My first post and I'm the proud owner of a new CZ 40B!

[undetraker]

Hi all!

This is my first post, I've been lurking for a while and decided to join, then had trouble signing on for what ever reason. Well it seems that problem has passed and just in time for me to share. I just recently got a new CZ 40B from a little known company "Live to shoot". They are a great company, with the best customer service. My 40B was made in 05 and is everything I thought it would be. I have been kicking the idea around ever since I saw it on the cover of Guns and Ammo Hand guns magazine Sep 01 edition. Well I took the plunge and couldn't be happier . For a pistol of such lo cost I am surprised at how well it is made and preforms. It is one great looking weapon and it shoots just as good as it looks. I picked it up at my FFL this past Friday the 18th and took it to the range the next day. Before I shot it I broke it down and gave it a through cleaning, then on to the firing line. I put a silhouette target out about 30 feet and was pleasantly surprised at how accurate this weapon is! I was able to group anywhere on the target I chose during slow fire. On a more brisk pace I still kept everything in the "kill zone". I went through around 75 rounds, the first 50 were 180grn semi flat nose rounds, I think the mfg was star? Brass cased quality ammo. The last 25 were federal 180 grn hollow point. I did have 3 FTF during the session but I attribute that to a "break in period". Not a huge deal, to correct the problem on the line all that was needed was a slight tap on the rear of the slide and then it went into battery (and I mean a slight tap). I have red on this bord that you really cant judge it until you have gone through a 250 rounds or so break in period. Does this sound right? Well all in all I love it! It feels great in my hand, points very naturally, light recoil, great sights and is balls on accurate. as soon as I finished shooting I sat down and gave my 40B a through cleaning, I mean a Q tip job. It also breaks down with ease, I can't believe I only paid $289 for this fine weapon, what a steal! Then of Croce shipping, transfer ect. The 3 FTF's got me to thinking so I started reading some of the posts here with similar issues and found some people are installing Wolf 18 or 20lb recoil springs to help correct the FTF issues. I did also find that some are polishing the feed ramp to help. Well that evening I got out my trusty Dremmel, a felt pad, the rubbing compound and polishing compound. I worked on the ramp, upper part of the ramp and chamber opening. It was on the rough side from the factory, I was kind of surprised. Well it is as smooth as glass now and to give it a "dry run" I loaded up one mag with a full 10 rounds of 180grn JHP then cycled the slide until it locked back after the last round. They all fed and ejected like butter, now all I have to do is get back to the range for a live fire test. I have a feeling I won't have any more bobbles. If I do what would you do next? Maybe a new stronger Wolf recoil spring? If so what # would you recommend and how do I fit it?  Here's a few pics.




















Thanks from a proud new CZ owner

[Boogalou]

I wouldn't do anything unless you keep having some FTF and if you decide that you want a stronger recoil spring then OEM  I would suggest a CZ75B 18# spring and follow the directions on the following link in the FAQ section.

http://czechpistols82792.yuku.com?topic=14687

Congrats on you new CZ40B and  safe shooting.  

[Radom]

Congratulations. I have always wanted a 40B myself. AFAIK, it's still the only pistol designed from the ground up as a dedicated .40 S&W model.

Assuming you keep the pistol, you will eventually need a replacement recoil spring anyway. Still, these pistols are all steel and do have a "break in" period. I wouldn't worry about it, as I suspect it won't happen again until the spring starts to wear out.

[shootinbum]

The 40B has got to be one of the 'best buys' ever for a handgun. My 40B is one of the best shooters I have and that includes the Colts, Kimbers, and other CZs. After who knows how many rounds no FTF or FTE, none. Oh if you want some 12 round mags go to Top Gun Supply, http://www.topgunsupply.com/CZ-c-240.html, they have the Mec-Gar for 19.95 and flat rate shipping for 7.95 even if you buy a truck load. And you will have them within 3 days! Get the mags for the full size CZ 75 40S&W and they fit and function perfectly. I believe my gun, made in 06, has an alloy frame.

PS Dont let the secret out cuz I am thinkin about buying another one.

[Old Coastie]

All the 40B's have alloy frames. I bought two of them. Sent one off to Jim Miossi for his magic touch and have kept the other as a backup, unfired. They make fine carry pistols.

Good shooting.

[Radom]

All the 40B's have alloy frames.

  My mistake.  At any rate, they do have a break-in period.

[lewisorde]

I had to file a few mms off the top rear of the Mecgars to make them function properly in the 40b.  Before the adjustment, the bolt would be stopped from sliding home.  Excellent pistol.

[undetraker]

Thanks for all of the replies. I did order two replacement recoil springs from Wolf, a # 18 and #20. I'm going to go with the # 18, I just don't think the stock recoil spring has enough gusto for the weight of the slide. It could be a "break in period" But I'm thinking it will be a much better weapon with the heaver spring. I also ordered 3 of the Mec-Gar 12 round CZ 75 40 cal mags from gun runners, then called CZ USA and ordered 3 of the 40B baseplate's to get the correct "flush fit" with no gap. This is my first CZ and I'm already thinking of buying another. Maybe I'' pick up another 40B just to shelf. It is a great design I can't believe they discontinued them.

[jaypee2]

I purchased a new CZ 40B from CDNN in early December. It was made in '06. Although I went ahead and cleaned it, I found it to be spotless from the factory. I tested it on the range with about 65 rounds (it was coldernheck and that's as long as I could last) in the original factory 10 round mag, a new 12 round MecGar mag from my CZ 75, and the original 10 round Clinton-ban mags from my CZ 75. All functioned perfectly with the whitebox Winny hardball and some Winny Ranger LE 155gr JHP's. I posted a thorough report on all this over in the General Semiauto Forum of handgunsandammo.proboards36.com in a thread entitled "CZ 40B - REPLACEMENT FOR OUR LOST HP CLONES?"a couple of weeks ago.

But briefly, here are the initial firing results on a cold day with 65 year old eyes, motor skills, a cold day and a brand new pistol fresh out of the box. With the whitebox hardball the pistol delivered a two inch group at ten yards and two fifteen yard groups of 2 1/2inches each. At 25 yards it delivered a 4 1/2 inch group.......all the afrorementioned groups were ten and twelve shot bench rest groups, again with the winny hardball. With the Win Ranger LE 155 grain JHP it delivered a 3 1/2" five shot group at 25 yards.

Functioning was flawless and my conclusion is that all of the accolades about it being an unusally accurate .40 are all well deserved, IMHO. FYI.

JayPee2
PS - Undetraker - forgive me for not congratulating you on your beautiful photos of your 40B..One of my biggest problems when I was shopping for mine was finding some good photos and I think yours are among the best on the internet. Thanks for taking the time to post them.  JP

[undetraker]

Thanks jaypee2 for the kind words on the photos, that is a great compliment. BTW I have installed the Wolf 18lb recoil spring. I did have to trim off 4 coils to get the correct fit, but now the slide goes into battery with a nice snap, I can see and feel the difference over the stock 14lb spring. Now all I have to do is get some trigger time to test her out. Range report to follow.

[jaypee2]

I'm anxious to hear how it works out with the new spring.  Tell me, when you go to a heavier recoil spring in the Browning Hi Power and its clones, it is recommended that you also install a stronger firing pin spring, the thought being that the stronger slamming of the slide closed can allow the firing pin to keep right on going and fire the chambered round if you leave the stock firing pin spring in place.  Is there any such recommendation for the CZ40B when you go to a stronger recoil spring, or does the firing pin safety preclude this?

JayPee2

[dleong]

I'm anxious to hear how it works out with the new spring. Tell me, when you go to a heavier recoil spring in the Browning Hi Power and its clones, it is   recommended that you also install a stronger firing pin spring, the thought being that the stronger slamming of the slide closed can allow the firing pin to   keep right on going and fire the chambered round if you leave the stock firing pin spring in place. Is there any such recommendation for the CZ40B when you   go to a stronger recoil spring, or does the firing pin safety preclude this?  
 
  JayPee2

 

When the slide of the 40B returns to battery after ejecting a spent case, the firing pin block prevents the firing pin from moving forward and striking the primer of the newly-chambered round. There is no need to install a heavier FP return spring when you go with a heavier recoil spring.

[undetraker]

That's good info, didn't even think of that.

[jaypee2]

Yes, thank you dleong.  I figured that was the case but wanted to hear it from the experts before I go messing around and embarrass myself! Next question......... When we increase the recoil spring tension to assure correct functioning, we are also increasing the force with which the steel slide slams into the aluminum frame. Now if we're cutting four coils off of an 18 pound spring to obtain more force than provided by the factory 14 pound spring, is the amount of increased wear really significant, either in the short run or in the long run? It doesn't seem to me like we're increasing it enough to really harm the gun, even with a lot of firing. Yes/no/maybe?

[dleong]

jaypee2,

That's a good question.

When the slide returns to battery, the barrel underlug rides up the slide stop shaft causing the barrel to lock into the slide. Forward progress of the locked barrel/slide assembly is ultimately stopped when the rear of the underlug hits the slide stop shaft.

Since the slide stop shaft is taking the brunt of the pounding when the slide returns to battery, it is conceivable that a stronger recoil spring would accelerate wear on the slide stop and/or its mounting holes in the frame.

I do not recall coming across reports of abnormal wear or breakages on 40Ps caused by the use of stronger recoil springs. However, that does not mean that accelerated wear will not occur as the round count increases.

I am using cut-down 24 lb. Wolff recoil springs in my 40P and 40Bs, with no evidence of accelerated wear... yet!