Firearms instructors' opinions about the CZ-75 SP-01?

[Irfan]

I've been tempted lately to get a CZ-75 SP-01 for serious self-defense use, just because I like metal frame pistols and this one could be carried cocked and locked. Also, these pistols are very popular in Europe within IPSC shooters. But I saw a video some months ago done by James Yeager in which he said that the CZ handguns are fragile... I'd like to confirm that by other firearms instructors like Larry Vickers, Ken Hackathorn etc. I guess that the most important feature of this pistol is its ergonomics, but at the same time these pistols may lack some durability and reliability when compared to some other DA/SA pistols, like Berettas and SIGs? Any input guys?

[Mrgunsngear]

Oh I'm going to go start the popcorn....

[montrala]

They break barrel pin (slide stop pin) and trigger return spring. But both cases come from volume shooting, so unless you shoot it a lot or use constant diet of +P or +P+ I do not know of them being "fragile". And lot of people use them here. If I would look for full-metal carry for SD I would take it over SIG every time.

BTW And actually I'm certified Firearms Instructor recognized by Polish Ministry of Education

[ralph]

Montrala pretty much summed it up.. For what it's worth both HK,and Beretta are known for breaking trigger return springs, the easiest thing to do is to keep spares around. In the case of the CZ, I'd install a Cajun gun works floating trigger pin, and throw away the stock trigger pin. The cgw pin is designed to be easily removed to replace a broken TRS, I'd also install a cgw TRS while I was at it, these last a lot longer than the stock TRS. That and pick up a spare slide stop and you should be good to go..

[1986s4]

OK, I'm not a firearms instructor and I only own 1 CZ 75 that I have put at least 20,000 rounds [probably more] through based on my bullet orders and primer usage during that time. It was my primary competition pistol for several years. A '91 pre-B 75, I wore out a sear, lots of recoil springs, a few mag followers, mag springs, extractor springs and some magazines. I bought a replacement slide stop but have yet to use it. I went through a one day Super Dave class with it [1000 rounds] then took it to a match right afterward with no cleaning or lube and zero failures.
For what it's worth...

[yoni]

I know lots of guys with CZ pistols, they are very popular in Israel. They are great pistols, do parts wear out, yep but they wear out on all pistols if you shoot a lot.

Next pistol purchase for me is going to be a CZ P09.

[Sam]

... I'd like to confirm that by other firearms instructors like Larry Vickers, Ken Hackathorn etc. ?

There is a dedicated subforum where you can ask Mr. Vickers directly. Also, Mike Pannone is a big proponent of the CZ pistols, you may want to address him in his own subforum. You may get your answer quicker.

[teutonicpolymer]

There is a very active CZ subforum on brianenos' website and the common opinion is what has been said, the slide stop and trigger return spring are replacement parts to have. Luckily they are commonly available and are not that expensive.

[MegademiC]

I could be wrong, but thought the slide stop breakage was from competition shooters using underpowered springs.

At any rate, for how cheap they are, you can replace them at intervals. Czs are great, if I wanted a da/sa I'd shoot one (moved from cz to striker). If your a trigger fanatic, you can replace the stock one with a SAO czcustom trigger and get a competition hammer for an awesome trigger.

They are reliable, accurate and support equiptment is easy to find. I also find the recoil characteristics very easy to get good with. The small slide feels odd at first but becomes a non issue with little practice, and control layout is perfect imo.

Don't listen to James yeager, dude has wrong opinions on many things.

[teutonicpolymer]

I could be wrong, but thought the slide stop breakage was from competition shooters using underpowered springs.

At any rate, for how cheap they are, you can replace them at intervals. Czs are great, if I wanted a da/sa I'd shoot one (moved from cz to striker). If your a trigger fanatic, you can replace the stock one with a SAO czcustom trigger and get a competition hammer for an awesome trigger.

They are reliable, accurate and support equiptment is easy to find. I also find the recoil characteristics very easy to get good with. The small slide feels odd at first but becomes a non issue with little practice, and control layout is perfect imo.

Don't listen to James yeager, dude has wrong opinions on many things.

From what I understand it is a design defect in that the slide stop gets battered during recoil. Using light springs would probably make it worse but they also aren't running subgun 9mm in those guns, they run light loads.


CGW makes a bunch of parts for CZ stuff in addition to CZC