CZ 75B Compact Review (from a left-handed perspective)

[lunker 274]

I had been looking for a CZ pistol ever since shooting my friend's 75B at Shore Shot. I had a few qualifications though. I wanted a 9mm compact and I wanted an ambi safety or decocker since I'm a lefty. Little did I know how difficult that would be. CZ makes a full size completely ambi gun in 9mm. They do not have any ambi controls on their compact 9mm pistols though. I liked the 75B Compact best because it's a steel frame gun. The 75B Compact slide cannot be modified for ambi controls according to the head gunsmith over at CZ. CZ makes lighter alloy framed compacts (P01, PCR), which can be modified for ambi controls. Unfortunately the parts to do it cost $90, and that doesn't include the cost of having them installed and fitted.

After all this hemming and hawing I decided to get the CZ 75B Compact in 40S&W. All the CZ guns in 40S&W come with ambi controls (and rails too, unfortunately. I hate rails on compact guns). I don't have any other guns in that caliber and (naturally) don't reload in it, but from what I've seen, 40S&W is easier to find and often cheaper than 9mm ammo in this crazy environment.

I must say that this gun is a pleasure to shoot. The bullets all go where I point the gun at 10 yards. I'm sure I will get better as I practice more with it. I will say that the extreme curvature of the trigger takes some getting used to, and right now leaves some sore spots on my trigger finger after I finish shooting. If I end up deciding I can't get used to it, I can always send it to CZ Customs and they'll put on the nicer (and less curved) CZ 85 Combat trigger for $88. This CZ pistol shows signs of being an extremely well made gun. The semi-gloss black polycoat finish is excellent, as is the slide to frame fitment. No rattles, loose fits between parts, etc. CZ 75B's (and many of their other offerings) are unusual in that the slide actually rides on rails on the inside of the frame (just the opposite of 1911's, Glocks, and about every other semi-auto you can think of). In order for me to assemble the gun and put the slide in the frame, I have to begin feeding it all the way at the end of the frame. Most guns have rails that only extend halfway to the front of the frame. I believe this long rail contact area makes for the CZ's very smooth cycling action. I think I'll be upgrading the sights though. They are the cheesy pseudo-night sights that are really just glow-in-the-dark paint dots. They are only bright for a short while after you hold them up to a light and won't do you any good in a dark spot at night. I haven't always enjoyed shooting guns in 40. I sold a Glock 23 because there was too much muzzle flip for me. I think the all steel 75B is perfect for this round (the full size 75B would be even better, since it's heavier and has more weight towards the muzzle to reduce flip). This Compact has plenty of heft for a small gun, and that weight tames the recoil nicely. Not that any of us Jerseyans have to worry about this, but... The gun comes with a 10 round mag that extends 3/4" beyond the base of the grip. This long grip would make for much more difficult CCW. I found out that ProMag makes a flush fitting 10 round mag for the 75B Compact, and I will see how it functions in the gun. Generally, ProMag magazines are not well regarded though. The Promag magazine for my Beretta Cougar 8045 turned a completely reliable gun into a jam-o-matic.

My only concern about this gun is that the barrel only has a single locking lug. My 1911's have three lugs on the barrel. I am surprised a high pressure round with moderate recoil, like the 40S&W, wouldn't warrant more lugs. Perhaps the engineers have tested this thoroughly, but I think it bears more investigation.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this gun to a friend. It's not perfect (not to me at least) but there aren't many stock guns that are, and especially at a reasonable price (this cost me $574 at Impactguns.com). If nothing else, the CZ 75B is a classic design and is one of the world's most popular, enduring, and widely used and copied (see EAA Witness, Bren Ten, Jericho, etc) semi automatic handguns, right up there with the Browning Hi Power and 1911.

Anyway, on to the gun porn...

[njpilot 671]

Congrats Chris. Yeah, the CZ trigger sting. Kinda like my P0-1?

[lunker 274]

Congrats Chris. Yeah, the CZ trigger sting. Kinda like my P0-1?

 

Yup.

[tony357 386]

cogratz on the new purchase..

 

Their are many befits to the cz.

 

the railing you speak of is great beacause you can grip high on the gun and the rail cannot bite you, you can point your thumbs, keep them up straight and point them to your target will put you right on excellent while moving and shooting at targets..

 

The barrel is octagon another plus.. these are both accuracy improvers..

 

I have the baby eagle clone of the cz in 41AE and it is incredible, i have one pro mag for it and it functions ok.

also have two mossberg baby eagle mags that work good also besides the original mag.

[axeman_g 128]

Lunker

 

I am a left also and a CZ fan and have owned an 85C and 85B, a PCR and a PO1. The problem is that I only have the 85C still. On thing I have found that irks me about CZ guns is the curved triggers... I love my 85 Combat for it's lack of recoil, intrinsic accuracy, 100% relaibility, great workmanship in a affordable gun and it's uniqueness.

 

If I did not have the 85 I would go with the 75SA, the triggers on the 75SA are superior to all other 9mm triggers, except maybe a 1911.

 

Why a compact though... I found that it was just as easy to CCW my 85C as it was my PCR. The slight size difference was negligible, weight was not a factor and with a good holster the 85 concealed well. I like compacts, but when accuracy counts go with the fullsize.

[lunker 274]

Lunker

 

Why a compact though...

 

Actually, it was because I was originally looking for a 9mm and I already have a full size gun in that caliber (Glock 34). When I made the switch to 40 I guess all bets should have been off, but I already had my sights set on a compact.

So, no good reason at all. 8-)

[axeman_g 128]

"So, no good reason at all." Iterprited to mean "....Because I wanted to!"

 

 

Isn't that one of the top 5 reasons to own guns! Enjoy it.

[jermz1987 243]

Congrats on the purchase, I shot the 40 cal CZ75 and it litterly kicked like a 9mm. It was amazing. The CZ is an amazing gun

[JonF 79]

I too disliked the deep curved DA/SA trigger shape with my long fingers so i ordered the SA only trigger in installed it myself. Probably a low to moderate level of difficulty only because of all the small parts and springs that must be aligned perfectly and require some cheater pins to align everything. The gun is much more comfortable to shoot now. The pic below is my full size 75 SP01 and the trigger is resting at the SA break point. Its important to note that this trigger eliminates the DA mode completely so its always at the SA break point upon reset. There is no more take up at all in the trigger like there is with the DA unit installed. Just like a 1911 or any other SA only action in feel.