Looking at a 1993 CZ 85; need input

[scooby]

Hi, I already own a 1992 CZ 75 with the rounded trigger guard and spurred hammer. I love it, even though it came "gently used" from Robertson's Trading Post a couple years back (read: it looks pretty nice, but has a fairly large chip on the back strap of the grip).  None of my guns are safe queens and the polycoat has otherwise held up, so I'm fine with that.

The question- I was casually browsing gun stuff, and came across a CZ 85 that I think was made in 1993. It has the square guard and round hammer. It has wooden grips (looks stock, or very well made copy of stock). Comes with 1 15 rd magazine (that's ok, as I have extras already). The finish is generally good, but has worn marks near the muzzle. No chips as far as I can see. Marked Czechoslovakia, not Czech Republic.

Has some type of frankenstein rear sight; it looks almost like a homemade replacement. It comes with the original box.

The CZ is one of my favorite manufacturers, and being a lefty I do have a soft spot for the 85 (despite having never owned one). What is the general price range on something like this? What would be a good price, what is too much? How could I tell if this is a "transitional", without the FPB, or if it has one? Thanks

[painter]

Can't help you with price, that is subjective, but it sounds like you're looking at an early 85 Combat by the description of the rear sight.

Look at the slide. If there is a hole drilled through in the rear serrations to retain the firing pin it's a fpb model.

No hole, no fpb.

[scooby]

what I can tell, no fbp.
I'm looking @ $300 ballpark, give or take. I'm curious, because a couple years ago that would have been a no-brainer IMO, but now with the Canik clones being around that for a brand new clone... I wonder whether that is taking the steam out of the older CZs. Had I not already owned the 75, I wouldn't hesitate.

As for additional value, I'm a lefty. I rarely ever worry about the ambidextrous part (on my Beretta 92FS I still use the safety on the left side, not the right), but it does make for added value on my part.

[painter]

Canik would have the fpb. I've never fired one...never even seen one so I can't comment on them.

$300 for the CZ seems like a decent price to me.

[afultz075]

I know which gun you're talking about. I would pass. Replacement sight parts (blade, springs, screw) for those early 85 Combats are going to be impossible to find. You're going to be stuck with the homemade fix which may or may not work/hold up in the long run. There are no aftermarket sights available that will fit an early 85 combat as the dovetail is different from every other CZ out there. In addition, it looks like the homemade replacement sight blade might be epoxied into the old sight base which means you'd need to replace the whole assembly, once again, impossible to find the parts.

I owned one of those early 85 Combats and the rear sight assembly always scared me. The rear sight is ridiculously complex with tons of tiny parts, if one thing were to loosen and fly off at the range you'd be screwed.

[schutz85C]

ooo, harsh reality. But factual ! 

[JayPee]

I would pass too. I'm not sure, but the 1993 guns may just have the older small mag well and it's nothing but headaches trying to find mags for them unless you want to file out the mag well.

Since you already have a '75, what's wrong with trying out on of the new clones? I have a C100 and enjoy the heck out of it.