CZ75 mag release

[MetalMan52]

I've been looking at adding a new 9mm and had narrowed it down to either the M92 or CZ75B. I finally found a store with the CZ in stock.
However when checking out the gun, the magazine would not release from the pistol. I don't mean it would not fall free, it was stuck and had to be pulled from the frame. I don't know if it was a bad mag or a problem with the mag well in the frame. I really liked the pistol but the mag release issue was a big red flag and I walked away disappointed.
Can any CZ75B owners add some light? Is this just a bad pistol or mag or is there a problem of sorts with this issue in this model?
Thanks,
Pat

 

[buttrap]

Thats the mag retention spring in the thing. Its a easy cure to fix if you prefer drop free. You get out of the US most tend to prefer mags that dont fly out of the gun and get bent hitting the ground.

 

[juk]

Some CZs don't have "drop free" mags. BUT, If you needed force to release it, there is something wrong. That is the only case I have heard of like that from a CZ. Sounds like they have one that needs to be sent back. I would not let that talk you out of a fine firearm without trying out another one. Try to find another.

 

[MetalMan52]

release

Thanks for the replies.

I'll keep looking for another pistol to check out. They are hard to find in stock now a days. I just had never had a mag that didn't at least move a little bit when depressing the release button.
Thanks again.
Pat

 

[Cloudpeak]

The slide was probably closed? (Just a guess) Had the slide been locked back, it might have released but the flat spring in the aft part of the mag well would have kept the magazine from falling out.

On the CZ form in the gunsmithing part, there's information on bending this spring to allow the mag to drop free. You can also buy a straight spring. You don't want to remove the spring altogether as you may have hang up problems when inserting the mag.

(I'm basing this on my experience with the CZ75 Compact than I have.)

Cloudpeak

 

[Destructo6]

CZ using a mag brake, as mentioned previously. It allows the mag to drop partway, then arrests it less than half way out, iirc.

You simply bend it flat and the mag will fall free. Takes 5 minutes, maybe.

 

[burningsquirrels]

it's a non-drop model. the mag brake can easily be flattened. if you look in the magazine well, you can see a flat piece of metal bowing out that friction locks the magazine in place. if it's a brand new gun with a brand new magazine, it could be initially stiff. there's plenty of info at the czforums how to remove the bend and make mags drop free.

you're right, CZs are hard to come by. if you like that gun, buy it. you'll have a hard time finding another. just takes a few minutes to make mags drop free anyways.

 

[MetalMan52]

cz75

Thanks for the additional information. I'll stop back after work and take another look at the pistol, more informed.
I'll let you know.
Thanks,
Pat

 

[burningsquirrels]

see this? look at part #24 on the bottom right. when you look into the magazine well, you'll see that it's bowed outwards into the space where the magazine sits. this is what keeps the mag from falling free. remove the grips by unscrewing one screw on each side, and then bend the magazine brake flat. no biggie, really.

 

[SwampWolf]

Some CZs don't have "drop free" mags. BUT, If you needed force to release it, there is something wrong. That is the only case I have heard of like that from a CZ.

I don't know what you're talking about here. As burningsquirrels, Destructo6, Cloudpeak and buttrap advised, the magazine brake is common to CZs and can be easily remedied if so desired. There is no cause to send it back to the factory.

juk, it's very possible that I'm missing what you're getting at. Is there some other malady you are referencing here?

 

[Cloudpeak]

Q

uote:
Some CZs don't have "drop free" mags. BUT, If you needed force to release it, there is something wrong. That is the only case I have heard of like that from a CZ.
I don't know what you're talking about here. As burningsquirrels, Destructo6, Cloudpeak and buttrap advised, the magazine brake is common to CZs and can be easily remedied if so desired. There is no cause to send it back to the factory.

juk, it's very possible that I'm missing what you're getting at. Is there some other malady you are referencing here?

There could be a mag release problem. Without the "spring mod", the magazine should still drop a little bit when the mag release button is pressed. Without the mod, the mag will stay in the grip and not come all of the way out. It sounds like there may be a problem with the mag catch.

With the slide off, it's easier to see the mag catch in action and check that it goes to the right enough that no part of the release is sticking out. Perhaps there's a burr on the catch or it could be a mag problem.

The pistol should come with two mags. Do both mags hang up? If so, it does sound like a mag problem. The OP didn't say, but I'm assuming this is a new pistol?

Cloudpeak

 

[burningsquirrels]

^^^ or the mag brake is just so bulged it's wedging the mag in there a good bit... but you make a good point. haven't heard of that problem yet but it's another one to look at.

since it's a new purchase you could probably ask if an on-site gunsmith can deburr the mag release catch for you before you buy it if that is the problem.

 

[Cloudpeak]

^^^ or the mag brake is just so bulged it's wedging the mag in there a good bit... but you make a good point. haven't heard of that problem yet but it's another one to look at.

since it's a new purchase you could probably ask if an on-site gunsmith can deburr the mag release catch for you before you buy it if that is the problem.

Good point. It's hard to believe that they'd ship a new pistol with a messed up "mag retention spring" but, as we know from reading different forums, guns aren't always 100% from the factory.

Cloudpeak

 

[TheVirginian]

I think the gun is probably OK. The CZ-75 is pretty sweet. The mag should hang up like that when empty. When it's loaded, it'll drop a bit. There is a small bit of the mag butt plate or a finger extension, depending upon the magazine style, which you can grab and pull out the mag. Practice makes perfect. With 16 rounds in each mag, changing them out should not be a concern for any situation you are likely to be faced with...

 

[ParaElite]

I just bought the CZ 75 SA (single action) where my mags fall free. I also invested some money and bought a quite a few 17 round and yes 19 round Mec Gar magazines for both my CZ 75 SA and CZ 75 B Stainless models. The newer Mec Gar magazines are even better quality than the 16 round factory magazines which Mec Gar makes anyway.

 

[SwampWolf]

The newer Mec Gar magazines are even better quality than the 16 round factory magazines which Mec Gar makes anyway.

How so?

 

[burningsquirrels]

he's refering to the new AFC mec-gar mags. they hold +1 due to redesigned mag neck and have a better coating on them "anti-friction coating" - though they still feel the same.

 

[SwampWolf]

I may have to try some. Where can you buy them and do they cost much more than the CZ factory mags? I used to be able to buy new factory mags from CDNN for under twenty dollars. That was a while back, though-I don't know what they're getting for them now.

 

[burningsquirrels]

cdnn was the cheapest place for the AFC.. everywhere else was $$$.