85B first time out - big disappointment!

[airrascal]

I have seven CZ pistols at present and all but two have been perfectly (100%) reliable.  Of the two, one had a FTF at round 18 from new and the other is an ongoing project.  Three were purchased used: CZ83-7.65, CZ75 Compact and a CZ85.  All but the 7.65 CZ83 have had no, zero, nada problems whatsoever.  They have functioned 100% with everything they've been fed.  The 7.65 CZ83 has been and still is a problem child but I'm working on changing its attutde.  Thanks to these forums, I have a few things to try before I get really upset.

The other four were bought new: CZ75-.40 S&W in satin nickel, CZ83-.380, CZ97B in blue and a CZ40.  So far, there has only been one FTF in the second mag full in the CZ75-.40.  It has now had a total of 200 rounds through it with no further problems.  The FTF was with the 8th round in the second mag full.

All that being said, I have seen a few CZs on display at some gun shows that looked a little rough upon closer inspection.  They were new manufacture CZ83s.  Their fit and finish wasn't nearly as good as those of my older versions.  I suppose we all have our good days and our bad days.

[Unregistered(d)]

I guess I am a lurker, but here goes anyway.  I have a BD and a P01. I love them both, but the BD does exhibit less than stellar fit and finish which I accept because it was very inexpensive and it does shoot well and fits my hand great.  However, what wasn't so easy to accept  was its marked tendency to lock open on full mags.  It turns out that CZ-USA sent me a replacement slide stop spring (different length and profile than the original by the way) and the problem was solved.  So now my love affair with CZ is back in force but there are numerous tales on this forum and my own experience which shows that CZ could do better in the quality control area.  Now, don't attack me because I bad mouthed CZ. I have had no problems with my P01 and think it's even nicer shooting/handling than my full size, so maybe CZ is getting the word.

[Unregistered(d)]

I own 4 CZs and the latest one is a 85 Combat. I shoot over a thousand rounds a week and I get to see a lot of different handguns in action and I get to talk to a lot of experienced shooters. If there is a manufacturer that has never produced a bad gun or few, I have not yet heard of such. C'mon guys, we're not talking mechanical pencils here - handguns are made of dozens of parts, they are pretty complex machines. Yet CZs are very reliable most of the times. If there is a bad one once in a while we are going to hear about it a lot more likely than about one that never gave any problems to it's owner.

Of all my 4 CZs I had one part broke, it was the right side slide lock lever on the 85 Combat. It broke off the day I was going to take it off - I have no use for that control any way. The slide still functions perfectly. The 10 rd mags seem to get their lips deformed after being dropped for a few thousand times, but hey, these are not the most expensive or most hard to get parts, and then again, which mags wouldn't go bad if you abuse them enough?
The only bad thing about CZs is as one of this forum's member says - they are addictive, I just can't get to buy myself a glock. Every time I want to by a glock, I buy a CZ instead... bleep Czechnology

[boogie68ss]

well... i saw that and it blew me down!

i just acquired a used cz85 combat (a fellow used it in ipsc).  I must say i am terribly disgustingly over welmingly madly --- impressed.  I read where some one said they keep buying cz instead of glock... well i am ... or was... strickly glockee.  i own a g19, g23, and my pops has a g22.  i must say the cz 85 is way more accurate.  i swear by glock.  thats true.  my 85 combat in satin nickel is machined beautifuly, all edges are smooth, i have 3 sets grips, all fit the hand and gun magically, and accuracy is blazing.  did i mention accuracy?  its great.  i have shot about 20,000 through my first gen glock 23 (.40sw) and about 10,000 through my first gen glock 19 (9x19).  The g19 has failed me once (yes - 1, uno, singular, second to none).  the g 23 3 times.  twice ammo (blazer - cheapo) and once in my wife's hands - not enough hold to rerack slide... plum near dropped it.  glock rep is rock solid steel plated.  but i gotta say - the cz is more fun to shoot.  i got it on sat. 2/28/04 and have shot exactly 135 rounds.  i have 3 hi caps at 15 rounds and one 10.  they all permormed flawlessly that saturday afternoon.  ok so only 135 rounds from the cz... well i have a few guns and have been shooting since i could hold a gun (about 18 years by now) and handguns about 11 years.  i am a machinist by school and build diesel engines by career.  i know quality machining and it is why i even picked up the cz in the first place.  that first saturday it was filthy - i wanted to see it shoot dirty.  the slide fits the frame better than a kimber and smoother than a springfield 1911.  the 75/85 very much resemble a hi power but the design is better.  i have a fn hipower and it sucks.  any ways i will give more opinion on the cz after a few thousand rounds but for now its rating up there on my book.  right next to glock!  it will have to feed about 5,000 with out a jam to meet my glock standard and to help it... any one got a recomended maintenance guide for lube and so forth?  i would love to have some info on cz 85.  i am even now considering a p01 to carry instead of the g19!

any cz advice on cleaning and maintenance would be appreciated - boogie68ss@joimail.com

thanks,
boogie

[boogie68ss]

but it dont say so so i aint no troll.  new... but not a troll.

[Walt-Sherrill]

You may be registered, but you signed using an "unregistered" ID.  Maybe you need to figure out who you are (for sign-in purposes) the next time...

[Walt-Sherrill]

With regard to cleaning advice -- check the FAQ area.  

More there than you ever wanted to know about cleaning.

[Unregistered(d)]

Within 500 rounds, my CZ-85 Combat broke the right side ambi-slide release, too.  I called Mike, the CZ gunsmith, and he mailed me a replacement part free of charge.  It arrived a couple of days later.  Installation took about 15 minutes.  Good service....Illini

[n-9mmJoker]

to EHT,
I am wondering - if the forum member posts his grievance on the board, has so many replies and never posts again. Lost interest? Or just a troll?
I am wondering  - if there are so many problem with one single gun, may be unhappy owner wants to get rid of such bad bad bad gun? In this case - he may contact me  
I am wondering - if someone saw other posts of EHT here or on other forums?

[weemsf]

I am considering buying a 85 Combat.  Beside the ambi stuff, what is the biggest difference between it and the 75B?

[Walt-Sherrill]

The gun doesn't have a firing pin block, and the trigger is arguably better out of the box.  But triggers vary.

The gun also has the LPA Adjustable sight, a mag brake that lets the mags drop free, ambi controls, and an extended mag release (not extended much, though.)

Most of this can be had with the SA model for less.

It is my understanding -- perhaps not correct -- that the internals are given a different hardening treatment, too.  At one time I read that the internals were given more attention when fit/assembled -- but also don't know that to be correct, either.

Mine was my second CZ, and its absolutely accurate, reliable, and after a little trigger work, has a very good DA/SA trigger.

(I later added a Champion sear and had to replace the disconnector.  The gunsmith said the sear was very "hard" and difficult to fit.)