Yes, I'm a brand whore and I'm happy to be here. Bottom line, one will usually shoot well with that which fits them best. For me, it has been CZ. Are they the only pistols I own? NO. Are they the best pistols money can buy? NO. For the money, they fit my hand better and are more accurate than others I've tried at the same price point. Accurate shooting on the part of the shooter is what it's all about, right?
Fortunately, the range I frequented at the time had an e-x-t-e-n-s-i-v-e line of rental guns so I was able to try out as many as I could before I bought. In 9mm, I tried the Sig226, Glock 17 and 19, H&K USP9, Taurus PT-?, Beretta 92, Kahr, a couple of others and the CZ75. Based on my personal assessment of what I could shoot better, quicker and more accurate on a consistent basis, I bought a used CZ85 (pre-B). Accurate shooting on the part of the shooter is what it's all about, right?
When it came time to get something a little smaller, I did the same thing. I was able to compare the Sig230, Walther PPK/S, Beretta 84 & 85, Browning BDA and the CZ83. After the same personal assessment process, including some loss of skin from the Sig and Walther, I purchased a CZ83 new. Yes this was the beginning of the trend that lead me to where I am today. BTW, I have subsequently acquired a Beretta 85 that had a trigger job done on it and love it too though the grip could be a bit wider. I know about the 84 but this was a good deal on a good 85. I would have kicked myself later if I hadn't picked it up.
With good experiences up to this point, I found myself looking closer at CZs for the heck of it. I am no metallurgist or engineer but they seem to be of high quality. NO, I didn't say highest or higher, I said high. I have seen CZs in gun shops for full suggested retail but I think at that price point, they are a little expensive. Not overpriced, but expensive. That is why I shop around, go to the gun shows, etc. to find a decent deal.
Most of the pistols I own are CZs. I also own a Beretta 85, H&K P7M8, steel Tanfoglio .45 Compact, SIG 229, S&W Sigma 380, Ruger GP100 & SP101, S&W Model 28 and a couple of High Standard .22s. I am no expert nor would I want to portray myself as one, but I do know what works for me. CZs, in general fit the bill for me. I think it's the way they fit in my hand. I have always heard that one will always shoot better with a cheap gun that fits than an expensive one that doesn't. That and good training anyway. I once saw a guy who kept missing his target with a Sig P210. THIS WAS AT 7 YARDS!
Have they all been perfect? NO. Of the 9 I own, one has been a problem child but is finally, with a little extra love, coming around. It's the CZ83-7.65. Are thay all 100% reliable? NO. 3 of the 9 have had an occasion to FTF. One was the problem child but the other two were probably due to them being new and needing a break-in period. They only FTF once each and since that point, have been 100% reliable for me. A friend, new to shooting, had an FTF but I would bet money on it being due to limp-wristing or loose hold. It was during the first mag and never returned. The other 6 have NEVER had any problems at all, EVER. I clean and lube them after each range session. I treat them as tools but with respect. I don't expect them to put up with abuse any more than I would. I don't function well when abused, do you? I try to shoot at least twice a month and shoot at least 200 rounds, if not alot more, each session. I have not, however, kept a log of the exact useage on any of them but know that there has been several 1000s of rounds through most.
My experiences may not be normal. Your experiences may vary from mine. As you can tell, all of my CZs have not been 100% perfect but they're close. They don't seem to be any worse than others. I have a friend with a Springfield that needed a little love, one with a Sig220 that needed love and one with a Glock 19 that needed love. What the world needs now is a little love.
Practice does not make perfect, practice of perfection gets you close. If anyone says thy're perfect, I'd give them a wide berth!
