Is the CZ-85 Combat my best choice?

[obxned]

I have more than half a century of handgun shooting behind me.  I currently have only one CZ, an 82 that I dearly love, but I have experience with others models and various clones.  What I am looking for is a very accurate 9mm, as close in accuracy as possible to a Colt Gold Cup, and costing less than $650-700.  This pistol must have adjustable sights - I don't want it to be shooting a couple of inches off at 50 yards and have no easy way to get it exactly right on.  Obviously, a really, really good trigger is required to make this happen.

Of all pistols available today, including those costing a lot more than I prefer to spend, the CZ-85 Combat seems to be the one that most closely meets my requirements.

My thinking is that the CZ-85 Combat will work well right out of the box, and leave me with some cash for a .22 conversion unit later, some custom work if needed, or both.

Have I got it figured out right, or do you have some thoughts or suggestions for me?

[Stuart]

how much accuracy you looking at for 50 yards since you mentioned that distance

[Grendel]

I guess my thoughts are, it's called a 'Combat' for a reason, and it's not because it's a target pistol out of the box. I would probably widen your search to something like the Shadow or another of CZ Custom's offerings.  While all the CZ 75/85 series pistols are capable of shooting more accurately than most of the shooters who use them, I don't think anyone would call them comparable to a Gold Cup or any other match grade pistol without some tweaking and $$$.

[obxned]

I want 3" or less with good premium ammo at 50 yards - my Gold Cup would do less than 3" with most any decent ammo, and about 2" with the best.  Of course this is off a solid rest without wind and with good light and no time limit.

[obxned]

Please note - I am willing to send my pistol to the custom shop for whatever it needs, but not until I have put a few thousand rounds through it to see what it can really do.

[pistolbro206]

I believe it is possible to find a good CZ 85 Combat, 75B, SP-01 Shadow or any of the other 75 based CZs.  Conversely there are more that need a little help in the trigger tuning to get them there.

I've found that if you are lucky you can find a very accurate CZ with how they are manufactured.  Most can have an adjustable sight installed, if that is a necessity.

I was very fortunate to get 2 CZs in a trade, an SP-01 Shadow that was tuned out of the custom shop (czcustom.com) but was a little worn from competition, and a 75B polished nickel that was obviously cut well at the factory as it's one of the most accurate CZs I have without having a trigger job applied.  The only other CZ I've come across with a very good trigger straight out of the factory was an SP-01 Tactical (that was traded away).

Good luck in your search.

[obxned]

Okay, between these replies and what I?ve been able to learn in this forum and others, I made up my mind.  I am buying a CZ-85 Combat in dual tone.  I should have it by next weekend! 

I will probably fit it with Hogue grips and will definitely get the Kadet adapter for it before the weather gets warm.  This will be my new range toy, may be used to try out competitive shooting, and will be taken along on road trips as a companion to my carry pistol.     

[blackcampbell]

For a 9mm with that accuracy, you could go with the CZ-85 (my recommendation), the Tanfoglio Witness Elite or Match in 9mm, the Beretta 92SF (Italian made, not a Maryland gun!), or look for a good 1911 in 9mm (the Kimber my wife swears by.)

I have the -85 Combat in dual tone.  It's a wonderful weapon.  I swapped the plastic grips for thin cocobolos.  Best grip for a handgun I've found.