What did I do?

[SDNick]

I broke down and bought a CZ 85 today.  I was looking for an 85 Combat, but all the shop had was 85B's.  The sales guy told me the only difference was the adjustable sights.  So I thought I can live with that.

But looking at CZ's web sight I see that the 85 Combat not only has adjustable sights, but free fall magazines and a trigger with over travel adjustments.

So how big of a mistake did I make?

[Walt-Sherrill]

Not a big mistake.

(Aside:  I've had a CZ-75B, which was "gunsmithed," and currently have a CZ-85 Combat, CZ-40B, and an EAA Witness Sport Long Slide in .45 acp.)

The 85 Combat also has an extended mag release.  We're talking an additional fraction of an inch.  If you're not shooting competitively, I doubt you'll notice the difference; you may not notice even IF you are shooting competitively.

You can make your mags "drop free" by tweaking the mag brake spring or getting a replacement part.  ($7? from CZ.)  You'll find instructions here on the site, if you look long enough.  (Probably under Home Gunsmithing.)

Adjustable sights are nice, but far from a necessity.  And once you find a load your gun really likes, you are unlikely to make further adjustments.  (I have three guns with adjustable sights; once I zeroed the guns in, I haven't touched the sights; I just keep shooting the same ammo.)

The most important difference between the 85B and 85 Combat is that the 85 Combat does not have the firing pin block, which means a slightly better trigger, out of the box.  But a good local gunsmith can make the already good 85B trigger better, and you'll probably never notice the difference.  

The over-travel adjustment is like gilding a lily.  Unless you're a competitive shooter (shooting in a combat venue), and also VERY bleepED GOOD, you'll never need it or know the difference.  I shoot competitively and it doesn't really help me, I'm sorry to admit.  

[The overtravel adjustment keeps the trigger from moving beyond the point necessary to start the firing cycle.  We're talking thousandths of a second in saved time and fractions of an inch in saved wasted motion.]

Shoot your gun and enjoy it.

[SDNick]

Thanks for your comforting reply.  I was in a panic for a while there.

Thanks for all the tips on getting the mags to drop free.

I will pick it up this weekend and give it a good work out.

Nick

[CZ75ID]

Hi, you can always have the 85B converted to SA ONLY..
then you get the sweet trigger..and slick action from CZ-USA.

The adjustables on the 85 Combat seem a bit sharp for me. I like the
MMCs on my 75SA much better.

I was thinkiking that the 85 Combat's trigger was adj, for overtravel and
take-up..i guess not.

The Dlask CZ75 Trigger sure is. I think that money permitting.(eek) i'll try to get
one for my '75 Project.Would probably want to paint it..black or silver..don't know.

[SDNick]

THanks for your reply.

I did not know that you can covnert a 85 to a SA.  How do I go about doing that?

THanks

[Walt-Sherrill]

Make it SA?

It takes a different hammer, sear and trigger.  (Some folks substitute the parts from the CZ Champion line.  Others just send the gun to the CZ gunsmith, have him make the switch with SA parts, and then do a trigger job.)

But I wouldn't consider that change until I've shot the 85B for a while.  The trigger, either after a 1000 or so rounds, or a trigger job, will closely approach that of the SA, while retaining the option of a DA start...