Author Topic: Need Help Finding My First CZ  (Read 1939 times)

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Offline marklmfl

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Need Help Finding My First CZ
« on: March 29, 2015, 09:58:27 AM »
Hello,
Just joined the forum.  I've been shooting most of my life, but mostly stayed with the 'big 3' (at least in the US) names in revolvers.

I've always admired the CZ-75 and decided it is time to buy.  As a lefty, I started looking and found the ambi goodness of the 85.  All of the 85's I've seen are USA stamped.  Thought it would be cool to have a Czech stamped gun, but maybe not possible for an 85?  Found the combat model.  Not sure if I need it?

My main use will be range practice.  Maybe SD down the road, when I'm more comfortable with this new gun.  Watching a few vids and talking to people, this seems to be a great gun for inexpensive practice, plinking, training?

As you can tell, I don't know a thing about the CZ's.  Can someone maybe point me in the right direction?  Should I (as a lefty) be looking at the 85?  Any particular model to start with?  Always looking for a bargain, so wondering if there are surplus/trade-ins?

Thanks for any opinions or guidance!


Best,
Mark

Offline Smitty79

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Re: Need Help Finding My First CZ
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2015, 10:20:46 AM »
CZ85 is full ambi, both safety and slide release.   CZ85's come in 2 flavors.   CZ85B is an ambi CZ75B and has a firing pin block.   A CZ85 Combat has a better, out of the box, trigger and no firing pin block.   Both can be used for almost anything you might want a pistol for.   For me, they are bigger/heavier than I'd want to carry.  I own a tricked out CZ85B.   I'm not left handed.    At the time, it was the only full sized CZ I could find.   I used it for USPSA competition for a little over a year.

The SP-01 has a full length dust cover and a rail, for a light, and has ambi safety but not slide release.   Both of these guns are all steel construction.    They come as either the standard, with a firing pin block, or the Shadow, without.   These are heavier than the CZ85.   To me this is a service weapon, night stand gun or recreational gun.   I have a Shadow for USPSA.

Some of the compact models also have ambi safeties or decockers.  Read closely at cz-usa web site for descriptions.   Some compacts have steel frames and some have aluminum.   I've never handled any of these.

CZ also makes some polymer frame pistols, the P-07 and the P-09.   These can be easily switched from ambi decocker to ambi safety.   Slide stop is left side only.   P-07 is a compact gun.   P-09 is a full size service weapon.   Both have rails.   A P-07 is on my list of likely future purchases.
Don't mistake my high post count for knowledge or wisdom.   I just like hearing myself type.

Offline ottergt

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Re: Need Help Finding My First CZ
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2015, 11:16:21 AM »
I concur with all that's said below.  I am a lefty, and own an old model CZ 85 (pre-B, stamped "Czechoslovakia"), and a newer P-01 compact with decocker (not ambi).  I think the 85 is too heavy for a daily carry gun.  The mag release is not reversible on the old style, but as a lefty I have gotten used to using my trigger finger to work the RH mag release (and slide lock/release) on my other handguns...no big deal.  The P-01 is not ambi...but honestly, I don't see that as a real hinderance to anything.  It has the lighter aluminum frame, and would be much better for daily carry.  P-01 is the same as the 75 PCR-D, except it has a rail.

I've never fired a P-07, but it feels very nice in the hand.   
Otter

2013 P-01 OD Green
1987 CZ85 2-Tone
Scorpion EVO3 S1
VZ61 Skorpion
1990 CZ82
1987 CZ82
VZ2008 rifles (folding stock versions)

Offline Smitty79

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Re: Need Help Finding My First CZ
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2015, 11:23:25 AM »
I have a more modern 85.   It has a reversible mag release. 

If I was a lefty and I wanted a general purpose CZ, shoot, if I had no guns and wanted a first pistol, I'd buy a P-07.
Don't mistake my high post count for knowledge or wisdom.   I just like hearing myself type.

Offline marklmfl

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Re: Need Help Finding My First CZ
« Reply #4 on: March 29, 2015, 04:43:20 PM »
This may sound strange, but I like the 'classic' CZ-75 look.  The P-07;  I'm sure it's a fine pistol, but will probably stick with an 85.

I'd actually prefer it not have a rail.  Not sure about the block?  Having a left hand switchable mag release would be incredible!

Thanks for the info.


Best,
Mark

Offline Smitty79

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Re: Need Help Finding My First CZ
« Reply #5 on: March 29, 2015, 06:39:25 PM »
I don' think the block is a big fat hairy deal unless you are looking for absolute "bleeding edge" performance from an action shooting gun.  (USPSA, IDPA...)

To get a CZ85, that can have the safety reversed, I think you need one that can use the same kind of safety as an SP-01.   It's more oval.   I think the round ones are not reversible.   Though I'm not sure because I put an SP-01 Shadow extended safety in mine.  It was the oval one.   Maybe someone else here can comment.
Don't mistake my high post count for knowledge or wisdom.   I just like hearing myself type.

papaairbear

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Re: Need Help Finding My First CZ
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2015, 08:52:07 PM »
You might look at Damascus Gun Shop, they're showing 3 CZ85 Combats in stock.  I sent you a PM with the link.