Post by: imasterxx on May 10, 2005, 01:39:24 PM
It's hard to find one around here and I might have to have it special ordered for $614. Is that too high? Money isn't really an issue but I don't want to get hosed on the deal. What do you guys think?
Post by: Walt-Sherrill on May 10, 2005, 03:20:12 PM
There is a problem right now, according to a friend who is an FFL. He says CZ has told him that production is on hold, and they are backlogged for several months.
You'll have to find one in inventory somewhere, as a dealer won't be able to order one for a while.
But regardless, you should be able to beat the $600 range...
Post by: n-3rad on May 11, 2005, 03:15:34 PM
Walt - please see my post on the flaking problem.
Post by: imasterxx on May 11, 2005, 04:57:06 PM
Post by: Walt-Sherrill on May 11, 2005, 08:17:12 PM
Post by: Eager on May 13, 2005, 08:41:48 AM
This link my not work, but you can get it by searching for CZ Pistols, pdmall. Anyway, there phone number is: "THE CZ CONNECTION 1-888-207-2220".
Otherwise, there's a new one for sale now on GunBoker.com
http://[url=http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=32074506#DESCwww.gunbroker.com/Auction...#DESC[/url[/url]] for $479. Appears to be the same seller.
I just ordered one this way. I expect it in next week. I'll report on how it turns out then.
Post by: imasterxx on May 14, 2005, 10:44:52 AM
Post by: Tangram 37 on May 14, 2005, 04:41:09 PM
I ended up getting a CZ Combat through a friend of Walt's -a one time deal. I also let my order stand with Blue Mountain Gunworks. I'll fit both out the same and have a back-up for competition.
Post by: imasterxx on May 14, 2005, 07:01:15 PM
Post by: Walt-Sherrill on May 15, 2005, 05:19:52 AM
Most of the production work is done using CNC equipment.
I'd like to think they pay extra attention to quality control on the 85 Combat, but I'm not sure that is the case. The only place I know that extra attention is really paid, is with the top-end IPSC guns, where extra money is spent for hand-fitting and master gunsmith work.
My 85 Combat is as nicely finished as any gun I've got, now -- but its not a custom gun.
One reason the Combat models cost more is that they're different, because of the absence of the firing pin block. They have to change production practices to crank them out.
They're good guns, and I don't remember when I last heard a complaint, here (on the Forum) about an 85 Combat.
Heard one, long ago, and that same guy still whines about it on The High Road. He had trigger work done by Teddy jacobsen, Teddy told him he [Teddy] didn't care for CZ, and it was down hill from there. He offered to sell it here, I told him if he could wait a week or two, I'd buy it, after saying "sold," he backed out -- said he had a local buyer. But, he still has it, and still complains.
Some people aren't happy if they don't have something to complain about.
Post by: Eager on May 15, 2005, 08:36:51 PM
Post by: milcaztra on May 21, 2005, 05:53:15 AM
The CZ 85 Combat in nickel finish is worth the wait. Following the belief that weapons should be bought in pairs, I bought three several years back and later sold one to a friend.
Is the PD Mall/CZ Connection site up to date? Isn't this the distributor with the consistently best prices on CZs, or are there others?
Post by: imasterxx on May 21, 2005, 06:06:24 AM
www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976489512.htm (http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976489512.htm)
They said they had virtually every CZ out there when I called them, and it comes with 2 15-round clips. Bullet hole ships for $35 and ColdFax ships for $30 (both are considered rape by the FFL dealer I picked but what am I to do)
I already got the ball rolling by contacting a local FFL dealer, filling the paperwork out, and sending payment, so it's only a matter of time.
Post by: imasterxx on May 21, 2005, 06:11:02 AM
I emailed CZ-USA a while ago asking if the Combat is on back order and when it would be available. This was their response:
"We do not currently have them in stock and there is a chance that we will
not get anymore.
I would check back in 30 days.
Thank You
CZ-USA"
I wonder how much the dealers would jack up the price if they knew this.
Post by: Walt-Sherrill on May 21, 2005, 06:20:22 AM
I wonder if the main company is back to talking about getting rid of the nickel finish? If so, its probably a process that has been accelerated by the introduction of stainless steel 75Bs.
Post by: VPJack on June 02, 2005, 02:48:46 PM
Jack
Post by: imasterxx on June 12, 2005, 01:52:45 PM
On Thursday (6-9-05) I picked up my new CZ 85 Combat 9mm Nickel Satin finish from the gun shop. Overall it looks beautiful and I had to resist writing a review on it right then. I wanted to write this after I took it shooting so I could comment on how well it faired at the range. The feel of the gun in my hand is real natural. It fits nicely and I can reach all the levers with no problems. The hands-free mag drop is also a nice touch, and actually one of the reasons I chose this model. I like the green sites and didnt notice they were green until I got to the range (the lights in my room made them seem white). I wasnt too thrilled about the slide being inside the gun. I figured it would be a lot tougher to pull the slide back when compared to a gun with the slide on the outside. To my surprise its not bad at all. The only time it gets hard is if Ive been doing it a while, in which case Ill pull the hammer back, then pull the slide back (to lower the resistance). I dont use the safety feature that much (because I only load a clip right before I shoot) but its easy to switch with my thumb and hasnt given me any problems. The gun itself is real light, which is good. But keep in mind that with a full clip of 15, its going to get a lot heavier, naturally. For most of my groups at the range, I kept it at 10 rounds. Not because of the weight, but because the paper gets cluttered after 10 rounds or so.
Ok, now onto the accuracy. Up until now Ive tried all different 9mm pistols at the range, I even tried a CZ 75B. Unfortunately, all the rental 9mm autos Ive tried havent been accurate at all. And I didnt do too well with the 75B rental either. I tried not to let that deter me from getting an 85 Combat though. I also have to factor in that the rentals probably never get cleaned. Anyway, the 85 Combat was far better than any of the other guns Ive tried before. Several of my groupings with the CZ were comparable to the groupings I get with my .357 Magnum (with a 6 barrel). Switching between the guns made my accuracy go down though, because I was still use to shooting the previous pistol. A friend of my dad was at the range and he was shooting the CZ with amazing accuracy, so I knew any accuracy problems I had were my fault, and not the guns fault. Changing the ammo also altered the results. The first couple boxes I shot was ammunition purchased online from theoutdoormarksman.com. I ran out of that and purchased a couple boxes of Winchester from the gun shop. The first couple groupings I had with the Winchester ammo turned out better than the groupings I had before. Next time I might buy a few different boxes to see what shoots better. So that was my experience with the CZ at the range. Definitely a keeper and just as accurate as I hoped.
When I got back I cleaned it. I wanted to strip it down before I took it to the range but the pictures in the book were a little confusing. Being a guy, I naturally skimmed the manual for pictures on how to strip it, rather than read the text :-p For all newbies, keep in mind that the manual is made for all 85s, not just the Combat. What confused me was how some of the pictures showed the user moving the safety around in a circle. With the Combats its much easier. Pictures 7 and 8 in the manual are all you need to take it apart. Simply line the notches on the side together and knock the slide release out from the right side of the gun (using the magazine) and everything comes apart. I couldnt believe how easy it was the take apart. The CZ was easier to field strip than my Browning .22LR!
1 bad thing about this gun, and all autos, is the fact that you have to clean a lot of stuff when you take it apart. Some of the notches were hard to clean for me and rather than struggle; I just let some bore cleaner soak in there a while then did my best to wipe it clean. Another thing I didnt comment on yet was the trigger pull. When I first got the gun I wasnt too impressed with the trigger pull. Im not that familiar with other autos (seeing how this is my first) but the hammer sits on a metal ledge, and when you pull the trigger, the metal ledge moves up and that causes the hammer to release. Anyway, when I dry-fired it for the first time, there was some creek to it. I could feel the trigger creeking as I pulled it and that turned me off a bit and thought I might need to have a trigger job done. When I took it apart, all the trigger mechanics were easily accessible and I dropped some oil on the trigger springs and the metal ledge. I noticed a significant change in the trigger pull and its a lot smoother than before. That being said, I recommend stripping it and putting a little oil on the trigger parts before you take it to a gun smith. I also know that mine will get a lot easier over time, so if youre patient you could let the gun work itself in naturally. Reassembling it is even easier than putting it back together. Its virtually impossible to get confused on where the parts go because its just too bleep obvious :-p When I took mine apart for cleaning, I had 5 separate pieces (not including the magazine). The only thing you have to watch for is that the spring is straight. Its easy to put it back and have the spring sit crooked. Moving it around a little bit is all you need to get it to line up straight. So once again, a good experience with the CZ.
Taking everything into consideration, I am happy to have picked this as my first 9mm auto. The look of it is beautiful, it shoots very accurate, its easy to field strip for cleaning, and the mechanics are outstanding. Its going to be hard to find another 9mm auto (in the same price range) thats as good as the CZ 85 Combat. : )
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I have 1 question, which the book can probably answer, but Im too lazy to go downstairs and grab it. I see a screw on the trigger that I didnt see before. Am I correct in assuming that it adjusts the trigger pull?
Post by: Walt-Sherrill on June 12, 2005, 03:35:18 PM
Check our FAQ for a Cleaning Primer. Now that ammo has non-corrosive powder and primers, its not critical to clean the guns meticulously with each firing. (Many of the guys who do so were trained by their fathers, who were WWII vets, and ammo in WWII was primarily corrosive. If you didn't clean them regularly, they'd rust solid.)
Some guns, like .22, almost NEVER need cleaning.
A nickel 85 Combat was my second CZ, and I've had a bunch, since then, sold or traded away. But I've still got the 85 Combat. (And a few others. And several clones. [grin])
The term, when referring to the trigger sliding and grinding, but not releasing crisply, is CREEP. A trigger creeps, when it should BREAK.
As you already understand, you should see significant improvement after several hundred trigger pulls. You can dry fire the 85 Combat witout risk of damage, and you might want to do that several hundred times a night for a couple of weeks. You'll be AMAZED at the improvements. (That's a Home Trigger Job.)