Some help in deciding: CZ75b or CZ85 Combat for IDPA

[sherpa12]

I'm somewhat familiar with the differences between the CZ75b and CZ85 Combat, namely, that the CZ85 Combat has:
1. Adjustable rear sights
2. No FPB
3. Ambi slide release and safety
4. Checkered and extended mag release button.

The price difference over here in Manila though is around $140.

In favor of the CZ75b:
I don't need the ambi features of the Combat, as I'm fine using the controls on my left side, like in my Shadow.

In favor of the 85 Combat: 
It has no FPB and I've read many say the difference in trigger pull in the Combat (having no FPB) is much better than w/ the CZ75b (having a FPB).

Adjustable Rear Sights - It Depends:
I hope the Combat's adj. rear sights sold here are in plain black.  So far, most of the photos I've seen show them w/ 2 dots but I prefer a plain black (like the Competition Rear Sights in the Shadow), as I will be installing a FO front sight to match w/ it.  If the adj. rear sights would only come with 2 dots, I might still have to spend additional for a Competition rear sight from Angus.

Am I missing any other factor to consider?  With these, would it be better to just go with the cheaper CZ75b w/ the FPB, or worth getting the lighter trigger CZ85 Combat?  Am I missing some other factors to consider bet. the 2?

TIA!

[Canuck44]

I don't think you are missing anything.  The small dots on the adjustable sights can be blacked out if you prefer.  I have the FO front sight installed on my 85 Combat.  Sight picture is very good and I can't say I notice much difference between it and the sight picture I get from my Shadow.

Take Care

Bob

[soulfixinman]

I am in the same place....I am left handed and trying to decide between the two.

Would be interesting to here how good the adjustable sight is

and can it be easily replaced.

Are there sight available for it, is the dovetail the same dimensions as the 85B

[Canuck44]

Ghost Products offers the Competition fixed sight that fits the 85C.  Mate it with a FO front sight and you have a great competition set-up.  I am going to go that route with mine and add the Competition hammer Ghost sells.  The latter has to be installed by a 'smith but I am told it creates an unbelievable smooth trigger when mated with a 13# mainspring.

I expect to have the work done by mid summer and will report the outcome here.

Take care

Bob

[sherpa12]

Thanks.

I think I'll just go the CZ75b route.  I didn't like the LPA adjustable sights w/ 2 dots as much as the plain black competition rear sights.  Since I don't have use for the ambi features and can probably have similar trigger jobs performed on either unit, I think it will be much more practical to spend the extra $140 on other parts (i.e. FO front & comp rear sights, springs and mags).

I also have spare slide stops for the Shadow w/c I believe will fit the 75b, so I'll be saving on that too.  I guess the only change would be the FP parts.  Is it advisable to get spares for all FP parts (i.e. lever and block) or just the springs for the lever and block? 

@soulfixinman, being a lefty, I think you might be better off w/ the 85c, OTOH, unless you use the left hand side to release the slide stop... and I'm not sure if the 85c allows switching the mag release to the right side.... unless again, you prefer releasing the mag from the left side.

Should you go with the Competition rear sight, I'm not sure if you should get the regular one or the one for the Shadow.  Since the rear portion of the 85c slide is recessed, I think you would go w/ the Shadow Comp. rear sight but Angus could confirm this.

[dsh]

A regular 75B may be the way to go because you can make the trigger much better by putting on a comp hammer and removing the FPB.  That being said, I have a Combat and it is outstanding with the competition hammer and 13LB mainspring.  The single action pull is every bit as good as the Shadow's and the double action is actually more "crisp" than the Shadow.  I have informally pitted the two against each other many times now (modded Combat vs stock Shadow) and have found NO difference in performance between them in either action-type shooting or bullseye.  They are both excellent.

[Canuck44]

Unfortunatley you cannot remover the FPB on the 75B and remain legal for IDPA - see Page 18 of the Rule Book.  You cannot disable or remove any safety device on any gun.

Take Care

Bob

[lazycatxd]

Unfortunatley you cannot remover the FPB on the 75B and remain legal for IDPA - see Page 18 of the Rule Book.  You cannot disable or remove any safety device on any gun.

Take Care

Bob

Yes, darned annoying rule, but it is there.  It is an argument in favor of the 85, which has no FPB.

[Canuck44]

True but there are lots of folks who use the 75B.  A good smith can polish up the FPB and get you a trigger that will ensure you don't even notice it is there.  I think Mathew Mink uses a 75B in SSP.  You can check his web site.

I have the SP-01 with a FPB and a Shadow that doesn't have one and in the heat of shooting a stage I would be hard pressed to tell you witch gun I have in my hand.

Take Care

Bob

[Spiny Norman]

Unfortunatley you cannot remover the FPB on the 75B and remain legal for IDPA - see Page 18 of the Rule Book.  You cannot disable or remove any safety device on any gun.

Take Care

Bob

It is my understanding that if the modification is done by factory personnel, then it is legal.  CZ Custom is considered factory work.  I asked our AC about this and he concurred.  I had the work done on my CZ 75 SA and will use it at the Georgia State IDPA Championship in October.

[Canuck44]

Hi

No Sir that is not correct.  FPB's may not be removed in the 75B series of pistols as they are not confugured that way by the Factory.  IDPA allows the SP-01 FPB to be removed by CZ - USA aka CZ Custom because the SP-01 Shadow comes configured that way.  The 75B is not manufactured without a FPB.   I am the Area Coordinator for Canada and would suggest your AC contact HQ to confirm what I have stated.  CZ's are made in the Czech Republic not in Arizona or they were up until recently.

Take Care

Bob

[Spiny Norman]

Hi

No Sir that is not correct.  FPB's may not be removed in the 75B series of pistols as they are not confugured that way by the Factory.  IDPA allows the SP-01 FPB to be removed by CZ - USA aka CZ Custom because the SP-01 Shadow comes configured that way.  The 75B is not manufactured without a FPB.   I am the Area Coordinator for Canada and would suggest your AC contact HQ to confirm what I have stated.  CZ's are made in the Czech Republic not in Arizona or they were up until recently.

Take Care

Bob

I'll do that and follow up.  Thanks Bob.

[sherpa12]

Hi

No Sir that is not correct.  FPB's may not be removed in the 75B series of pistols as they are not confugured that way by the Factory.  IDPA allows the SP-01 FPB to be removed by CZ - USA aka CZ Custom because the SP-01 Shadow comes configured that way.  The 75B is not manufactured without a FPB.   I am the Area Coordinator for Canada and would suggest your AC contact HQ to confirm what I have stated.  CZ's are made in the Czech Republic not in Arizona or they were up until recently.

Take Care

Bob

IMO, I'm not sure they'd allow removal of the SP-01 FPB simply because of the rule not to allow disabling safety devices.  Likewise, the Shadow is actually a different model from the SP-01 Manual and Decocker (ie. Tactical) variants.  There have been discussions here even describing differences in the frame between both, w/c just shows they're both different.  Nonetheless, the fact that the SP-01 does have the FPB, it already falls within the limits of being disallowed from FPB removal. 

This is just my opinion, but I'll verify this further too. 

OT question or back to the topic.....  I've worked on my 75b w/ 13# mainspring and polished surfaces, and the only significant difference I notice now versus the Shadow is the slight resistance at the end of the pull when it pushes against the FPB spring.  Has anyone tried cutting a few coils on the FPB spring, if so by how much would be safe? 

[Spiny Norman]

I just got the following email from Robert Ray on this issue:

Technically per the rules, it must not be removed. I really hate it as fine pistols such as these come in a variation without this block. It makes this difficult. The rule about not removing any ?safety? devises is due to the very litigious society that we live in. This puts the CZ in the same boat as the M&P and Hi Power clones that some do and some don?t have the magazine disconnect.

I will say that I do not ask our SO?s to be engineers and remember a series of serial numbers on what guns came with what safety features from the factory. I advise them if they are not sure to ask the competitor what version they have.

I hope that this helps you with your question. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Thank you,
Robert Ray
International Defensive Pistol Association

I hope this clears things up for everyone.