My heart says CZ but my brain says Sig

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KegCommando

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I've been searching for a replacement pistol for the last couple of months, and my research has narrowed it down between a CZ and a Sig, probably a Sig 229 vs a CZ 75 Compact ( maybe a P-01/06 based on availability). But I'm having a very difficult time of it.

I'm not sure how to explain it, but a large part of the difficulty is due to my brain telling me that the Sig is the smart decision.

Where I live, I know people with Sigs. I've shot Sigs. I can go to several stores, and there are tons of Sigs and spare parts and accessories. I can go to the four closest rental ranges, and rent any Sig model at least in their standard configuration.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said of CZ. I saw my first CZ about a month or two ago (a P-01), and I had to drive about 45 miles one way just to see it. At that time, the salesperson couldn't say much other than it was a good gun. It felt really really good to me. Since that time I've been doing a lot of searching these forums and other places online. I can't find anything negative.

I'm totally baffled. On this site, and others, seems like every other post has someone and their Grandma recommending a CZ. Heck a thread here back in May had people voting 2-1 for a P-01 vs a 229. But when I go look at online stores, I can be overwhelmed with 229 products, but barely any for CZ.

Here are the pros/cons from my limited perspective:

CZ
-----
Pros: Very ergonomic/feels great. Fit my small hands better than the Sig.
Seemed to sit nice and low in the hand. Seems like it would be a nice soft shooter, with nice follow-ups which posts seem to confirm.
Frame mounted safety
Reasonably priced
Personally, I think the non-railed looks very good. Pretty classic, which my old-schooled self likes. Ok, I hate to admit it, but I have to slide this up on the scale, I drool over some of the pics here.
I kinda like being the guy at the range that doesn't have what everyone else there has.
Did I mention I like how it looks and how it feels? Hey I got a wife, I'm looking for a girlfriend, lol.

Cons: Third-party support/accessories - This is kinda the clincher
Having to mail-order anything I need, no ability to pick up something in a pinch.
Between the time I buy it and picking it up after the wait period, I gotta drive 200 miles.
Example I saw was very very tight. Wife couldn't operate it. I had some difficulty, and even the salesman too. Taking a big leap of faith that it loosens up after some use.
Have to purchase something never tried out. Another leap of faith.

Sig
----
Pros: Support, support, support ( third-party wise)
Nice triggers
I've shot it and liked it.
Basically opposite of every Con I see for the CZ

Cons: They easily cost $200 more than the CZ
The location of the controls. They are different than anything I have, or anything else I plan to get.
Irks me they only come with one mag now. So now I gotta shell out another $40. So now I'm halfway to buying a second CZ.
Who can I show off my gun too? Everyone else already has a Sig.
They aren't unattractive, but I don't prefer the blockiness vs more rounded shapes.

I think this is one of those decisions that no matter what I end up choosing, I'm going to feel like I made a mistake.

Oh, and don't say get both. I want to standardize on whichever one as my 9mm platform, and get a second later as a spare.
 
BOTH! Sorry, hadda do it. :)

Which ever feels better to you, sir. I have shot both, and carry a P01. If you want the non railed with standard safety, that's the heavier steel framed Compact. The cast alloy framed PCR has no rail, Novak style sights, loaded chamber indicator, and decocker. The forged alloy frame P01 has standard sights and M3 rail, and is NATO accepted.
Don't forget to take a look at the new P07!
As for aftermarket, yep, always an uphill climb, but holsters are made by some great people, and mags are out there. The only aftermarket I put on my CZs is new grips, Crimson Trace on the P01, and used to have some very nice Hakans on the others.
But it comes down to what you want. If you feel SiG is what you want, go for it. :)
 
I'm a SIG man almost all of the time, have 3 pistols and the 556 rifle. I currently cc a SIG P232, but I've decided to go with a CZ 75 compact for my new carry weapon. The shopping areas near my new home are on the fringe of being scary, and I need a more accurate pistol with a manual safety, IMO. Either way you go you will not be disapointed, Both manufacturers deserve their reps. I would buy the CZ and spend the difference on mags and a holster, I think the CZ compacts would be the perfect cc pistols if they were single stack and had a thinner grip, just my 2 cents.
 
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I own both (P-01 and P229)... and amoredman is right... if you can, get BOTH. They both ARE truly great pistols... those two and my SIG P6 are MY favorites!!! QUALITY, ACCURACY, ERGOs, FLAWLESS shoots... what else?
All of what you have come up with is correct. CZs are scarce-to-nonexistant in most retail gun shops (always been a problem). I travel around the country and visit alot of gunshops/ranges and they ARE very tough to find!! But that shouldn't bother you. They can be had (at VG prices) at CZCustom, Buds, etc... and once you own one, you own it!
As far as accessories, I'm NOT a big accessory-guy... Gun and Holster and that's it!
I use BOTH of these guns for CCW/HP and they are flawless and shoot JHP ammo with ZERO problems.
My recommendation: Simple, GET BOTH... you won't regret it!! Then your only problem will be, 'Which do I take to the range today.' And again, your answer (like mine) will always be BOTH!!
ENJOY... but if you can only get ONE... pick one, you won't lose!

IMG_3157.gif
 
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When in doubt, go with your heart.

In this day and age of Internet and mail-order, what can't you get within a few days anyway? The local gun shops in my area are poorly stocked, expensive, and have a bad attitude; so I'm almost exclusively a mail-order guy. In fact, I just ordered a CZ 452FS .22LR from Whittakers which should arrive at my FFL today or tomorrow. Last night I ordered my scope from Optics Planet---no tax, in stock, deeply discounted, 5% off coupon ... what's not to like? I can get all the support I need by phone or at forums such as these.
 
Very ergonomic/feels great. Fit my small hands better than the Sig.
Seemed to sit nice and low in the hand.
Click to expand...
The answer is hidden in those staments, anyway good luck with your choice.
 
KegC... Obviously everyone's hand size/fit is different... but I have yet to find a pistol with better fit/feel ergo's than that CZ P-01... PERIOD!!!
Don't know what part of the country you're in but if you can try to hold-one/shoot-one you'll be convinced!

.
 
I looked at both a CZ and Sig awhile back. I really liked the Sig, but my hand didn't. My hand liked the CZ a whole lot better. So much that it wouldn't let go of it until we got back in the vehicle.........:D
 
".....Personally, I think the non-railed looks very good. Pretty classic, which my old-schooled self likes. Ok, I hate to admit it, but I have to slide this up on the scale, I drool over some of the pics here. I kinda like being the guy at the range that doesn't have what everyone else there has. Did I mention I like how it looks and how it feels? Hey I got a wife, I'm looking for a girlfriend, lol..."

This statement and the pic above should give you your answer. :D
 
Example I saw was very very tight. Wife couldn't operate it. I had some difficulty, and even the salesman too. Taking a big leap of faith that it loosens up after some use.
Click to expand...

CZ's main drawback for me is that the slide sits low in the frame. Leaves little area to grip, and combine that with a heavy recoil spring, a slippery, oily finish...

Other than that, CZs are great. Like you, I don't like the fact that accessories and parts for the CZ is hard to get from brick and mortar stores, but at least the stuff is available somewhere.
 
I have three CZ's and a Sig P228. My CZ's never break and shoot a lot better than the Sig. My CZ's have never needed support and if they do I can call Angus or CZ USA.
 
CZ's main drawback for me is that the slide sits low in the frame. Leaves little area to grip, and combine that with a heavy recoil spring, a slippery, oily finish...
Click to expand...
I don't know about the oily finish but I have two CZ's. The machining is top notch, and the slide serrations are the best I've ever used.
If your hands are smaller, and you can't decide, get the H&K P-30 (my favorite shooter)
 
I have a new CZ75b stainless and it's about the best pistol I own. Plus, you can send it up to CZ's gunsmith and get a trigger job done to turn it into a lovely 3.2 pound SA pull. I have not sent mine in because it such a great gun as it is.

I bought the CZ because of all the great 'talk' from owners. They were right. Sig is a great gun, but I think you'll regret not getting the CZ.
 
It's pretty hard for me to bash either ... I own lots of Sigs, and lots of CZ's. They're all excellent guns.

As others have said, the one area that the CZ's with rubber grips excel is how they just disappear in your hand. My P-06 and P-01 both do that beautifully.

But if I had to pick one it would be a Sig, probably a 229. Mine with the adjustable siglite sights are very accurate, I'm not a fan of the standard dot and bar contrast sights though. The Sigs are finished better, Nitron holds up better than the CZ Poly coat ... and while the CZ triggers are good, the Sig triggers are just better. There's less takeup and creep on the Sig trigger in SA, even compared to my Omega trigger CZ-75. My CZ Custom CZ-97 though has a fantastic trigger :)

Hell man, honestly just buy whichever and you'll be happy. Then if you have some extra cash later, but the other and compare for yourself.
 
u won't go wrong with either. I do think I would buy the CZ. Never was a sig fan, great guns but bigger than a tank..
 
consider this ; would you advise me to buy the one that fits best?
Click to expand...

Yes, but 'fit' is more than just how it feels while you're standing at the glass display case. Fit is how it aims after a holster draw, how it returns to target on recoil, how your trigger finger and strong hand feel after firing 100 rounds quickly, how it feels with one handed or weak handed shooting ...

The only way to really know how a gun fits you is to use it for awhile.
 
Lol, leave it to the CZ guys to sway the choice with pics. :)

Looks like general consensus is I gotta go with the fit. There is a Johnny Cochran-ism in there somewhere.

So sounds like I gotta either do some driving or mail ordering.

Thanks all for reading the lengthy post and taking the time to comment.
It's nice to have enablers. ;)
 
Follow your heart.

I was trying to choose between a CZ75B and a Sig 2022. The CZ fit me like a glove and is now sitting in a prominent place by my bed.

It's been an absolute pleasure to shoot.
 
I have a sig 229 and a CZ P01, I also have a sig 226 and a CZ 75...The tightness thing will go away with the CZ after you shoot it a little, it is very managable. The accuracy of any of the previously mentioned guns is equal, reliability is equal, looks and ergos are different and that can only be decided by the individual. I realize you don't have any real experience with CZs but the picking up spare parts thing is pretty much a non-issue, it isn't going to break any more than a Sig. If either gun make breaks it will be a freak thing. CZ service is excellent from CZ USA. I actually prefer the feeling of both of my CZ's to both of my Sigs. My P01 in 9mm is the ultimate in quick follow up shots when you feel like a 2 to the chest, 1 to the head episode. If it weren't for the name you would pay as much for a CZ as you would a Sig, they are of equal quality in my opinion and experience, the CZ just happens to be a bargain. The CZ isn't going to break, the Sig isn't going to break, again unless it is a freak thing. I actually have had better luck out of my CZ's than I have my sigs. My 229 has always been perfect, but my 226 has had issues in the past and all of these guns were purchased new. You won't find somehting that feels much better in your hand and works just as well as a CZ 75 or one of its relatives...the P01 is just the greatest thing since sliced bread as far as I'm concerned. Interestingly enough the holsters made by Galco that fit a 229 are the same ones that fit a CZ P01, I thought they looked like they would cross over and then I checked the part numbers on Galco's sight, sure enough they state the same holster fitment for both guns. Be like everyone else and get the Sig, you won't go wrong...Be a little more independant and get a CZ, you will thank yourself later. Also sigs have longer reach to the trigger and it isn't as smooth a pull as either of my CZs.
 
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