Estimated studying time: 11 minutes
CZ has been within the enterprise of high quality handguns for over 100 years, however its present lineup is endlessly tied to the well-known CZ 75. The inspiration is obvious to see, whether or not it’s the present CZ 75B, the Shadow 2, the 75 Compact, or the P01. The CZ 75B and the CZ P01 stay the flagship pair. If you’re contemplating one over the opposite as your subsequent handgun, that is the information for you. We are going to evaluate and distinction each the CZ 75 and the CZ P01 and see how every does from a capturing perspective.
The CZ 75: From Pariah to Icon
The unique CZ 75 debuted in 1975 and was among the many first of the so-called “Surprise 9” handguns that debuted in that decade. The CZ 75 was supposed for export, as Communist Czechoslovakia was not standardized on the 9mm Luger cartridge. Due to arms embargoes on the Warsaw Pact, the 75 noticed restricted use contained in the nation till the autumn of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The CZ 75 turned the nation’s normal army and police pistol and, inside a couple of years, was actively exported in Europe, the Center East, and the USA.
Aluminum Grips
The outdated 75 used aluminum grips and had a standard hammer spur. Later fashions of the 75B have checkered rubber grips and a rounded spur to stop snagging.
The 75 incorporates a low-cut slide that rides contained in the body of the pistol relatively than excessive of the body. It’s a locked breech motion much like a Hello Energy. The barrel locks through two lugs contained in the slide. The CZ 75 is a full-sized and full-weighted handgun. It contains a 4.6-inch barrel and a metal body. The dimensions and weight of the 75 is a degree of competition for all-day carry. That might be addressed by the following iteration: the CZ P01.
CZ 75 B Fast Specs:
Caliber: 9mm Luger Capability: 16+1 Barrel Size: 4.6 inches Total Size: 8.2 inches Slide Width: 1.0 inch Total Width: 1.25 inches Peak: 5.5 inches Weight: 2 lbs. 11.5 oz. (loaded)
The CZ P01: Flip of the Century Fixes
Double-stack subcompact handguns as options to bigger variations have been all the fad within the late Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s. When the Czech Nationwide Police requested a lighter and handier model of the CZ-75 for obligation, CZ answered with the P01.
The P01 trades the ’75s metal body for a light-weight aluminum body however is in any other case a subcompact model of its predecessor. It has a chopped barrel and grip to make it extra compact, and mechanically, little else has modified. The Journal capability is diminished to fifteen rounds, and the P01 wears a shorter slide and a 3.9-inch barrel.
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The fashionable P01 accessible at this time options checkered rubber grips and a rounded hammer, like most 75 B fashions. It options the identical right-handed slide launch and the identical reversible journal launch button. The P01 has anti-glare milling on the slide and the identical tritium evening sights as seen on the usual 75 B. The chief variations are its total measurement, lighter weight, ahead and rearward cocking serrations, in addition to the inclusion of a lightweight rail and a de-cocker that drops the hammer robotically. The P01 can also be a double-action/single-action handgun, however there isn’t any provision to hold the pistol cocked, as there isn’t any handbook security.
CZ P01 Fast Specs
Caliber: 9mm Luger Capability: 15+1 Barrel Size: 3.9 inches Total Size: 7.2 inches Slide Width: 1.0 inch Total Width: 1.25 inches Peak: 5.0 inches Weight: 2 lbs. 2.5 oz. (loaded)
On the Firing Line: CZ 75 vs. CZ P01
After a couple of a long time of polymer-framed striker-action handguns dominating {the marketplace}, all-metal 9mm handguns are experiencing a resurgence. Not solely are they sturdy, however the further weight soaks up extra recoil, making the 9mm simpler to shoot. It additionally helps that the brand new era of all-metal 9s is coming in codecs aside from old-timey obligation weapons. Whereas different legacy makers gave up on steel weapons, CZ caught by their design and usually has one thing for everybody. In the event you just like the attributes of a double-action hammer-fired pistol, CZ must be in your quick record. However how do their most iconic pistols stack up face to face? I took my CZ 75B and CZ P01 to the vary to get a really feel for them facet by facet.
Ergonomics
The CZ 75 B and CZ P01 have extra in frequent from a controls perspective. Each are double-stack handguns with wider grips. Above-average-sized arms will be capable of work the journal launch, slide launch, and get set off attain with out shifting the grip. The 75 is noticeably heavier, absolutely loaded, but it’s sleeker whereas the P01 has an oblong dustcover provisioned for mounting a lightweight–one thing the 75 can’t do.
Set off Pull
The set off pull and its suggestions to the consumer are comparable. The double-action pulls on each handguns are clean, but heavy. However there’s suggestions all through the pull to know you’re doing one thing. Some double-action handguns have a little bit of lag time between if you end up urgent the set off and the rearward motion of the hammer. When it comes to precise weight, the 75 has a double-action pull weight of seven.2 lbs. The P01’s set off is noticeably heavier and is available in at 10 lbs. 2 oz. Each pistols pull in double motion, are noticeably lighter when fired from the half-cock place.
The only-action pull with the hammer cocked is mild, however there’s a good 1/4 of an inch of play earlier than hitting a slight wall you slip proper over. The set off pull weight in single-action on each handguns runs about 4.5 lbs.
Weapon Gentle Succesful
The P01 permits for a weapon mild, when you so select. However additionally it is safer to de-cock if you wish to cease firing, however don’t wish to unload the pistol. The P01 has a decocker. Simply brush it down with the thumb, and the hammer drops into the half-cock notch. You might be again to an extended set off pull for security, and all you need to do to shoot is press the set off once more. With the 75, you possibly can carry the pistol as a single motion with its handbook security, however to return to double motion mode with the hammer down, the hammer must be manually lowered. You’ll have to press the set off on a loaded pistol whereas using the hammer all the way down to half-cock along with your thumb. With follow, it may be carried out safely, however it’s not a positive factor, not like with the P01.
Accuracy
After you have mastered the primary and subsequent set off pulls, each the CZ 75 and P01 are glorious shooters. The sights are crisp sufficient for paper punching however daring sufficient for critical work. The one draw back is that neither is presently accessible in an optic-ready configuration. However on their very own, these all-metal 9mm handguns are simple for even the least skilled shooters to work with.
Recoil with P01 is manageable, whereas the heavier 75 handles 9mm ammunition sedately. Each are sub-3-inch teams succesful at 15 yards, or a minimum of, they’re with me. However on even essentially the most rusty of vary periods, I are inclined to shoot the 75 a bit higher and sooner because of its further weight and longer sight radius. However I didn’t discover it tough to lob rounds right into a 100-yard gong with the P01. Whereas the 75 may win on teams, the P01 is not any slouch.
Reliability
The CZ 75 B and the CZ P01 are each NATO-spec handguns with decades-long observe information for reliability. The design is powerful sufficient to encourage copies produced by corporations reminiscent of Tanfoglio and IWI. Each may be relied upon to go bang, however your mileage will differ by upkeep and expertise.
On this pattern measurement of 1 75 and one P01, each cycle reliably with ammunition starting from 115-grain normal strain masses like these from Winchester and Federal to +P defensive rounds just like the Hornady Essential Obligation 135 grain FTX and Federal HST 124 grain masses. Not like some striker motion handguns, each reliably feed and hearth steel-cased ammunition. Every enjoys a gentle food regimen of Magtech 115-grain steel-cased FMJ recurrently.
As all the time, some rounds by be run by both pistol to make sure reliability. The CZ 75 had two failures to eject within the very first journal, however had no extra within the thousand rounds it has seen since. The spherical rely on the P01 is decrease, however there have been no failures in any respect.
Upkeep
As each the CZ P01 and CZ 75 are mechanically alike, disassembly and upkeep are an identical. With the journal eliminated and the chamber emptied, the slide is drawn again for disassembly. A single hatchmark on the slide traces up with a corresponding mark on the body, and the slide launch is pushed out from the proper facet, a lot in the identical style as a 1911.
The slide can then be pulled ahead off the body. Generally, the set off bar could get in the best way of a clear pull, so a slight miserable of the set off may also help. With the slide off the inner rails, now you can entry the recoil spring, information rod, and barrel. Reassembly goes in reverse order, however not like a 1911 or Browning Hello Energy, the slide launch is way more easy to push again into place.
READ MORE HERE: Taurus GX2 Evaluate: A Finances-Pleasant 9mm Pistol for Hid Carry
The Remaining Reply
Likelihood is, when you choose up both the outdated CZ 75B or the P01, you aren’t prone to be disenchanted. Each are high quality, shootable handguns which have and can stand the take a look at of time. However the particulars will matter, relying in your particular wants. If you’re proud of a heavier pistol and like to make use of a handheld mild, the CZ 75 is difficult to beat. Certainly, if a variety gun or devoted residence protection handgun is within the playing cards, the 75 will get the nod. However the P01 suits the invoice for every day carry and devoted obligation use. Which one would you choose?
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Jim Maybrick has been a constant voice within the firearms world for over a decade, writing lots of of articles and producing dozens of movies that span practically each nook of the capturing sports activities. With a background in army and financial historical past, Jim has a expertise for weaving compelling tales round historic firearms designs and the rise and fall of legacy producers.
However Jim’s pursuits go far past the previous—he’s simply as snug diving into muzzleloading traditions as he’s testing the most recent rimfire masses or mastering cutting-edge trendy techniques. His considerate, data-driven method brings readability and depth to each overview.
When he’s not on the vary or deep in a spreadsheet, you’ll discover him having fun with time with household, chasing sport, or refining the misplaced artwork of beginning an ideal campfire.
Expertise:
– Veteran Author & Content material Creator – Over twelve years of expertise in firearms journalism with lots of of revealed items.– Army & Financial Historian – Educational background that fuels in-depth evaluation of historic firearms and trade traits.– Versatile Shooter – Covers a variety of subjects from muzzleloaders and rimfire ballistics to at this time’s most superior platforms.– Storyteller at Coronary heart – Recognized for insightful writing that blends technical element with partaking historic context.– Outdoorsman & Household Man – Reconnects with nature by searching, fishing, and old-school firecraft.– Analytical Mindset – Brings precision, construction, and storytelling to each article—whether or not it’s a gear overview or a deep historic dive.
