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It’s summertime and the shooting is CZ. When it comes to this beauteous ballistic Czech mate, you’re in one of two camps. Either you own a CZ and love it or you haven’t shot it yet. I’m in the former camp; I own a CZ 75 P-01. Despite the obvious fanboy joke, my love isn’t blind. Where it counts there’s awesomeness. Elsewhere . . . let’s just say I’ve had to learn the art of compromise. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Pull up a cubicle and listen as I tell you a tale of beauty juxtaposed with horror . . .

The first thing you’ll notice when [sic] you purchase a CZ handgun: the packaging. Happy birthday! The cardboard box wrapped around the black plastic hard case would be better suited to protecting a child’s cake than a handgun. The actual case is lined with generic egg-carton foam with enough room for the gun and two 14-round magazines.

You also get a bore brush (a nice touch), a combination Phillips-head screwdriver/punch (sounds delicious) for the grip screws, a takedown pin (more on that later) and an Allen wrench for adjusting and removing the sights. All useful stuff. There’s also a gun in there, too.

It’s a real looker. The CZ-75’s design is not for everyone, such as blind people, minimalists and anyone who thinks Scarlett Johansson is hard to look at. Like the architect’s daughter, the P-01 has a lot of . . . well . . . shapes. It’s voluptuous. The [gun’s] grip has a nice rounded contour which complements the arch above the trigger guard and stands in unique contrast to the business-like straight lines of the slide and light rail.

The back and front straps are serrated vertically to improve grip. A big part of this sexiness is the black polycoat that it wears like a fur coat. The finish is even and smooth and looks thick. It’s also very durable, as evidenced by the stray punch mark I didn’t leave on it.

If you really look closely at this particular CZ 75, you can’t help but notice that there are pins and springs and serrations everywhere. It’s really pretty cluttered on the outside, but somehow it works aesthetically in a “How did something so beautiful arise from the Cold War culture dungeon?” kind of way.

The P-01 is a refinement of the CZ 75D Compact. Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod improved the metallurgy, added a rail and, through some rigorous but controversial testing, netted a NATO stocking number. Like the other members of the 75 family, the P-01 is double-action and single-action. Unlike some of its siblings, this one employs a frame-mounted de-cocker with no manual safety.

SIG lovers will no doubt be familiar with this system. They’re equally sure to be disappointed by the P-01’s trigger out of the box. SIG’s DA/SA system is the one to beat; the CZ just doesn’t feel nearly as refined. As it leaves the factory, the DA trigger is long, heavy and creepy with just a touch of grit. The decocker itself is positive and responsive, but far from smooth. And while the SA trigger is fairly light with a crisp break, it’s got creep like a Zerg colony.

After a lot of use and/or some careful polishing, the CZ 75’s go pedal will get there. Eventually. Maybe. Meanwhile, I really like shooting this gun. The trigger has smoothed and lightened quite a bit after an accumulated 1000 or so pulls (mixed DA and SA) between snap caps and live rounds. It has a strong and loud reset which, when utilized, eliminates a lot of the take-up on SA follow-up shots.

This is a gun that’s best shot in strings, riding the reset point and squeezing again just before you hit the firing pin block. Even the full double-action pull from the hammer’s half cock position, while long and stagey, breaks predictably and consistently. It’s not perfect, but I like it and it’s only gonna get better.

Oh, and did I mention this thing is a tack driver? Right out of the box—well, after stripping and oiling—the P-01 with its 3.8″ barrel delivered my best group ever at 7 yards: about an inch and a half. I was surprised to see that kind of result, as that 14 round mag was a combination of DA and SA shots from a self-taught shooter with below average eyesight and ugly form, but steady hands. Chalk it up to excellent ergonomics which give the P-01 a very natural point-of-aim.

Definitely don’t chalk it up to the sights. They’re harder to see than an entire episode of Top Shot. Oh, it’s a three-dot alright, but the dots couldn’t be much smaller and they’re painted with green photo-luminescent paint that’s difficult to see in all conditions. It looks like Jackson Pollock painted my front sight in a fit of alcoholic rage.

I suppose this is a way for CZ to distinguish themselves from the pack, but I’d prefer real night sights with a generous white dots. In any case, I didn’t really need them; I found myself shooting very accurately without relying much on sight picture.

That brings me back ’round to the ergonomics thing. The CZ’s low-bore axis and checkered rubber grips, complete with a generous, confidence-inspiring palm-swell, make follow-up shots easy and fun. Rubber grips are great for the range. Buyers with a more defensive mindset may want handles that won’t snag on your cover garment. Don’t worry, there are plenty of options out there.

I picked up some VZ black G-10 grips, but I was torn between wood and the awesome looking Crimson Trace Lasergrips. If you go shopping for gifts for your P-01, keep the palm-swell in mind. Many aftermarket grips remove them to keep things nice and thin. A generous beaver-tail out back makes for a natural point to really choke up on the grip, getting you pretty close to the short and narrow slide without fear of slide bite.

Oh, and that slide? It locks up to the frame tighter than any pistol I’ve ever owned. There is zero perceptible play or rattle anywhere when in battery. The tolerances are tight, yes, but this is due mostly to the internal rails design common to CZs and the SIG P210. You feel like you’re holding a solid piece of metal rather than a bunch of parts thrown together. It’s like getting a custom, hand-fitted handgun out of the factory.

Except it isn’t like that at all. Breaking down the P-01 requires lining up two lines on the slide and frame, then tapping the slide stop out from the other side. It’s not that hard to do (especially with the included punch), but there are better systems out there, of course. Once the two halves are separated, take a look inside and see this:

Pretty bad, right? This is how you make a perfectly reliable, exceptionally accurate, magnificently ergonomic handgun and sell it for between five and six hundred dollars. The finish on the underside of the slide is inconsistent and it’s clear that no attempt was made to deburr anything or smooth out any tooling marks.

Did I say tooling marks? It looks like they used a Dremel to mill this thing. The good news is that none of this seems to affect performance or reliability in any way. Finishing bearing surfaces is kind of stupid anyway, as once it wears you’re left with a looser fit than before. I would definitely like to see fewer sharp edges inside however, as they make cleaning much more difficult and dangerous. The same holds true for the frame. As an aluminum alloy part, there’s no chance of corrosion, but CZ didn’t even bother to finish the guts. It looks like a fifth grader got a hold of mine.

Surprisingly, these problems rarely get mentioned outside of forums and never in reviews. I suppose most people love their CZs so much that they forget about the deficiencies–and that is love–but almost everyone mentions the roughness of the trigger. The truth: they’re the same problem. CZ’s milling process is, um, rough. All of the parts involved in each trigger pull are machined with the same amount of care as the razorblade slide, and what you feel is their grinding hatred for each other as they’re forced into proximity. That said, against all odds, the feeding ramp is beautifully polished.

Many people have extensive work done to their CZs internally to clean them up; others just shoot them a lot until they get there. It’s hard to say which method is utimately more expensive, but the end result is about the same: a near-as-damnit perfect handgun. It may not be presentation-grade, but in function there is no equal. If you don’t mind a little roughness around the edges (maybe you, like me, enjoy the work) and can look past the P-01’s flaws, then you will find a truly world-class shooter; and you are a romantic.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Caliber:                         9mm (also available in .40)
Capacity:                      14+1
Barrel:                           3.8”
Grips:                             Soft Textured Rubber
Sights:                            3-Dot with photo-luminescent paint
Overall length:           7.2”
Height:                           5.03”
Width:                            1.38”
Trigger pull weight: (without a gauge) 5.5 lbs. SA, 12 lbs. DA
Weight:                          1.75 lbs.
Price:                              about $550 retail (prices seem to vary a bit with availability)

RATINGS (out of five stars):

Accuracy: * * * * ½ 
It’s as accurate technically as any pistol I’ve ever shot. Excellent ergonomics give it an edge over the competition.

Ergonomics (firing): * * * * *
As good as they come. Clearly designed around the geometry of the human hand without any concessions to robots.

Ergonomics (carry): * * * *
While its light enough for just about anybody and the organic shape breaks up the print, the rubber grips and magazine floorplates have got to go. They stick to clothes like price tags. As with any compact of this size, the right holster and belt make it disappear.

Reliability: * * * * *
Perfect. This gun shows its hard-working Eastern European roots and gets it done, no matter what it eats.

Customize This: * * * * *
The P-01 has a lot of brothers that accept similar gear, and the P-01 is a popular handgun worldwide despite its rather lukewarm reception stateside. There are enough options to keep you obsessed for a while. Swapping out a mainspring for a slightly lighter one, for example, eases the DA pull down a few non-negligent pounds.

Overall Rating: * * * * *
Concerns with invisible cosmetic problems and craftsmanship quickly become distant memories when a handgun fills your hand so perfectly that you just don’t want to put it down. Give it some time and a little elbow grease and you’ll have a near perfect self-defense weapon, as well as a thrilling range toy. If there weren’t some problems with this thing, I doubt I would be interested enough to write a review, much less love it as much as I do. All in all, it’s a keeper and a tremendous value.

 

 

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123 COMMENTS

  1. I have owned several CZ’s and they all have the rough markings.

    Guess what? It doesn’t affect reliability or shootability one bit.

    I’ve seen folks on the internet disparage CZs due to the internal finish – or lack thereof – but these things are tools! I don’t care how they finish the internals as long as it is reliable and shoots well. SIG finishes out their internals but you can have two CZs for what one all-metal SIG will cost you.

    • I own a CZ 75 B and have done nothing to it with the exceptions of adding the aesthetically pleasing cocobolo CZ logo grips. It’s my favorite pistol to shoot other than my Beretta 92A1. Sure, it’s a little rough on the inside, but Eastern Block nations and the Soviet Union were notorious for manufacturing weapons that functioned just fine, but obviously skipped the fluff and buff finishing step. Take a look at Soviet Tanks from WW II onward; the turrets look like they’ve got meteor impact craters on them before they got close to the battle field. My Father in-law is a retired Air Force Colonel pilot, and worked in intelligence during the Cold War. He’s told me that as good as their MiG’s were from a performance standpoint, they were considered to be very Spartan. Pilot comfort, safety, and fit & finish took a back seat to cost considerations and battlefield performance. The Soviets simply didn’t seem to care about aesthetics. But then, why did they need to? It’s not as if they had to compete with another arms supplier. It’s not as if anyone complained about tooling marks on anything for that matter. In a Communist system, bare-bones generic is the benchmark, and all that mattered was the weapon going bang when the trigger was pulled.

  2. I loved my CZ 85. I bought mine used and trigger was already worn in quite nicely. I ended up trading if for a Glock 27. I eventually settled on Glock 19C, but if I came across another CZ at a good price I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it. If you want a CZ that glimmers on the inside, see if you can find a Sphinx. I ran across a couple, the cheap ones were $1400 and the last one i saw was $2000. They were absolutely beautiful, probably too beautiful to carry.

    In my opinion, a gun is beautiful if it goes bang every time, and hits what you aim at it. CZs are beautiful.

    Also, any 380 lovers should check out the CZ 83 its probably my favorite gun to shoot, dead accurate, light recoil, perfect ergonomics for people with smaller hands.

    • I have a CZ 75 limited edition with a Nitron slide and stainless frame.
      According to CZ-USA, only 360 were made back in 2012.
      Does anybody have an idea of what a reasonable price would be to sell this pistol?
      Thanks.

  3. Don’t wait. Get a competition hammer from CZ Custom. (Or better yet, just order your CZ directly from them with the match parts already installed.) With that simple change, the CZ goes from not as good as a SIG to as good as a SIG X5.

    • The competition hammer makes a world of difference, it’s 70 bucks if you install yourself or 190 bucks if you have CZ custom install them and tune the handgun.

      $530 for the gun, $190 for the custom work = $720, still cheaper than a new Sig 229 but much nicer in fit and feel. If you install the hammer yourself and polish the internals a little, you’re at the $600 mark.

  4. CZ just started shipping their new handguns in a better plastic case without the box. They feel more durable- CZ dealer

  5. I reckon if you like ’em you like ’em. Personally, I’d just as soon save up $550, and then save some more and buy a Sig. You really do get what you pay for, and the CZ is butt ugly. It’s kinda like the ugly girl in high school. She’s fun to play with but you don’t want anyone to see you.

      • You have to try them both. I bought both, knowing that I’d have to sell one. The CZ simply felt much more ergonomic in my long, slim hands. I shot better with it as a result. And I was hoping to prefer the Sig.

        But I say this against the Sig: the wrap-everywhere trigger spring has no place in a combat/competition/personal defense pistol. Grip manufacturers go nuts over them, and CZ regularly changes the configuration.

    • I have over a dozen cz products….pistols and rifles. For the money they better perform than anything else i own. I have over 5000 rounds through my phantom without one failure of anykind. I’ve shot sigs and they seem loose and rattly to me. Their quakity is not the same as it once was but their prices remain very inflated. I’d pick one of my cz’s for a go to war pistol without a doubt in dependability.

    • Joseph, you sound like another closed minded individual that’s full of Bovine Shitology as Stormin Norman Swartscoff was quoted. My Glock 19 simply fades away when I pick up the CZ 75 P-01 I also own. The closest even a full sized weapon like my Beretta 72 FS can come, still falls short on the important features such as fun, really FUN on the range. I also own a Beretta 8000 D Cougar and have more experience with it and it too, is a top shooter. They are all a day late and a dollar short. It’s your money but in my world, money comes hard. The cost factor with a Sig or a Kimber just can’t be justified when you look at a CZ. CZ has quite possibly made the nearest thing to a perfect autoload that has ever been done. If you are only looking at the “Beautiful” part of an evaluation, why don’t you save a lot of money and invest in a pellet gun for looks.

      • Great review! I do appreciate the real life honesty. Buying a firearm, let alone aftermarket part, Can be a little chilling.Good read, love the humor and overall fantastic breakdown of the pistol for us. I have a P-01 on order and should have it within the next few days.

        Best Regards.

    • You must be confused it is not a hi-point, my CZ 75 SP-01 is sexy as hell go see some pictures online. I dont mind you like your own brand of pistol but calling a cz ugly makes people think think you are blind to beauty.

  6. I’ve had mine for a couple years now and ~2000 rounds in, I can testify that the trigger cleans up nicely. As for the accuracy, I’m no crack shot, but I’ve never shot any other pistol that I could keep on a silhouette at close to 100 yards when I’m goofing around at the range. And even though it’s a bit bulky, it conceals very well even in the summer with an MTAC IWB holster. One more thing that wasn’t mentioned too: even from the first day, I’ve never had a FTE or FTF; over a wide variety of loads, nary a single hiccup.

    • I have to admit, I use to be an ardent anti-gun pesorn, but as the years progress I find it more and more difficult to just pass the blame on guns. I think it was Finland, who has the highest gun ownership in the world correct? And they have a very low murder rate as well. This is something that is ingrained in culture that requires much more than a piece of paper saying, No you can’t have this .

    • The trigger does smooth out nicely over time. I’ve had my p-01 for 6 years and I still love it. I’ve shot every auto loading pistol I could before I bought my cz. I shot m&p, xd, glocks, sigs, h&k, kimber, etc… nothing felt better in my hand. It’s very accurate too, considering i can’t see out of my right eye. I would never get rid of my p-01. I would also like to have a kimber tactical carry though

  7. I own several CZ’s. They outshoot everything save for custom 1911’s. And one friends Sig 210. One of mine has 30000+ rds thru it. Not a single malfunction. Ever. I paid $300 for it several years ago. Honestly, I have no idea why anyone would spend twice as much for a SIG. And if you ever have a service issue, or want customizing advice…call the CZ Custom shop. Angus usually answers.

  8. Have a CZ75 Compact (all steel), full Kadet .22 (not just the conversion) and a self worked over all blue CZ85 Combat. The Combat shoots so well she made me sell my S&W 952-1.

    Love CZ.

  9. I recently scored an all-stainless 75B, and was fully expecting the scarred innards, but for whatever reason mine is as smooth inside as a good 1911 or SIG. However, I do notice some play in the lockup, and the accuracy isn’t as good as my SIG. (Paperwork says it’s a few years old–lack of any visible wear says the prior owner barely shot it.) Still, it feels good, looks sexy, eats anything, recoils barely, and I like the 1911-style safety. I’m still waiting for the trigger grit to smooth. Overall, a great investment (and not an expensive one).

  10. Comprehensive review and a great read!

    I hated the trigger much more than you did, GLK, but y’know, there’s an app gunsmith for that.

  11. Why doesn’t a U.S. manufacturer make a similar pistol (e.g. hammer and not striker fired) pistol in a similar price range? I would buy one in an instant if they did.

      • Thanx Gimlet! Ya made my day…
        I own both. The Ruger is my kit gun. Indestructable. 15+1. Feed it ANYTHING. Never hiccups.
        My CZ 40B has to be the most “criminally underrated” firearm ever. For all the above, plus drop dead looks, fit n feel, well managed recoil (all metal gun!) and scary accurate further than my eyes can shoot. It is almost always the favorite at our shoot-arounds, especially with newbies and females. Looking for my next CZ!!

    • Springfield Armory used to sell a CZ clone, the P9, which was an imported version of the Tanfoglio T95, but it looks like they stopped selling them when they brought out the XD range.

      The CZ 75 and its descendants was/is a late starter in the US as wonder-nines goes largely because they were ComBlock built, but Tanfoglio have been making good (and quite close) clones forever, IMI in Israel make the Jericho 941 (Imported as the Baby Desert Eagle), you have the Swiss Sphinx – now owned Kriss, the Vector people.

      Canik/Tristar make a close variant, the T-120, and the compact T-100 which are quite close CZ clones with full dust shrouds and come in funky colors (and are quite nice to shoot), and it wouldn’t surprise me if there aren’t some being built by some Serbs too.

    • Have you checked out the Para Ordnance firearms? The Para Expert Carry is very reasonably priced and is a damn fine carry gun.

  12. I have a CZ 75 D PCR. Out of the box, it was balls on accurate. This pistol handles well. It has an excellent hand to frame fit. The slide to frame fit is tight, no rattleing like a .45 ACP. The mags hold 14 rounds + one up the pipe. If you can’t take care of business with this kick-ass pistol, you need to crawl into a hole, and pull it in after you. Smith, Colt, Ruger, et all need to take a serious look at CZ, and see why those of us that like CZ, shoot CZ, and carry CZ’s!

    =

  13. Robert, please keep this guy going! It may be repeatedly and repititously redundant, but I too enjoyed this review. A wicked lot.

  14. The CZ-75 is one of the few great gun designs I’ve never shot. FWIW (probably very little, considering I’ve never shot one) I think the original version is sexier than the new Picatinny rail version. But they’re both drop-dead gorgeous.

  15. 1st, people have a weird obsession with sigs. i am a range master with over 70 rental guns to look after and i can tell you in all honesty, a Sig will last HALF as long as a CZ. The only reason Sigs gain any favor over CZs (or any other pistol) is that the trigger is decent out of the box and almost every shooter on earth has absolutely terrible trigger control. Not to mention sigs are loaded with tons of stupid features that only a gunsmith who has been balls deep in one could tell you about (like a mag release retaining pin that can render the gun useless for ever if improperly installed)

    2nd, to quote the author:
    “Surprisingly, these problems rarely get mentioned outside of forums and never in reviews.”
    ………. Then they must not be actual problems then. If a gun’s “problems” are only brought out on forums…. then they must be experienced by people who spend more time behind the keyboard than the trigger. I work with dozens of CZ shooters and NEVER has any one of them told me about the burrs on the inside of the frame.

    Remember that the CZ-75’s only true function in life is war. That is how it was designed, and thats how its made. nothing fancy, nothing dumb.

    • I know this to be fact. I have family that work at a gun range. They have had a CZ75 on the rental counter for 10+ years. The think it has somewhere around 250000 rounds. Still works perfectly. They have replaced everything else on the rental counter frequently(well except a few S&W revolvers).They also had a Kimber that went around half a million. Kimber heard about that, and bought it back.

  16. I love my P01. After about a year though, the mag springs crapped out. It was my EDC until the mag issues. 5 CZ mags all went about the same time. I have 5 new mags loaded now waiting a couple months to see what happens with them and trimmed wolf springs in the older mags.

    This gun points and shoots as well as any I’ve shot. I picked up for a song at an estate sale with every intention of turning it over for a profit…then I shot it. It has a happy home here.

  17. picked one up, felt great, slide release button was too far away from thumb though I think. Still might pick one up eventually

      • + 1, especially on the P-01.

        Even on the full sized 75’s one shouldn’t have a problem even with Nancy hands…I’d suggest looking on YouTube as a start…lessons given freely.
        My hands are large ‘mediums’ and I found no problem what so ever with the Tactical Sport which has about the largest of the CZ grips.

  18. There seems to have been a resurgence in CZ interest in the last few years. This is driving the prices up on the used market. I’m glad that more shooters are discovering this ergonomics masterpiece, but saddened that they are gobbling up the once dirt cheap used pieces.
    Good review on a good weapon.

    • Yet, here it is 4 years after this comment and I picked up a NIB SP-01 for $ 530 before shipping, no shipping charges and a $20. FFL fee. One heck of an out of the box piece for $550.00 !

  19. Recently bought a Cz75BD for $350 OTD (after missing a Sphinx .380 which was like a Rolex that shoots). DA and SA are smooth. It must have been shot enough to wear in because ther sure a lot of crud in it when I stripped for cleaning. Guess a gun that doesn’t work wouldn’t have a lot of firing residue. I will shoot it later today, which I’m looking forward to like a date with a pretty lady. Being full sized, I think my ECG will still be something smaller and the CZ will be for HD and car carry.

    • My EDC rig is a 75B in either a Comp-Tac MTAC or Fobus paddle riding on a Wilderness Instructor CSM belt. The belt makes a huge difference.

  20. I have the ugly-duckling cousin, CZ P-07 Duty 9MM, which I really do like both the looks and function of. Was my first CZ, but probably won’t be my last.

  21. My biggest problem with the P-01 is the DA/SA trigger with decocker.

    I could really dig an alloy framed CZ-75B compact with the traditional safety and ability to carry cocked and locked.

  22. For a great rifle, don’t forget the CZ550. They shoot really nice and are one of the few rifles that is actually stronger than a M98 due to no cuts on the recoil lugs, even though almost idential. I had one and loved it, but had the chance to trade the rifle for a badly needed camper. Since I was tired of getting cold and wet during hunting season, I made the trade. Stil not sure if I got the better end of the deal since it took a 10point buck at 200yards last winter with its new owner. It was a tack driver..:-( The Dan Wesson Pointman’s are very well made, mine will be buried with me because its not going anywhere in my lifetime. Of course, the only 9mm I’ve ever bought is a CZ75 which started all this. Great guns.

  23. The P-01 was the first CZ model to benefit from updated manufacturing technology at CZ’s Uhersky Brod factory. The components of the P-01/P-06 are completely interchangable with every other P-01/P-06, with no individual fitting required. This required some very careful re-design so that the reliability and accuracy were not impaired. Since the time of its introduction (designed in 2001, NATO-approved in 2003) the production upgrades have been rolled out to most of the CZ 75 family and several new rifle models as well. The 1913 accessory rail easily accepts any of the industry-standard lights and lasers to assist low-light use. The P-01 is the only NATO-spec pistol on the market that is available to the public. After 3 years of some of the most aggressive small arms testing ever, the CZ P-01 won the honor of replacing the CZ 75s previously used by the Czech National Police.

  24. I have nothing by love for my P-01. It’s very accurate, looks sharp and the trigger definitely loosens up after about 700 rounds. Just keeps getting better every time I use it, great updated review.

  25. If I had to pick a “as close to perfect as a pistol can get” gun, it would be the P-01. Bought mine two years ago after shooting a friend’s P-01. In terms of ergonomics, the P-01 is the “anti-Glock”…it simply feels like it was molded for your own hand. Add in stunning accuracy, 100% reliability and it’s sturdy post-Soviet, Czech manufacturing quality, and you have a real winner.

    I’m sort of surprised this pistol isn’t more popular in the States. I’ve shot a LOT of pistols, and the P-01 is my hands-down favorite.

    • At this point in time it is not only difficult to find one to buy (supply is being outstripped by demand)…but they are able to go above the MSRP regularly. ” Do it and they will come…”

      And so the tradition of CZ quietly outselling others while at the same time doing it on their quality, value and word of mouth advertising to ACTUAL buyers continues.

  26. I’ve had my P01 since Feb this year. It had a couple FTFeeds using Fiocchi fmj first range trip so I thought it needed some breaking in. Tested some Remington hollow points and feed fine. After a couple range trips with some Walmart Federal it was feeding fine, then got some Remington UMC Mega pack and it was doing it again but more consistently so off it went to CZ USA. About 4 weeks later they tell me they adjusted the extractor, polished the feed ramp, and a throat job. I just got the DPM mechanical recoil reduction 3 spring guide rod started to jam again but it was double feeding. I had the Bedair ss guide rod and 17lb Wolf spring in there before. I removed the extractor and spring to clean it in the cavity. I also disassembled, cleaned all the magazines housings, followers with some Rem oil wipes. I’ll have to see how she does at the range again. I might just give CZ USA a call again.

  27. Went to the range again and happy to report there were no failures of any kind after 100 rds down range. I did use the shorter of the 2 changeable outer spring that came with DPM mechanical recoil reduction system. The longer is supposed to be the stronger spring.

  28. I purchased the CZ P-01 a few weeks ago and took it out to the range for some trigger time. I loved it’s feel and accuracy so much I decided to purchase a CZ 83 yesterday.

  29. I’m trying to bring his big brother home, the SP01. I just bought a Sig Sauer P220 Combat and contemplated on a P226 but for the value, quality, and accuracy, the CZ SP01 can’t be beat even though the P226 is still a must have in any collection.

  30. Fell in love with CZs when I got my C&R license and picked up a surplus CZ 82 (that’s the Russian version of a .380 only better). When my hands 1st loving caressed a P-01, I knew I’d be in trouble.

    If taken it to self-defense classes, carried it every day, used it to embarrass my Glock/S&W/XD friends at the range, and made Marksman at my 1st IDPA Classifier. It’s 100% stock and the trigger has smoothed so much you wouldn’t believe it hasn’t been altered.

    It’s the closest I’ve found to a perfect pistol.

    • BTW…In addition to what my wife calls WAY TOO MANY handguns, I have owned 7 CZs in all, now. My keepers were the CZ 82, CZ 75 Shadow, CZ 52, and my beloved P-01. Honorable mention goes to a ridiculously tricked out SP-01. They are Czimply amazing guns.

  31. I own Colt’s, Sigs and Beretta’s and just took delivery of my first CZ, a CZ SP-01 Tactical in .40SW and not just the machine work was horrible but the quality of the material on connecting surfaces was so potted I send them an email and told CZ-USA this kind of quality control was unacceptable. Some of my existing firearms with thousands of rounds fired through them (even a $270.00 Neo); with each of their slide connecting surfaces still as smooth as a baby’s butt not a pit not a ping on connecting surfaces and their connecting surfaces (receiver to slide) finishes still looking as good or better than this NEW CZ.

    The burring alone on the upper would have accelerated the ware/longevity of this firearm. I wish I could attach pics to visually show how piss poor the quality control was on this CZ!

    After sending CZ-USA an email describing my concerns they replied with a pre-paid FedEX label. After mic’ing a few areas and taking several pics I dent the CZ back FedEX. The following Mon. I sent them two of the pics I’d taken of the CZ; here’s their reply.

    “From: Warranty [mailto:[email protected]]
    Sent: Monday, October 22, 2012 8:00 AM
    To: Steve Tucker
    Subject: RE: To whom this may concern at CZ-USA

    Tucker,
    Those pictures look fine, that’s pretty clear. The metal was apparently not prepared properly, we will replace the gun most likely.”

    My reply:
    I agree and a complete replacement of the gun as a whole (both upper & lower) is the only resolve that will give me peace of mind at this point; even if this means waiting for CZ-USA to run the .40 Tactical again.

    Being a business owner myself I understand when others are involved and see their involvement as simply a weekly means and not owner minded in building the brand that will create their job security; stuff like this happens.

    As consumers; if we don’t hold company’s feet to the fire on their quality control of their products, they will feel even more confident than they do today in running their business as a number game!
    Tucker

  32. After extensive online research I really wanted a P-01. I finally got one and immediately sold my Glock 19. Nothing against the Glock, just not my cup of tea. The grip, elegant looks and impressive accuracy make this my absolute favorite handgun I’ve ever owned (admittedly that’s only been six). I’ve only fired about 100 rounds so far, but a nice variety including BPLE’s, Critical Duty, WWB 115 grain FMJ, Federal Hydrashok, Remington HP, and Federal 115 grain FMJ. The P-01 shot all of them flawlessly and accurately. The hot BPLEs were surprisingly accurate. Love my CZ75 P-01. Nice review, by the way, but I have to agree with another poster: I don’t really care if the internals are rough looking, as long as the gun looks great (which it does) and performs well (which it does).

  33. This review was seriously awesome, thank you so much.
    I just bought my first gun ever and it’s the CZ75 P01. I knew the day I shot it we were meant to be together. Now I’m researching all the fixin’s I can do on it so your thoughts were very helpful! Thanks!

    • The best thing you can do is take it to the range and shoot it as much as you can. This will smooth up the trigger and slide. Polish the barrel and feed ramp. Start with 400, then 800, 1000 grit sand paper on the external barrel then polish with Flitz using a Dremel and polishing wheels to a mirror finish. You can buy the Cajun Gun Works Ultra Lite SD kit to lighten up the DA/SA pull and still have reliablity with the extended firing pin. Add some Slide Gluide Lite to the rails.

  34. Many interesting comments here. All I can add is this: I’m originally a Browning Hi-Power guy (200,000+ rounds). Bought a used P-01 on a lark. Overall conclusion: Love it! Why?

    > Great feel in my hand.
    > Wonderfully accurate.
    > Not one firing malfunction yet (~2,000 rounds).

    It’s a pleasure to shoot. Only complaint: The narrow slide is a bit tough to rack.

  35. Can someome tell me if a 10rd mag for a cz75b and cz75p01 are the same.? I heard all 75 parts are interchangeable, true or false. thanks for any info

  36. Well, I’m a ’65 Colt Python owner, so I know a great gun and trigger when I shoot one. I purchased a P-01 several years ago and it quickly became my go to gun. It readily eats any ammo you feed it and it’s accuracy is simply stunning.

  37. how is the recoil in this cz 75 p -01? Is this made up of all metal or all alloy? Would You want a safety or decocker on it? Thanks

    • Recoil: soft & manageable thanks to the relatively low bore axis and excellent grip.

      Slide is Stainless Steel, frame is aluminum alloy.

      I like the function of a decocker, but it does negatively effect trigger pull. A safety would be acceptable. If you check czcustom.com, you can find an updated version of the P-01 featuring a much improved trigger, competition hammer, safety instead of decocker, etc.

  38. I have never owend a CZ but I just went into my local gun shop and checked out the CZ 75 p-01 in OD Green and it felt great in my hand and was think of buying it so I wanted to check out some reviews on it and after reading your review ill be picking it up. For my self for Xmas thanks for the great review. Also my local gun shop is asking 699.99 for it witch I thought was a little pricy what do u guys think

      • NEVER buy anything from Bud’s.
        They are the biggest ripoff firearms company on the internet.
        Check out gunbroker.com and you will find the gun you want for a reasonable price.

        • I too have purchased numerous weapons from Buds and not a single problem whatsoever. I also have bought multiple weapons from Classic, Sportsman Outdoor, CTD and J&G and have never had a “gun dealer” issue of any sort. Just lucky I guess.

  39. I have a SP-01 and a P-01 (compact). The compact was altered incredibly from cz custom and has a the 85c combat trigger, race hammer, polished internals, and aluminum grips… work of art..crisp 8lb DA, and crisp and smooth as butter 3lb SA pull.

  40. I’ve been slinging lead using one of these for a little over a year, and it is by far my favorite gun to shoot. For my hands, it’s the best feeling & fitting pistol I’ve yet come across. It’s quite accurate, and approximately 1500 rounds has done a real favor to the SA trigger…installing CGW’s Ultra-Lite/SD package did a similar favor for the DA pull. The only further alteration I’m planning to make is the addition of a set of night sights.
    I will say this, though: the detail strip is a pain in the duff. Don’t do it unless you’re confident in your reconstructive capabilities. I don’t know how I escaped the ensuing springocalypse.

  41. I got one of the P-01 customs with the manual safety, competition hammer, etc. from CZ Custom. I was a little disappointed to find that unlike my stock 75b, the safety could be engaged with the hammer down on the P-01. If you pull the trigger with the safety engaged, it tries to cock the hammer and then binds.

    Has anyone else run into this?

  42. A bit of a necro-post but I wanted to share some experiences with my P-01 during a recent class.

    During the first day of Tom Givens’ Combative Pistol 1 I was running the CZ P-01. The range has some fine dirt in the area. So, as we began to do magazine changes the mags would drop into the dirt. I had about 800 rounds through the pistol prior to the course with no issues. However, within a matter of about 150 rounds every magazine I had for the pistol (5 CZ and 3 Mec-Gar) would Fail To Feed due to the follower getting stuck, round rattle etc. Eventually, Mr. Givens while walking the line came up to me and said something to the effect “that’s the 5th time I’ve seen that pistol malfunction, you might want to consider getting something different”.

    So, begrudgingly I ran back to the range back, and slipped on my G23 with 9mm conversion barrel. Of course, it ran for the rest of the course without a hiccup to the count of about another 750 rounds. I love the P-01, the ergos, the low bore axis etc. This was supposed to be a significant platform change and along with that came a significant funds expenditure.

    So, I’ve looked around and determined that the springs may be too weak and ordered some Wolff +10% springs. We’ll see how it turns out.

    • Then you need to buy more mags, and at least try not to drop them in the dirt. Unless you live in a desert area and are going to be in that environment all the time, your test shows nothing but that you pistol is a little dirt sensitive.

  43. @Ed
    I’ll make sure and inform Tom Givens of that advice the next time I take a course from him. 🙂

    Seriously though, if I could keep the mags pristine, in a controlled environment just about any firearm will function. It’s running a gun over the course of of a two day class and shooting 1,000 rounds through the firearm that a combat pistol like the P-01 should be expected to achieve.

    The mags are not old, having only about 800 rounds or so through the gun when it started happening. And not to feed the trolls, but when the CZ started to malfunction I switched to a G23 with a 9mm conversion barrel and it ran fine for the rest of the class.

  44. LOL..Chuck B. why take a course, abuse the mags and bitch about it. My P 01 has been fine for self defense. No I don’t plan on being a COP like you and take on the world. I Just use the pistol to defend myself.
    I did a tour of real combat too but we relied on M 16s not pistols.
    Good luck.

  45. If you want a gun like this but is finished very nicely on the inside get a Canik Stingray imported by century Arms from J&G Sales for $320.00 (otherwise known as the Century Arms stingray). You will be VERY IMPRESSED.

  46. I bought my CZ P01 in April and just shot it for the first time last week (June, 2014). I took the gun straight out of the box, loaded up the two 14 round clips, and shot at distances from 7 to 25 yards. The accuracy of this gun for this shooting novice was remarkable. I kept groups of 14 within 5 inches at 25 yards and at 7 yards groups stayed within a 3 inch perimeter. It is true that the gun has a little trigger creep out of the box, but the fit and feel of this weapon is unparalleled. I’ve shot Ruger, Sigs, Colts, S&W and Kimbers. Only my Kimber Custom II compares to this workhorse. The price at about $550 for an all metal gun makes it my favorite.

  47. Good article. I like reading these, and the comments, on guns I have or am thinking about buying. Luckily I found one of these in Green finish about 5-6 years ago at a local gun show. It was brought by the dealer to several shows and didn’t sell. I kept eyeballing it and finally bought it for, get this, $350 NIB. He also had a CZ75 full size in green for the same price but I could only get one at that time. Next show if he’d had the 75 I’d have bought it but he sold it :(. I bought it as a collector pistol and have never fired it. I’m on the fence still about that. Love the look, color, size, GRIP SHAPE, etc. One of my favorite guns to look at. I really like the grip frame shape on these as well as the Beretta/Taurs 92 and Witness metal frame guns. Not much of an evaluation but just my two cents…..

  48. CZs..? Meh…

    They do nothing for me. Sorry. I much rather keep my BHP and G19.

    The BHP has better ergonomics, functions as well if not better, and is a much classier handgun design.

    Form & Function – Winner= BHP

    The G19 is more accurate and lighter. The CZ is not as offensive to the beholder. Split decision…barely

    Function – Winner = G19

    Form, albeit by a small margin, goes to CZ.

    And That is why I rank the BHP and G19 above the CZ.

    In fact, I also rank the PPQ and PPX above the CZ as well.

    Now CZs may be the best invention since sliced bread and Transistors, but they just don’t do anything for me, either practical or emotionally.

    This is just my opinion.

  49. True. I own this gun, 2014. There is not a lot of polish in this gun, but…. who the hell cares! You didn’t buy a Kimber so there is no reason to cry about it! 4 and a half stars and up all the way around is all you need to say. Shoots like a 3-4 thousand dollar gun but yes it doesn’t look like one on the inside. 2000+ rounds not a single jam. Just keep the load ramp clean and shoot it, it won’t fail you.

  50. I have a CZ PO1 and a CZ 83. The PO1 is a jewel and those who are negative about them have no experience with them. My CZ 83 is a used police pistol from somewhere that I picked up for $200 a year ago.

    The CZ 83 is in NRA excellent condition and shoots as well if not better than any other .380. There are times when concealed carry is illegal in Texas. The CZ 83 lives in my Jeep’s console. As a result I am always armed one way or another.

    Some have complained about the CZ PO1 trigger. CZ Custom (http://czcustom.com/CZ-Custom-Work.aspx) can take care of that if a CZ owner is interested.

  51. It has been my observation that some (please note I just said “some”) trigger snobs would rather have a trigger that breaks super cleanly than a gun that functions reliably. I guess their priority isn’t self-defense, or if it is, they haven’t thought things through.

    • You can have both with a CZ, if you get a manual safety version and are prepared to have a relatively inexpensive trigger replacement done.

      I know, it’s kinda galling to buy a gun and send it out to CZ Custom or Cajun Gun Works (CGW) and spend about $120 *more*, but you can have both – a reliable gun that *does* have a great trigger.

  52. I must be the only person on earth that thinks the CZ’s have the worst grips known to man. Other than that, the gun is perfect. When I got mine back from Cajun Gun Works I was in total love. However you choose to smooth out your trigger, the CZ will not let you down.

  53. My first handgun was a Glock 17 Gen4. Fired some 600 rounds/week for about a year, kept it in pristine condition. I liked it enough, but for some reason, I couldn’t get along with the trigger. It wasn’t heavy at all, just gritty, not smooth. Maybe it’s just me, and not passing judgment on the Glock.
    Rented a few different handguns at the range to look for an improvement. Then I went to the gun shop looking for a Sig.

    The fellow at the counter said, “I’ll be happy to take your money, but…” and showed me a few alternatives, including a CZ SP-01 and a P-01. I settled on the latter because it’s compact and easier to conceal. But I don’t feel I’ve “settled” at all, I really really like it. God bless the fellow who preferred giving good advice to taking in more money. FWIW, mine is marked “CZ 75 D Compact” and the marking “P-01” is nowhere to be seen on the weapon, But it’s the exact same gun. Turns out the P-01 was in such great demand when dealers ran out a few years ago, that the mother-ship in Europe sent them a few with the European marking.

    My only gripe is that the slide’s height is so short, it makes it difficult for my big hand to grab it from above to quickly rack it. I end up grabbing it from behind, still okay but not as effective as from above. Plus it’s difficult to find a magnet both powerful enough and small enough to fit (the magnet will not grab the frame, only the slide). But I’m nitpicking. Oh, and you absolutely gotta love the decocker.

  54. When there is a problem with QC at the CZUB plant, it has been addressed internally and has been the source of a much improved ‘fit and finish’ shop. This has been a top down attitude adjustment in answer to global economic conditions and a recognition that a greater percentage of the company’s arms sales have been moving toward increased personal weapon sales.
    An enormous investment in retooling and broadening their product line has not only brought a broader profit base, the decision to continually reinvest into more and more models being built with this technology has allowed for a balanced book of greatly increased productivity, a higher quality and lower per item costs. As importantly the weapon aficionados understand that an already fabulous product is becoming a viable contender of creating as artfully finished a personal object as snob names that charge twice as much.
    Finally, as a firm that can not only engineer and mass produce the highest level of guns at reasonable, even ‘great prices’…with a hugely wide selection of different weapons, different models of standards and an unending availability to customize your chosen ‘gun’ from completely interchangeable parts…by design, they’ll save the public the extreme gun smith expenses as well.
    BTW, just on a short personal note; have I mentioned what an incredible customer service department they have? Yep, although they are often busy and its tough to get them at times; they do work by the old adage that the customer is always (most always) right.

  55. I have To Thank everyone on this site for steering a newbie like me in the right direction on a good first gun purchase. The P-01 is not easy too find here in the United States but while visiting a local pawn shop a few months ago and while waiting for the salesman to see if he could get one I looked down in the gun case I was leaning on and there it was a brand new P-01. The price was okay $520 so I purchased the gun with out hesitation. I have shot several hundred rounds at the range without any problems and the guns accuracy makes a beginner like me look good. I have had a few offers to purchase the gun from people at the range but I think this one is a keeper. Thank you CZ for manufacturing a good quality weapon at a fair price!! I have tested and handle many guns while shopping for one and the P01 stands out and above the rest once you get it in your hands.

  56. Too expensive for me to have to learn to like it. Or have to put in a couple of thousand rounds of expensive ammo before it starts acting the way it should act from the get-go. Or have to look past all the obvious “We don’t care” manufacturing glitches such as the dremel-like markings in the bowels of the gun. I’m sure you’ve decided it’s nice and I’m glad you’re pleased with it but, frankly, your post sounds like you are justifying why you like it interspersed with comments of why you shouldn’t like it. I’ve got too many friends who have purchased expensive guns who now feel that they have to justify their purchase when there are guns abounding that are cheaper, just as well made and just as accurate.

    Think I’ll stick with a Tristar at half the price, better construction and, for my purposes, just as accurate.

    • The P-01 was developed with input from the military and law enforcement.
      It is a great pistol just like every CZ I’ve ever had the pleasure to fire.

      Of course, it doesn’t compete with a Sig, and in my opinion, nothing does.
      Yes, Sigs are not cheap, but they are not as expensive as they once were.
      Just bought a brand new P229 Enhanced Elite for $899.00, which was a great price. Just got lucky on an auction I suppose. These often exceed 1k.

      Never heard of a TriStar, but will definitely check them out.

      • And Canik. Same thing. Made by Turkish major arms dealer. Getting good reviews. Try You Tube. I could never pay $900 for any pistol and think I got a good deal on it. But then all I want a pistol to do is go “bang” every time I pull the trigger and there are a lot that can fulfill that function.

        • I will definitely check out the Canik Chuck.
          The only pistols I would consider paying 9 for is a Sig or Colt. That’s about it, and yes, I have done it before, several times, and never regretted it.

          Thanks Chuck.

  57. I’ve read this review again and I have another comment to make. It seems like this reviewer decided he was going to like this pistol NO MATTER WHAT and proceeded to do so. Despite multiple complaints including important ones like having to pay to get the inside of the gun cleaned up or else spend an equal amount of money shooting it until the parts synced together. And a crappy handle that is going to make you spend some bucks to get a decent one to the big problem of an unsatisfactory trigger. There is no excuse for a pistol today to have a crummy trigger coming straight from the factory. There are many manufacturers who make excellent triggers so it can be done if you get your research department working on it and don’t let them out of the shop until they get it right!
    As I said, it seems that the review was going to be positive no matter what he found wrong with the pistol. How in the world can you justify 5 stars with so many listed problems? Just doesn’t make any sense to me.

    • Chuck, I think you are deciphering the reviewer’s “nitpicks” with otherwise serious issues. Having both the rubber grips on my P01 and I have a CZ75 compact with plastic grips, it’s a matter of preference. The trigger is fine and I can detect zero “grit” in my P01 trigger whatsoever.

      I too own and have shot ’em all…SIG, Colt, S&W, Ruger, XD and of course my Glock 23, and as far as I’m concerned the P01 is the Cadillac. I can bench every pistol I have ever had and consistently the P01 has tighter groups and it eats everything there is.

      There are ZERO problems with P01’s…just people’s preferences and idiosyncrasies.

  58. I have had my P01 now for 3 months and have shot the hell out of this pistol. My wife and son both take it out shooting and not one miss fire or problem with it. Its the gun we use as our home defense weapon because I know I can count on it if God forbid I need to. That in my opinion is what its all about if you have a weapon you know you can trust. I love the feel of this gun it says quality from the moment you pick it up. The rough internal machine work I hear the picky ones crying about is ridiculous in my opinion. It all smooths out over time, my gun looks beautiful inside. Machine marks are visible when you macro zoom in on any mechanical machined part. Take an up close picture of any mechanical part that’s been machined and you will see machine marks. Some people just have the need to complain about something. This gun shoots with a level of accuracy that will make even a beginner look good at the range its well balanced and very smooth. I am very impressed with CZ and am now looking at purchasing the new CZ Scorpion Evo carbine. Yes this little P01 made me a CZ fan!!

  59. All I can do is second everything in this review. I have 2 CZ pattern pistols. They are Turkish clones, and the fit and finish is actually superior to the CZ’s at the time this review was written. They share all of the good of the CZ, but also all of the quirks, including the long break in period. My EDC is a Tristar/Canik P100. It is an all steel clone of the P-01, at about 2/3’s the price. The point I am trying to make is… the CZ pattern is a totally reliable design, and the ergonomics, combined with the internal slide rails make these guns supremely accurate. It is almost as if you point your finger and a hole magically appears right where you wanted it.

  60. thanks for the detailed review. went to my FFL to get a p-01 i just ordered, a few hrs ago. i had serious concerns. i wasn’t expecting the unfinished frame inside…so i guess that’s normal. there were wear marks on the muzzle end of the barrel, and even the gunsmith thought it was…questionable…for sure more wear than the 5 test fire shots. feed ramp showed some marks/wear too. had only read good things about cz, maybe a little about the rough finish. they weren’t kidding, tho i do think mine is used (we’ll see what grabagun has to say). anyway, great article…now i know i still want one.

  61. I love my P01. I wanted a CCW with ultimate reliability and being not NATO-spec, but going way beyond the requirements sold me. The comfort and ergonomics are an added benefit. With a few things from the CZ custom shop it’s just as good as a gun 2x or more than it. Plus like the author said, the thing is surprisingly accurate shoots like it’s a full-sized 9mm.

  62. Pity the writer snagged a “Monday Pistol”. The machining of external and internal surfaces on my specimen was as good as a SIG. No pitting, burring, or asymmetric finishes … not even of the feed ramp. Like the writer, I did find DA pull-weight excessive out of the box, and it remains over 8-lb well beyond 1000 rounds. A spring replacement job seems a likely future investment … when I’m willing to leave it in a shop for 60 days.

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  64. CZ 75 P-01…is a superior pistol from all aspects…finish to accuracy to reliability. It NEVER fails to fire when I want it to do so…never fails to eject or feed. same size or a bit smaller (height) than Sig 365xl. Std flush fit mag is 14 rounds and accepts cz mags up 19 (or 30 if you want to do so) with 1/2 inch overhang. Trigger is very good and is hammer fired. Pistol is all steel and alum. alloy. The sig 365xl is boasting 12….gee, now 15 rounds, but is still a plastic & steel gun that is striker fired w/ a trigger that does not match a Walther PPQ. Yes…the 365 is about 7 ounces lighter than the P-01, but the same overall length and shorter height make the CZ a great EDC. I have a lot of Sig’s and a lot of CZ’s…..overall I rate my P01 a 5 star and my 365 a 4.3 star…and that’s before I truly see if the sig will be as reliable as the CZ…I hope it will be, but not confident . Will let you know in 1-2k rounds.

  65. Wow! You have really convinced me. Now after researching hundreds, my 3 top contenders are the P-01, SP-01 and SP-01 Phantom (which I found). All of these three have more than just components….. They have soul and charisma. I believe these guns actually like the shooter. Sorta like a great horse or dog. They are your partners. Since I can only afford one…… I am so torn…. I can’t afford a Shadow. I love the unique Phantom which has almost the same feeling as a cool old collector car. I just love looking at it and handling it. People notice and ask about it. Since they are running low maybe I’ll get the Phantom and save up for the P-01.

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