CZ 75
| CZ-75 Specifications | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country of origin: | Czech Republic |
| Operation: | Semiautomatic, mechanically locked, recoil operated |
| Action: | DA/SA, DAO, SA |
| Cartridge: | 9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W |
| Length: | 206mm/8.1" |
| Height: | 138mm/5.4" |
| Width: | 35mm/1.4" |
| Weight (Empty): | 1000g/35.3oz |
| Barrel: | 120mm/4.7" |
| Magazine capacity: | 15/16 in 9mm Parabellum, 12 in .40 S&W |
| Magazine type: | Detachable Box |
The CZ-75 is a semi-automatic handgun introduced in 1975 by Česká zbrojovka in caliber 9mm Parabellum. It is one of the original wondernines, featuring high-capacity double-column magazine, sturdy all-steel construction, great accuracy, and superb reliability.
Design
CZ-75 is a short recoil operated, locked breech pistol. Most models have a double action trigger and frame-mounted manual safety. Some recent models have a decocking lever in place of the manual safety. Starting in the late 80s, all CZ-75s are now made with firing pin blocks, designated by the letter B (as in CZ-75B).
Colonel Jeff Cooper, long-time advocate of the Colt 1911, hailed it as the best-designed double-action autoloader available. It has become one of the most popular pistols of its class. As Česká Zbrojovka is quick to point out, it is in service with "more Governments, Militaries, Police and Security agencies than any other pistol in the world."
Production
Originally designed for export, the CZ-75 was not widely available in the U.S. until 1993, when Action Arms began importing it. CZ-USA is now the primary/sole distributer in the United States.
Variants
CZ
Modern versions of the CZ-75 include:
- CZ-85 - a completely ambidextrous CZ-75 variant
- CZ-75 Compact - a standard CZ-75 with a slightly shortened grip and 3.9 inch barrel. There is now a version available chambered for the .40 S&W.
- CZ-75B SA - a CZ-75 which has a single action trigger mechanism and a drop free magazine. It is available chambered for 9mm or .40 S&W.
- The P-01 - a CZ-75 Compact variant intended for law enforcement use, with an aluminum alloy frame, decocker and under-barrel accessory rail. It is the new weapon of choice for the Czech National Police. It is one of the few (if not only) NATO classified handguns that is available to the public without modifications. It received NATO certification after undergoing extensive testing. Its NATO Stock Number (NSN) is 1005-16-000-8619.
- CZ 75 SP-01/SP-01 Tactical - similar to the P-01 with accessory rail, but with all-steel construction and utilizing the full-size frame and slide as well as incorparating extended-capacity 19 round magazines. It is available with an ambidextrous manual safety (SP-01) or with an ambidextrous decocker (SP-01 Tactical).
- CZ 75 Compact .40 - Version similar to P-01 with accessory rail, but chambered in .40S&W, and utilizing a steel instead of alloy frame. In place of P-01's decocker is an ambidextrous manual safety. Magazine capacity is 10 rounds.
- CZ-75 Standard ISPC - A CZ-75 variant designed specifically for ISPC competition with extended grip, single-action trigger, heavy-duty free-falling magazines, and an enlarged magazine well.
- CZ 2075 RAMI - A subcompact version of the CZ 75 intended for concealed carry. Features a 3 inch barrel, aluminum frame and low-profile sights. Available in 9x19mm or .40S&W, with standard magazine capacities of 10 (9mm) and 8 (.40S&W) rounds, respectively. An optional 14-round magazine is available for the 9mm version.
- CZ 75BD - A variant of the now-common CZ-75B (B standing for firing pin Block) with a decocker replacing the traditional manual safety. (D stands for Decocker). This variant is quickly becoming the most common of the CZ 75B models, due to the additional safety the Decocker safety provides.
- CZ-75 Auto - A selective-fire variant intended for law enforcement and military use. One distinguishing characteristic is its longer barrel. An extra clip can be attached to the front to act as a makeshift foregrip.
Clones
In fiction
- In Miami Vice, Don Johnson's character Sonny Crockett carried a Bren Ten, the first in a long line of CZ-75 clones.
- The CZ-75 is the weapon of choice of Irene "Rally" Vincent in the anime Gunsmith Cats.
- A CZ-75 is used by Rico as her sidearm in the anime Gunslinger Girl.
See also
