some time to smooth out. A lighter hammer spring helps tremendously.

The trigger isn't great, but i actually prefer a bit of sear release feel over the instant 'glass rod' my Sig 220 had.

 

[sinbad339]

I have a CZ75 Compact that I carry. Only mod is Mepro tritium sights. The DA trigger is longer and heavier than my 92FS, but not bad. The SA trigger has some creep and positive caming (not as good as the 92FS again and no where near as good as my PT1911), but not bad. I understand thgat both of these issues can be greatly improved with a trigger job (~$160 from CZ Custom including their combat hammer). But, I'm good with the way my gun shoots as is.

The reset is VERY long. Again, I can live with this as I'm not "tacti-cool" enough to worry about double taps. I shoot controlled pairs just fine. The only way to improve the reset is to disable the firing pin block, and I'm not willing to do that on a carry gun.

And I shoot the gun very well. It points naturally, conceals well for me IWB, and has had NO issues in about 2300 rounds of FMJ and Gold Dot JHPs.

 

[Stringfellow]

there is another less vocal group that will say the gun is not reliable, does not shoot well and is not worth nearly the selling price

As far as I can tell, the "group" tends to be the same person over and over.

It is rock solid reliable, shoots very well, and is worth the price. That said, its not the only pistol I like.

My Feb. 2012 '75B came with a pretty smooth trigger out of the box--definitely on the better side of out of the box triggers I have felt. Meaning, unless you were a trigger aficionado, you would probably be happy and call it a day. My only real gripe with it was the camming in single action: as you pulled the trigger, part of your force went to the hammer being pulled back some more. This was very annoying to me, but YMMV. It does have a long pull--which I could see being a problem if you have small hands. And the slide-in-rail system certainly takes more effort to rack the slide with, as there is a lot less surface area to grip.

I sent mine to Bill Springfield, along with a competition hammer, and now the trigger is spectacular--smooth, light, with a predictable break. You could live with out the trigger job/comp hammer, but for barely over $100 it was well worth it to me.

My new Beretta 92FS came with an even better trigger out of the box. I added a $7 D spring, and it got even lighter and smoother. The only catch is some stacking just before break--which the CZ never had. It doesn't really bother me, but I might send that one to Bill too.

My P220 has a completely different trigger. First, it has the most crunchy, punishing DA I have felt. But its SA is incredibly crisp, clean, and light. It has a very different feel, but I like having the variety (why I fall into many types vs. many of one brand crowd).

If I generalize, the SIG impresses me with its clever engineering; the CZ with is solidity, and the Beretta with its slick fit 'n finish.

Good luck! Let us know what you think...

 

[m2steven]

I've owned 3 Sigs and 2 CZs. My SIG X-5 was a fantastic piece. I sold it to a gun shop for 100.00 more than I paid for it. Wonderful trigger. I have a little P238. Great trigger, accurate as heck. However - All my sigs have suffered from cycling failures. Not often, but enough to make me wary.

I have a CZ 75b and a P07. The 75b has an acceptable trigger. It does not affect my point of aim. It's dead reliable and feels great in the hand. The P07 has CZ's Omega trigger. I love it. It's a lot like the XDm triggers. My P07 has been super reliable - never a failure of any kind.

Frankly - I'd go with the CZ. My 75b is just as accurate as my X-5 and is not quite as nose heavy.

 

[okc-zee]

I've been shooting for about 7 years now,which really is not very long...So my experience is quite limited compared to a lot of people on this forum...I own a CZ PO-1 and quite a few other handguns...Some of which are considered by many to have lousy triggers...Sure they're all different,but I gotta say I wouldn't know the difference of what is considered as good or bad...They all shoot to point of aim and what I own are very reliable or it goes bye-bye...Aside from long pull or short,revolver or auto,I really don't worry about it...I shoot and carry and practice for defense...My only trigger concerns on my guns is that when I sqeeze em' the gun goes bang...So I just concern myself with learning how to shoot what I own,,,Other than that I really wouldn't know the difference so it really never bothered me...If I like how a gun feels in my hand and I can shoot it well, I'll buy it...I guess this is my lack of experience talking but it is what it is...to me the only horrible trigger is one that doesn't work...otherwise I'm good to go...I'm just being honest...

 

[MIL-DOT]

I have a shooting buddy that has a bevy of cool toys, and one of my very favorites of them is his CZ75, and I've long felt that the trigger was the best thing about it !! It's a dynamite shooter.

 

[klcmschlesinger]

Trigger depends on what you are used to....

I learned to shoot with a S&W Sigma. It has a horrible trigger, spongy, heavy, and long. I picked up a CZ75 with the Omega trigger and it was excellent to me. Since that time I have acquired a Sig and a 1911 with a good trigger and I still think the CZ is a good trigger, not great, but good. It is very much user preference and what you are comfortable with.
I really like my CZ because it is heavy, so recoil is non existent, accurate (more accurate than I am), and it has been reliable. I don't carry it, I just shoot it.