Improving/Modifying CZ-75 Magazine brake

[zeroxwolfx]

Anyone who's done this know's what a pain in the behind taking out a cz-75 magazine brake is, the heart of difficulty is in lining up that stupid little notch at the end of the brake into the hammer spring, while simultaneously putting pressure (usually a lot if you're using the factory spring) on the mainspring.  What I find odd, is that the stainless steel brake offered from the CZ parts website has no such notch, it is completely flat, except with the curled over part were the pin locks it into the frame.  So if the stainless steel brake doesn't need the notch, or to clip onto the hammer spring... why does the factory one? Is it possible to modify the factory one so that it doesn't require the notch?  Just something I've considered, anyone with more experience with this, feel free to lend your advice.  I'm using a standard CZ-75 Compact in 9mm for this by the way. 

[AZ_CZ]

I snap that part off.

[1SOW]

So if the stainless steel brake doesn't need the notch, or to clip onto the hammer spring... why does the factory one?

It actually doesn't.
Before I bought a flat stainless brake,  I modified the stock brake.

Removed it.  Placed it on an anvil (flat piece of steel)  and hammered the "crease" flat with a ballpeen.  This allows the mags to drop free.  Then I cut off all but enough at the bottom to ride inside the frame and not flap in the wind---left a "tiny" bit of the curl that would still allow flexing it inward and pulling it out easily over the top of the pin.  It worked smoothly for many thousand rds.

Hope this helps and makes sense.

[tdogg]

So if the stainless steel brake doesn't need the notch, or to clip onto the hammer spring... why does the factory one?

I think it's there so you can have it pre-tension the mag brake such that it will hold the mag and not allow it to drop free (by not hooking it under the main spring but somewhere higher in the coils).  I'd trim the small curved tab off the bottom of the brake and not worry about it, unless you don't want the mags to drop free.

I can't recommend the CZ Custom Stainless in the compact frame.  It doesn't cover the grip screw bosses in the frame and mag insertions can hang up on insertion.

Cheers,
Toby

[1SOW]

The "crease" in the top third of the stock brake is what prevents the mags from dropping free.

[zeroxwolfx]

I appreciate the input guys, I'm going to see if cutting the tab helps, I thought the stainless one would have worked, but I'll try this instead.  Might have to get it if I end up breaking it though!

[Urban_Redneck]

I made my own mag brake from .010" brass shim stock I bought at the hardware store- 10 minutes with a pair of scissors was all it took.