CZ 75 Overview

The CZ 75 semi-automatic pistol first made its debut in 1975, and was made by Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod from Czech Republic. It featured a staggered-column cartridge magazine, and was composed of steel, and boasted a hammer forged barrel. It was produced both for world market and serve as the military issue sidearm for the Czech Republic.



The CZ 75 is a short recoil action, secured breech pistol, which utilizes the Browning linkless cam locking system. This is pretty much the same system that was used in the development of the highly successful Browning Hi-Power handgun. This well thought through system is one wherein the barrel and slide are locked collectively upon firing.



The CZ 75 was one of the very first high-capacity 9mm pistols to incorporate a safety similar to that of the Browning Hi-Power. This permits the CZ 75 to be carried with the hammer cocked, the safety engaged, and a round chambered, a condition that came to be called “condition one”, or “cocked and locked”. At the time, it was unusual for double-action pistols to carry this \"cocked and locked\" model of safety. Over the years some gunmakers and manufacturers, such as with the Walther P38 and the Beretta 92F, have instituted a combination safety/decocking lever. The trade-off without the decocker, is that to uncock the hammer for a double-action first shot, the hammer must be dropped manually by moving the trigger while lowering the hammer with the thumb. In some well documented cases, accidental discharge resulting in personal injury and death have occurred. Familiarity with the weapon, and pointing the pistol in a safe direction, can eliminate this threat.



The CZ 75 has seen a few changes through the years. Some different frame material components and accurizing parts have lent this fine weapon to becoming a very desireable “speed gun” or “race gun” for competition shooters. The overall dimensions have, however, remained the same. The overall length is 8.1 inches, the barrel is 4.7 inches, the width is 1.3 inches, and the height is 5.4 inches. Though introduced as a 9mm, the competition popular 9X21mm was added, as well as the .40 S&W. Magazine capacities for the 9mm is 15 rounds, and for the .40 S&W is 12 rounds. As to date, over 1.2 million of these great pistols have been manufactured.