Time to sell it and move on?

[Iron bottom]

I believe you have a magazine problem. Try a new magazine spring.

[Objekt]

Mag problem?  It's not impossible, but seems unlikely.  I've heard of feed failures caused by bad magazines, but not extraction failures.  All 6 of my CZ magazines are Mec-Gar 12-round.  It would be odd if their springs only last an average of 400 rounds each.  That's about how many rounds I've put through each magazine, on average, since I bought the mags a year ago.

Whatever the issue really is, when I went to trade in the CZ and a rifle I definitely needed to get rid of, I just couldn't part with the CZ.  The dealer offered a price that wasn't completely unfair for a heavily-used CZ, but I decided I might as well hang on to it & see whether I can fix it.

My first step will be to shoot some standard-pressure .40 S&W reloads through it, while determining whether there is any pattern of failures related to the magazines.

[Iron bottom]

Weak mag springs can let a round get out of the magazine when the slide slaps the frame. The round wants to stay where it is as the pistol and mag move rearward. A loose round can result in a push feed, and the extractor has to jump the rim instead of riding up the extractor groove. For operator safety in an emergency, extractors are made to jump the rim, but not long term as the extractor will be damaged eventually.  Just an idea that you can investigate. I always install extra strength Wolff mag springs in any magazine I can get them for. Luck with your CZ.

[bharen]

I know many of the factory magazines shipped with the 9mm models had followers that had 'issues'.  My '99 production CZ-85 would not feed HPs of any type.  I contacted CZ directly and was told that since HP loads are illegal in the Czech Republic the factory designed and produced magazine followers specifically to handle FMJ rounds.  CZ-USA had new followers produced that feed HPs reliably.  CZ shipped me several at no charge and they have solved all my HP 'issues'.  The same may apply to the 40 S&W magazines.

As to 40 S&W HiPowers being different guns from the 9mm versions, well that's only partly true.  When FN wanted to move the HP platform to 40 S&W they fitted a standard forged frame with a heavier slide and recalibrated springs but found the frames were cracking far too soon.  Seems the old forged HP frames just couldn't hold up to the higher slide velocities.  FN then started to investigate switching from forged frames to investment cast frames (I believe they initially contacted Ruger).  Seems a properly cast and heat treated frame is much tougher than a forged frame.  FN made the production switch and the 40 S&W frame cracking issues went away.  For a number of years now all HP frames have been investment cast, and the frames used on the 9mm and 40 S&W are identical.

Oh, and the frames on CZs have been investment cast for quite a while, too.  Not sure when they made the switch from forging to casting, but nobody has ever called the CZ frames 'weak'.

[Objekt]

Wally World actually had some .40 S&W Winchester white box 100-packs in stock last week (shocker #1), and it wasn't even jacked up to the new, ridiculously high ammo prices (shocker #2).  So I bought a few boxes, and went to the range yesterday to attempt to diagnose my -75's problems.

I got through six full magazines, 72 rounds, without a single problem.  Maybe my reloads just suck.

I'm double-glad I didn't sell my -75 last week.  Looks like all is well with it, including the magazine springs.  When it does come time to replace the mag springs, I expect I'll use Wolff extra-power replacements.

As for the hollowpoints issue: I've never had a problem with HP ammo feeding in a .40 S&W CZ that didn't involve the HP bullets binding on the feed ramp.  The followers of Mec-Gar .40 S&W mags don't seem to be designed for or against HP, one way or the other.

[MHershon]

Hi Objekt,

Many of us, I'm sure, feel like we lived through your frustrations with that gun. I felt a strong sense of relief when you had good luck with factory ammo, and realized that you'd made the right decision in keeping that CZ. We all love our CZs and wish other owners nothing but the best!

[briang2ad]

"Oh, and the frames on CZs have been investment cast for quite a while, too. Not sure when they made the switch from forging to casting, but nobody has ever called the CZ frames 'weak'."

Once again - the BHP used forged steel for 40s, then SWITCHED to cast - don't seem to have problems now according the THE HP guy - Steve Camp.