P228 or CZ75B?

[Tecolote]

Trying to make up my mind between a NIB P228 and a NIB CZ75B. I like both and have had equal reliability with them. The CZ75B handles a little better for me. The main sticking point is the $250 price difference. I don't know about you but $250 is a lot of money for me.

Which would you get and why?

 

[phorvick]

You answered your own question ...

equally reliable
CZ handles better for you
and it is $250 cheaper

What is there to decide?

Oh, I get it...the CZ does not have enough snob appeal!

My similar issue was over a SIG 226 and a CZ 75 SA. I have exactly the same considerations. I tried to order a CZ last night, but my dealer did not have one in stock and it was not (the SA version) listed in his catalog. I'll try a different dealer!

 

[BryanP]

Not owning either one I'd have to say "it depends."

In the P228's favor is the fact that it's a Sig. That's all you have to say really.

On the other hand The CZ-75B is well known as being undervalued and a fine pistol. They're quite nice. If it fits you and you shoot it well ... $250 will buy an awful lot of 9mm, or even a CZ-75 Kadet .22lr conversion kit.

 

[BerettaNut92]

Duuuuuuude $250 a lot of money? Didn't you just buy an HK/Sig/whatever?

I have my 3 Anniversary DML Dragons I want to sell...you want them??

 

[ccw007]

If the CZ feels better then get it. You will not be disappointed. I bought mine last Feb and have put 5k rounds down range without failure. My CZ is a tack driver and when I am at the range no one can believe I am shooting a stock gun. I am sure you are going to get votes for each because both are fine guns.

 

[Calhoun]

Go with the CZ. First and foremost, the quality of the CZ is easily equal to the Sig. Second, I have heard rumors that the price of CZs is supposed to go up sometime during the beginning of this year (but probably still cheaper than the Sig). Get the deal while you can. If it fits you and you can shoot it well, you will not be disapointed with the CZ. Unless, of course, you get bored with it's reliability.

Either way, you are going to be getting a QUALITY weapon.

Calhoun

 

[Black Snowman]

I've tried lots of differant guns and it took me a long time to find the CZs. I'll take a CZ over any other semi-auto at any price. They just work better for me. They point naturally for me so I can shoot them faster and more accurately than anything else I've tried. They've been reliable and they're affordable. All my planned semi-auto handgun purchases in the future are for CZs.

SIG makes a great gun, but I can't line up their sights for didly and they won't do anything for my that my CZs can't do. With aftermarket sights the SIG is a real contender, but I still like the CZs better.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

The CZ has a LOOOONG DA trigger. If that's not an issue, it ought to be a no brainer... (I've had several SIGs over the years, and the only one I've kept is the GSR.) I've got a number CZs and CZ clones.

 

[Doug Add]

I have not owned a CZ75, but have shot a few. The gun on my hip right now is a SIG P228, which I got for a very nice price in a trade. If I was in your position: buying new, and the CZ fit me (taking into consideration the long trigger reach) I would definitely go with the CZ75. I have never understood the pricing of new SIGs.

However, there are some great deals on factory reconditioned and warrantied SIGs right now. They may have some holster wear marks, but the internals are top notch. That probably makes the $250 gap disappear, or at least narrow considerably. Look here for good prices on the SIGs (used prices are at the bottom of the list).

With that comparison, I would choose the SIG. Just as reliable as the CZ, but fits me better.

 

[45R]

I owned a CZ75B at one time and traded it for a Sig 226. Never looked back and suddenly another 3 Sigs showed up in my safe.

Get the CZ75B and spend the 250 dollars on ammo and training. If you are still jonesing for the Sig afterwords start saving.

 

[KAR120C]

I've been trying to decide between a P226 and a CZ75BD myself. I started out wanting the CZ, but made the mistake of picking up a Sig for comparison. The ergonomics on both are excellent, everything else I picked up at a gun show paled in comparison. They both fit my large hands and point naturally for me. Unfortunately (for my wallet) I've just about made up my mind to go with the Sig.

My reasons:
- Love the Sig sights, hate the CZ's. This is the only thing I don't like about the CZ. Lame little green dots, and I'm leary about buying the CZ and then trying to upgrade the sights. I'm no gunsmith, and it would be a hassle and eat into the cost difference anyway. Plus I like the Sig format (two verticle bars vs. the three dots). They seemed odd at first, but the more I think about them the faster and easier I think they will be.

- CTC makes laser grips for the Sig but (so far) not for the CZ. Not sure I'll get them, but I'd like to retain this option. Looked into upgrading the CZ with night sights to solve this problem and the one above, but decided I wouldn't be satisfied with them.

- Some of the few complaints I've heard about the CZ are that some people feel the need to upgrade the spring, and they don't always feed all ammo reliably. Both are probably small considerations for the gun savvy, but I want something that works perfectly right out of the box. And tweaking costs money and eats into the CZ savings.

- Around here the CZ doesn't come with two 15 rd magazines, but the Sig does. Another few bucks cut out of the CZ savings.

-Really like the Kadet .22 option for the CZ. Commend the company for doing that. Unfortunately I already have a target .22 that I'm not willing to part with, so this CZ advantage is not an advantage for me.

I still love the CZ though. So much so that if I do buy the Sig, I imagine I'll be looking over my shoulder longingly at the CZ as I walk out the door with the new Sig.

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

You only waltz though life once...get 'em both.

 

[Ash]

As to CZ 15 round magazines, they are around and are very common and easy to get. My CZ-75 came with two 15 rounders. The CZ works right out of the box, no tweaking. I have never experienced one that needed tweaking. Indeed, the CZ is so great because it is equally reliable out of the box while being much cheaper. The preference on sights is a personal one. I happen to prefer three dots, but to each his own. It boils down to preference. Most of your complaints don't will out regarding the CZ, save perhaps for the laser grips. Though, that is adding quite a sum to the total price (and, I might add, is covered by the definition of tweaking). However, the SIG will give good service and you are likely to get more respect at the range, at least among those who aren't as well versed on other handguns. In either case, you cannot go wrong with your choice, except that you will certainly spend much more money on the SIG.

Ash

 

[wildehond]

If had to get a 9mm handgun. I would pick the CZ75 every time. I had one and loved it. I changed to 45ACP and I had to sell because we are only allowed one handgun here in South Africa. It has the best grip on any handgun and it will keep going with ammonution that makes other guns choke.

They are very popular here for a reason.

wildehond

 

[Combat-wombat]

I personally am a fan of Sigs, and I think they make the best popular handguns. However, a gun that fits your hand well and you feel comfortable with is the most important thing. CZ's are great guns. Reliable, accurate, and solidly built. Plus, of course, they're a couple hundred bucks cheaper. I'd say go with the CZ.

 

[Seven High]

Before you make your decision, I suggest that you also try a CZ PCR and a PO1. They are smaller that the other CZ. You might like them better.