New Witness or Pre-B CZ

[aprayinbear]

OK Folks,

I know it's been asked before, but please help. I have a chance to buy a used pre-b CZ-75 for around $320, or a new EAA Witness for around $350. I like the EAA for it's ability to change calibers and Novac style sight. I like the CZ for it's history and reliability.

Gun will be used for target/plinking. What do you think?

 

[mgmorden]

I don't recommend getting the Pre-B CZ's. Been there, done that. Unless you really want one from a collectability standpoint all the accessories (mags, sights, etc) sold now fit the B models.

I'd say to get the Witness, or look for a used CZ-75B.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

The pre-Bs have a reputation for wonderful triggers but, as noted, a few parts are getting hard to find (safety lever components on the oldest models), most will not accept newer magazines, so mags can become an issue, and rear sights have a different dovetail while front sights are staked. About the only way to change out the sights on a pre-B is to have a gunsmith cut new dovetails and sights from another type of gun. B-model sights won't work.

The pre-Bs are great guns, but not a good "first" CZ. A Witness or 75B can be tuned to be just as good, and there's unlikely to be problems with parts.

The newer larger-frame Witnesses aren't my favorite for 9mm, however; the older, smaller-frame guns are the choice for that caliber. The "new" witness may be a large frame gun. It's bigger.

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I just came back and read the following message. He makes a good point about the .22 conversion kit.

I have one for my CZs, and they're great -- but quite a bit more expensive for the CZs than for the Witnesses. You may be able to find a used unit for either -- but the new CZ conversion kits may not fit the OLD (pre-B) CZ-75s. (Mine didn't -- hammer was too wide on the my pre-B.)

 

[Thompsoncustom]

As Much as I love my CZ 75b I would probably say get the new Witness just because the price of changing from 9mm to .22lr is so cheap. I would love to be able to price with my carry weapon in .22lr but for 350 buck for a conversion kit it was cheaper for me to go out and just buy a .22lr handgun. Now I'm not sure on the price but I want to say it's like 150 buck for the .22lr conversion kit for the Witness. I also think is would be nice to be able to change to 10mm if I wanted to. Good Luck