Tell me about the CZ 50

[KDS]

I am thinking about picking up a CZ 50 but don't know much about them. It seems like a neat little gun I can get for pretty cheap. This would only be used for plinking and collecting. I like CZs and have a C&R. What can you tell me about this gun?

 

[AK103K]

I have one of the CZ70's. Basically the same gun, with a few minor changes.

I prefer the shape of the 50's grips, and replaced mine with a set.

The DA trigger on mine, and a couple of others Ive shot are terrible, and are easier shot using two fingers. SA is pretty good. Its one of the few guns I thumb cock.

They are well made, accurate little guns. A little heavy for their size. .32's arent the cheapest for plinking, unless you reload.

The only real problem I had with mine, was getting the mags straitened out. The mag that came with the gun, as well as some I got from Marstar that were supposed to be new, but werent, would not function with more than three rounds in them. Turns out, the srings in all of them were bad, and when replaced with some from Wolff, work fine now.

 

[Ash]

They are well-made, better made than the Makarov that came not long after. They have a great frame-mounted safety, are compact, and overall demonstrate a high standard of manufacturing. However, the geometry on the double action trigger causes it to be heavy, often very heavy. Single action tends to be pretty good, however. The 32acp loading is pretty weak, though, and it's a shame they did not develop a 9mm Mak version. When the Czechs went to 9mm Mak, they simply came up with the CZ-82.

Some folks say the CZ-50/70 are Walther copies. They are not. The only thing they have in common is blow-back operation with the recoil spring around the barrel, and double action triggers. The Walther has the safety on the slide and the take-down is completely different.

 

[KDS]

I am looking at the CZ 50s listed on Wideners website for $230. Since I have a Kel-tec P32, I have plenty of 32 ACP on hand. Thanks for the feedback. I may just pick one up.

 

[Ron James]

Reports have stated that during the CZ50s service life it had a lot of dependability problems. Soft steel on the slide and other breakage. The CZ 70 is a result or upgrade to address those those problems. If you can find one, I would go with the CZ70. My 70 has always proven dependable with never a hiccup. However with the small amount of shooting the average shooter does, the CZ50 should suffice. Both guns are almost twins with only minor outward visual changes, { grips being one } and many parts will interchange.

 

[Ash]

That was what Ian Hogg said, but it isn't true (Hogg also lambasted the Mosin Nagant for its spike bayonet, which is also a screw driver but was fine with the #4 Enfield and its spike bayonet, which was otherwise useless beyond service as a tent stake). Most CZ-70's are just refurbished CZ-50's for the commercial export market - you can tell by the serial numbers. Perhaps earliest Strakonice 50's, at most, had a problem, but all CZ-UB changed when they introduced the 70 after manufacturing the 50 (starting in 1954) was aesthetics.

 

[OilyPablo]

CZ-50 from AIM for $199

Old thread but worth it.

I just bought a CZ-50 from AIM for $199.

Anyone have new comment on this old gun? I downloaded the manual but other than that not a lot of info out there.

Arrived at my FFL already and I'll need to make it over there later this week so I'm searching around for information on this little gun. I own no .32ACP, but I ordered some, not sure when it will arrive.

 

[firesky101]

Cool little guns, but mags are a real pain to find.

 

[MikeJackmin]

I have one that would fire reliably in single action, but which would fail to fire about a third of the time in double action.

Turns out the hammer comes further back in single-action than it does in double-action. Something to consider if it might be used defensively.

Other than that, it's been fine, and I regard it as a well-made, interesting, and inexpensive piece of history.

 

[OilyPablo]

Thanks. Never would I even consider a 32ACP for defensive use. Just an item of interest more than anything.

 

[PabloJ]

Thanks. Never would I even consider a 32ACP for defensive use. Just an item of interest more than anything.

Ok, it's better then a fist.....Oh boy I wish i had $200+ to throw away then maybe I would buy this gun. Pleas wait........I would rather save up and buy something like the 'Shield' or the XDs.

 

[OilyPablo]

Ok, it's better then a fist.....Oh boy I wish i had $200+ to throw away then maybe I would buy this gun. Pleas wait........I would rather save up and buy something like the 'Shield' or the XDs.

Throw away? I wouldn't consider buying such a gun throwing money away. Does every gun have to be for self defense? I enjoy many guns for their even slightly different design.

I already have an XDs, btw.

 

[OilyPablo]

I picked up the gun yesterday.

It's brand new. In the box. With factory paper target from Aug, 12 1974 and is a CZ-70!

Brush. Two magazines and an unused body/shoulder type holster.

$199? I scored for once. Thanks to AIM. Great place.

Even the FFL was having a $15 transfer special and he charged me $10 because I do a decent amount of business and he thinks owes me some change anyway.

 

[PabloJ]

As long as you're happy is all that matters.

 

[OilyPablo]

I ALMOST don't want to fire it. Well actually I don't even have any 32ACP That will be remedied soon!

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I had a CZ 50 some years ago. It shot better than several Walther PPS that friends owned. Mine was very accurate. I must have been one of the lucky ones, as while the DA trigger of mine was heavy, it wasn't horrible. The SA trigger was good.

The only problems I've heard of is galling of the underside of the slide where it pushes against the hammer as the slide retracts. It eventually "mounds" up and can cause a failure to retract. It's not a common roblem, but not unheard of -- and you've got to shoot a lot for it to happen. I think the metallurgy int he CZ-70s improved on that aspect of the gun. And magazines for the CZ-50 or CZ-70 are almost impossible to find; if you have mag problems -- quite common with these old guns -- you're going to be SOL.

They're OK little guns, but more novelty than anything else. I'd rather shoot 9mm for fun, as the ammo is cheaper.

I think the Kel-tec P32 is a better gun, all around, but slightly less pleasant to shoot. (The P32 isn't that bad, however.... but it's greatly lighter weight accounts for the difference.) The CZ-50 is quite large and heavy for the caliber.

I've been there and done that, and you haven't, but I'd now rather spend the money on ammo -- if I can find it.

 

[larryh1108]

It's a fun little gun. As some have said, the DA is quite heavy. I can't measure it but I'd guess it's 15# or more. The SA is fine, though. For range fun it's the way to go. I got some Marschal grips for it that cost over $100 so it doubled the price. I found some nice mags here: http://www.ammoclip.com/C/cz_50_70.htm
They worked fine and were well made.

I have a thing for wood on steel so what the heck?

 

[OilyPablo]

I hear you Walt, but $199 gets you what? Two bricks of .22LR??

I kid, I kid.

Highly unlikely I will plink much with a .32ACP.

Larry - nice grips!!

 

[Walt Sherrill]

For the money, I'd rather have a CZ-82. Much better gun, and the prices aren't that different. The "82" might even work for serious self defense, if necessary.

 

[OilyPablo]

For the money, I'd rather have a CZ-82. Much better gun, and the prices aren't that different. The "82" might even work for serious self defense, if necessary.

I already have two CZ-82's. I love them. None of the guns in this discussion are "for serious self defense".