CZ 85 -- Help with model ID and replacing sights

[nelson_]

Hi everyone,
  I am new here, and relatively new to firearms. I purchased a CZ 85 several months ago and I am curious about specific model ID. From what I gather, it looks to be a transition model. It's difficult to see the stamp in the photos, but it was produced in '91. Any details/info about it would be helpful and interesting.

  I would like to replace the sights on the pistol with something that is more visible to me, probably something from TruGlo if possible. The stock sights are old and yellowed, as shown in the photos. (For the purists out there, I will keep the stock sights should I ever need to go back to the original setup.) How in the world do I go about removing these sights? Every tutorial I find online is for newer models that have a very apparent pin and I cannot find a pin near the sights on this pistol.

Thanks in advance!

https://imgur.com/eP2YJPW
https://imgur.com/5CQBs8q
https://imgur.com/dV5pgZa
https://imgur.com/x1r8qsE
https://imgur.com/JkbJ1iM

[Artyldr01]

What date does your slide say on the right? I can't read it? From what I understand, the Transition is generally believed to have been made around 94/95 only.

That said, I'd call it a very early "transition" but not full Transition as it has the early non-pinned front sight (which will make sight replacement more challenging), and spur hammer, but not the rounded trigger guard. It of course also doesn't have the firing pin block.

I've just gotten into these things and have learned a lot in a short time. I just so happen to have two CZ85s on layaway; a 1987 CZ85 made in "Czechoslovakia" and a 1994 Transition CZ85 made in the "Czech Republic."


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[nelson_]

What date does your slide say on the right? I can't read it? From what I understand, the Transition is generally believed to have been made around 94/95 only.

That said, I'd call it a very early "transition" but not full Transition as it has the early non-pinned front sight (which will make sight replacement more challenging), and spur hammer, but not the rounded trigger guard. It of course also doesn't have the firing pin block.

I've just gotten into these things and have learned a lot in a short time. I just so happen to have two CZ85s on layaway; a 1987 CZ85 made in "Czechoslovakia" and a 1994 Transition CZ85 made in the "Czech Republic."

Mine is dated 91 on the slide. I'm not excited to hear that it will be difficult to replace the sights... Maybe I will just have them repainted.

The two you have on layaway will be great additions to your collection. I love mine!

Thanks for the reply!

[Artyldr01]

Bear in mind I'm not a gunsmith so could be talking out my rear, but the Transitions/B  have a pinned front sight. I'm sorry the photos aren't better.

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[david s]

My 85 (non B) is a 1994 vintage, it has the squared trigger guard and ring hammer but not the firing pin block. I believe these are referred to as Transitional models. Sort of a segue from the earlier model 75/85 into the "B" model 75/85 series with the firing pin block. On mine the front sight was pinned and not an integral portion of the slide. If yours doesn't have a pin holding the sight in place yours may need machine work if you want to swap it out. Brownell's use to offer a sight coloring kit that gave you a front sight similar to what is on a S&W revolver. A bit of needle file work build a dam and mix the colored sight material pour and then wait some. Then shape the colored insert. One option anyways.                                                                                                                 
       
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[nelson_]

Thanks for the information, everyone. Looks like I will probably just try to paint the sights that are on it.