Just ordered - CZ75B, .40 S&W

[Sulpgnir]

.....Looking at the tops of the .40 S&W and 9MM magazines they appear to be very close if not identical, so they could be used for either caliber but I guess they?ll work better as 9MM magazines if I want to fully load them to the factory spec./capacity.

CZ 9mm and Mec Gar .40SW are almost identical. 

The feeder lips are wider on the CZ .40SW. 

[M1A4ME]

You're absolutely right.  I didn't even think about looking/comparing the 10 round magazines that came with the pistol.  They are wider than the Mecgars. 

[M1A4ME]

Well, without going into all the details of the mistakes I made today (you've got pay attention, even on the simple stuff) I removed the +2 bases from the 14 round magazines for later installation on some 9MM magazines.  I installed the standard metal bases from 16 round magazines that got +2 bases last year.  I can easily get 12 rounds in them (no surprise, huh.)  That makes me five 12 round magazines and the two 10 round factory magazines.

I also ordered three +5 strength magazine springs from Wolf Springs in the hope that will make the followers in those three "extended" magazines work the slide lock as well as the 12 and 10 round magazines.  No sure why the extended magazine springs would be weaker (even with the +2 base removed) than the 12 round magazines.

I'll get around to ordering some more 12 round Mecgars at some point.  Five just is not enough....

[M1A4ME]

Ordered the additional magazines this morning.  Shouldn't ever need more.

Ordered some CGW goodies earlier in the week, should get them in a couple/three days.  Then I'll be ready to "open" it up again and do my polishing and parts replacements/upgrades.

Ordered the reduced power trigger return spring, firing pin block spring, adjustable sear, hammer pins, starter punch and a couple other small parts/pieces.

I have some more ideas in mind but I need to make some phone calls first for a combination of "will this work?" and "how much will it cost?"

[CZ_OBSESSED]

Got to buy them all!

[M1A4ME]

Doggone it.  Took pictures but the new iPhone is still being a pain.  Been fighting with it and technical support all day.  Anyone argue with a computer?  I kept telling the automated help system I wanted to speak to a customer service representative and it kept telling me it could help me faster and then it would go right back into the dead loop we had already pursued.

Anyway, I'll take pictures again when the latest update is over.

The CGW parts came in yesterday.  I sat down today and put most of them in (some were spares for the spares container in the garage.)

I also installed the spur hammer.

Used the CGW reduced power trigger return spring.
The CGW reduced power firing pin block spring.
The CGW firing pin retaining pin (more on that in a minute.)

Also did a very small amount of stoning/polishing.  Barely took some finish off the sides of the trigger bar as there was only one small spot of wear showing (least amount I've ever seen).  Stoned just a bit on the tops of the trigger bar humps.  Stoned just a bit on the back of the disconnector where it drags on the frame (didn't touch the frame).  Didn't touch anything else.

Got it put back together (that little firing pin block lifting arm spring decided to be a pain in the butt) and oiled it up as I put it together.

SA trigger pull comes back to the "wall" after lifting the firing pin block at 2 lbs. (combination of the trigger return spring, friction, and firing pin block movement).  Apply more rearward pull and the hammer drops at 3 lbs.  No more rearward movement till the hammer falls.  I'm really happy with it.  Nope, didn't even think to check the DA trigger pull, but I'll go get that now.  I'm curious.  Oh, and try and take a couple new pictures of the CZ85 looking .40 S&W CZ75B.





DA trigger pull is unchanged.  Still 10 lbs.  Odd, but it doesn't matter, I don't use it anyway.

edited to add:

Forgot about the firing pin retaining pin comment.  The new pistol has not been dry fired without a snap cap (brand new one I just got out of the bag.)  The retaining pin still had a small amount of damage.  Not yet "cracked/broken", but dented in a little.

I had mentioned in a previous post/thread about modifying the notch in a firing pin to insure it didn't contact the retaining pin any longer.  Well, I don't think it can be done.  The rear of the notch doesn't just "kiss" the pin, it smacks it pretty hard.  With the firing pin retaining pin removed, if you look through the FPRP hole in the slide and pusht the firing pin forward it goes far enough to completely block the hole.  Not a little, not 1/4 - all the way.  That's a lot of metal to remove to stop it from hitting the pin.

Now, the firing pin may never, ever, move forward far enough just under the force of the hammer striking it, but I have no way of measuring how far forward it will go with nothing to restrict it except the pin or the primer or the snap cap.  That idea is out, for me.  I'll just check them now and then and see what they look like.  Part of a seldom done, but probably necessary, maintenence/inspection routine.

[M1A4ME]

Got the three new Wolf +10% magazine springs in a few minutes ago.  Installed them in those three 14 round magazines I took the +2's of off due to not working well with 14 rounds in them.  Now the followers have enough spring pressure on them to push the slide lock fully to the top of the slot.  With the factory springs the slide lock was not moved fully into it's upward position (the Mecgar 12's and the factory 10's did move the slide lock fully upwards.)

My concern was that if the slide lock was not fully upwards the slide would be catching on less surface area on the slide lock and would be prone to damage to the slide notch or the rear of the slide lock.

Also got my five new 12 round Mecgars.  I think I've got enough magazines for this thing now.

[J Lee]

My 2 14 rd 40 MecGar mags from Greg Cote load 14 just fine with the MagLula but neither hold the slide back after last round.  No issue with the 12 rd MecGars.  Coincidence?

[M1A4ME]

The +2 bases on the P07 and P09 magazines work fine with .40 S&W ammo, but the P07/P09 magazines are just a bit wider than the CZ75 magazines, so maybe that extra width helps with the last .40 S&W round.  Gives the rest more room without having to move so deep in the magazine.

The +2 bases on the CZ75 magazines seem to work fine for 9MM.

Now I'm wondering, if I want 14 round magazines that will smoothly insert into the magazine well, if I should buy some Mecgar 17 round 9MM magazines and add the +2 base.  That would make it slightly longer but might give those "fat forties" a little more room to get 14 in there wihtout swelling the magazine too badly to insert without scraping all the finish off the metal on the magazines and the frame (inside).

[J Lee]

Maybe slightly stronger mag springs for the 14 rd 40s?  Guess then the risk is not getting the 14th round in without standing on the MagLula.  Got a new IWB holster coming from Privateer in a few weeks so need to get this worked out. Since the 12 rd mags are the same as the 14(minus the +2 extensions), got to be needing a stronger spring, right?  I'll call Wolf next week and get their thoughts.

[M1A4ME]

I had already removed the +2 bases on mine before I ordered the stronger springs (Wolf springs I think).  My issue with/without the +2 was the follower would barely raise the slide stop up.  It would catch, but was not fully "up" and I was afraid the reduced contact area would increase wear/tear.  Even with the +2 bases removed the spring didn't have enough oomph to fully raise the slide stop.

The Wolf springs have an odd description.  They list them as 5% stronger springs but then say in the CZ they are actually 10% stronger springs.  A 3 pack is about $18 just for the springs.