CZ 75 BD decocker better than B model?

[thefinger]

I've only recently become interested in getting a pistol, so I'm still learning the lingo and important features of them. I'm thinking about getting a CZ 75 when I turn 21, but I can't decide which model I would want. The decocker (CZ 75 BD) seems like its what I want. I've seen that mechanism on my dad's SIG 226 before and its nice.

But should I think about getting the regular CZ75 B model? I undestand that it can fire in either single-action or double-action, but why is that more desirable to some people than the decocker model?

[elsolo]

I have three CZ-75B's and shoot them an awful lot, here's my take.

The decocker ruins an otherwise great pistol.

You gain nothing at all, yet lose an awful lot.
No more cocked and locked.
You are stuck with a long DA first shot.
Many smiths won't do a triggerjob on a decocker CZ.
You unnecessarily complicate the sear assembly and make it much harder to detail strip.
You lose that great thumbrest, the safety lever.


I would suggest a SA only CZ-75B, it is a superior platform for pleasure shooting. You can get the best triggerpull and reset with this model, plus it has a better beavertail, safety and trigger shape.


You might not appreciate a finely tuned trigger just yet as you are new to pistols, but don't deprive your equipment of having this possibility by adding a useless decocker mechanism that bastardized an otherwise fine handgun design.

[thefinger]

so what exactly are the options for the CZ 75?

I can get either...

SA only
or
DA only
or
decocker?

is that right?

Also, isn't the decocker much safer for CCW? I know my LEO father uses the p226 with decocker. I'm likely going to become an LEO in 2 years, and I wouldn't mind getting used to a pistol now that I could carry later. The more familiar I can be with my pistol the better.

[mike100]

I'd get the sig if you like the decocker DA first shot.

The reason the CZ-b is cool is that it is like a 1911 that has DA manual decock if you need it. I shoot 1911's so I'm used to the up-safe down-fire.

[mike100]

HK USP'shave SA cocked and locked or a decock lever all in the same gun..might wanna check it out.

[elsolo]

so what exactly are the options for the CZ 75?

I can get either...

SA only
or
DA only
or
decocker?

is that right?

Also, isn't the decocker much safer for CCW? I know my LEO father uses the p226 with decocker. I'm likely going to become an LEO in 2 years, and I wouldn't mind getting used to a pistol now that I could carry later. The more familiar I can be with my pistol the better.

In order of commonality:

DA/SA (regular 75B)
DA/SA with decocker so the first shot should always be DA
SA only
DA only

Having a decocker doesn't make the pistol safer to carry, once the hammer is down there is no difference. If you can't lower a hammer, you are not skilled enough to carry IMHO. I am pretty sure whatever dept in America you work for won't let you carry your CZ anyhow, and you'll probubly CCW whatever you carry at work (if you do get the job). It's a kinda heavy and big pistol for CCW anyhow. I know more than one LEO that carries a Glock at work but shoots a CZ on weekends at practical pistol matches.

[maxicon]

I'm a big CZ75B fan - I've had 3 of them, still have 2, and they're my primary home defense handgun - but the lack of a decocker on mine is a bit of a drawback on it for a HD gun, IMO (but not enough for me to trade them for decocker versions).

My goal in a HD gun is to have a DA first pull, then SA after that, with no manual safety, and the CZ75B fits the bill very well.

Long DA first pull means I'm not going to be startled into pulling a light trigger when I step on the cat's tail in the middle of the night (this is why I don't like a 1911 for HD). A round in the chamber, hammer down means no safety to worry about (CZ75B safety won't go on unless the hammer's cocked) and no cocking required - just the DA first pull, then the CZ75's excellent SA pointability and accuracy.

I've been dropping the hammer on live rounds as long as I've been shooting (40+ years now), with never an accident, but the fact is that it increases the chance of one, and a decocker is definitely safer if you want the hammer down on a loaded chamber.

I'd agree with the recommendation to check out a Sig, though I didn't care much for my P239. The CZ75's my favorite DA semi-auto - it points very well for me, and is easy to be accurate with.

Everyone's choices are different here, of course, and these are just what works for me.

[Overkill]

The standard CZ 75, like others have mentioned can be carried cocked and locked. This is is safe way to carry the pistol. However, if you want even more peace of mind, lower the hammer manually to the half-cock position. This allows you to fire first shot DA (although starting from the half-cock reduced the DA pull some).

CZs are excellent pistols. If you are looking for a range gun, the SA version is sweet. Here's mine:

[shooterx10]

who did the work on your CZ?

Hey Overkill,

Did Angus Hobdell of Ghostholster do the work on your CZ? It looks pretty cool! It's too bad that CZ doesn't sell just the top end of the IPSC Champion. You can make a pseudo Witness Gold/Silver Team.

If I can afford it, my next pistol would be the CZ-75B Tactical Sport. Great for Limited or Limited-10!



Too bad this particular model is not on the dumb drop test list.

[Overkill]

Hey Overkill,

Did Angus Hobdell of Ghostholster do the work on your CZ? It looks pretty cool! It's too bad that CZ doesn't sell just the top end of the IPSC Champion. You can make a pseudo Witness Gold/Silver Team.

No, he did not. I had Matt Mink do some trigger work, which I ended up enhancing a little more. Right now the trigger breaks very cleanly at 2.5#. I bought the sights, grips and magwell from Angus and installed them myself. I had Tripp research plate the slide and small components. I love this pistol- CZs are fantastic pistols especially given the price.

[jharry]

That is a very pretty pistol! You mentioned that Tripp did the plating...I am looking to get a CZ75 (and have it hard chromed (because I can't buy the Satin Nickel version) and had heard of Tripp and Accurate as the 2 leading resources. Looks like Tripp did a nice job....was the price pretty reasonable and the experience pretty hassle free? Also, those grips look great. I've never seen any like that..........Jim

[elsolo]

I had Techplate in Anaheim hardchrome one of my CZ-75 frames, it was like $45 IIRC. It went in with a bunch of parts from a friend's STI: slide, comp, some small parts and such to make the minimum $100 order. I am happy with the work and the turnaroud was 3 days, drop off to pick up. It was a bare stripped frame, I didn't have them do any disassembly or reassembly, but the polycoat was still on there.