Talk me into/out of a CZ75 BD!

[chris in va]

I had a BD for a decade.

Skip it, get a 75b. The decocker is pointless and when you 'graduate' to using a cocked and locked, you'll understand how the DA/SA transition can throw your shots. The 75b also allows for easier tuning. And to narrow things down more look for a polished staiess 75b.

 

[*NOVA*]

I had a BD for a decade.

Skip it, get a 75b. The decocker is pointless and when you 'graduate' to using a cocked and locked, you'll understand how the DA/SA transition can throw your shots. The 75b also allows for easier tuning. And to narrow things down more look for a polished staiess 75b.

The decocker is pointless? Scenario: I'm at the range - range is hot - I'm about to fire one off and RO shouts CEASE FIRE! The first thing I'm going to do is decock.

 

[wojownik]

I have both a B and a BD. The decocker is a valuable feature to me. I have used the BD for carry and in competition. I don't much like the stainless CZ- it just looks weird to me.

 

[DPris]

It is entirely possible to de-cock without a de-cocker.
Denis

 

[guyfromohio]

Once you graduate needing a safety to compensate your lack of motor control, you will find that da/SA transition to be superior to your Sigs

 

[CZ9shooter]

I have a Police model. It is a BD with a couple extra bells and whistles.

First thing I did was replace the plastic grips with CZ factory rubber grips. The already excellent ergos are unchanged, but now with added tack, minus the cheesy feel of plastic.

Later I put in a race hammer. Not because it needed it, I just felt like it. I like tinkering. Trigger used to be good, now it is awesome. I may remove the firing pin block too yet, just to see what kind of effect it has. My CZ is just a range toy, if you plan to use yours for protection, maybe these arent good mods for you.

 

[DPris]

I've got the 75B in full-size & the PCR de-cocker.
At times, depending on moon phase & atmospheric pressure deviations, I lean towards the standard DA/SA. At other times, I lean towards the PCR's de-cocker approach.

Every now & then, when the winds blow out of the North, I think I shoulda got the 75BD.
Occasionally, just before the clock strikes midnight, I wish I had a Compact in DA/SA.

Both are very reliable (the PCR doesn't like a particular Speer load, but otherwise...), decently accurate, a perfect fit in my hand, need bigger sight dots, and neither has a wide enough slide to be absolutely the best carry pistol in the world.
Mostly.

My considerations for evaluating the de-cocker vs the safety don't entirely center around dropping the hammer.
The trigger pull's more important to me.
Denis

 

[wrdwrght]

Does the 75B's safety activate the firing pin block, or just do something to immobilize the hammer and/or trigger? I know the 75BD's decocker activates the firing pin block.

 

[CZ9shooter]

Firing pin block is enabled almost all the time on every model in which it is equipped. Saftey or decocker has nothing to do with it. It is only disabled when the trigger is pulled fully to the rear. Even in single action (hammer cocked) it only happens during that last little bit of trigger movement. As the sear lifts, so does the firing pin block.

Saftey lever engaged or not, the FPB is active.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

My considerations for evaluating the de-cocker vs the safety don't entirely center around dropping the hammer.
The trigger pull's more important to me.

The pull can be essentially the same depending on how you start. The trigger shape may be a little different.

If you start the safety-equipped gun from the half-cock notch, you shouldn't see/feel a difference. (You can put the PCR-type "curved" trigger in the other CZ 75B-based models for a fractionally shorter trigger pull.) There is no safety penalty for starting the non-decocker from half-cock -- they are mechanically the same with regard to firing pin safety function and half-cock notch function/starting position, etc. Note: the safety lever doesn't work in the half-cock position, but you don't even have one with the decocker models.

You still have DA/SA transition in either model, but it's much more noticeable if you start from hammer fully down (as can be the case with the safety-equipped models.)

 

[DPris]

Walt,
Wave at my daughter, she lives just across the street from you in Win-Salem.

I was referring more to carry with the pistol in either hammer-down DA trigger mode or in cocked & locked mode.

Using the half-cock gives you a head-start over carry fully down in DA, but the C&L option is more amenable to first-shot convenience with older and/or more tired trigger fingers.
Arthritis can be a factor, so can lesser hand strength in general whether from age or the happenstance of gender.
Denis

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I agree about the C&L carry. I prefer it to decocker-equipped guns.

I keep hearing people say you can "train" to deal with the transition, and many do -- but as a long-time IDPA participant who scored many, many targets in matches, I can tell you that while MOST folks may train to deal with the DA/SA transition, you can't always see the positive results of that training...

I also believe that the first shot is the most important one -- and while I remain a CZ enthusiast, I find myself becoming equally enamored of good striker-fired guns as time passes... some of which are like SA guns, only easier to use.

 

[DPris]

Used to carry a SIG at work, got to where I could deal with that DA/SA transition OK, but not as OK as with a C&L SA trigger.

That's why I vacillate between these two.
Prefer SA C&L, but on the other hand that de-cocker in DA mode has the advantage of great simplicity and greater trigger poundage to resist an AD.
Denis

 

[wojownik]

If you have one, what did you do to it to make it a decent nightstand gun?
- nothing I kept it stock but I am considering adding night sights to the BD

Is it as soft a shooter (9mm) as I think it is?
- it's a pussycat. Softer, and less muzzle flip compared to a SIG P 226 if thats a frame of reference for you

Do you ever carry it concealed? how does that work for you?
- yes, but I found it rather large and heavy compared to tearing my Sig228/229. On the other hand it is a reassuring feeling having is that marvelous hunk of metal with you.

Do you compete with it?
- yes, IDPA

What is the trigger reach like? do people with small hands find this pistol ergonomic?
- I have medium hands, but longish fingers. No issues with trigger reach. One of the most comfortable and ergonomic handguns I have ever held.

If you passed on one, why?
- Because I already have two

 

[Walt Sherrill]

One of these days, CZ will introduce an alloy-framed full-size gun, or a semi-compact: full-size alloy frame and compact slide, and SIG will begin to worry. (They've done everything else: poly, steel, alloy compacts, stainless...)

I think it's only a matter of time before they come up with a good striker-fired design, too...

 

[DPris]

I think I'd stand in line for an aluminum-framed 75B.
Denis

 

[atblis]

P01? Isn't that alloy framed?

 

[CZ9shooter]

Yes, but it is not considered to be full size.

 

[Pyzon]

It is entirely possible to de-cock without a de-cocker

Practice makes this less intimidating. Do it correctly though and let go of the trigger as soon as the hammer starts to fall with the thumb controlling the speed. The block re-engages when the trigger returns forward.

I'm at the range - range is hot - I'm about to fire one off and RO shouts CEASE FIRE! The first thing I'm going to do is decock

How about engaging the safety lever, if a manual de-cock is not of interest ?

Saftey lever engaged or not, the FPB is active.

 

[donkee]

My CZ-75BD Police was my 2nd new handgun. I have used it in IDPA and concealed carry.

I swapped out the plastic grips for factory rubber ones. That is the only modification I have made to it. Everything else is just fine for me.

If you carry it for an entire day it may start to feel heavy, but not so much I wouldn't carry it.

I would talk you out of the 75 only if it was the last one available and I wanted it.

 

[snapshot762]

The only downside to CZ's I have found is that they multiply like rabbits! Let one CZ in your safe and before you know it there will be a few more in there.

 

[TestPilot]

What is the trigger reach like? do people with small hands find this pistol ergonomic?

HORRIBLE.

Try one for yourself at a rental range.

If you passed on one, why?

Trigger reach issue aside, CZ classic type pistols are not easy to fight with because of the vertically narrow slide. It makes emergency manipulation significantly harder.

Also, CZ series did not offer a rust resistant finish at the time of my evaluation.

 

[DPris]

The narrow slide is what I was referring to earlier.
It is unfortunately not one of the better pistols for quick malfunction clearances in that respect.

I've been lobbying for an alloy 75B.
I'm being told "Right after the stainless Compact."

And the trigger reach is fine in DA for my medium-sized hands.

Denis

 

[CZ9shooter]

Trigger reach is comfortable to me too. I'd say my hands are average. Large or sometimes XL glove depending on the specific type.

 

[Lone Star]

The CZ-75B fits my hand very well, but your wife may have trouble reaching the DA trigger well.

My DIL does well with SIG's.