Tx944 & All:
It did end up. And I'll tell you about it.
Before I bought anything, there was one pistol I was determined to see: The CZ 75B. I'd read much about it, but it took me a while to find the local store that carried CZ. I'm glad I found that store because they had everything else in stock, too: Ruger, S&W, Sig, H&K, Kahr, Beretta, Glock, Springfield XD, and some I'm probably forgetting, plus two showcases full of every 1911 God ever made.
I looked at the CZ first. That's what I'd come to see. And I was seriously impressed with the sleek lines; the way it felt in my hand, the "heft," the trigger, and the immaculate fit and finish. Then I looked at everything else 40 and 45 that was close to my budget. I was carrying $800 cash but looked at guns that cost a bit more than that.
I'd already owned a Ruger, and the P944 and P345 didn't look one bit better than my old (and inaccurate) P-89. The slop between barrel and slide - and between slide and frame - felt just as loose as my P-89; and I mean when locked in battery.
I'd owned S&Ws, too, and the new ones didn't much impress me; neither the inexpensive Sigma, nor the M&P series. Neither trigger felt worth a damn - and I was trying to take into account that I was checking new guns; that triggers do smooth up, some, with use.
The Springfield XD was okay. I certainly like its trigger better than the Glock's. Liked the XD's sights better, too. But it felt top-heavy without a loaded magazine, and I imagine the balance of both it and the Glock would change quite a bit as you emptied a magazine.
The Kahrs were nicely made; no question. But that trigger? Smooth? Sure. Long and heavy? Gawd! I think the DA trigger on my Ruger GP101 is shorter and lighter.
Sig and H&K were next. Not bad. But now we're pushing $900 and their fit and finish didn't come close to the CZ's. Neither did their triggers.
I looked at a small handful of 1911s. They had an "entry level" Rock Island Armory model for $499 that didn't seem bad at all. The RIA trigger was especially a treat. It felt identical to the trigger on a $1,200 Kimber. But all these RIAs were "GI" models with a stubby, integral front sight, and very stubby rear sights. At another store I'd seen a "semi target" RIA in a nice "satin nickel" finish with great sights for $569. But they'd sold it and weren't eager to order another for me.
The one "1911" that blew my mind was a Para Ordinance "LDA." Beautifully finished and with a trigger that is mechanically impossible. PO must have done a deal with the devil to get the laws of physics suspended in the LDA. Best I can tell, it's a combination of the XD's stunt of letting the slide cock the striker and the trigger tensioning it just a tad more before letting go. Only the LDA isn't striker fired. It has a much abbreviated hammer. You can see it, but you'll never get your fingers on it. Unfortunately, it was a hair over my budget, and it was far too compact for any 45 I wanted to use as a range gun. The LDA is one gun, though, that stays on my list of pistols I will buy the moment I find a steal on a good used one - maybe not quite so compact.
I also looked the CZ 45ACP, the model 97B. This, too, is a gorgeously finished pistol, reasonably priced ($699). But it is hella large. It feels bigger and heavier than a full-sized 1911. Too much for my hands, and no chance of every being carried concealed.
As I looked at each gun, I couldn't get that CZ 75B out of my mind. Instead of hanging the slide over the outside of the frame, CZ runs their slides inside rails in the frame. That gives the gun an unusually narrow and smooth profile.
All operations were silky smooth. In battery, everything was tight as a drum. It has the fire controls I like: DA/SA plus a cocked&locked safety. I wouldn't have minded a decocker/safety, like on my P-89 and former S&Ws, but that wasn't available.
The black finish is simply amazing. It looks like a master painter applied a perfect coat of high-quality, satin-black paint. Of course, it isn't paint and its' not bluing either. It's something much tougher.
So I dickered a bit and got it for $550. I'm now in the middle of the California 10-day waiting period so, no, I haven't fired it yet. I pick it up Friday. I'll post a range report after I lovingly break in its barrel.
Oh, speaking of the barrel: It isn't one of those lead-unfriendly polygonal barrels. It uses conventional rifling. Shoot all the lead you want. Which I do for target work.
I did not, though, choose the gun in the vacuum of my own impressions. I spent a lot of time over in the CZ areas of the Internet, learning how others liked their CZ, the problems they've encountered (all minor and easily corrected), the pleasant surprises they've had. One thing you hear a lot: "My CZ was dead on the bull's-eye - first shot out of the box."
In all my research, I learned something that might interest those of you in the Free states. EAA imports the "Witness," a CZ-licensed clone of the 75B made by Tangfolio of Italy. When I told my brother in Florida, he went to a gun store to check out the EAA Witness. He found it, in 10mm, on the store owner's hip.
He reports that the EAA Witness is also beautifully made. And here's the kicker: In plain black, the EAA Witness 10mm is $400 brand new! It's also available in 9mm, 40, and 45 ACP. Alas, no EAAs are on the California roster of approved handguns. Grrrrr.
You might also run into a CZ clone made by Armscorp (of the Philippines), same people that make Rock Island. If you run across one, have a look. It might be a real bargain.
Did I make the best choice? Only time will tell. I bought what I believe is the best 40 - for me. I don't buy a new pistol often. This will be the first in, oh, 18 years? If I regret my choice, I can always resell it, pick something else.
For anybody in the market for a new pistol, I highly recommend you at least give the CZs a close look. Get your paws on one before you write them off. You will be impressed. Want something more compact? The 75B is available in a compact version as well as with a polymer frame - I think. Want more compact? Look at the CZ Rami.
I'll report back with a review once I've got some rounds through it.
