NEW 9mm ZASTAVA CZ999 -- Any Good For $289.95?

[leadcounsel]

Having a hard time believing that a modern gun that popular, even if just overseas, you can't find the right part or an economical replacement that will do the trick.

I've bought Polish P64 Radom parts (firing pins and magazines) from Gunbroker. Try there. Must be someone in the world selling these modern production gun parts... no prohibition on shipping springs worldwide.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

...I've bought Polish P64 Radom parts (firing pins and magazines) from Gunbroker. Try there. Must be someone in the world selling these modern production gun parts... no prohibition on shipping springs worldwide.

It seems that it ought to be simple, but sometimes it isn't. Some countries have tight restrictions over some items, particularly those associated with firearms.

A few years back, when I had a couple of Sphinx semi-autos, I wanted to get some additional FACTORY mags. Sphinx was NOT able to ship mags to the U.S. (I would never have thought that mags were an restricted item, but they were.) Some springs were not, and they sent me a slide lock spring, which I also needed, free f charge. Only a firm/individual with an export license on that end, and a firm/individual with an import license on our end, could do that.

Century has an import license for the assembled weapons, but apparently NOT for parts -- but was seeking the ability in 2014 to get parts for the CZ99 and CZ999. That apparentlyh still has not happened.

Individuals MIGHT be able to ship stuff, person to person, but in some countries , run the risk of doing something illegal that can bite them on the butt if they do it.

Does anyone here know about Serbian export restrictions?

 

[basshnter1]

I did go to my local gunsmith and ask about a spring for it.
He wouldn't even entertain the idea to look for much less make a spring for it.
The spring I made works but isn't made out of the proper material and doesn't function like the original.
It does allow the gun to be usable to my satisfaction.
My only point in participating in this thread is to prevent someone from unknowingly making the mistake I did.
Purchasing a handgun you can't get parts for.
My $300 bucks I spent on the Zastava would have been better spent on something like a Ruger 9e, $389 local to me.
Once parts for these become available in the USA I would highly recommend one.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I appreciate your response and understand your frustration -- and am sorry to hear about it.

Your point about buying a gun for which the parts are made of "unobtainium" is very valid -- and it was one of the concerns I shared with my first response, much earlier.

That said, understand that there ARE gunsmiths who can and will help with the spring problem, unlike your local resource.. It may be that finding that 'smith may be more of a problem in your area than in some parts of the country. When traveling and you see a shop, check in and ask. You can always send a spring by mail, etc.

Brownells is also a source of parts, materials, and know-how: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=10672/guntechdetail/Springmaking_Without_Tears

I'll stop pestering you. Good luck.

 

[Partizanai]

A different experience....

I have also been looking at these closely. I have a couple of Zastava
M57's and I truly enjoy them. For the price- they are simple, well made
and most reliable.
There are several sites available to buy many Zastava parts. Zastava has
a decent web-site themselves. I actually know several people well that
have had very good luck with these weapons.
Good luck on your purchase choice and please pray for our great nation!
P

 

[Partizanai]

Hope these prove somewhat helpful.....

http://www.acxesspring.com/gun-springs.html

https://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?rewriteQS=

Good Luck!!!
P

 

[leadcounsel]

I had a similar small part spring and pin problem for a Star pistol.

This machinist in Oregon is very talented to make things like this.

http://www.partsproduction.com/

Suggest you reach out to him for your small parts needs.

I got one of these Zastava pistols for $290 at Aim. I have not yet shot it, but am impressed with quality and feel and design. They are sold out everywhere at more than $350. I jumped on another one today before they dry up and jump in price - lessons learned in the past.

 

[Ernest T]

I thought I'd post an update to my original post (#13) about the problems I was having with my CZ999.

The original issue with my new CZ999 was a FTF about every 3rd or 4th round. I isolated the problem to a mismatched frame and slide, which caused the barrel and slide to bind. This prevented the round from seating completely in the chamber. After numerous emails, I finally got consent from Century Arms to send the gun back. I sent the gun back to Century arms and it was received at their store on 16 July 2015.

I finally received a replacement CZ999 on 25 September 2015 from Century Arms over 2 months later.................yea they were extremely slow. I lost track of the number of emails I sent back and forth. I don't want to call this a new CZ999, because it looked slightly used. This gun also had mismatched serial numbers on the slide and frame..............WTH??? Who knows for sure, but this gun has definitely had a few rounds put through it. Anyhow, after 2 months, I was just happy to get a anything back.

I took this replacement CZ999 to the range today, and put 150 rounds through it. NO FTF issues, and it fired every round without any issues except an occasional round hitting me in the face. I chalk this up to a stiff extractor or possibly me limp wristing it. Only problem I had with this gun was it seemed to be very inaccurate. My rounds were all over the place. Then I took a close look, and noticed that the rear sight was loose in the dovetail. I could easily slide it back and forth with my finger. I'm lucky it didn't fall out. I suspect this was the accuracy problem, since the rear sight was probably moving with every shot.

I took the gun home and peened the dovetail and the sight, and re-seated the sight, and now it is tight. Hopefully the next trip to the range will have better results with the accuracy.

Bottom line is I think the CZ999 is a well made pistol. It feels good in the hand and can be very accurate. Other CZ999s that I have seen have matching serial numbers on the slide and frame, and I confirmed from Zastava that this is how their guns leave the factory. I can't explain why the 2 I have gotten from Century Arms have mismatched serial numbers, so I will let you draw your own conclusions. You basically get what you pay for with a $289 pistol. Personally, I will never buy a new weapon imported or manufactured by Century Arms again. I have a number of surplus military rifles that were imported by Century Arms that I have no problems with, but I would be careful buying any "new" firearm from this company.

 

[Uncle-Jesse]

My Cz-999

I bought the 999 Compact on gunbroker.com from Richiespng (Richie's pawn and gun) for $287. It had all signs, lack of any wear and a tag on the trigger guard that reads "This is a new firearm", that it was new. I have cleaned and fired it without issue, I bought a Fobus holster SP-11 and it fits great.

As for the serial # only the frame has it, CZ999-B0008XX, not the slide. There is a number on the internals near the hammer, and under the slide by the firing pin block safety, but they are not the same #.
frame: 1309x (with the 13 stamped and the 09x stamped 1/3 bigger)
Slide: 01393x (with the 013 stamped and the 93x etched by hand)
The proof house certificate show the tested date of 2013/07/22
There is also a BTB stamp on both slide and frame.

I hope this is helpful to all who are CZ999 curious.

 

[Uncle-Jesse]

Buy Two.

My plan is to buy one and test it out. (Check)
Buy a second one, use it, and if one fails I have it for parts. (Not yet)
still have less invested then buying one Sig 226 Tacops. (Check)

287.00 Pistol
8.61 CC Fees
35.00 Shipping
21.00 my FFL
$351.61

Two magazines from LGS's used mag bin: $21 (took some digging)
$372.61
$350.00 Another 999 (still to be obtained)
$722.61

$1329.00 P226 Tacops

Also grips are available from Tillander on Ebay. (still to be obtained)

 

[Walt Sherrill]

...still have less invested then buying one Sig 226 Tacops.

But the point you overlook in your argument is that you still don't have a gun that is comes close to the P226 TACOPS in anything but looks. What you're doing is getting the gun equivalent of a VW Kit-Car version that looks like a Porsche 911. I'm sure the kit car will run fine, but it won't be a Porsche

I think the CZ999 is a good-enough gun, especially for the price, but it's not a SIG. More importantly, it's not a TACOPS. While the CZ999 looks a lot like a SIG, its a good bit different -- with more similarity internally to the Walther P88 than the SIG. And Paying $350 for backup parts that you might or might not need, your stated reason, is not a bargain.

You could arguably buy a used SIG P226 and still spend not much more than you plan to spend on your two CZ999s. And then you'd arguably have no need for backup parts gun. (I just checked GunBroker, and a number of used 9mm P226s recently sold in the $500-$700 range.)

Me? If I didn't want to spend the $$ for a used SIG, I'd just buy the CZ999 -- and start looking for a parts source... a source you might never need.

 

[Analogkid]

I have had great luck with mine. It's too big for my hands but it's just a range gun. And I can shoot it pretty well.

The parts kits come up for sale on gb and ebay some times. The Beretta mags are easy to fit.

It had light primer strikes at first but the firing pin was coated in Cosmo and I didn't realize it. After a good cleaning it's ran great. I don't think I have had any other issues with it.

 

[BemidjiDweller]

I bought two two years ago when they were $320 each. Loved them, but they were to large for my hands. Ended up trading them to friends with bigger hands and they are still running flawless.

I read that Zastava ran at least 200k rounds through their test gun.

 

[bannockburn]

I see that Aim Surplus is currently sold out of the Zastava CZ999 Compact but they do have some Star Super Model B pistols available for around $239 or for an extra $10 you can get a "hand select" model. As much as the CZ999 was an interesting surplus buy for $289 I think the Star is a pretty decent deal at that price.

 

[Analogkid]

You can buy these from cdi sales on gunbroker for under $250.

 

[lsudave]

You can buy these from cdi sales on gunbroker for under $250.

bump to add- you can now buy one from them for under $200. Expect a beater, but some of us like that