New CZ P-07 Range Report and review

[Belwolf]

I picked up a new 9mm CZ P-07 yesterday and took it an indoor range today. It is an "older" serial number (A579XXX- mfg around Feb of 2009) model so I was expecting some issues.

1st impressions-

The good

nice ergos and nice trigger, both DA and SA. I switched the de-cocker to the safety for SA ability (more on this later). Mags are quality, one accepts all 16 rounds without undue effort while the other requires a 2X4 and a gorilla to get the last round in. Heft is perfect for a polymer framed gun and the bore axis is low enough for a poly.

The Bad

sights are cheap, the "dot" on the front post was a ragged edged "oval" (someone needs practice or less coffee). The finish, IMO, can be better. I noticed a slight scratch and it seems it will scratch easily. I am not so concerned about looks, this will be a working gun so "carry wear" is not an issue with me- but I am concerned about resistance to corrosion. I live in FLA- needless to say I am not so sure about carrying this into the 'glades, personally I have a SS revolver for the woods, but you would figure CZ would have a seemingly better finish that can compare to GLOCK et al. Of course, time will tell if it will stand up to corrosion. The mags do not drop freely when empty (I expected this) but they do drop freely with at least 10 rounds in them. I figure this will get better with time and its is not much of an issue with me.

The Ugly 

The safety "works" but is next to useless given its "too low" snagproof profile, IMO. I am counting on an aftermarket safety to come along soon. Personally, I love the safety on the vz. 82, a similar one on the P-07 would rock. In addition, I can neither feel or hear a "click" when the safety is engaged. I am sure this is related to the fact that it is polymer (I installed and reinstalled the safety according to the online instructions, so I am reasonably sure it is installed correctly). BTW, I bought this to use in SA mode.

Overall, 1st impression is graded a solid "B".

The Range

On an indoor range I shot 100 rounds Winchester White Box 115 gr; 50 Brown Bear 115gr (the nasty lacquered kind ); 10 Remington Golden Saber +P 124 gr, and 10 Speer Gold Dot +P 124 gr.

All rounds fed, fired, and ejected flawlessly . Trigger is great (other than the extra travel to break in SA mode, but not a biggie) in both DA and SA modes.

Pic below



The groups shown were at 5 yds (small silhouette in upper right corner, low flyer was DA), 10 yds (head shots, side flyer was DA), and 15 yds (center mass, forgot which one was DA). Excellent close quarters accuracy, POA = POI.

Out of the box it rocked at these distances.

At 25 to 30 yds (farthest at range) the point if impact was lower than point of aim, probably due to me but the test target that came with the gun also showed similar results at 50 m (mean impact 1.5 to 2 inches below POA; my mean impact at 30 yds was about 2.5 to 3 inches low with center POA- so that's not that bad, IMO). The P-07 sights are used to "cover" the target as opposed to 6 'o' clock hold.

Overall, the range session upped the grade to an "A-". This can easily become a favorite polymer (I do not like the XD or M&P, forget about HK, and I "tolerated" the GLOCK). A few more improvements (sights, controls, and finish) would make the P-07 just right. 

[armoredman]

Glad it worked well for you. If you have issues with sights or finish, call 1-800-955-4486, press for gunsmith, and see what they say. I think the Dity's finish should stand up to the swamps, if it doesn't please let us know.
I have been told the new 40 Duty's eliminate all the issues that were with the 9mm, except the infamous bulge, which does nothing.
I didn't like the safety on mine, it didn't snap in, but I have been told that most do. I switched to decocker anyway, I don't like SA carry - that's just me.
Good shooting!

[Ross7]

Thanks for an intelligent and impartial review Belwolf. Hope you can get the issues resolved.