On the Range: The CZ-75 Compact
Gun companies are pumping out new guns or new variations of their guns about as fast as Biden makes gaffes in his speeches. Sometimes we forget about the all-time greats out there that are still just as valid in today’s world of self-defense as any of the new ones. The 9mm CZ-75 D PCR Compact is one of those guns.
The CZ-75 Compact, Forgotten but not Gone
By Jason Mosher
The full-size CZ-75 is a great gun, but it’s also a big gun. The CZ-75 PCR compact, however, is surprisingly light and a good size for multi-purpose use. It’s small enough to carry concealed, but still big enough to use as a primary weapon.
According to CZ, PCR stands for “Police Czech Republic,” named after the organization it was designed for in the beginning. It is still carried and used by them today along with a few other weapons. The “D” stands for “decocker” which we will get to later. This 9mm champion has been around for years but it is still an awesome gun. Let’s look at one on the range.
Range Day
The CZ-75 PCR is one of the best I’ve seen for balance and recoil. The recoil was minimal making it easy to re-acquire the target. The muzzle end of the gun stays on target well because of how low the slide sits in the frame of the gun.
As for capacity, the magazine holds 15 rounds of 9mm, giving you a good count for a mid-size gun. For comparison, larger-sized frames like the Sig P320 and Glock’s 17 model only hold 2 more rounds in their standard magazines.
Like all my first-day range visits with a new gun, I fired some random full metal jackets through the CZ to check for cycling issues. This gun has been around long enough that I didn’t suspect there would be any, but hey, shooting ammo is fun so we did the drills anyway.
If you are not familiar with CZ, they have a unique design where the slide sits inside the frame instead of the outside like most traditional semiauto handguns. This allows the gun to be less top-heavy as the slide kicks back during cycles, leading to good muzzle control making follow-up shots faster. The only downfall with this design is that it’s harder to get a good grip on the slide when chambering the round.
Running Drills with the CZ-75 Compact
While on the range I did a few different drills to test not only accuracy but reliability during rapid fire. For the rapid-fire drill, I fired 15 rounds in less than five seconds at 15 yards and was able to keep them all at center mass within the #9 ring. Some handguns can be hard to keep the barrel from rising with rapid firing, but the CZ was centered very well.
For the second drill, I performed one-second controlled shots at 25 yards and the accuracy of the CZ was excellent. I fired 45 rounds during this drill and was able to keep them all at center mass. The CZ made it much easier than many other handguns on the market today, including some of the new models.
The single/double action on this gun is like other double-action models, but the CZ with the “D” option gives you the ability to decock the gun and lower it to half-cock by simply pushing down on the decocking lever. This is a good option when carrying the gun. The first trigger pull will be just a little longer when in half-cock, but it is still a smooth trigger pull. Holsters are easy to find as well, with a wide array of options for concealed and tactical carry. I also found a good assortment of leather holsters for belt and shoulder carry.
Is the CZ-75 customizable?
There isn’t much that needs to be done to the CZ-75 Compact, but it does leave some room for customization, with the easiest being the grips. I ordered a cheaper pair of G10 grips with a redwood tone and the look is just what I was wanting. One screw is all that holds them on so they can be changed in a matter of minutes.
Summary
The CZ-75 compact is one of the “old greats” but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a “new great” for you. It’s a surprisingly lightweight gun that offers a 15-round capacity with easy-to-find magazines, and a single/double action with a de-cocker leaving it in half-cock position. It’s a good mid-size frame that feels comfortable to shoot. It’s a great-looking gun and it can be picked up in the $650-$700 range.
CZ-75 Specs
- MSRP: $745
- Caliber: 9mm
- Magazine Capacity: 15
- Magazine Type: Double
- Frame: Aluminum (7075 T6)
- Grips: Rubber
- Trigger Match: DA/SA
- Sights: Snag-free fixed, 3-dot
- Barrel: Cold hammer forged
- Barrel length: 3.75
- Weight: 27.5 oz
- Safety: Decocking lever, safety stop on the hammer, firing pin block safety, loaded chamber indicator
The Mag Life Staff Writer
