Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod or CZUB is the firearms company located in the Uhersky Brod, Czech Republic, that is working in concert with CZ USA to bring the CZ line up products to U.S.
customers. In this article we will be examining a CZ pistol, that is one of the most reliable, rugged, accurate, ergonomic and soft shooting 9mm service pistols ever made.
The original CZ 75 is a DA/SA (Double Action/Single Action) Pistol that was first developed in 1975. The CZ 75BD is as an upgraded model that was designed in the early 1990s. The B designation
signifies the presence of a firing pin block safety and the D designation is given to identify the hammer decocking mechanism. The CZ 75BD also has a phosphate finish that is coated with a baked
on black Polycoat finish. Phosphate and Polycoat has been applied to CZ military and police pistols for decades and provides the protection that enables the CZ 75 to hold up to adverse operating
conditions.
Regardless of the specific model, all CZ 75s are short recoil operated pistols that use a linkless breech locking mechanism that is similar to the one used in the Browning Hi Power. While the compact model CZ 75 is manufactured with an alloy frame, the full size CZ 75s have a steel frame.
However, I should point out that even though the all steel CZ 75BD weighs 35.3 ounces unloaded, this pistol is very well balanced. The CZ 75 also has excellent ergonomics, which is the result of a well contoured grip and the addition of a built in beavertail on top portion of the frame.
The 9mm CZ 75BD is a full size service pistol with a 4.6 inch barrel, that can accommodate 10, 16, 17 and 19 round magazines. In addition to the unmarked 16 round magazines that came with the new CZ 75BD, I also tested this pistol with high capacity Mec-Gar magazines. The CZ 75 is also famous for having an incredibly super smooth DA/SA trigger. In fact, I personally believe that the CZ 75 has one of the best DA/SA trigger systems on any pistol that I have trained with, tested and evaluated to date. To be even more specific, the Single Action portion of the CZ 75 BD’s DA/SA trigger is the smoothest S/A trigger I have ever evaluated.
It is also important to note, that the CZ 75 is designed to have the slide assembly ride on rails fitted to the inside of the frame. This design feature provides a very low bore axis, which translates to
reduced felt recoil and low muzzle rise. When you combine the reduction of felt recoil, with the weight of all steel construction, the low muzzle rise, a superb DA/SA trigger, excellent ergonomics and a set of very user friendly three dot sights, you end up with a pistol that is capable of delivering precision shot placement in trained hands.
Even though the CZ 75BD is an all steel pistol, I personally find this particular CZ to be comfortable to carry concealed. I suspect the reason for this, is because I have carried all steel 1911s and 9mm Browning Hi Powers at various times during my LE career and since I retired. As a result, I am no stranger to the heft of an all steel pistol. If for any reason you find the CZ 75BD to be a tad too heavy when this pistol if fully loaded, one suggestion is to download your high capacity magazines by a few rounds of ammunition. Using 10 round magazines is another option. I mention this
because some end users could find the CZ 75BD to be a tad too heavy, when fully loaded with 17 or more rounds. Since I believe that there is no reason to throw out the baby with the bath water, the concept of downloading magazines is a realistic solution for some folks.
SHOTS FIRED
Both the surplus CZ 75BD Police Model that I evaluated last year and the brand new CZ 75BD that I just finished testing, proved to be flawlessly reliable with a variety of Federal and Speer 9mm
FMJ and hollow-point ammunition. Just as when I tested the surplus European police service pistol, the brand new CZ 75BD test pistol performed like a premium brand pistol should.
TALON GRIPS
When I tested the European police surplus CZ 75BD last year I did so with the factory grips installed on this pistol. Even though the CZ 75BD has superb ergonomics I wanted to see if I could improve on perfection by installing a set of Talon Rubber Grips on the test pistol that was provided by CZ. Just as I have found while testing other semi autos, the installation of a set of Talon
Rubber Grips improved ergonomics in two ways. In addition to making it possible to apply a more positive grip to the grip potion of the frame, the installation of Talon Rubber Grips made the CZ 75BD feel like an even softer shooting pistol.
CLOSING REMARKS
One of the firearms that I regret not buying many years ago is the CZ 75BD. After coming very close to buying the surplus European police pistol that I tested last year, I rectified this mistake by purchasing the CZ 75BD test pistol from CZ. My decision to do so proves that is never too late to learn. SIDEBAR: In order to turn my newly acquired CZ 75BD into a true 21 st Century Personal
Defense Weapon I plan on replacing the standard factory three dot white sights with a set of three dot Trijicon Night Sights.
About the Author
Nick Jacobellis is a Medically Retired Senior Special Agent of the U.S. Customs Service who was physically disabled in the line of duty while working in undercover operations. Prior to joining the U.S. Customs Service the author served as a police officer and investigator for various law enforcement agencies in New York. To date, the author has published over 180 magazine articles and eight books.
The author has a Bachelor of Science Degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, is married and has two sons and two grandsons.
Nick’s books include:
