cold war CZ

[copemech]

Are the cold war commem CZ 75's worth more because of the red star?

I seen a new one, but did not like the price tag of 600.00

[delphidoc]

Short answer:
I don't know.

Long answer:
If I was going to get one it would be because I like the rounded trigger guard and claw hammer. I don't have the intestinal fortitude to grind my trigger guards they way some members here have done. They sure look nice, though. The cost of a normal 75B plus paying someone to do the grinding and refinishing would probably equal the increased cost of the commemorative gun. If I bought one I would paint the star and hammer & sickle black because they look cheesy to me.

[Firemanjones]

The real question is, is it worth it to you? Like stated above, the only plus in my opinion, is the round trigger guard.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

The real question is, is it worth it to you? Like stated above, the only plus in my opinion, is the round trigger guard.

This is it in a nutshell. What's it worth to you? I paid $569 for a CZ 75B RETRO a few years back because I like the round trigger guard, the spur hammer and the short rail frame. Regular 75B's could be had in my area at that time for around $500 and less.

[rdcinhou]

I don't consider the "Cold War" (CCCP-labeled) CZ's as collectible or valued.

Being half-Czech I have strong feelings about the Soviets.

When I visited Czechoslovakia in 1979 (took 6 months to get the visa approved), there was a saying going around:

"It's not true that we Czechs hate the Russians--we love them like a brother!  But then you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your brothers!".

In Prague I was standing in a line to buy some excellent Czech crystal.  I was behind an elderly Czech gentleman who turned around and saw my college ring on my hand which had a large star on it surrounded by two flags.  He interpreted it to mean that I was a Russian and started cursing and spit on the ground and walked angrily out.

If you thinks that the marking is "cool" then buy it, but I don't like it.

[Walt Sherrill]

As best I can tell, neither the Czechs nor any of the Warsaw Pact militaries used the CZ-75 or 9x19 ammo.  Only a handful of Soviet troops (Special Ops types) might have used the gun operationally -- but those troops, like most Special Ops troops, could use just about anything they needed. 

The CZ-75's 9x19 ammo would have created a major logistical problem for the Warsaw Pact military -- which didn't use any other weapons in that caliber.  I don't think CZ-75s were even used in the Czechoslovakian or the Czech Republic police or military units until after the Soviet Bloc/Soviet Union/Warsaw Pact fell apart -- but then only after CZUB developed the 75B PCR. 

I've always considered the "Cold War CZ" a marketing gimmick and it certainly got CZ some attention.   

I'd buy a Retro model, which had the more-elegant look of the original 75, with the later enhancements (like the firing pin block) of the 75B, and which also used current (easily replaced) or upgraded parts and magazines.  Unhappily, you just don't see them offered "used" anywhere.  CZ ought to roll the Retro model out again -- I bet they'd sell out quickly.

Back when I was in the market for another CZ, the only other option that was even close was the 85 Combat, which I bought. My 85 Combat (satin nickel) was my second or third CZ, and it's the one that's I've held onto for almost 20 years.