Tired of polymer but on a budget

[shooter429]

What is a working guy to do? I sold off my Glocks, Ruger LCP, KTs etc due to the financial bust. Now I am back in the market. I started with a mouse gun. I started fondling some 1911s, but lack the cash to do one right at this point. Instead of my usual polymer something or revo, I decided on all steel, all autos. My first purchase was a 32NAA Guardian as a BUG. It is 14+ Oz., which is about the same weight as a 642, But I love the feel of steel and it actually conceals better than the KTs.

Anyway, on to primary SSP. I have a budget of only $700, so my usual choice (Sig stainless) are out. But for the first time in my life I picked up a CZ 75 with NS and liked it. But it was a 9 and I am a bigger bore kinda guy. So, is the CZ 75 SP-01 TACTICAL cal. 40 S&W, light rail, decocker, tritium sights, black polycoat - 12rd mags a good choice? It is all steel and seems to have good ergos, but i have yet to get one to the range. Anybody with actual CZ experience, please chime in. My other thought was the CZ97 BD. I must have night sights and a decocker. I thought perhaps I would save the .45 for JMBs original in a Nighthawk later...so...

How do these CZs hold up, shoot etc.? Are they high quality and reliable? Are parts and accessories available? Would you buy one for under $700?

Again, please only those with actual experience fill me in, please. Any other good all steel guns in this price range that I have overlooked?

Thanks.

Shooter429

 

[mattk]

CZ's are great guns. I love mine.
If you want a DA/SA gun for carry etc, I think the CZ 75 PCR compact is a great gun.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

There's a good article out there about how you don't need a fancy pants 1911 to have a good gun.

Don't disregard the more inexpensive ones outright.

 

[Z-Michigan]

CZ makes great guns. I have one, and I've shot friends' CZ-75s also, all are good. High quality, durable, etc., not far off from Sig in quality.

I would also look at the Armalite AR-24 (9mm only) and Jericho 941 (9, 40, or 45) as CZ75-clones that are also high quality and within your price range.

You can get a pretty good 1911 for under $700 also. The Springfield Armory GI and Mil-Spec models are under that number and are good solid guns, just without all the bells and whistles that reduce reliability while driving up price.

 

[rbernie]

The CZ75B is a very nice pistol that I own and shoot well. I have it in both 9mm and 40S&W. The 40S&W version is more expensive to feed, but obviously shoots a more powerful round.

Why not consider a RIA/Citadel 'Tactical' model 1911? I have been abusing mine for a while, and they have been quite satisfying.

 

[wilkersk]

For $700, I think you could find a nice, slightly owned, rarely shot 1911. I just bought a Kimber stainless II for $700. And, I really like it.

That being said, the pistol I shoot most right now, the one I'm competing with this year, is a bone stock CZ75B. I can't say enough good things about CZ!

 

[HorseSoldier]

CZs are very solid, and still very good values for the money, though I guess prices have been creeping up over the last few years.

 

[Philo_Beddoe]

I own two CZ's, both of them are more accurate then any other handgun I have shot and just as reliable.

If I had to pick a knock on them it would be that their factory triggers could use a bit of work, but even then they are still quite usable.

My suggestion to you would be to order from the Custom shop and just get a trigger job done before it ships.

http://czcustom.com/CZ-USA-Pistols.aspx

I have cz 75b SA (single action) with the trigger job and the only thing I have felt better is a custom 1911.

You can get the SA in 40 and 9mm

If you want a DA/SA model I would suggest one with a thumb safety instead of a de-cocker for cocked and locked carry.

They have a regular cz in 40 in with a satin finish in stock too.

I have heard nothing but good things from the CZ 97 too.

CZ are well built, well made guns.

 

[kd7nqb]

what about that new Para US GI expert 1911 doesn't it retail around 500? CZ's are good guns too.

 

[Jbabbler]

Centerfire gets the RIA and Armscor CZ's in from time to time and they sell them at great prices. My friend bought MAPP1, all steel for $329 and it was an identcal clone to the CZ at the local range. Even down to the grip checkering.

 

[GunTech]

When buying a CZ clone, find out about magazine compatibility. Many use non-cz magazines like the witness.

Lots of great guns out there for a decent price.

Since you mention CZ, have you considered a CZ-97 45 acp? Or even a Witness?

The biggest issue I have found with CZs is finding holsters. You have a much more limited selection versus more popular autos.

 

[bearmgc]

Guy on this Forum has a Witness Compact Carry 10mm for $375 shipped. I don't know him, but might be worth looking into. I believe it is a steel auto, not polymer.

 

[huntsman]

any other good all steel guns in this price range that i have overlooked?

s&w 4566

 

[Jbabbler]

I will never buy an EAA product based solely on their attitude toward service. This just screams "Don't call us, we'll call you."

VII) How do I track my repair or find the status?

We only track guns by their serial number. Always record your serial number. Remember each time you call on a gun it is removed from the service cycle and put to the end of the line. We try and repair most guns within 30 days. We do not contact you. We just try to repair the gun and get it back to you in the shortest possible time. To track a gun status call 321-639-4842 remember that you must have the serial number to track a repair. Also remember that you must include the $20.00 for return freight on all handguns.

 

[03Shadowbob]

I personally loved my RAMI 40. It held up to a lot of abuse and had zero issues. CZ makes a damn fine gun and are very hard to beat for the money, if you ask me.

 

[cluttonfred]

My suggestion would be a Ruger P90.

You could get the alloy/stainless model and add a set of night sights (Trijicon, Meprolight, etc.) and still stay under $700.

 

[Just One Shot]

Around here you can get an all steel Citadel 1911 for $509.00 + tax and have money left over for a good holster and some ammo.

 

[Guitargod1985]

Stoeger Cougar can be had for 4 bills brand new.

Mine is chambered for 9mm, but .40 is available as well.

ETA: Never fired a CZ product, but I have held one in the gun shop and it feels NICE. Don't believe I've ever heard anything bad about them, either.

 

[Buck Nekkid]

You CANNOT find a better made pistol for the money than a CZ. From a perfect concealed carry RAMI in 40 all the way up to fabulous full size 97 in .45 acp you will find a CZ in your size and price range. I proudly own 15 CZ's from a pre War .380 to a brand new high polished stainless steel CZ75 in 9 mm. Each and every one of them shows high quality European attention to detail and the CZ-USA customer service is beyond reproach!

 

[wditto]

or you might consider a CZ.....

 

[Noveldoc]

Consider used. I got a very nice and very solid Smith 4506-1 for under $400. Shoots great but it is definitely full sized.

Tom

 

[southpaw.nc]

All metal guns on a <$500 budget: CZ-75, many models are sub-500
All metal guns on a <$250 budget: CZ-82 (in 9x18 or .380, 12/13 rounds)

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

New gun: another vote for the CZ in the flavor of your choice. Mine is a PCR. They can still be had for $500-ish if you shop around. The Bersa Thunder series and Stoeger Cougar are sub-$400 and are reputed to work well, but I have no personal experience.

Used gun: S&W metal frame auto (my favorite is the 3913 and similar models), in the size, metal, action and caliber of your choice.

 

[MAURICE]

Beretta 92, SW Semi Autos, and Ruger P series guns are some I would look at, too. All are good, solid guns that won't break the bank. You could probably go a little fancier than these for 700 bucks. I'd feel just fine carrying and using any of the guns named in this thread.

I can't comment on the CZ pistols. I have shot only one and I do not even recall which model it was.

 

[TXHORNS]

CZ's are great values and $700 is plenty of cash for a good .40 or .45. I think a new CZ in .40 would be great and the only other gun that comes to mind would be a used P226 or P229.

Personally I like to shoot my 45's more - less snappy recoil, more of a push. The CZ 97 is awesome but again a used Sig P220 would be my preference. I paid $820 for mine brand new with night sights.

And a gently used Loaded Springer with nightsights can be had for under $700 as well. I dont know what your definition of "done right" is for a 1911 but they dont need to cost $2-3K to be good guns. Some guys like their 1911s to be hand crafted works of art. I admit I have one of those and it never gets shot. My Springer Loaded was $600 used and when it comes to shooting its just as fun, reliable and accurate. More accurate for me than the Sig too!

I also like the Armscor 1911's (preferably the Citadel for looks) for your price range. Get one with novak style sights and you can add night sights real easy.