CZ 75BD Range Report and Conclusion

[MusicMatt]

Hey Everyone!

I went to the range yesterday to put some rounds through my new CZ 75BD. I also took our Sig Sp2022.

I have to say that the accuracy is as good as everyone says it is! It made me look way better than I actually am. You can easily fit a group inside the bullseye once you adjust to the sight picture.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much else that made me say, "This is why everyone wants one." Maybe I'm just not a CZ man, but here is some of the concerns I have as to why it may not be the 9mm for me.

1. The heaviness of the gun didn't seem to absorb recoil in any more noticeable of a way than my Sig. But it did make my arms tired after a few magazines.

2. Sight picture is small for me. I painted the dots a white/red combo to try to see better and it helped, but I still feel like I am struggling. I don't have the best of eyesight.

3.The little things are starting to add up. As I was cleaning both guns last night, there were so many little things I thought of and noticed. The slide is narrow and difficult to manage. You need a tool or the very strong fingers to strip it down. Aftermarket sights are limited and most need to be sent to CZ to install. No accessory rail. Magazines and other accessories are pricey.

So, I'm torn. I really want to love this gun and make it my own. But maybe it should go to someone who appreciates it and likes it for what it is. I'm not trying to bash CZ. There is enough evidence supporting they are high quality firearms.

I might be open to selling it trading for another 9mm. I like two-tone pistols and would be really interested in a FNP-9 two tone. I'm open to offers though.
I'm in Napa County.

Please, do not rant about how great CZ is and I'm stupid. I agree. They are great, but maybe not for me.

If you have suggestions to help me enjoy it more, I'm up for it.

[elsolo]

1. Mass does not make force disappear, it just changes how it feels. Most all steel guns weight ~2 lbs.
2. Factory service pistol sights usually suck
3(a). I never had a hard time manipulating a CZ slide, but use a palm and four fingers rather than just your thumb and forefinger.
3(b). If "hard to strip" means your slide stop is difficult to remove, use a magazine baseplate to push it past the detent spring. It gets less tight.
3(c). Sights are more limited than 1911'a or Glocks, but there are plenty.
CZ custom shop competiton sights are my favorite, LPA makes some, Meprolight or Truglo makes tritium ones, etc.
3(d). Sights are no more difficult to install on a CZ than any other dovetailed pistol. Vice, hammer, drift and they slide right in/out.
3(e). They have a couple models with rails, you chose not to get one of those
3(f). Magazines are cheap, about $25 for factory MecGar. 10 rd mags of all sorts are pricier because they have such a small market.
3(g). What accessories are you looking for?

[Bug Splat]

You have shot it once and you are already looking to get ride of it? Dude, give it some time.

[zfields]

1. Mass does not make force disappear, it just changes how it feels. Most all steel guns weight ~2 lbs.
2. Factory service pistol sights usually suck
3(a). I never had a hard time manipulating a CZ slide, but use a palm and four fingers rather than just your thumb and forefinger.
3(b). If "hard to strip" means your slide stop is difficult to remove, use a magazine baseplate to push it past the detent spring. It gets less tight.
3(c). Sights are more limited than 1911'a or Glocks, but there are plenty.
CZ custom shop competiton sights are my favorite, LPA makes some, Meprolight or Truglo makes tritium ones, etc.
3(d). Sights are no more difficult to install on a CZ than any other dovetailed pistol. Vice, hammer, drift and they slide right in/out.
3(e). They have a couple models with rails, you chose not to get one of those
3(f). Magazines are cheap, about $25 for factory MecGar. 10 rd mags of all sorts are pricier because they have such a small market.
3(g). What accessories are you looking for?

Damn spot on.

No offence, but this and your last thread just sounds like you are looking for an issue. I'll be honest, the stock decocker models are nothing to write home about for a trigger, and I don't really like the "B" style frame without the upswept beavertail. Beyond that, The stock CZ sights I think are one of the better stock sights ( and yes, even the non tru dots ).

[Euphoria526]

1. Mass does not make force disappear, it just changes how it feels. Most all steel guns weight ~2 lbs.
2. Factory service pistol sights usually suck
3(a). I never had a hard time manipulating a CZ slide, but use a palm and four fingers rather than just your thumb and forefinger.
3(b). If "hard to strip" means your slide stop is difficult to remove, use a magazine baseplate to push it past the detent spring. It gets less tight.
3(c). Sights are more limited than 1911'a or Glocks, but there are plenty.
CZ custom shop competiton sights are my favorite, LPA makes some, Meprolight or Truglo makes tritium ones, etc.
3(d). Sights are no more difficult to install on a CZ than any other dovetailed pistol. Vice, hammer, drift and they slide right in/out.
3(e). They have a couple models with rails, you chose not to get one of those
3(f). Magazines are cheap, about $25 for factory MecGar. 10 rd mags of all sorts are pricier because they have such a small market.
3(g). What accessories are you looking for?

This. Pretty much nailed it on the head right here with this one.
Yeah the slide release just pops out with a shove from the mag.
I'd say at least break it in before you make a complete judgement from it. MY p01 just gets so much better the more i shoot it. You did choose a non railed version after all lol.

[mbt]

See, I told u to get a Hi Point. It's never too late.

[MusicMatt]

Good to hear that the slide stop does loosen up. I've heard different from other reviewers but I trust your opinion. That's why I'm here.

What would you consider to be the break in period for this gun?

I am not trying to rush to judgement, I am just finding that I am not having the same awesome response as when I purchased and fired my Sig the first time. Can be a little but of a let down after the all the build up.

I may not be as experienced as some shooters here, but I do know that gun sights are very subjective. One person may say those are great and another says they are terrible. Neither one is wrong. Thanks for the tips on some other sights I hadn't considered.

Thank you zfields for at least acknowledging that there may be some fault in the design of the pistol(trigger). Some people worship the ground the CZ walks upon and wouldn't dare say anything negative about it.

I plan on taking it to the range again by itself(without the Sig), and try not to compare the two.

[zfields]

Thank you zfields for at least acknowledging that there may be some fault in the design of the pistol(trigger). Some people worship the ground the CZ walks upon and wouldn't dare say anything negative about it.

Considering my first one mini-kaboomed (out of spec chamber), I have no issue bringing up issues with guns. The trigger will smooth out some, but without some different parts (or some quality time with a stone), it won't be "great".

[DeathByDoubleDip]

Damn, thanks for the posts, guys. I was considering a 75BD as a companion piece to my SP01 since I'm a lefty, but I didn't realize the trigger would be worse than what I have now (or so it sounds).

[CZ9]

Actually when I first got my 75bd I didn't like my groups and wanted to get a trigger job because I was unhappy. But after a while I got used to it and now I freaking love my cz. The trigger has smoothed out and I can shoot it very accurately

[HPGunner]

The double action trigger on CZ's smooth out after you put through a bunch of rounds. The sights on CZ's are no different than any other typical 3 dot sights on many other service pistols. All these issues the OP stated are simple fixes that a CZ gunsmith can easily tailor to the shooter's preference. These aren't deal breakers that would take away from the CZ's quality, toughness, reliability, and ergos.

[snafu510]

Another tip on disassembly: put the hammer at the half cock notch (where it allows the safety to be engaged, but with the safety off). The slide will just contact the hammer at the point the marks on the slide/frame line up. This makes it much easier to keep the marks aligned while you push the slide stop out with the magazine base.

I don't know if this was in the instructions. I didn't read them.

[willerfortheworld]

I was first worried about the slide being on the small side cuz I'm 6 foot 3 with huge hands, but after you spend some time with it you dont'even notice it. I can rack/ manipulate my p-01 in the dark blinde folded with my hands tied behind my back. Well you get the picture. Im saving up for some good night sights, and as far as your other concerns, elsolo nailed it. I'm no Czech fanboi, but they do make some high quality handguns for sure. The more quality time you spend with your Cz the more quality you will see in it.

[prushman]

I also own a CZ 75bd. I love it. I bought mags on e-bay from Joes Pawn. I have gotten them for as little as $38/per 2 10 round mags. I just bought a CZ 97b which is a super sweet 45 cal. It is a little heavy but dead on shooter. I put 8 of 10 on a 6" from 10yards with my first mag. It just keeps getting better with use. CZ makes top quality pistols for a great price. I paid $462 for my 75bd from CZ USA and $591 for my CZ 97b from Buds Guns.

[Rorge Retson]

I agree with all of your observations. And I still would not part with my CZ. Why? Well, put simply, it feels like sex in my hand. No handgun before or since has felt as right for me as the CZ.

I have the SP-01 with TRU GLO night sights, and even those are kind of narrow to be quickly acquiring a sight picture with. Also, the trigger leaves a lot to be desired, so I've purchased a CGW trigger kit for it, just waiting to install it.

Once new sights and a new trigger are installed, I anticipate the pistol being even more to my liking than it already is.