CZ P-09: Home Defense?

[Panzerschwein]

Hey guys. I've been on the lookout for a good long while now for a dedicated home defense nightstand gun. I am looking for a full-size 9x19mm that is a double-action single-action (DA/SA) as opposed to a single action only gun or striker fired variant. Not only am I used to DA triggers since I used to shoot revolvers quite a bit, so don't mind the first DA pull, I like to keep the gun outside in the open on the nightstand and with a round in the chamber. Striker-fired guns don't make me feel too comfortable to leave with an exposed trigger with a chambered round ready to fire, and single action only guns would have a safety to worry about disengaging. Basically, for me, a DA/SA gun is just the best choice for this situation. YMMV.

I want a 9mm since ammunition for it is more affordable than any other common centerfire handgun ammunition (more practice on my tight budget), it is effective with modern JHP defensive ammunition, and has controllable recoil for better follow up shot time.

So, with that out of the way, I have been looking at many different options over many months and I'm starting to zero in on some that I like. One that is leading the pack is the CZ P-09:



http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-p-09-9mm-black-polymer-19-rd-mags/

It's a very interesting gun, various video and online "gun rag" reviews give favorable impressions. It has a capacity of 19+1 as well which is quite nice. It checks off a lot of boxes for me, even has some nice things like no finger grooves (those never seem to fit my hand right) and a rail for a flashlight (which I definitely plan to add). I also may or may not get night sights, which a few different companies offer for this gun.

I am asking for any and all opinions, good and bad, on this pistol. I think I'm finally ready to get a dedicated modern home defense pistol to replace my trusty Makarov PM. I just need to know if this CZ gun is a reliable and good choice for this job.

Thanks!

 

[SeanSw]

Have you handled one in person yet? The grip texture is very aggressive if that means anything to you. It was comfortable otherwise. I have no experience with these other than some gun store handling because I was considering the smaller P-07 at the time.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

If grip texture is the only negative, that can be fixed pretty quickly with precisely-applied sandpaper (to dull the sharpness of the many small points of the grip texture.)

 

[Kiln]

Can't go wrong with a CZ of basically any flavor. They are definitely a solid choice for home defense and have very few negatives. They're well respected for a reason.

You can expect a CZ to be amazingly reliable and more than adequate for your intended use.

 

[M1key]

Own the P07. Like it. Not too many rounds through it yet.

Nice trigger, accurate, shoots to point of aim, feeds everything so far, decocker, photo-luminescent sights

M

 

[Fiv3r]

I handled one at a gun store, and it would be a perfect HD pistol. It's a big ol brute, bit it balanced (obviously empty) well.

I have my hammer fired full size 9mm covered with my 92fs, but the CZ is a fine weapon.

 

[jungle]

The CZ P-09 is an amazing pistol, shot side by side with a Glock 17 and a Sig P320 full size the CZ was the clear winner for me. I own all of these pistols, but the CZ is a real standout. Not to say that the other two were slackers, they just don't put the whole package together like CZ.

It is reliable, accurate and has a form of tennifer finish and smooth machine work. I like CZ as a company, but they tend to fly under the radar as far as production and marketing.

A simple mainspring change can give you a very sweet double and single action pull. At the price point it is a real winner. The ergonomics are superb.

 

[Shipwreck]

I was interested in the P-07 when I looked at them. But after holding one a few times - they don't do it for me. I don't care for the grip

 

[Zerodefect]

My striker fired pistol stays in a Kydex Ravens holster when it's on the night stand.

Actually I prefer the safety of a holster for any of my home defense guns.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Maybe it's from me keeping a .38 on the beside for so long or my lil' Mak Mak, but I find it so natural and just right for that first double action pull... don't have to worry about taking off no safeties, don't have to worry about removing the gun from a kydex sheath, etc. etc.

Just natural. For real.

 

[dogmush]

A P-09 would be pretty good at that role. Like others I encourage you to hold and or shoot it first, as I also just didn't really like the grip.

I have an FNX-9 filling that role, and it seems to do so really well, at a slightly better price point, with slightly less ammo. Just another one to look at.

 

[Kiln]

Pretty sure the CZ will be similar.

 

[bannockburn]

Cooldill

If you have tried the P09 and like the way it handles and how it's set-up I can't think of any reason not to get it. I tried the P07 and like some others didn't really care for the ergonomics of the grip frame; greatly preferred the P01 and it's design features. My current HD gun is a SIG P229R with a SIG STL-900L laser/light module.

 

[JohnnyFlake]

I've had a CZ-P09 for about a year now and I love it to death! It's a dream machine for 9mm. The action is solid, smooth and strong. It's an amazingly accurate gun, especially with 124gr, at least for me. with 19 in the mag and one in the tube, you have plenty of ammo to deal with any situation. Every time we go to the range (Always on open BLM Land in the desert) everyone lines up for a turn to put a full mag thru it. Recoil is very manageable, so the women love it.

Have put several thousand round through it, with never even one hick-up!

 

[sabbfan]

I have one in .40 S&W and love it. Very accurate and reliable, fits my small hands well. Wife loves shooting it too.

 

[ritepath]

My FDE 09 has been my nightstand gun since I bought it 2 or 3 years back. It's a solid gun that doesn't fail. So easy to be accurate with it's just crazy.
Plus being DA/SA there's no need for a holster. I have a light on mine and it's my go to gun forever from what I can tell. At around 5000 rounds without fail it's hard to imagine a better HD firearm.

 

[Everready73]

Great gun with high capacity and a rail for lights etc. Excellent choice for a home defense gun. Czcustom and cajun gunworks offer some packages to get it tuned up perfectly without spending much money.

 

[I6turbo]

I'm a big fan of practically ALL CZ guns. I like the P-09 and P-07, but prefer the metal CZ 75/85/97 guns to any polymer gun of any make. If the P-09 feels good to you, I don't see how you could go wrong, though. And for HD which might involve low light conditions (or even if it wouldn't), I would absolutely positively without any doubt add a CT laser like the one on my P-01 here. Makes every other low-light-condition sighting option seem like something from the stone age, IMO.

 

[Propforce]

I've just recently going through this decision between the CZ P09 and other full size pistols. All the reviews I've read show the P09 is an excellent pistol and you really can't go wrong with this choice. But for some reason my gut was holding me back that I could not explain, until I saw the Sig SP2022 then something in me released the hesitation. So I got the 2022 instead.

I am a big fan of both CZ and the Sig, having the CZ 75BD, 97B, and the Rami. On the Sig side I have P230, P6, P220, P229 and P226. It wasn't until this decision that I realized I like the classic looks of both brands but not so much as the "blocky looks" on both new polymer guns. So the 2022 satisfies my likes of the "classic Sig look".

Both guns are excellent choice and you really can't go wrong with either. Both are high quality made, good triggers, hammer-fired DA/SA action. Both weights about the same. Meg-Gar made after market 17 round magazine for the 2022 while the P09 comes with two 19 round magazines. For me, it comes down to the looks while for you this may not be a criterion. Get it if you like it.