CZ75 compact or Taurus Mil Pro

[ZeSpectre]

Will have my CCW permit soon so I've been saving for my primary CCW. Hooked on .40 S&W as my caliber but I've gotten stuck with the gun choice.

I've narrowed it down to two pistols and I just can't make up my mind.

-Taurus Millennium Pro PT-140 which I liked it right off the bat.
-CZ-74 compact in .40 S&W which also made an impression on me.

The Taurus is slightly smaller, half the weight, and cheaper. The CZ feels solid like a bank vault and sits in my hand perfectly but is definitely a bigger gun (hence harder to CCW).

I know, buy them both... well maybe eventually. Anybody got personal experience with both of these guns?

Thanks

 

[ZeSpectre]

btt

 

[ShelbyV8]

A CCW should be the one that is the easiest to carry. The lightest and thinnest is best.

 

[jonsidneyb]

With almost any kind of jacket, windbreaker, or untucked outer shirt almost any full sized service gun can be easily carried concealed. To me when there is not something to lie over it that it becomes difficult. I think both will be hard to hide under a T-Shirt but both will vanish under anything more.

I would go with which over one you like best. Then get another gun you can hide in a pocket or under a T-Shirt.

 

[chris in va]

Whatever you get, just make sure it's dead nuts reliable. If *anything* malfs in 200 rounds of continuous use at the range, either switch ammo or find another firearm.

 

[Caimlas]

That's actually a difficult choice from my perspective, as I carry a Taurus PT111 Pro (older model, with the long heavy DAO trigger and three-dot sights), and I'm looking around for a used CZ75B .40S&W for carry (or, at least, for fun).

I have personally had no failures whatsoever with my PT111. But, CZ75s are supposedly very reliable. Given you want the same caliber, and provided that the PT140 has the "new" lighter two-stage DAO (for lack of a better term - I don't know what to call it), it would almost be a toss-up for me. I think it'd come down to carry weight and balance, and the width and cut of the slide (with preference for a more contoured, thinner slide).

In a toss-up, I think I'd go with the PT140, as it's a very simple, well designed (IMO) gun, reliable, almost half the weight (18.7 ounces vs. 33.6 ounces !) unloaded. Without a trigger job, the CZ trigger will likely be similar to the 'new' Taurus DAO trigger, too, and the action on the Taurus is actually quite nice. Heck, the Taurus is actually .2" thinner as well - something I just noticed. Additionally, the shorter barrel of the PT140 will mean that, if you carry it IWB on your hip, it'll dig in less.

(If my PT111 is to be any example, and if my memory serves me well, the PT140 will also have a substantilly smaller overall dimension - except in length - than the CZ75 compact, which means it's likely to print less. THe photos on the site seems to suggest this as well.)

 

[Caimlas]

As for what I'd do: get the PT140 for carry, get a full-length CZ-75 B for fun.

And, I should note, I've shot my PT111 in all weather (negative F temperatures, high winds, 100+F) in all conditions (dirty, dry, clean) with no malfunctions whatsoever since I bought it new several years ago.

 

[jonsidneyb]

huh...A CZ-Z5b is each to carry as long as you have a top cover for it. I carry one about 3/4 of all days out of a year. I useed to carry bigger stuff than that.

 

[Jkwas]

Both Good guns. We have a Pt111 2nd generation and it's never had a malfunction. Lightest gun in the collection. For carry, go for the taurus. JMO. Even though heavy guns are fun to shoot, Lighter guns are more fun to carry.

 

[ZeSpectre]

The input is very helpful, thanks! I suppose I should keep the old backpacker's maxim in mind here. The less you carry the happier the hike!

 

[SSN Vet]

for a carry piece....

IMHO

.2" thinner is HUGE
15 oz. lighter is HUGE

If it's not comfortable to carry, you'll likely carry it less. What good will that do you?

 

[bruss01]

If you're going to carry this gun for defense, one assumes you'll practice - a LOT.

If you're practicing A LOT the cost of .40 S&W adds up fast.

The cost of .22 lr is much more affordable, ja?

Then get the CZ 75 and also purchase the FACTORY 22lr kadet conversion. Then practice with your daily carry piece USING AFFORDABLE .22LR keeping the same trigger pull, weight and balance MUCH CHEAPER. And switch back to .40 cal for carry. Unless your name is "MINI-ME" you won't find the CZ too much to haul around, heck I've had bilfolds weigh almost that much, assuming you have a good comfortable, quality holster.

 

[ZeSpectre]

If you're going to carry this gun for defense, one assumes you'll practice - a LOT. If you're practicing A LOT the cost of .40 S&W adds up fast.

The cost of .22 lr is much more affordable, ja?

Then get the CZ 75 and also purchase the FACTORY 22lr kadet conversion. Then practice with your daily carry piece USING AFFORDABLE .22LR keeping the same trigger pull, weight and balance MUCH CHEAPER. And switch back to .40 cal for carry. Unless your name is "MINI-ME" you won't find the CZ too much to haul around, heck I've had bilfolds weigh almost that much, assuming you have a good comfortable, quality holster.

While there is a certain logic in what you say, and yes the .40 S&W costs add up, but I'm a firm believer in training for the real scenario and that means practicing with .40 S&W if I plan to CCW .40 S&W.

In this particular instance I'll accept the ammo costs as the price of "doing business".

Thanks for the additional, and valuable, viewpoint.

 

[Gary G23]

I am a huge CZ fan but the 40cal compacts don't seem to be too reliable. See the e-mail below:


-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Eagleshield [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 10:16 AM
To: 'CZ-USA'
Subject: RE: FROM CZ-USA WWW - CZ 75 compact 40SW failure to feed


This has been a problem since this pistol was introduced two years ago.
The
factory is working on a solution
and an effective repair should be available in early 2007. Check back
in
Feb/07 for more details on avilable services.

this was posted on CZ shooters

If the importer doesn't know how to fix them it isn't a good thing.

I have never had good luck with Taurus's so I stay away from them.

 

[1814rob]

PT145

I have a Mil Pro PT145 and love it. Its a Jan 06 build with combat sights(white dot) and DAO trigger.Feels great to carry and for years I carried a Colt Govt. 380 which was a little lighter and thinner than the PT145 but the change was very easy. I really wanted to get back to the .45 which I grew up with. Recoil is felt less than with my 1911. This Taurus performs period, not a single problem in enough firing that I have forgotten how many rounds went down range. Going to be great in the summer since I soak my weapons in sweat and the stainless and poly will stand that better.
Rob

 

[bearmgc]

I'm sorry to hear that the CZ75 40cal has an admitted hx of problems. I've had the compact in 9mm and it has been dead nuts reliable. After 6yrs of practical and utility, I just got some custom birch grips for it, and now its purdy and practical. I had the 22kit and just didn't use it that much, but it fit great and shot like a winner. Now someone else is enjoying the heck out of it.

 

[jonsidneyb]

The .22 conversion kit.

I was actually stunned at how well that kit works.
Some other conversion kits on other guns that I have tried seems kind of wanting and found dedicated .22 pistols better.

I have wanted a High Standard .22 for along time for use in the field.

Now here is what I don't like about it. When I turn my 75 into a .22 I no longer have the centerfire. One day I might sell the kit and get a dedicated .22 CZ. This way I can carry a .22 and a centerfire at the same time when looking for bunnies. Some might say just use the centerfire on the bunnies but a .22 is sufficent for that.

The .22 conversion makes the CZ-75 as good a a middle wieght dedicated .22

 

[bruss01]

Quote:
If you're going to carry this gun for defense, one assumes you'll practice - a LOT. If you're practicing A LOT the cost of .40 S&W adds up fast.

The cost of .22 lr is much more affordable, ja?

Then get the CZ 75 and also purchase the FACTORY 22lr kadet conversion. Then practice with your daily carry piece USING AFFORDABLE .22LR keeping the same trigger pull, weight and balance MUCH CHEAPER. And switch back to .40 cal for carry. Unless your name is "MINI-ME" you won't find the CZ too much to haul around, heck I've had bilfolds weigh almost that much, assuming you have a good comfortable, quality holster.

While there is a certain logic in what you say, and yes the .40 S&W costs add up, but I'm a firm believer in training for the real scenario and that means practicing with .40 S&W if I plan to CCW .40 S&W.

In this particular instance I'll accept the ammo costs as the price of "doing business".

Thanks for the additional, and valuable, viewpoint.

Please note I did not say "do not practice with 40 S&W" nor did I say "practice ONLY with 22 lr". Yes, I agree that you need practice with the .40 SW, I was just adding that you can practice MORE for very little additional money by adding .22 lr to the mix. Many people find that this practice helps them cut down on flinching as well as saving them money. TIFWIW.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Please note I did not say "do not practice with 40 S&W" nor did I say "practice ONLY with 22 lr". Yes, I agree that you need practice with the .40 SW, I was just adding that you can practice MORE for very little additional money by adding .22 lr to the mix.

Ah, I understand. Already covered (Ruger 22/45 MK III)