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CZ 75 Review

CZ 75One of the most prolific pistol designs in history is the CZ 75.  Czeska Zbrojovka (CZ) developed the CZ 75 in the former Czechoslovakia. This pistol entered production in 1975 and remains one of the company’s most popular firearms.

In addition to the many different variations of the 75 made by CZ, it has also been cloned by many different gun makers around the world.  If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, the CZ 75 is truly one of the world’s most loved pistols.

The full size CZ 75 is chambered in both 9mm and .40 S&W in the US.  Internationally, the gun can also be had in 9×21 (aka 9mm IMI).  The 9×21 pistols are typically sold where 9mm Parabellum is not legal for civilian ownership.

Ergonomics and Recoil
As a shooter, you will enjoy the ergonomics of the CZ75, as they are very good.  Many shooters prefer the grip and feel of the CZ 75 to the larger grips on other pistols such as the Beretta 92.

You will find the recoil in 9mm is mild, while the .40 S&W is noticeably snappier. The higher pressures of the .40 S&W cartridge generate more recoil in all firearms. Most shooters have no problem controlling the recoil in the 75.  However, those who are a bit frail may have an issue.

Trigger and Accuracy
Shooters will be pleased with the accuracy of the CZ 75. It also uses a wide variety of ammunition. Specific loads may perform better than others, but nearly all 9mm ammo turns in good groupings. The trigger on the CZ 75 is a double-action/single-action trigger.

Reloading and Disassembly
You will find that reloading the 75 is smooth and fast. The gun uses a button style magazine release. The magazines are “drop free” mags, meaning the shooter will not have to strip them from the pistol under normal circumstances.

Reliability and Durability
Shooters will enjoy the CZ 75 for long term use, as it has a very good track record and reliability report. These guns are used all around the world and are considered by many to be one of the most reliable handguns in harsh conditions.

Final Verdict
The CZ 75 is a fine pistol with many variations from which you may choose. Few CZ owners ever complain about their pistols. The guns provide relatively easy shooting and tend to be affordable compared to other high-quality, metal-framed handguns.  Anyone looking to buy a full size gun in either 9mm or .40 S&W should consider these guns before making a final purchasing decision.

Ranked #7 of 10 in our Best Metal Handgun Comparison

CZ 550 Review

CZ_550The folks at CZ have been building tough, reliable, Mauser-style controlled round feed actions almost as long as Mauser has. CZ, for the most part, specializes in offering rifles with old-world aesthetics and a decided lack of modern bells and whistles. The American gun-buying public has always seemed more intrigued with modern touches than the Europeans have, and CZ does most of its business across the pond. The Americans who do get a hold of a CZ 550 are usually pretty happy with it, though. CZ rifles are essentially store bought models of the sporterized 98’s that many generations of Americans grew to love and for some there is no finer rig.

The 550 action has much in common with its Mauser ancestors and CZ has always been proud to point this out. The bolt has two opposed locking lugs mounted at the front of the bolt (the third rear lug from the 98 has been discarded as unnecessary) and a large non-rotating extractor. To those who favor 98-type actions, the CZ is a regular marvel. All the rough edges of the original have been buffed out to create a smooth action right out of the box without the chunkiness of their predecessors. The 550 is available in a couple of variants that feature modern bedding techniques with synthetic stocks but, by-and-large, CZ prefers to offer nice-looking wood stock models. Naturally, with wood as a base some CZ’s will not toe the mark like some modern shooters expect, but just about every 550 can still deliver close to minute of angle accuracy, which is more than sufficient for big game hunting.

Some people find the CZ 550 a bit boring due to the many design features it shares with the Mauser 98 and its lack of modern frills. The 550’s boring nature is part of what makes it such a great action, though. Every concept in the 550 has been in use, getting tested for a hundred years, which means when you buy one the legwork is done and you can sit back and enjoy a truly trustworthy rifle.

The 550 only lost two points in our comparison. One point was deducted for Accuracy because while most CZ’s shoot pretty darn good, the standard Mauser bedding system and wood stocks that CZ favors can occasionally give some trouble; it’s not likely, but should be borne in mind. Another point was deducted for Long Term Cost of Ownership because the 550 isn’t the most popular of American rifles and it can be a bit trying to find parts for them at your local gun shop. Thankfully, the 550 rarely breaks, so most owners will never know this.

The folks at CZ have been building tough, reliable, Mauser-style controlled round feed actions almost as long as Mauser has. CZ, for the most part, specializes in offering rifles with old-world aesthetics and a decided lack of modern bells and whistles. The American gun-buying public has always seemed more intrigued with modern touches than the Europeans have, and CZ does most of its business across the pond. The Americans who do get a hold of a CZ 550 are usually pretty happy with it, though. CZ rifles are essentially store bought models of the sporterized 98’s that many generations of Americans grew to love and for some there is no finer rig.

The 550 action has much in common with its Mauser ancestors and CZ has always been proud to point this out. The bolt has two opposed locking lugs mounted at the front of the bolt (the third rear lug from the 98 has been discarded as unnecessary) and a large non-rotating extractor. To those who favor 98-type actions, the CZ is a regular marvel. All the rough edges of the original have been buffed out to create a smooth action right out of the box without the chunkiness of their predecessors. The 550 is available in a couple of variants that feature modern bedding techniques with synthetic stocks but, by-and-large, CZ prefers to offer nice-looking wood stock models. Naturally, with wood as a base some CZ’s will not toe the mark like some modern shooters expect, but just about every 550 can still deliver close to minute of angle accuracy, which is more than sufficient for big game hunting.

Some people find the CZ 550 a bit boring due to the many design features it shares with the Mauser 98 and its lack of modern frills. The 550’s boring nature is part of what makes it such a great action, though. Every concept in the 550 has been in use, getting tested for a hundred years, which means when you buy one the legwork is done and you can sit back and enjoy a truly trustworthy rifle.

The 550 only lost two points in our comparison. One point was deducted for Accuracy because while most CZ’s shoot pretty darn good, the standard Mauser bedding system and wood stocks that CZ favors can occasionally give some trouble; it’s not likely, but should be borne in mind. Another point was deducted for Long Term Cost of Ownership because the 550 isn’t the most popular of American rifles and it can be a bit trying to find parts for them at your local gun shop. Thankfully, the 550 rarely breaks, so most owners will never know this.

Ranked #2 of 7 in our Best Bolt Action Rifle Comparison


CZ SP-01 Phantom Review

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The CZ-75 is a nearly forty-year-old design that was ahead of its time. Designed by the Czech siblings Josef and František Koucký in 1975 (hence the designation) for export to the west for hard foreign currency, the CZ-75 was something altogether different. It was an all-steel 9mm double-action pistol that used a staggered box magazine. When introduced, its closest competitors were the single-action Browning Hi-Power and the aluminum framed S&W M59. Thin, accurate and reliable, hundreds of thousands of CZs and unlicensed clones have found a following around the world.

To compete with the polymer market, CZ went back to the drawing board and came up with the Phantom. Based on the legacy ’75 and its younger brother the SP-01, the Phantom replaced the very heavy steel frame of the disco era and moved to a polymer one.

Ergonomics and Recoil

The CZ is a gentleman’s gun with an old world feel to it. The grip is very thin and almost elegant when compared to the clunkier polymer guns like the Beretta PX4. You almost expect that it is a single stack magazine inside the grip rather than an all-business 18-shot (in 9mm) double. While there is some muzzle flip, the gun fires beautifully. Double action pull is light and the trigger feels very thin, like a Browning HP and the pistols of yesteryear.

Calling the gun mildly recoiling and a joy to shoot is like saying Marilynn Monroe was cute.

However, like the guns of its original designs vintage, it comes standard as a right hand only weapon with very little functionality for lefties.

Trigger and Accuracy

Accuracy was good, but the pistol takes some getting used to before you can make and keep accurate patterns and pull off plate drills. The long double action, thin trigger and narrow slide give it a distinct feel that needs to be overcome through lead equity, but once done it yields good results. In single-action mode, the trigger isn’t as crisp out of the box as most would expect, but after a short break-in period, the trigger works like a charm. A tight slide fit due to inside-the-frame pinned steel rails (like the hyper accurate SIG P210) gives the gun a very efficient lock-up.

The Phantom is accurate enough that competition versions are in heavy use with IPSC competitors.

Reloading and Disassembly

Even though the Phantom is new to the gun market, the pistol will accept many of the legacy CZ75 parts and accessories including (best of all) magazines. The reload process, both for magazines and magazine exchanges is a no-brainer.

Disassembly, however, is a little different story. A hybrid DA/SA design that fires from a locked breech based on Browning’s linkless cam system means that it breaks down rather like a Colt 1911/Browning Hi-Power, which may be odd for someone who has never done it. Instead of a dedicated take down lever, you use a slide lock to hold the unloaded Phantom out of battery before removing the slide stop completely from the frame. It’s not overly complicated, but proper reassembly for first-time users can be a nail-biter.

Reliability and Durability

The CZ functioned well in tests and spit out brass with no issues. While extensive trials have not been conducted to the same level that has been done on other polymer pistols such as the Glock, the Phantom comes from a long line of reliable guns. After testing with the Czech government, they have been adopted by the Czech Army’s paratrooper and special operations units and are seeing hard service.

Final Verdict

There is a growing underground of CZ lovers in this country and after shooting this gun, it’s easy to see why. While it’s a little heavier and a little funkier than some of the other pistols in its class, the Phantom brings a nice flavor with it that is really unmatched. It gives you the feeling that if John Moses Browning had access to polymer, this is the gun he would have built. It is a brilliant point-and-shoot pistol that just feels good. On the downside, it’s only currently offered in 9mm.

Ranked #4 of 10 in our Best Polymer Handgun Comparison