The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: The Semi-automatic Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old November 23, 2012, 12:33 PM   #1
DavidB2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 8, 2008
Posts: 129
CZ75B

I love the looks of the 1911; but can't afford anything but the Philippine made ones. Another option suggested to me is the CZ75B in 9 MM. It is cheaper to shoot than a 1911 .45 ACP and has that "hi-power" look. Also, I have heard it is very reliable. Any thoughts about the CZ75?
DavidB2 is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 12:52 PM   #2
wbw
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 18, 2008
Location: York Pa.
Posts: 738
The CZ75 is a very well made pistol and very well respected on the gun forums you'll find. Personally I do better with the CZ clones like the Witness line from EAA.
wbw is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 01:24 PM   #3
CWKahrFan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 3, 2010
Posts: 2,016
To hold one is to want one.
__________________
What did Mrs. Bullet say to Mr. Bullet? ... "We're having a BeeBee!"...
IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT!... IF THE GUN FITS, SHOOT IT!
"Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."
CWKahrFan is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 03:14 PM   #4
Davkul
Member
 
Join Date: November 4, 2012
Location: Strongsville, Ohio
Posts: 20
Are the CZ clones as reliable and well made as the actual CZs?
Davkul is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 03:32 PM   #5
Microgunner
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 6, 2006
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 3,324
Very few people complain about the CZ75.
They are one of the most popular pistols in Europe.
I like mine, a lot.
__________________
Proud NRA Benefactor Member
Microgunner is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 04:08 PM   #6
DavidB2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 8, 2008
Posts: 129
.40 CZ75 or EAA Witness

I am narrowing my search down to the CZ75 or EAA Witness in .40 S&W caliber. The weight and size of these pistols will help with diminishing recoil. At least, that is my thinking.
DavidB2 is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 04:27 PM   #7
Kimio
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 2, 2011
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,171
Have you fired the CZ75 before? If not I'd recommend that you do, I can't really comment on the reliability of the firearm, but what I've read in numerous reviews is that there is seldom a negative one.

Personally I've decided on the CZ75 compact, the C-100 from Tristar which can be found on Cheaper than dirt is essentially a "clone" of the compact and can be had for around $350 or so.

Check em out

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemL...478&catid=1732
Kimio is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 04:43 PM   #8
Sparks1957
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 4, 2011
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1,552
Quote:
To hold one is to want one
That's the experience of many people. Haven't held many guns that fit my hands quite as well as the CZ 75 and its variants. Add in excellent accuracy and reliability, and you have a winning combination.
Sparks1957 is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 05:03 PM   #9
FALPhil
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 10, 2007
Location: Racoon City
Posts: 934
Quote:
That's the experience of many people. Haven't held many guns that fit my hands quite as well as the CZ 75 and its variants. Add in excellent accuracy and reliability, and you have a winning combination.
That is why the old saw got created which goes, "Sigs are for people who don't know about CZs".
FALPhil is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 06:08 PM   #10
chris in va
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 26, 2004
Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 13,805
If you plan to carry at all, have a look at the p06. 40 caliber, same thing as the amazing p01. The 75b is fine but an older design.
chris in va is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 06:18 PM   #11
marine6680
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 24, 2012
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 4,594
I currently own a CZ 75 in both 9mm and 40, and I love them.


As far as the reliability of the clones... Researching each brand may be best.

I have heard the Armalite version and Baby Eagle clone are good, but I never dug deep, only the odd mentioned comment here and there. (I hear more about the Baby Eagle)

EAA , I owned one in 45 and I liked it a lot.

One thing with the EAA is that I think that they have went to the large frame version for all the calibers, This makes it easy to use their caliber change kits to go from 9mm, 40, 45 and 10mm even 22lr... but the problem is that it is a large frame, larger than the 9mm and 40 CZ. (before they used the standard frame on the 9mm and 40 version, preventing you from fitting the larger calibers for conversion)

I now some clones use a different mainspring than the CZ, and the magazines may be slightly different. Keep that in mind for aftermarket parts reasons. All the custom springs, triggers, and hammers available for the CZ may not work in a clone.


The thing with the CZ 75 siblings (made by CZ)... they may be newer models, but they are almost exactly the same as the 75... Most of the difference is in material selection and maybe the level of fit, finish and tolerances. The only major change that has happened is the new Omega trigger system they have in some models (like the P-07), which is available on the 75 as well. The new trigger is nice, but aftermarket for it is still small, and less is known about it to get it tuned really well.

Last edited by marine6680; November 23, 2012 at 06:27 PM.
marine6680 is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 06:20 PM   #12
wbw
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 18, 2008
Location: York Pa.
Posts: 738
Here is my Winess Compact. These are made by Tanfoglio in Italy and imported by EAA. Very nice pistols in my opinion.
wbw is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 06:22 PM   #13
Walt Sherrill
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 15, 1999
Location: Winston-Salem, NC USA
Posts: 6,348
Quote:
have a look at the p06. 40 caliber, same thing as the amazing p01. The 75b is fine but an older design.
Not really much difference between those guns -- mostly a different dust cover and accessory rail on the P-01/P-06. Internally, they're the same. The P-guns are decocker guns, while the CZ75B can be had in either format.

If you want a compact gun with a decocker, an alloy frame and an accessory rail, get a P-01 or P-06. If you want a full-size gun without the accessory rail, in steel, and a safety that allow cocked and locked carry if you want it, get the 75B (in either 9mm or .40. If you want a decocker on that gun, look for a 75BD.

I'd look around for a used 75B as my first exposure to the CZ line. The trigger will often be nicely broken in, and you're not likely to have problems with a used CZ.

The Witness guns are pretty nice and the triggers are often nicer out of the box. The only downside of the Witness line is that if you have serious problems -- not common --- Witness (EAA Corp) customer service has a long history of crappy support. That may be improving. CZ's customer service is quite good.
Walt Sherrill is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 06:33 PM   #14
YankeeIronSights
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 8, 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 261
I own a CZ75B in stainless steel and simply love it. It is one of my most valued pistols. The only thing is that being all steel, the weight can make concealed carrying a challenge.
__________________
Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.
-Thomas Jefferson -
YankeeIronSights is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 07:55 PM   #15
tekarra
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 26, 2007
Posts: 1,164
As a previous poster stated; "To hold one is to want one.". That is exactly how I bought my first cZ75 thirty years ago. In the intervening years. I have acquired several more and have never had a problem with any of them.

Recently I purchased a Tristar C100 and have been pleased. I did a comparison, on another forum, of the C100 and the cZ 75 Compact. The C100 is similar to the cZ Compact, but is not a clone. Having always wanted a full size 75 with a light frame, I am thinking about the Canik 55 L120.

Over the years I acquired a couple of Witness', one in 9mm and one in .45. Both have since left the fold. Also of interest are the AR24s in full size and compact.
tekarra is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 08:40 PM   #16
cogito
Member
 
Join Date: October 16, 2012
Location: Mid-Western State
Posts: 37
I fired a EAA witness a few weeks ago and didn't like the grip. My CZ 75 (SP-01) fits my hand extremely well. The former didn't.

If you think you might add a laser or a light, consider the SP-01 as it has a rail. I bought mine from Buds and it came with tritium sights (even though the base SP-01 isn't supposed to).

You might not care for a .380, but I saw a deal for Tristar C-100 (Canik 55). Grab-a-gun has them for $291. 9mm is about $335 at Cheaperthandirt.com

If you do want a CZ 75B, http://www.kygunco.com has the 40 cal in stock for $493.
cogito is offline  
Old November 23, 2012, 08:54 PM   #17
chrisintexas
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 11, 2012
Posts: 388
can't find cz75b anywhere in stores!
chrisintexas is offline  
Old November 24, 2012, 03:29 AM   #18
DavidB2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 8, 2008
Posts: 129
CZ75 B or Rock Island tactical .45 nickel

My final choices are the CZ75B in .40 or the Rock Island tactical nickel in .45 ACP. I had considered the M&P .40 or 9mm both am leaning away; simply because I want something more "classical" looking.
DavidB2 is offline  
Old November 24, 2012, 04:09 AM   #19
MLeake
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 15, 2007
Location: Outside KC, MO
Posts: 10,128
One other difference between the P01 and P06

I have one of each. Yes, the P01 is 9mm, and the P06 is .40, and the two are virtually identical in external dimensions. BUT...

... the magazine base of the P06 is significantly taller at the rear than is the base of the P01, enough so that the P06 poses similar concealment challenges to the full-size CZ75 series (with flush mags on the full-size).

This may or may not pose a significant problem to a given shooter, but it is something that should be checked against body type, carry position, and normal clothing.

(Edit: I'm considering selling my P06, in fact, because that extra bit of height puts it at similar height to my full-size 1911, so what's the point?)
MLeake is offline  
Old November 24, 2012, 04:10 AM   #20
Redhawk5.5+P+
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 4, 2012
Location: NV
Posts: 743
Quote:
I love the looks of the 1911; but can't afford anything but the Philippine made ones. Another option suggested to me is the CZ75B in 9 MM. It is cheaper to shoot than a 1911 .45 ACP and has that "hi-power" look. Also, I have heard it is very reliable. Any thoughts about the CZ75?
I think your choice is obvious.

Own one, love it. It's not the gun of all guns, but it's my HD of choice. Check me out and you'll see.
Redhawk5.5+P+ is offline  
Old November 24, 2012, 06:03 AM   #21
mumbo719
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 27, 2008
Location: Tampa Bay, FL.
Posts: 346
I love my CZ's. Never had a malfunction on any of them.
__________________
CZ 75 P-01 . CZ-75B . CZ 912 . CZ 920 . Glock 26 Gen 3 . Kimber Pro Crimson Carry . XDm 45 3.8 Compact . Ruger 22/45 MKIII
mumbo719 is offline  
Old November 24, 2012, 08:30 AM   #22
FALPhil
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 10, 2007
Location: Racoon City
Posts: 934
Quote:
Not sure about copycats id really never spend my hard earned money on a copy but id love to do a side by side comparison
Good. You just keep thinking that way. That means lower demand and thus lower prices for me.

I own 6 CZ pistols and 3 EAA clones (1 small frame & 2 large frame). The large frame clones are easier to do trigger jobs on, IMO.
FALPhil is offline  
Old November 24, 2012, 09:12 AM   #23
wbw
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 18, 2008
Location: York Pa.
Posts: 738
I have found that the out of box triggers on my two Witnesses were better than the triggers on the two CZs that I had.
wbw is offline  
Old November 24, 2012, 10:09 AM   #24
Xfire68
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 31, 2010
Location: Communist State of IL.
Posts: 1,562
Aside from not having a rail and not known to have that great of a trigger out of the box the CZ 75B is a great gun.

A $0.25 trigger job can be done to smooth out the trigger.

__________________
NRA Life Member, SAF Member

Last edited by Xfire68; November 24, 2012 at 01:32 PM.
Xfire68 is offline  
Old November 24, 2012, 10:22 AM   #25
Sparks1957
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 4, 2011
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1,552
Quote:
That is why the old saw got created which goes, "Sigs are for people who don't know about CZs"
Well, I still love my Sigs despite my current affair with CZs. There is no comparison when it comes to the trigger, as well as the fine points around finish.
Sparks1957 is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:47 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.13153 seconds with 10 queries