CZ-75 Short Rail question

[GeneticallySwiss]

We’ve all seen, or at least heard of the seldom seen, much sought after CZ-75 Pre-B short rail pistols.

And I know some of you know the answer to this.  What was the technical rationale that drove CZ to eliminate the short rail configuration?  Because the short rail configuration actually appears to me to be a stronger configuration, albeit slightly heavier.  Thoughts?


GS

[ejb1975]

The short rail frames were milled out of tool steel is small numbers.  In order for them to make them in numbers to fill military contracts they had to cast the frames.  I had read somewhere that the change in the design was at the request of the Swiss who thought the longer slide to frame contact would be more durable. 


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[Metal Wonder Nine Guy]

From what Larry Vickers said in this video, there were cracking problems going on with the scalloped frames and  slides. So CZ fixed that problem fairly quickly.

https://youtu.be/ZK27RPu8Gtc

[AndyC]

I had heard the same thing in the mid-80s, that frames were cracking under heavy use. I never saw that myself but I did lose a front-sight.

[ejb1975]

I had heard the same thing in the mid-80s, that frames were cracking under heavy use. I never saw that myself but I did lose a front-sight.

I’ve never seen one documented cracked frame on a short rail.  The steel used on those were much stronger and better made than the cast modern frames. Not real sure where Vickers gets that


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[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

I had heard the same thing in the mid-80s, that frames were cracking under heavy use. I never saw that myself but I did lose a front-sight.

I’ve never seen one documented cracked frame on a short rail.  The steel used on those were much stronger and better made than the cast modern frames. Not real sure where Vickers gets that


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I read years ago that the early guns had some cracking issues and without internet back then or any real social media incidents wouldn't have traversed the world as they do now. Nothing wrong at all with the cast frames they use today and they are just as durable as anything else especially in a world of plastic guns. Haven't seen any real frame issue problems on the modern guns and there are quite a few around now.

[nuclear armed hog]

the frame cracking sounds like fuddlore to me. I'm willing to wager it was for production reasons. I have a short rail myself, i could always ask the importer to comment.

I’ve never seen one documented cracked frame on a short rail.  The steel used on those were much stronger and better made than the cast modern frames. Not real sure where Vickers gets that


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I guess the theory is that the steel was too rigid and didn't allow enough flex which lead to the alleged cracking rumor.

I suppose we could always beat the bleep out of one until it happens? but there was someone on here who bought one that was way beat to hell than the pre B cast frame he replaced it with and it looked in better shape mechanically

[briang2ad]

I cannot find it right now, but there had been some cracked frames shown on the www and they cracked at the rail.  It was PreB and I think not a short rail.  BTW, cast frames CAN be better - as in the Browning HP going cast when they went to .40 SW - an upgrade to handle the hard hitting round. 

[bobofthedesert]

I cannot find it right now, but there had been some cracked frames shown on the www and they cracked at the rail.  It was PreB and I think not a short rail.  BTW, cast frames CAN be better - as in the Browning HP going cast when they went to .40 SW - an upgrade to handle the hard hitting round.

I have imported in the neighborhood of 50 Short Rails in the last 10 years. I have ever seen one with a cracked frame, or cracked rails. I have never heard of someone saying "MY" Short Rail cracked, it's always something they heard or were told. Pre-B's I have seen pics of a couple cracked slides, right at the ejection port for the one I remember.

A friend of mine of many years and a notorious exceeder of SAMMI specs owns two handguns, an Auto Ordnance 1911 in 10mm and a Pre-B CZ75. The 10mm has a cast frame and slide, he runs it with a Shok Buff on the spring it came with, no cracking. And with some of his loads, if it was susceptible, you'd certainly expect to see it. The CZ75 is high round count (he has owned both guns for over 30 years)  and has seen a few of his special loads as well, no issues.

[AndyC]

...a notorious exceeder of SAMMI specs

That made me lol