CZ 75

The Czech handgun CZ Model 75 was introduced to the world by the Česká Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod, or CZUB for short, in 1975. This organization is justifiably proud of its creation, stating that the CZ Model 75 is being used by more military, security and law enforcement agencies than any of its kind in the world. This may be an exaggeration, but it is a known fact that it is in active use by the P-01 (the Czech police force), the Turkish police and various American law enforcement agencies. It was not sold in the United States until CZ-USA, the Kansas City-based American subsidiary of the CZUB, began importing it legally in 1993.

The CZ Model 75 is a semiautomatic pistol that chambers 9 mm Parabellum and .40 S&W rounds. This sturdy all-steel creation is a legend in its own right, figuring among the most accurate reliable handguns of all time. Because it features a high-capacity double-stack magazine, it was included in the 'wonder nines' - a term popularized by US armament magazines that pertains to handguns with this feature that are chambered for 9 x 19 mm ammunition. Others to be awarded this distinction were the Glock 17 and the Browning Hi-Power.

The CZ Model 75 is hailed as the best multi-action auto-loading handgun on the market. It is available in double action/single action, double action only and single action formats. The single action versions have extremely crisp trigger operation, and the double action models are reported to be smooth and consistent. This semiautomatic is short recoil operated, which means that the barrel and bolt recoil only a short distance before they unlock and separate. The barrel retreats into the frame and rotates the link. The barrels' rear is driven down and thereby disengages from the slide. This action is more or less the baseline technology for most centerfire automatic pistols and almost all 9 x 19 mm caliber semiautomatic pistols feature it.

The CZ Model 75 weighs 35.3 ounces when in an unloaded condition and measures 206 mm in length and 35 mm in width. The barrel is 120 mm long. The magazine is of the detachable box type and accommodates, depending on the model, either 15 to 16 9 mm Parabellum rounds or 12 .40 S&W rounds. Almost all versions of the CZ Model 75 feature a double action trigger as well as a manual safety mounted on the frame. It has ergonomically designed grip and controls and the slide is incorporated into the frame for increased recoil control. The 3-dot sighting system, which can be modified to night sighting devices too, has a lot to do with its high accuracy.

Models of the CZ Model 75 that were manufactured from the latter 80s onward (qualified by the letter 'B') also incorporate firing pin blocks. The second generation CZ 75B, for instance, has this feature. So does the CZ 75B SA, which has a single action trigger mechanism and also includes a drop free magazine. A further modified version of the CZ 75B SA is the CZ 75BD, which has a de-cocker in place of the manual safety, is quickly overtaking the previous models because of the enhanced safety factor.

Apart from these versions, there are something like fifteen other variants of the CZ Model 75 on the market, each with certain additional features. Amongst these, the compact and subcompact models are among the most popular with police forces. The CZ 75 P-01 is a fully NATO compliant compact version that is now the preferred handgun of the Czech police. The CZ 75 Champion has been specifically designed for Open Class IPSC competitions and similar competitive shooting events.

Among the various USPs of this remarkable handgun is the fact that its superior design and the high-grade materials used in it result in a very long lifespan, even with active use. Whether the CZUB is accurate in its assessment of the CZ Model 75's popularity is debatable, but at prices within the region of $500 it is definitely among he most affordable high quality handguns available today.