CZ75 Retro

[tonelar]

just picked it up at that vacaville dealer today... here it is with my CZ75B.

(best part is the magazines are interchangeable)

[redcliff]

Very nice, who is the importer on it?

Mine was imported by Bauska, Kalispell MT. I purchased it new back in the 80's when they were first allowed to finally be imported directly into the US. Up until then they had to come in from Canada because we couldn't import handguns from Soviet bloc countries.

Do the magazines interchange with the CZ75 B? I assume they do but don't know for sure.

[Mr. Meeseeks]

Very nice, who is the importer on it?

Mine was imported by Bauska, Kalispell MT. I purchased it new back in the 80's when they were first allowed to finally be imported directly into the US. Up until then they had to come in from Canada because we couldn't import handguns from Soviet bloc countries.

Do the magazines interchange with the CZ75 B? I assume they do but don't know for sure.

Yours is an authentic Pre B (which many CZ enthusiasts prefer) the OP's is a reproduction of the Pre B model, essentially a 75B with the cosmetic features of the original, most recognizably the round trigger guard and spur hammer. They came out around the same time all the 1911 GI replicas were hitting the market.

The B designation is for the current line of guns with a internal firing pin block. Most people attribute the grittier trigger of the current 75 Bs to the internal block. IMO the 75 B smoothes out just fine with shooting and dry firing. The CZ 85 and 85 Combat doesn't have the FPB, but its not on the list in California. However, removing the block from a 75 B isn't very difficult (I personally wouldn't feel safe about the gun).

Wow, I sound like a CZ nerd. There was a long period of time when I only had one hand gun, a 75 B, so I spent lots of time researching them over at the CZ forum.

To OP, nice!!! I'm jealous.

[gwl]

Look at the big brain on Loosewreck!

I also drank the CZ Kool-Aid.

[Mr. Meeseeks]

Yeah... Too bad they don't ask CZ questions on Jeopardy, then maybe I'd be worth something.

[redcliff]

Yours is an authentic Pre B (which many CZ enthusiasts prefer) the OP's is a reproduction of the Pre B model, essentially a 75B with the cosmetic features of the original, most recognizably the round trigger guard and spur hammer. They came out around the same time all the 1911 GI replicas were hitting the market.

The B designation is for the current line of guns with a internal firing pin block. Most people attribute the grittier trigger of the current 75 Bs to the internal block. IMO the 75 B smoothes out just fine with shooting and dry firing. The CZ 85 and 85 Combat doesn't have the FPB, but its not on the list in California. However, removing the block from a 75 B isn't very difficult (I personally wouldn't feel safe about the gun).

Wow, I sound like a CZ nerd. There was a long period of time when I only had one hand gun, a 75 B, so I spent lots of time researching them over at the CZ forum.

To OP, nice!!! I'm jealous.

Thanks for the informative post! Calgunner's are such a wealth of information; even though I"ve been a shooter and collector for over 30 years I seem to learn something new all the time

[Mr. Meeseeks]

I don't no much, but you guys are welcome to what I do know.

BTW, your CZ must have been the hot ticket back then from what I've heard and read?

[redcliff]

Yeah I bought it after reading Jeff Cooper rave about them for years (well, as much as Jeff Cooper could possibly rave about a 9mm that is) I read up a bit and mine is a 1986 production per the stamp by the ejection port. It's not a short frame model, but has the spur hammer and round trigger guard and no firing pin block.

However I was (and still am) a 1911 fan so I also thought the double-action was an ingenious solution to a non-existant problem. I shot it once that I can recall, liked it, but wasn't into 9mm at the time. It's been sitting in my safe since then, which is good because I imagine its an expoxy finish not poly coat and mine is still 100%.

A few years after buying the CZ-75 I scored a like-new FN Competition Hi-power and shot that when I wanted to shoot 9mm. It still has one of the best single-action triggers I've felt; it rivals my Sig X-5.

The CZ-75 is an interesting piece though and I've openned my mind since then regarding double actions and 9mm.. I have a lot of 9mm's now and they're my favorite calibre at the range since I don't reload .45acp anymore. I even carry a Kahr PM9 dao and like it very much (although I have a Colt Officer's LW on my permit also)

Some day I'm gonna bring my digital camera home from my GF's house (get your mind out of the gutter everyone :P ) and post some pictures of some of my esoteric collection.

[tonelar]

I traded an original YEARS ago and it's always been bittersweet (I wouldnt have my 9mm Colt if it weren't for that trade).

The retro is basically a B in preB appearance (smooth slide top, spur hammer, rounded trigger guard). Although it'd be neat if they went "old school" with the sights, the current sights are easier to acquire.
The mags from the retro and B models don't fit the original IIRC.

[tonelar]

Very nice, who is the importer on it?
Do the magazines interchange with the CZ75 B? I assume they do but don't know for sure.

Retro importer: CZ-USA KC, KS dated 2004 (my B is marked: CZ-USA Oakhurst, CA dated 1996).

Yes, mags between the B and retro completely interchange.

[darkest2000]

I am a great enthusiast of the pre B CZ75s.

Factory mags should all interchange but some have experienced resistance inserting/removing the magazine when MecGar brand mags(16rd) are used with really early Pre Bs.

A little bit of filing in the mag well is all it takes to remedy the situation. There should be no interchangeability issues with any 10rd mags.

With all of that said, I don't have any problem using any magazines with all 3 of my Pre Bs, (dated 84, 86, and 89).

The ironic thing is while some will say that the original, true "pre-Bs" are more desirable, the "retro" models seem to be more rare and harder to find.

Here's a few pics of my 3 original CZ75 Pre Bs:

Original NIB black enamel and Brushed Chrome:


The rare factory blue version:

[Someguy925]

the blue one is pretty nice.

[kalieracer]

Look at the big brain on Loosewreck!

I also drank the CZ Kool-Aid.

Me too!

[tonelar]

Those originals are gorgeous... Darkest2K.
Especially that blued one.

I was noticing the Mecgars didnt drop out of mine as readily as the factory mags. But thought I just didn't unbend the tension spring by enough on my CZs.

[redcliff]

I am a great enthusiast of the pre B CZ75s.

Factory mags should all interchange but some have experienced resistance inserting/removing the magazine when MecGar brand mags(16rd) are used with really early Pre Bs.

A little bit of filing in the mag well is all it takes to remedy the situation. There should be no interchangeability issues with any 10rd mags.

With all of that said, I don't have any problem using any magazines with all 3 of my Pre Bs, (dated 84, 86, and 89).

The ironic thing is while some will say that the original, true "pre-Bs" are more desirable, the "retro" models seem to be more rare and harder to find.

Here's a few pics of my 3 original CZ75 Pre Bs:

Original NIB black enamel and Brushed Chrome:


The rare factory blue version:

Great collection! Mine looks just like your black enamel one except for the Bauska markings in white near the front of the slide.