CZ-75 -- Range or Combat?

[SpartanRN]

Just a fun discussion.

I know a lot of you use the CZ 75 for matches. But is the CZ 75 considered more of a range or combat pistol? And if it's the latter, how would you say it compares to Glock guns (widely known to be more for combat) when it comes to features that makes a combat gun a combat gun?

[ocny17]

As it was adopted by the Czech military, I suppose it was deemed combat worthy.  These days, maybe the P-07/P-09 would be a better option as it's lighter, has ambi decocker/manual safety options, accessory rail, etc.

[derweibhai]

I carry a 75B .40 every day as a Deputy Sheriff. I have taken many classes and competed with both the .40 and 9mm 75B and Compact. Never had anyone with a Glock (or anything else for that matter) outshoot me yet. Dont know if that answers your question. I have run 1000 rounds + though the 75's without cleaning in a 3 day class and never had any issues.

[Psyop96]

I guess one could also argue whether the all-steel, single-action, single stack M1911xx is more a range or combat pistol? The Phantom is the current standard sidearm of the Czech Army.

[1SOW]

The CZ "75" covers a lot of bases.  As said it has been and is used as a combat weapon in some of the iterations.  The Off-shoot competition models like the the CZ 75 SP01 Shadow, 75 Shadow and other similar models are geared more for range/competition use and tuned for lighter target ammunition.
JMO

[wingman303]

I hear rumor that a lot of euro spec ops guys like them? Nothing to back that up tho.

[SpartanRN]

The reason that I ask is because I'm fairly new to the world of handguns. I see the words "range gun" and "fighting gun" thrown around. For example, people refer to stock Glocks more as "fighting guns" rather than "range guns."  I'm guessing that combat guns aren't as accurate as range guns, but are reliable and easy to maintain. Not sure.  And I notice that many here use their CZ 75s for matches, which makes me wonder if it's considered to be better for target shooting rather than defensive purposes. I do realize though that CZ 75s are used by military and police. Does that the CZ 75 is THE quintessential handgun?

[BGlas]

My P-01 and RAMI are in my carry rotation and I trust my life to them on a daily basis.
My range time is to keep my skills up with these two.

If you want a "range" gun, go with a longer barrel as it's "easier" to be accurate.
Self Defense go with what you can carry comfortably and shoot accurately.
Even the little RAMI with a 3" barrel is very accurate.

[MP2 Guy]

The reason that I ask is because I'm fairly new to the world of handguns. I see the words "range gun" and "fighting gun" thrown around. For example, people refer to stock Glocks more as "fighting guns" rather than "range guns."  I'm guessing that combat guns aren't as accurate as range guns, but are reliable and easy to maintain. Not sure.  And I notice that many here use their CZ 75s for matches, which makes me wonder if it's considered to be better for target shooting rather than defensive purposes. I do realize though that CZ 75s are used by military and police. Does that the CZ 75 is THE quintessential handgun?

I'd be curious in what context the terms were used and the background of the people using the terms.  You can customize most handguns, to include adding adding scopes, to make them almost strictly "range" guns simply because they would be hard to carry and some of the "accessories" would be fragile.  And I guess Glocks could be seen a tiny better easier to disassemble the CZs but CZs are pretty darn easy to field strip also. Nevertheless, I would definitely consider a stock CZ75 a "fighting" or "combat" gun as they clearly fit the requirements one would look for in a "fighting gun" (rugged, easy to maintain, and reliable). Also using the nearly universal 9mm Para cartridge does not hurt either.

[Jj Ellerd]

I think they refer to glocks as fighting guns because they lack the accuracy to be target guns. Most target guns are fitted with fully adjustable sights. Standard Glocks and CZ's have sights that are more of the fixed variety. I think most that try a CZ find them capable of double duty. My 75b omega is the best carry gun and the most accurate I own. And I have glocks, smiths, Colts, browning, and taraus, hand guns.

[clarkgriswald23]

I have shot several different makes of guns, and i'd say out of the box a CZ75 takes the cake on accuracy from any other brand I've shot. Just me though. I'm just a plinker and defensive carry guy. Not a pro.

[frgood]

I carry a 75B .40 every day as a Deputy Sheriff. I have taken many classes and competed with both the .40 and 9mm 75B and Compact. Never had anyone with a Glock (or anything else for that matter) outshoot me yet. Dont know if that answers your question. I have run 1000 rounds + though the 75's without cleaning in a 3 day class and never had any issues.

Where is the #@$@#$ 'like' button?

[Birds Away]

People call Glocks combat handguns, I think, because they don't know what else to call them.  I don't know of any actual warfare that Glocks have had a major role in.  I'm not putting them down but at this point they have the potential to be a combat gun, they haven't proven anything yet.  Just my opinion.

[Smitty79]

I believe that all CZs are more accurate than their comparably priced competitors.    I believe they are also at least as reliable.   I took a 2 day, 1000+ round class.   The first day, many of the Glocks struggled.   The second day, I couldn't get my Shadow to run with stock magazines. 

From a "combat" stand point, there are 2 potential problems with a CZ75.  First, it's heavy.    If I was going to spend two weeks in the mountains of Afghanistan living out of what I could carry on my back, I'd rather carry a lighter gun.    Maybe even cops who spend the day on their feet might like the weight savings.    Also, the CZ75 doesn't have a rail for a weapon mounted light.   Both of these potential defects are solved with the P-09.

Competition guns need different features.   For "action shooting", easy of recoil control, after market support for customization, accuracy and reliability are key.   There's a reason that over half of the top 16 at last year's USPSA Production Nationals shot CZ's or CZ clones.

Different CZs for different applications.   I compete with my Shadow.   I have G19 for carry and night stand.    The Glock will be replaced by a P-07 as soon as I get the right night sights for the P-07.

[Independent George]

The biggest disadvantages to the 75B as a 'fighting gun' have very little to do with their function: they are heavy, and they lack an accessory rail. The weight is actually a boon to competition use (reduced recoil and faster followup shots), which is probably which is probably why you're thinking of them primarily as range guns.

Both of those items are also addressed by the P series pistols, which are indeed used as military and police pistols around the world.