So I'm considering converting my compact CZ into a single action gun for carry. I still have a couple questions about the conversion though.
This is the trigger that I was looking at:
https://cajungunworks.com/product/straight-single-action-aluminum-trigger/
Loosely organized questions and ramblings below:
I have a classic CZ 75 Compact in SAO with the FPB still installed and one of my SP-01 Compacts without the FPB. I've converted a few others along the way and M1A4Me ran into a unique problem I haven't encountered or heard of before. It happens... Tolerance stacking is just a reality that creeps up sometimes.
1. Is it possible to do the conversion with the firing pin block intact? What are the effects of doing so?
It is totally possible. You just have the longer reset that comes with the firing pin block. You can get short reset systems for that as well.
Here's videos on how to do the SAO conversion, either way.
http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=85985.0 2. I still want the pre-travel for a margin of safety, but I want to reduce the creep on the trigger. Is this possible with the CGW trigger?
The pre-travel... Just so we are on the same page.
> When the trigger is being pulled back and it is taking up slack and the hammer is NOT caming back, that is disengaging the firing pin block safety.
> When the trigger is being pulled and the hammer is caming back is rotating the sear to drop the hammer. We can call this the creep...
Snag a CZC Competition Hammer or CGW Race hammer and the nasty heavy creep from the hammer caming will be resovled.
The pre-travel that is before hammer caming can safely be reduced with a Short Reset System. The SAO trigger allows you to stop the trigger right at the correct moment, but it doesn't adjust anything internally to shorten the reset and remove some of the pre-travel.
3. Hammers. I'm sort of lost here. Would this be the better option than changing the trigger if all I want is a crisper break?
Short Answer, Yes! The CZC Competition and CGW Race Hammers are everything you could hope for in a clean, short, incredible trigger break.
Long Answer, The SAO trigger is flat and very very nice to shoot. I converted my classic CZ 75 Compact to SAO when I first got it. Left the firing pin block system in, got the short reset system, and put in a CZC Competition Hammer (along with all the springs and polishing). I carried that for several years in SAO, cocked and locked! I loved it! But, the flat trigger is preferential and you then have to carry cocked and locked.
4. Is it possible to set the trigger more forward? The stock single action trigger is a bit too far back, and I find myself shooting with the first knuckle instead of the pad of my finger.
I think I remember seeing some triggers like that, but not at CZ Custom or CGW. I'll go look around. Are you shooting with the palm swell grips? I'm pretty envious of your problem... So much so that it almost makes me mad knowing people out there have such beautifully large hands and how that could help shoot pistols. Anyway, I'll go see if I can find the longer reach trigger, if it exists.
Also some confusion between these two hammers. Is it just an aesthetics thing?:
https://cajungunworks.com/product/80006-ring-hammer-only/
https://cajungunworks.com/product/manual-safety-blue-steel-hammer/
The CGW Ring Hammer is a drop in hammer with no fitting required. You know, I haven't asked Scott and David how they did it... It might have slightly taller hammer hooks with a little more sear to hammer hook engagement than the Competition and Race Hammers, but I have no idea. The trigger pull weight is about the same as their Race Hammer.
The Race hammer will require fitting the sear arm to the safety bar. Not a bad process, just takes patience and some time. There are videos on that thread showing how to do it. CGW also sells an adjustable sear that just requires twisting the set screw and using loc-tite to hold it in place. BTW the CZC Competition Hammer will require fitting just like the Race Hammer.
Do you happen to carry your SAO guns? Would you say the trigger is too light for that purpose?
I carried my Classic 75 Compact for a long time. Trigger pull is just under 3 lbs. I trained with it so it was never an issue. My CZ's with the CZC Competition Hammer generally come in with a little lighter trigger pull on SA than the CGW Race Hammer was out of the box. It's the difference of 6-8 ounces in my experience though. My lightest trigger is around the same weight as M1A4ME's Tactical Sport. Not a carry pistol. If someone trains all day with a heavy trigger and carries a CZ with a nice 3.5 lb trigger, then there may be problems, but they are based in training, not the trigger itself.