I have been an occasional pistol shooter for about 12 years, but I always rented or used friend's handguns in the past. I kept a 12ga Mossberg for home defense. After 9/11 I asked my self why I was waiting to get my CCW and a good handgun. Money is always an issue, but I decided that rather than get a new cell-phone/PDA, I'd get a gun instead.
I have always liked the feel of CZ clones and the Browning HPs that I have shot before. Frankly, I hadn't considered buying a CZ because I thought the low price reflected E. European quality shortcomings. A local gunsmith talked me out of the EAA/Tanfoglio, suggesting a CZ instead. While I was in the market for a good concealable gun, I first wanted a full-size pistol for range shooting and home defense. I've never liked 9mm (just personal preference), and I prefer the .40 or .45.
I had to order the CZ-75B in .40 (no local dealers had them in stock), and in the weeks after 9/11 I had a long wait (CZ shipped late via USPS and the post office was slow). Price was $435. I almost bought a CZ-40, but I am glad I didn't. In the end, I picked the CZ-75 on the recommendation of other shooters, because it was very reasonably priced and because of the way it felt in my hand. The CZ-75B fits my hand perfectly, and I am quite pleased with its performance so far.
Over the years, I have shot many 9mm, .40 and .45 handguns, along with a few revolvers. Because I have never owned a handgun before, my experience has been limited so my impressions of each gun have been those of a newby - I have never "stuck with" a gun long enough to appreciate all its plusses and minuses. That said, I have never liked Glocks - too light and jumpy, nor H&K USPs - not so accurate for me. Berettas and Sigs are fine but expensive, as are most of the good 1911s. Also, I simply hate the long trigger pull associated with first shot - double action guns - even DAOs. Plus, I like the cocked and locked option combined with the DA option as is standard on many CZs. Since the CZ has everything I wanted, I went with it.
Mine is polymer finished, and I clean inside and out every time I shoot it. From the first day I shot it, I have been more accurate with it than I have with any other comparably-sized pistol (except, on occasion, at close ranges, my girlfriends $1100 compact Kimber Ultra Elite).
With my modest experience, I won't claim to be a great shot and so my numbers wouldn't impress anyone. I usually practice at 7-10 yards and, using both hands to support the gun, I can put two magazines (20 rounds total) into the 9-10 ring of a decent-sized silhouette target. Occasionally, I can do impressive groups. I am improving. The important thing is that I am better with the CZ than with other guns I have tried, even at this early date. Also, a friend who absolutely loves his H&K USP picked up my CZ and shot way better with it immediately.
I have put at least 500 rounds through the gun so far - a mix of whatever inexpensive FMJ ammo the local range has in stock, as well as about 200 rounds of Federal 155 gr. HS2s. I have experienced a few minor problems with the CZ, mostly related to the magazines, I think. I have two factory 10-rd mags which came with the gun. Getting ten rounds into them can be a bear. Also, when full, it is sometimes difficult to insert the magazine far enough into the grip for the catch to engage. I have had three failures to feed, where rounds have become stuck against the feed ramp (not easy to clear). I am tempted to blame the magazine. My GF had a stove-pipe, but she is of slight stature and occasionally has problems with semi-autos. Other that that - no complaints. The sights seem to be fine, though I am considering night sights. Recently I put Hogue rubber wrap-around-front grips on the CZ and it feels even better. Fitting them on properly took some effort, but they ended up perfect. I had tried Pachmayr TZ grips - but they didnt fit the CZ.
I can see that the polymer coating may be vulnerable to scrapes and scratches, as another writer has indicated. So far, mines fine. It obviously is great against corrosion, and I like matte black. I also worry that I cant adequately clean the tiny parts inside the slide, and theres more plastic inside the frame than Id like. Like many other CZ owners, I wonder about the things I hear about barrel wear, slide cracks, slide stops, etc. Who knows if these are problems unique to the CZ. Still, its a very economical, ergonomically excellent and as accurate a gun as I could ask. I am very partial to it.
Its too big (and heavy) for concealed carry, though. I do carry it once in a while with a long coat and cheap Uncle Mikes synthetic belt holster. But I notice the weight and bulge on my hip, and it wont be at all suitable come spring. IWB holsters wont improve things much, I think. So, I still need a nice compact for concealed carry. I like the small Kimbers - but theres the cost issue. I saw last year on the CZ-USA webpage that CZ was going to make a carry compact gun with melted corners. Looked good to me - though it seems to have vanished from the page since then.
I will probably go with a Taurus 617T (titanium) with the 2 ported barrel. Very light, compact, moderately-priced and powerful. If CZ produces a carry-sized automatic in .40, of course Ill jump at it, though Id go with hotter ammo than the Federal 155s - probably Cor-Bon 135s.
All-in-all, Im a happy CZ owner. If I had the money, Id buy the company and rush a carry gun and .357 Sig models into production.
[Cross-posting to New Members Room]
