which 9mm to choose: CZ-75B or Sig-226 ?

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hostilecrab

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which 9mm should I choose:
CZ-75B....or......Sig-226

I've shot both. Both are great shooters.

Leaning towards the CZ because of the price.

Can get 3 CZ's (nib) for the price of one Sig (nib) !!!

If Sigs costs so much more, are they REALLY that much better to justify the cost ???

Appreciate any opinions about this.

-HCrab.
 
Even without the difference in cost I'd go with the CZ. With a pistol as solid as the CZ it's hard to say anything is really "better" since the CZ does exactly what a service pistol is supposed to do. They are simple, rugged, accurate and well made. At one time Jeff Cooper listed it as the number two pistol in the world behind only the 1911.
 
HCrab, I don't own a CZ or a Sig, but have sold both while working for a very large dealer in the South East. Both are quality pistols and neither were amongst the brands that seemed to be constantly on the smith's bench or getting sent back for factory service. If you don't shoot the SIG substantially better than the CZ, nor does the SIG fit your hand substantially better, then I don't think the SIG is worth the extra money. Now if the SIG just fits you perfectly and you shoot it better than the CZ then the expense is justified as a quality pistol will last a lifetime or more. If shootability and ergonomics are equal then the CZ makes more sense economically. Use the saved money for a good supply of 9mm practice ammo, holster, extra mags, etc. Maybe get a Kadet 22 upper for the CZ as well. Then you'd have your 9mm plus a 22 to play with.
 
I own 2 CZ 75's and a Sig P220 (gonna get a P226 one day) and have fired thousands of rounds out of each of them. Here's my take.

If you are going to carry the pistol go with the Sig. Sig good. Sig go bang every time pull trigger.

The same cannot be said for my CZ's. The 9mm has had the occasional FTF. The trigger on the .40 failed (that was scary - it was my carry gun at the time - did my weekly function check and she no go boom, no go click, trigger locked up tight).

NOW! 2 CZ's and 1 SIG do not a good sample size make but it is rare that I carry either CZ anymore and when I do there's a nagging voice in my head wondering if I need the thing will it go boom? No nagging voice with the Sig.

OTOH - if you are buying just to have a range gun then by all means go with the CZ. Both of mine are way more accurate than my Sig. What that means is that at 15 yards I can put a whole mag from either CZ into the X ring of a B-26 target. With the Sig I can only stay in the 10 ring.

Both the CZ's and the Sig are easy to take down and clean - toss up.

When considering bang for the buck - the CZ wins hands down.
 
I own a CZ-75B and 75D PCR. Both fit my CZ .22 LR Kadet Kit conversion unit. I also own a Sig P228. While the Sig is a great gun, I still like the CZ's better. The PCR fits in my P228 holster but is a little slimmer and smaller but still holds 15 rounds. I carry the PCR and shoot both CZ at the range a lot. The Sig pretty much sits at home. This is very subjective, the Sigs may fit you better and you may just like them. Shoot both and see which you like. You really can't go wrong with either.
 
If your going to put your life on the line, go with Sig!

By no means do I intend to bash the CZ. I love the feel and the looks, but I could not shoot the thing worth a darn. I was all over the place. Frankly, I was unimpressed... The price was right, but the functionality, FOR ME was all wrong...

The Sig 226 is worth ever extra penny you spend... Tack driving accuracy and life depending reliability. Easy to clean and comfortable to shoot...

No comparison, in my books....
 
My personal opinion, having fired almost every SiG, and almost every CZ, is that CZ is a better pistol. The SiG is a fine weapon, well built, rugged, reliable, and accurate, but the CZ, for me, is just as reliable, if not more so, more accurate, and half the price. I will say that if I had to carry a weapon NOT made by CZ, it would be a SiG P220.
It comes down to, what can your wallet handle, and what does your hand like best...:) Either will be a good sidearm.
 
flip a coin. :)
If you like the Sig better, get a good used one from CDNN investments.
You cannot go wrong with either gun.
-David
 
I've spent some time behind the trigger of a CZ-75B, CZ-97B, P220, P226, and P229. There are a few things I've noticed:

(1) Sig's generally have a bore axis that's way too high for me...like the H&K USP series and S&W's line of autopistols. That means more muzzle flip than necessary. In contrast, the CZ-75B and 97B place your hand WAY up on the backstrap, so the bore axis is nice and low. For me, that means much quicker follow-up shots and much more comfort.

(2) The shape and size of the grips is very different. You just have to feel both and see which one fits you better. For me, the CZ's just fit my hand better. When you also factor in the lower bore axis, that makes for some very comfortable shooting.

(3) Most Sigs are still DA/SA whereas most CZ's can be carried safely in Condition One (i.e., "cocked and locked"). If you're the kind of person that's comfortable with Browning's 1911 and P-35 platforms, you'll probably be more comfortable with a CZ.

(4) If you do choose to carry with the hammer down, then the CZ presents a problem. Sig DA/SA autos have a decocking lever that safely drops the hammer. CZ's need to be manually decocked. Personally, I'm not comfortable lowering the hammer on a chambered round: there's just too much that can go wrong and lead to a N.D. If I were to carry my CZ-97B, I would only carry Condition One.

(5) In my experience, the quality of the trigger, fit, and finish is roughly comparable. Personally, I do NOT see the Sig as being head and shoulders above the CZ in terms of quality. So, it would be hard for me to justify the price difference on that basis alone.

(6) In my experience, accuracy is comparable. In fact, in my hands, the CZ-75B and CZ-97B have been more accurate than comparable Sigs. Again, it would be hard for me to justify the price difference on that basis alone.

(7) In this country, Sigs still have better aftermarket support. You'll find more gunsmiths that know how to work on them. You'll find more holster and accessory makers that support Sigs. You'll find more sources for parts and mags. To my mind, this is the only real downside of the CZ platform. For example, I've been shopping around for new grips and a holster for my 97B. Basically, there are only 1-2 sources for these products. So, if I want a custom holster or set of grip panels, I'll need to physically ship my gun out of state to the maker (with all the hassles that entails). The 75B has better support than the 97B...but it's still not as good as it would be for a Sig.

Anyway, these are my thoughts. Hope you found them useful! Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions.
 
I own a CZ-75b and a Sig P226. My only two 9mms. Both are good pistols. I would probably take the CZ over the Sig but I have small hands so it just feels better. I have had feeding problems with the CZ in the past due to weak magazine springs. Never had any problems with the SIG, even with cheap aftermarket mags. My friends all like th Sig better. It all comes down to personal preference I guess.
 
Few thoughts:

1. The SIG's high bore axis is the one serious flaw in the design. My stainless P220 had lots of muzzle flip (even with its all-steel frame), making fast follow ups hard. It is one of the reasons I sold the gun. Flip on a 9mm will be less, but it could still be an issue. The CZ bore rides lower.

2. For all the hype about SIGs' "out of the box accuracy," the CZ 75B is noticeably more accurate in my hands than my SIG was. That P220 had lame accuracy. (For fine shooting, neither gun can compare to a good S&W revolver.)

3. The SIG's trigger will probably be better, particularly in DA mode. SIG does a nice job of this. Smooth DA and crisp SA.

Personally, I always use my CZ in cocked-and-locked mode, so the rough DA trigger is irrelevant. But the CZ's single action trigger is also kinda creepy. It'll work; it could be better.

4. Both my SIG and my CZ displayed excellent reliability. I had one bad failure-to-feed with the SIG when it was brand new; after that, perfect. The CZ has been perfect from the jump, except that the slide sometimes fails to lock back at the end of a magazine if you use mild-powered 9mm ammo.

I'd get the CZ.
 
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They'be both good guns.

Of the SIGs, I think I'd prefer the 228 to the 226.

If you can find one with a great trigger (like one that has been tuned by Ernest Langdon), or the DAK trigger, they're hard to beat.

But I like CZs, too. And I find they point a bit better for me.

I've had a P-220, a P-239, a P-210-6, and have only a SIG GSR, right now. If I stumble across a 228 with a DAK trigger, I'll probably get one of those, too. (When I have more money... its Winter Time for my wallet, right now.)

If you get a chance, can find a rental, do yourself a favor and shoot both. There's nothing worse than buying a great gun on the recommendations of others, to find that the gun just doesn't fit YOU. I've done that a couple of times. (Which is why I sold my P-239 and my CZ-97B -- both very good guns in other hands.)
 
If you do choose to carry with the hammer down, then the CZ presents a problem. Sig DA/SA autos have a decocking lever that safely drops the hammer. CZ's need to be manually decocked
Click to expand...

CZ has decock pistols available. P01,SP01,75BD etc.
 
if your life is going to depend on it go with sig

All the talk about high bore axis etc. has more to do with range shooting.

To save your life a double tap from a sig should do the trick. I have never had one fail in my hands nor have I seen one fail.

My cz has had enough problems I will only use it as a range gun. It is marginally more accurate than sigs I have shot but the trigger is not nearly as good as a sig.
 
I've owned both and sold the CZ for more Sigs. The Sig 226,229,228,220 is probably one of the most reliable and accurate pistol that money can buy.

The CZ has no soul.:neener:
 
thank you for the opinions

thank you everyone so far for their opinions.

so far it looks like i can't go wrong with either choice.
both seem to be equally good handguns.

i did like the cz a bit better because i have smaller hands.

i'll keep ya posted with what i decide to get.

thanks,

-HCrab
 
CZ' have a low bore axis and are also exteremely accurate. Accuracy wise I would call it a tie.

Every SiG I've ever shot has pronounced muzzle flip. I also don't care for the decocker being located so close to the slide stop, but I imagine those who shoot SiG's regularly get used to it.

SiG's also seem a little on the clunky side for me however, I do love the P225!
 
Bevr,

You base you opinions on CZ on ONE gun. Maybe you got a lemon, but my CZ's have been flawless and I've heard the same thing from others who really like theirs. The PCR is superior to the P228 in every respect. I have both. The same with the 75B vs. P226.
 
HCrab,

You said "i did like the cz a bit better because i have smaller hands." I think you found the answer yourself. You like both, you can afford either, but the CZ fits better. Just so happens the CZ is the lesser priced of the two. Go for the CZ. If you still want the SIG later you can always save more money and get one. Buy several pistols; shoot them, carry them, and enjoy them.
 
Actually, smaller hands and CZ don't go all that well together, if you want to do a DA first shot. The CZ has a longer trigger pull than most guns.

Several of my friends love my CZs, but have not bought one for themselves, because they don't want to do cocked-and-locked, and the DA trigger is a stretch.

As I said -- its important to TRY the guns in question.

You can, of course, start from the half-cock notch on a DA/SA 75B, and its safe (because of the firing pin block). That shortens the pull and lightens the trigger weight a bit.
 
The P226. I have nothing against CZs but as guns go I have never personally handled a brand or seen a brand be more reliable then SIG Sauer.

Chris
 
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