Which CZ75 for me?

[valnar]

I need some selection help from the experts..

I have two 9mm guns right now. A Kahr P9 which is my carry piece, and a SIG P229 which is the first gun I ever bought 15 years ago. (I also have a second SIG, a P220 .45 as well) I love my SIG's. 'Indifferent about the Kahr. I consider it a necessary evil because it's so slim for a 9mm.

I'd like to get an all steel 9mm gun for the range and home protection. Carry is not important.

The factors I consider most important to ME are:
1) Trigger pull
2) Ease of field strip & cleaning
3) Reliable

The guns I considered were a Browning Hi Power, Beretta 92FS, Taurus PT92, S&W 5906, SIG P226 and CZ75 or its variants. After much research it came down to the SIG P226 or the CZ75/85.

As much as I love the way SIG's work, I decided to go with a CZ. I like my P229, but it does have some muzzle flip and I'm not the most accurate with it. I believe it being top-heavy contributes to that. Also, another SIG would have an aluminum frame. I think SIG may have made an all-steel (stainless?) P226 some time ago, and if I could find a good one used that would probably settle the argument. Short of that, I think CZ is the way to go.

So now...which one?

It seems there are quite a few CZ75/85 variants. Omega this, SP-01 that, Tactical, etc. The one that catches my eye the most is the CZ85 Combat. I like the fact it doesn't have the firing-pin block, however I don't really need ambi controls. I don't object to buying a "regular" CZ75 if a gunsmith can remove that and the magazine brake.

Ideally I would get one with a "good enough" DA trigger, but would prefer a fantastic SA trigger. If not, I could have a gunsmith assist me with that. I know the CZ has a multitude of safety mechanisms and they seem to be overkill. Firing pin block, half-cock, frame-mounted safeties, decocking levers. Egads. I do want it relatively safe to have a loaded magazine in it, but if I could find a CZ75 variant that had something simple like the SIG decocking lever that would be ideal. I'll never carry it or leave it in condition 1, and don't particularly care for or need the manual safety.

Yes, it seems like I'm being picky and should just buy the SIG P226 and be done with it since that's what I'm used to. Nevertheless, is there a CZ75 variant, with or without gunsmithing you can recommend to me? I don't mind spending a bit of money (seeing how the $IG was in my sights anyway!). I prefer quality over quantity.

 

[Jim Watson]

Anybody can remove, replace, or hammer flat the magazine brake.
I wouldn't just leave it out, there is no solid back wall to the magazine well and without the brake you are at risk of hanging a reload magazine on the grip screw boss. There are flat replacements.

I wouldn't worry about the firing pin block on a house gun. It might actually help.

For that use , look at a D model with decocker instead of safety catch.

 

[ATLDave]

If you're planning to use it for the range and for home protection, and your primary concern is the SA trigger, why not just get a SAO variant? Maybe the Tactical Sport? Those are great shooters.

 

[sigarms228]

but if I could find a CZ75 variant that had something simple like the SIG decocking lever that would be ideal. I'll never carry it or leave it in condition 1, and don't particularly care for or need the manual safety.

Then I suggest the SP01 Tactical as it has a decocker. The DA trigger pull can be greatly improved with some fairly simple changes of springs. The SA trigger pull is generally pretty decent out of the box and will improve with dry firing and rounds fired.

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-75-sp-01-tactical-9mm-black-3-dot-tritium-sights-18-rd-mags/

https://cajungunworks.com/product/spgk1-3-piece-spring-kit-2/

 

[valnar]

Looking more closely at CZ's page, it does look like the CZ75 BD might be the one for me...but there is also the new CZ 75 B Ω Convertible. Anyone have first hand knowledge of that?

 

[sigarms228]

The CZ 75BD also has the decocker but since you mentioned muzzle flip with your P229, the SP01 will do the best job of minimizing that being heavier with the full size dust cover. The SP01 also comes with night sights and rubber grips. The CZ 75BD is a fine steel frame pistol also if you don't want to spend the extra for the SP01. I don't have experience with the Omega trigger but myself I would stick with the original design in a metal frame CZ.

 

[stchman]

The OP could get a CZ75BD, the lever is actually a de-cocker.

IMO, I think a CZ75 is a better pistol that a Sig P226. I think the P226 gets a lot of respect just by its name. I know I'm going to get flamed, but IMO, the P226 isn't worth the $800+ asking price, there are just as nice pistols out there for considerably less.

The P226 is easier to field strip, but the CZ's lower bore axis makes it a better shooter. Trigger are probably the same as far as "goodness".

The CZ75 is about $250 less than a Sig P226. Also the CZ IMO looks better.

Most modern firearms have a firing pin block


CZ75BD
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/..._id/84373/CZ-USA+CZ75BD+9mm+16RD+DECOCK+BLACK

Sig P226
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...14922/Sig+Sauer+E26R-9-BSS+P226+15+1+9mm+4.4"

The CZ75BD is $557 while the Sig P226 is $950. I don't know about you, but $400 is quite a bit of money and I don't think the Sig is better.

Ultimately the decision is up to you.

 

[sigarms228]

IMO, I think a CZ75 is a better pistol that a Sig P226.

I disagree with your opinion owning both. But this is not my thread and the OP is not asking about such so I will leave it at that.

 

[valnar]

I disagree with your opinion owning both. But this is not my thread and the OP is not asking about such so I will leave it at that.

I don't disagree with you per se. I love my SIG's and they are built great. However, if I end up shooting a CZ better (which I will try shortly as soon as I find a range that has one), then the end-result of it being a slightly lesser pistol in finish will be negated by the proof in the pudding. We'll see...

 

[sigarms228]

I don't disagree with you per se. I love my SIG's and they are built great. However, if I end up shooting a CZ better (which I will try shortly as soon as I find a range that has one), then the end-result of it being a slightly lesser pistol in finish will be negated by the proof in the pudding. We'll see...

There you go. One of the pistols I can shoot the best is my SIG SP2022 and it cost quite a bit less than my CZ.

CZs are great pistols too. I bet you will like it a lot when you try one.

 

[igotta40]

I recently bought a new Canik S-120 clone of the CZ 75B. I have never shot a pistol as accurately as this, and I have quite a few accurate pistols. And it was roughly half the price. It's a steel frame gun, holds 17+1 rounds of 9mm.

 

[valnar]

Interesting. The chrome finish is kinda nice.

 

[stchman]

I recently bought a new Canik S-120 clone of the CZ 75B. I have never shot a pistol as accurately as this, and I have quite a few accurate pistols. And it was roughly half the price. It's a steel frame gun, holds 17+1 rounds of 9mm.

I too own the S-120 in hard chrome(looks like silver paint to me), and a Shark-FC and they are great pistols. Both of them are CZ75 clones.

 

[justin22885]

ive never seen the allure of sigs, most are aluminum which ive made clear before i have no interest to own and the steel framed models are twice the price (at $1,200) than a CZ-75.. that said i found the bore axis to be quite high and due to this, and the light weight of their frames they seems to have a lot more kick to them.. i found the CZ-75 with its incredibly low bore axis and steel frame to be much quicker for follow up shots and more comfortable

for the OP though, CZ75 comes in many variants, but for home defense i would suggest the SP01 simply because it has the rail and if youre using it for home defense and youre waken up by some bump that goes in the night, youre probably going to want some means to identify or blind a potential target, so its good to be able to put a light on it for that purpose

 

[dragon813gt]

Buy a BD and send it to Cajun Gun Works or the CZ Custom Shop and have it worked over. You can't go wrong if you do this.

 

[valnar]

for the OP though, CZ75 comes in many variants, but for home defense i would suggest the SP01 simply because it has the rail and if youre using it for home defense and youre waken up by some bump that goes in the night, youre probably going to want some means to identify or blind a potential target, so its good to be able to put a light on it for that purpose

That thought had crossed my mine too. I was looking at SIG P226 and P229's with rails earlier for that purpose. Does the SP01 come in a "BD" version?

Buy a BD and send it to Cajun Gun Works or the CZ Custom Shop and have it worked over. You can't go wrong if you do this.

I do seem to be leaning this direction...

 

[sigarms228]

Does the SP01 come in a "BD" version?

That was the SP01 Tactical that I referenced earlier.

 

[justin22885]

CZ-75 SP-01 tactical model has the decocker, so basically its the BD version, cajun could probably have it converted to SAO

 

[valnar]

Cool....thanks!

Sheesh..I need a comparison chart.

 

[dragon813gt]

If you are leaning towards having one worked over call the Custom Shop. They are nice guys that will help you get what you want. You may want to stay off the Custom Shop's site. You will want to buy a bunch of what they have :laugh:

 

[CZ9shooter]

The BDpolice has a decocker and no mag brake. Firing pin block is not difficult to remove if one chooses. The trigger, as with most CZ's, is pretty good, much better than any plastic gun I have come across, but not great. However, some aftermarket parts or a gunsmith can make it superb.

 

[greyling22]

Fantastic single action trigger? I really love my eaa witness elite match. See if you can handle one before you buy though, the frame is slightly larger than a cz75. It's nearly as good as my buddy's tacsport for a whole lot cheaper.

 

[I6turbo]

Call Cajun Gun Works and CZ Custom and tell them what your objectives are for the gun, and get their advice. They know these guns very, very well, and IME they will give you solid, expert advice.

 

[Pilot]

I have five CZ's plus the .22 Kadet Kit. I really like them all. If this is for home defense, and range, I'd go with the SP-01, and then install a lighter hammer spring. My buddy did this and it really improved the trigger pull. They are all accurate, and reliable.

 

[roval]

Main advantage of the 85 over the 75 for me is the adjustable sights.I had adjustable sights put on my 75 b which I traded away but it cost me $125 to put it on and though it had nicer sight picture compared to the 85 sights it looked worse on the gun with the rear sight sitting high off the frame since the end of the frame was not milled to let the sight sit lower.
The trigger pull is better on it as well.