Is it me or do local gun dealers not seem to know about CZ?

[ecureed]

I think it is absolutely amazing how much love CZ's pistols get on gun forums like this one but at the same time appear to be an endangered species every time I go to a gunshop or gunshow. Let me give a couple of examples.

Here in North Carolina the biggest gun show I know of is the Dixie Gun and Knife Show. I believe it alternates locations between Raleigh and Charlotte. Back in May I went to the Raleigh show. Well this was a very big show, it seemed like miles of tables filled with Glocks, S&W's, Rugers, Kimbers, etc. Well I was very interested in taking a look at a P-01. I stayed at that show for 3 hours, walked every aisle and looked at every table. Guess how many CZ's I saw? A guy there had 2 P- 01's a black one and a green one. That's it! I didn't buy one from him because he was asking $600.00 At a huge show like that I certainly did not expect to find 2 of what has to be one of the most popular pistols available today.

In the past couple months I have been to 11 gunshops in the eastern NC area. I have been able to handle exactly 0 CZ's at those shops. Most of the guys there act like they never heard of a P-01. What is up with that?

So I gotta ask....Is this CZ discrimination? Is it lack of marketing by CZ? Are CZ's some sort of cult icon?

btw--I made the decision to order my CZ stainless sight unseen from info I got from THR and I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[Hoppy590]

didnt you know. gun shops never have what you want! most of the time they tell you "you dont want that". often than not, theyve never heard of it. and on ocasion. tell you your wrong, and no such thing even exists! "never heard of a Colt made .45, what you want is this kimber!"

to thier defense they can only stock so much. and why sell you a CZ that you will love when they can sell you a 1911/glock/sig at probibly 2X the cost. and then talk ya into accesorys you probibly dont need anyway.

 

[9x19]

My local dealers both stocked CZs when the 75s were all the rage in the gun-press... neither one had any luck actually selling them, though, and both had to sell them at cost just to move them from the case.

Neither one is willing to dedicate display case space to another, but will order one in for the rare customer who asks for one.

 

[tbtrout]

I went through 6 or 7 shops before I finally found a dealer that stocks them. The other shops would order one, but it was $ 50 more than the guy who stocks them.

 

[brownie0486]

most of the time they tell you "you dont want that". often than not, theyve never heard of it.

Thats a pretty broad brush you paint with where gun shop employees are concerned in general.

We carry the CZP01 and the PCR, as well and the 75's regularly. I own a PCR, and the boss carries one daily on his waist.

and why sell you a CZ that you will love when they can sell you a 1911/glock/sig at probibly 2X the cost

Hmm, PCR NIB 499.95; Glock17,19,26,23,22,21 NIB 499.95; standard XD compact or service model NIB 499.95; Milspec 1911's NIB from 399.95 to 599.00

I recommend pistols based on the customers idea of what they might be willing to carry as well as other criteria and THEIR price range, not mine.

Brownie

 

[ecureed]

that does make sense 9x19....I know its got to do with supply and demand, but I guess its just hard to believe their products aren't more highly demanded when they are so well thought of in gun communities like THR....then again from what I've read Gander Mtn. carries CZ pistols and they're a national chain so I'd have to imagine they wouldn't carry them if they weren't popular

 

[9x19]

Out here in the sticks... most folks aren't the THR gun-savvy type.

They know Colt, Winchester, S&W, Marlin and Ruger... foreign makes are all the same to most of them... cheap junk!

Glocks are popular, but they get alot of mentions in the papers and the movies.

 

[WeedWhacker]

Glocks (and some other big-name brands) are both popular and reliable. For 90% of folks, that's all they're looking for.

For coinesseurs, we know a good thing when we see it (even if it takes 5+ years for some of us.

 

[Logos]

Around here, the gun shops don't carry them in stock because people don't buy them......and people don't buy them because the gun shops don't carry them.

And just TRY to trade one in.....

"We really don't want those because nobody buys them."

Part of this is because CZs are simply not as good as Glocks (which are the overwhelming favorite--and for good reason).

CZ......beautiful gun that's almost reliable.

Glock......ugly gun that's reliable.

Which will you choose to save your life?

 

[Gary G23]

I think 9x19 hit the nail on the head. The ordinary average guy doesn't know much about CZ's. When I moved down here last year I was the only one shooting IDPA matches with a CZ at my club. Now there are four of us in my club shooting CZ's.

 

[citizen]

.....gotta chime-in here; am committed to a CZ for next acquisition.
Even their own website listing dealers is inaccurate! (The only one "listed" here in S. Nevada closed a year ago!) Tough finding stock without many calls and searches....'phoned a place 'bout an hour away claiming to have them in stock; will drive there.....EVENTUALLY. And hope to make a purchase, maybe sooner than later. Will report any good news.

 

[Radjxf]

Part of this is because CZs are simply not as good as Glocks (which are the overwhelming favorite--and for good reason).

This is obviously just one man's opinion. My CZ75B has NEVER malf'd and is far more accurate than any Glock I've fired. It's made of real metal, metal sights, great ergos (unlike the "brick"), fully-supported chamber and can be fired DA/SA, cocked-and-locked or from half-cock. But that's just my opinion
Around here, all there is are Kimbers and Glocks The only place with hardly any selection at all is Bass Pro, and the prices are absurd! I wonder if we should NOT spread the word about CZ, I kind of like the $400-ish price tag!

 

[jlbraun]

CZ......beautiful gun that's almost reliable.

 

[ranger58]

was at a local gun shop this week the man behind the counter thought they were made in canada. yeha

R58

 

[SamColorado]

I paid too much in a local shop for one. I like it, but if I had done homework before hand I would have saved $150 buying it online. My mistake.

One local store that doesn't stock them will order. That's about it.

 

[Breakdaddy]

Just my .02, but that comment about CZ being "almost reliable" compared to Glock smacks of Glock fanboyism and in my experience is simply untrue. My dad has 4 CZs and I have one as well. None of these have had any major problems of any type and all have over 300 rounds through them. Mine has over 1000 just from me and I bought it used.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Not only are CZ handguns an unfortunately well-kept-secret but their rimfire & centerfire rifles are as well. Real, genuine, dyed-in-the-wool Gun Guys know what they are...but the average deer hunter doesn't.

It's like this...they'll sell boatloads of XD pistols from Croatia, but NOT until SPRINGFIELD puts their name on them. We'll buy shotguns from Japan, but they have to say BROWNING. We LOVE the 1911 choices from SPRINGFIELD, but the frames are made in Brazil. If CZ would only get "branded" by an American company (Dan Wesson 1911s are made by CZ) then they could up the price by 25% and sell three times as many! I think they're GREAT products.

 

[Cliff47]

Right on, Ghost Tracker. Aside from CZ being one of the best-kept secrets in the shooting sports, ya know, that may be the source of the problem. Maybe we got in on the leading edge of the curve for once.

 

[Sniper X]

At my fav gunshop the nmanager has 5 CZ rifles, all big bores, he goes to Alaska and Africa every year. And he loves them and carries them at the shop as well as the handguns. I like them too but don't own any! YET! BTW the rifles come up and point marvelously! Right on target naturally, very nice!

 

[GunTech]

Correct, but some times work out oddly. When the Sig P22x gubs first came to the US, they were sold under the Browning name and the BDA. No one bought them. The Euopean mag release was probably a small factor. Now Sig sells the same gun under it's own name for much more money, and they are extremely popular..

Kahr is made in the US. The name was chosen to have a 'German' sound, suggesting European manufacture. The Designer is Mr. Moon, of Korean extraction (an son of Reverend Sun Young Moon)

Go figure.

 

[fletcher]

I also find the Dixie Gun & Knife show to be lacking. Also keep in mind that they market their products to gun owners as a whole, not necessarily firearms enthusiasts. They carry things that with name-recognition: Glock, S&W, Ruger, Springfield, etc. It's a shame, but the way it is.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Did y'all know that EVERY CZ centerfire rifle has a "set trigger" set-up? Push the trigger FORWARD (with the safety off) until it clicks, you've now reduced the trigger-pull weight by 50%! I'm talkin' - cut by HALF!. But if you re-engage the safety, the trigger pull resets to full weight.

There are CZ C/F rifle shooters who've never read their Owners Manual. You should see the look on their faces when you show 'em this little feature. Try it...it's a HOOT!

 

[armoredman]

I got into CZs by EAA, oddly enough, many years ago. When I worked at an indoor range/gunshop, (where I saw Glocks fail more often than CZs, sorry, Logos, and yes, we had CZ rental guns.), they went from calling them Eurotrash, to referring people to me with CZ questions, and stocking them regularly. We sold many of them, and even a factory cutaway model.
That was a few years ago, and the shop is long gone. I must say any mechanical device is subject to failure, BAR NONE. Proper maintenance is a good way to ensure positive function, but there is no GLOCK PERFECTION, it doesn't exist. Sorry. CZs aren't perfect, either, and we never claim they are...they're just great.

 

[brownie0486]

The ordinary average guy doesn't know much about CZ's.

The ordinary average guy doesn't do his homework and research products like many of us here.

CZ......beautiful gun that's almost reliable.

Glock......ugly gun that's reliable.

Which will you choose to save your life?

Both are reliable, in fact. Have you ever owned a CZ to begin with? have you gone to the forum dedicated to CZ's specifcally?

My CZ75B has NEVER malf'd and is far more accurate than any Glock I've fired. It's made of real metal, metal sights, great ergos (unlike the "brick"), fully-supported chamber and can be fired DA/SA, cocked-and-locked or from half-cock.

Radjxf,

right on the money, sorta speak

Breakdaddy.

Your experience with CZ's through your dad and yourself is not an unusual experience among CZ owners.

Ghost Tracker,

Good heads up on the CZ rifle, I didn't know that, thanks for the heads up.

armoredman,

Your experience with the rentals is what I've heard from the local indoor rental ranges as well. Three guns hold up for at least a year of rentals without any major issues. They are in no particular order: CZ, Glock and Rugers.

Here's the CZ forum address for those whose interest has been peaked by this thread on these fine pistols:

http://p201.ezboard.com/bczechpistols82792

You'll not find people complaining about their CZ's not running reliably, or being inaccurate, etc there in any real numbers at all. If people will go to that site, they'll be able to read about anything they want to know about CZ's before pulling the trigger and purchasing any model CZ makes.

As to accuracy of the CZ, here's a thread from my own forum about my first range trip out with the CZ PCR I purchased. Is it accurate? You bet--read the thread. Is it reliable? you bet, read the thread. Is it a natural pointer? You bet, read the thread.

http://www.threatfocused.com/forums/showthread.php?t=869

If anyone feels the CZ line of pistols is not worthy of ownership for SD purposes, go to the linked CZ forum. Do the research of others who have actually owned them previously, own them now and their experiences with the Czech guns. You'll not find many complaints in ANY thread from actual owners there.

In other words, go to the horses mouth for information, not the horses arse.

Brownie

 

[Ghost Tracker]

AHHH, Horse's Arses! That boundless fount of claptrap. Brownie, I'm forced to agree with you. I've never HEARD, READ or intercepted in CODE ANYBODY who had honestly put a CZ firearm through its paces & ended-up disappointed. For Pete's Sake, even JEFF COOPER (Bless His Soul), Patron Saint of Practical Shooting, thought the CZ75 was the Top Pick of the Wonder Nines. And there are PHs (Professional Hunters) all across The Dark Continent who trust BIGBORE CZ centerfire Safari Rifles in the Tall Grass. For how much more reputation can anyone ask?