Best CZ pistol?

[sammyspizza]

I am going to purchase my first pistol sometime around Christmas, and have decided on CZ.
I have shot the 75b, and have felt pretty much all of the other models at gun shows and gun stores.
I really like the light weight of the phantom, and love the look of it. I am strongly considering this as one of my options. My other options are either the cz-75b or the cz75 sp01.
What do you guys think about the phantom? I know it lacks appeal to the traditionalist metal-frame crowd, but it is really cool, and extremely light-weight at 28.2 oz. Comes w/19 rd mags.
I'm going to be using this gun mostly for range use and the occasional IDPA shoot. Probably won't carry with it at all, but its a possibility a couple years down the road.
What's your favorite CZ pistol and why?

 

[CZF]

IF you like polymer frames and can live with the Phantom's trigger.

I've owned most every CZ model out there and would love to get
a Phantom and use my Kadet Kit on it too!

Jump in for some Phantom eye candy:

http://www.angelfire.com/amiga/hakan/PHANTOM.html

OR my albums:
http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb26/czrami/CZ SP-01 PHANTOM/

PS>Combat Handguns is my favorite magazine.
I love this issue!!



Otherwise, look at the P-07 Duty, PCR and P-01 as a CZ option.

Plenty pics, info and reviews on my CZ-ZONE.

Thanks, for thinking CZ!

 

[sammyspizza]

IF you like polymer frames and can live with the Phantom's trigger.

I've heard the trigger gets much better after a couple hundred rounds.

I do love the 75b, but for some reason just want to get something different. IDK, maybe it's just a phase.

 

[Jed Carter]

My personal favorite CZ pistol is the 75D PCR, it is my carry pistol, almost the perfect size. The PCR would be perfect if it was a single stack magazine, giving it a thinner grip and being more concealable. The grip fits me just fine but it prints through some clothing. The RAMI is off my list, just too small for me, which brings to mind what CZ would I recommend for someone 's first pistol. CZ 75B, SP-01 then the SP-01 Phantom, what ever you decide, stay with a fullsize for the first. The grip fits better on the 75B than the SP-01 and it points better because of it IME. If you cannot rent each get the one that feels best in your hand.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

i like the CZ75 (not the B). had one for years, many thousands of rounds and no jams. exceedingly accurate too.

(it's actually more accurate and reliable than my glock lol)

 

[wesessiah]

have you looked into the 85 combat? it's like an upgraded 75b... has the combat trigger, overtravel adjustment, adjustable rear sight, and so on... would be an excellent start for a competition shooter. i would change out the polymer grips for the factory rubber grips. of course, the sp-01 is the "winningest" gun in ipsc, so you can't really go wrong with it, but the sp-01 shadow is the competition version, with the same type of features of the 85 combat plus a fiber optic front sight, and a few more tweaks. it's a little heavier than the 85 combat, and is a little more expensive than the others in question. i'd rather have a little more weight than the phantom for less muzzle flip, and quicker target re-acquisition, and you're stuck with slide on grips if you end up not liking the factory grip. i think the sp-01 looks better than the 75b/85b, but my 75b is every bit as accurate, and joy to shoot... exception to the looks, the .40 cal 75b, and sao 9mm 75b have beefier slides and look great.

i agree with the above posters about the compacts from cz being excellent guns, and have a p-01, but the sp-01 and full size 75/85 series are better for match shooting.

 

[McCall911]

I don't know about which is best, but I surely love the way the CZ-75's shoot! One of the best shooting autoloading handguns I've seen! The only problem with me was the fact that I had to lower the hammer on a loaded chamber in order to carry it "Sig-style." That's the only thing that didn't appeal to me.

 

[RX-178]

Okay, just kidding. Mosty. Kinda.

I'd probably go with the older-style SP-01, with the steel frame.

 

[DoesItMatter]

I've got the CZ 85B and I love it.
I like the option of ambidextrous slide release and safety.

Yeah, the trigger took a few hundred rounds to smooth out, and I also
did a bunch of snap-capping while watching the TV.

And, CZ's actually eat up Wolf ammo with no problems.
Makes for some cheap plinking!

The CZ 75B / 85B will take 19 round mags with no problems.

 

[blikseme300]

The best CZ?

Depends on which one I have in my hand at the time.

I got my first CZ 75 in the early 80's. Since then my collection has grown to include almost all of the models ever made by CZ. Today my favorite carry is my RAMI in 40S&W. My winter carry is a CZ75BD Police.

In my opinion the jury is still out on the poly framed CZ's. Personally I don't see any advantage of these over the aluminum alloy framed models other than cost.

Bliksem

 

[cz85cmbt]

85 combat, I suggest that whatever cz you buy, get one with a safety rather than a decocker, I like cocked and locked carry, feels more safe to me than anything else, and if you can't let the hammer down yourself then you shouldn't be shootin'. I have an 85 combat and it is everything I could ask it to be, including after market leopard wood grips, but its not that far from a 75b or 85b. I would go 85 combat or 75 shadow.

 

[McCall911]

if you can't let the hammer down yourself then you shouldn't be shootin'.

In your opinion...

No, it's a safety matter to my mind. In order to lower the hammer on a loaded chamber, you must also depress the trigger while holding the hammer.

And depressing the trigger violates rule #2 of basic firearm safety:

ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.

 

[Radagast]

CZ75SP01. I've shot the 75, 85 & SP01 Shadow. I'd go with the Shadow any day for a range and practical pistol gun. I talked my BIL into buying one. The single action trigger is the best on any pistol I have tried, it's better than the trigger in my race 1911, it's light enough to double under recoil. The double action is fairly heavy but smooth. A competition hammer from www.ghostholster.com will handle that.
Caveats on the CZ line. I've seen loose rear sights on the 85 (old range gun) trigger return spring failure (new 75) and a cracked frame (Springfield P9 copy) when loaded to major power factor. Cracked slide stops are also a known problem.

For those who don't get RX-178s reference, It's from Gunsmith Cats, probably the best Japanese cartoon ever.

 

[Pappy109]

I am going to purchase my first pistol sometime around Christmas, and have decided on CZ.
I have shot the 75b, and have felt pretty much all of the other models at gun shows and gun stores.
I really like the light weight of the phantom, and love the look of it. I am strongly considering this as one of my options. My other options are either the cz-75b or the cz75 sp01.
What do you guys think about the phantom? I know it lacks appeal to the traditionalist metal-frame crowd, but it is really cool, and extremely light-weight at 28.2 oz. Comes w/19 rd mags.
I'm going to be using this gun mostly for range use and the occasional IDPA shoot. Probably won't carry with it at all, but its a possibility a couple years down the road.
What's your favorite CZ pistol and why?

Guns and Opinions are a kin.....one size just does not fit all.

 

[belus]

If you want to shoot IDPA you'll have a hard time coming in under the weight requirement with the SP-01. Its possible but requires the aluminium grips and maybe some milling of the frame in discreet areas. This is even more difficult with the SP-01 Shadow due to the lack of slide machining for the firing pin block.

If you want to CCW the pistol, I recommend the PCR.
If you want to shoot IDPA, chose the CZ 85 Combat.
If you want to shoot USPSA, the SP-01 Shadow is the best option, but the 85 Combat is also very good.

 

[skwab]

Hard to say what's the best. I have 3 of them and I like all 3 for different reasons. If I was forced to keep just one, it would be my P-01. My SP-01 is a great shooter - wonderful for the range / home defense / competition shooting but too large to carry. My P-07 has been fine after CZ replaced it (excellent customer service by the way, from CZUSA), but the P-01 is in my mind what a CZ is -risk-your-life-on-it dependability, versatile size, remarkable ergos, no plastic.

 

[sammyspizza]

Guns and Opinions are a kin.....one size just does not fit all.

I know, but I'm just trying to figure out some of the reasons why people like certain CZ's being as I have never fired a SP01 or a Phantom. I hadn't even considered a 85 combat until now, and that may be may best option, although a little more expensive.

 

[Pappy109]

I know, but I'm just trying to figure out some of the reasons why people like certain CZ's being as I have never fired a SP01 or a Phantom. I hadn't even considered a 85 combat until now, and that may be may best option, although a little more expensive.

The only true way to feel 100% certain about any gun purchase is to go to a range that rents the models you attracted to and try them out. You would not buy a pair of shoes with out trying them on would you?

There are people in this world and on this forum that have actually tried to change a tire on their car while it was going but they only get one chance at it....

All kidding aside, try it out to be sure. That reduces buyers remorse!

 

[BP Hunter]

I have the CZ 75B. When I took it out on the range the first time many months ago, I felt that it was the best 9mm I have ever shot. Initially I thought I missed the target completely on the 2nd shot but closer inspection that the second shot make the first whole bigger at 10 yards. It is quite heavy and large for a carry.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I've liked all of them, but I still have 85B Combat and SP01 Tactical (both in 9x19).

I like cocked and locked carry, feels more safe to me

I feel just the opposite. The manual safety could come undone leaving a light trigger, a lot more easily than the DA trigger can be pulled.

That said, the 85B is a home defense unit, so I am not concerned about this issue with it.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I'm fond of the CZ75 Bright Polished Stainless. Add a set of pretty grips, and it's complete.

[/IMG]

 

[Mauserguy]

Recently a buddy, frustrated with his bricklike Glock, tried my CZ-75B. He loved it as all who try it love it.
Mauserguy

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I don't own this one any more. It was too pretty to shoot, and too rare, and I just don't like safe queens. I like to SHOOT guns. It goes along with only living once.

[/IMG]

 

[hessy]

I keep one CZ. It is P-01. It is 100% dependable, accurate and good for IDPA, too.

 

[armoredman]

Sharpdressedman, wow, that's a gorgeous original 75. I haven't seen many short rail 75s in quite a long time.
hessy, only one? Well, you chose a great one!
I carry a P01 and PCR and own a P07 - just had a nice range trip with it too. I have handled the 85, Phantom and Tactical Sport, and have fired the 75 and 75 Compact steel frame as well. If I were to get a full size no CCW required pistol, I'dget the SP01 Tactical, 19 round mag, with decocker. If for working the jungles of South America, might be a Shadow with the indestructible grip, actually feels pretty good.
CZ seems to have gotten the poly thing right, after the disastrous CZ-100. Maybe I'll go for a Shadow next anyway, keep the poly thing going for a change.