[Chris Stephens]

Hello All,

I wanted to relay the story of how I aquired my first CZ 75 B and the steps I am taking in rehabbing an older previously owned pistol.

A week ago Friday, I had consigned a handgun at the local shooting range and called before leaving to pick up my check to ask the owner of the range if he had any CZ 75B's laying around. He replied, "yes, I've got one on the gunsmith's bench that I am getting ready to send out for repair". I asked, "how much do you want for it" and he replied, "it's broken, but if you give me $200.00, it's yours".

Well folks, dang rush hour traffic and all, I made it to the range in "record time" and went in to see what was what with the "broken" pistol. The owner led me back to the gunsmith's shop and tore the ticket from the gun, "ah, its got a broken slide stop and is missing the magazine". I did some quick calculations in my head and said "let's get 'er done" and went to fill out a 4473.

Believe me, I've been around a LOT of handguns over the past 20 years or so. I took the 75B home and got out some cleaning supplies and tools.

The slide stop was indeed broken and still inside the the handgun. I took a punch and gently pushed out the lever and the broken piece. I then fieldstripped the gun and started with the cleaning routine. The barrel and internal parts were in sore need of cleaning.

Shown is the 75B in the condition I purchased it in.

I cleaned it up and through the grime and oil shown a fairly well shot pistol with a very worn recoil spring and some slight peening to the barrel cam. Not to be disuaded I continued to work on 'er.

A very dear friend sent a package to me containing the much needed slide stop, new recoil springs, CZ rubber grips, magazines and new grip screws. I am very much indebted to him and here is the CZ-75-B in its "rehabbed condition".

Here is the CZ in its newly rehabbed condition

The other night, I repainted the sights and now it is in functioning condition and ready for its debut at the Indoor Shooting Range. With the new grips, it fits my hand to a "T" and feels even more lively in my grip.

Soon enough, I will follow up with a range report. I am indeed excited about this newly aquired handgun!

Best,

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi there all,

I finally made it to the range this morning. It was "hotter than a Tobacco Barn" in the unairconditioned range and concentration lagged with the soaring heat and humidity.

I took the CZ-75B and about 100 rounds of the Winchester White Box ammunition. I had 2 failures to eject in about 50 rounds, which I believe were mechanically caused, but realiability is going to be an issue until I replace the extractor spring.

Accuracy was "CZsational" and I am very pleased with the handling characteristics of the 75B.

It was a pleasant firearm to shoot, recoil was negligible and I will continue to work it up to its full potential with a few parts, i.e. new extractor and extractor spring.

I believe that I will be well served by this fine firearm.

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi there,

I thought about the malfunctions all afternoon and on the advice of a friend called CZ-USA and spoke directly with Mr. Mike Eagleshield. Mr. Eagleshield is CZ's head gunsmith.

Mr. Eagleshield recommended that I remove the extractor and clean underneath it. I asked if I needed a new extractor spring and he said, "no just clean under the extractor". I confirmed with him the direction the extractor retaining pin needed to be drifted (from the top of the slide down through the bottom).

Getting my tools and bench block out, I proceeded to remove the extractor. Using a Midway plastic gun pick, I took some solvent, flooded the extractor cut and then used a patch to remove the "gunk". Indeed, my efforts were rewarded with a 1/8" ball of "crud" that came out of the extractor cut.

Using my pin punch as a "slave pin", I drifted the extractor and spring back into place.

Voila! We will see tomorrow whether or not this "cured" my extraction problems, but I am 99% sure that it did.

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hello,

Well, I just got back from the range and the suggestion of the 124 grain Winchester NATO ammo was an excellent one.

The ammunition is very accurate in the CZ and the pistol functioned flawlessly.

Here is a picture of the completely rehabbed CZ:

I ran 64 rounds of the NATO through it and another 50 rounds of the Winchester White Box 115 grain FMJ. Not a miscue anywhere. I must admit that I was fairly spooked yesterday with the 2 malfunctions that I had.

Now, my confidence is restored!

Good friends, good guns=priceless results.

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Well Folks,

Indeed, it does keep getting better and better!

I went to the range this morning in the blazing SC Heat and it was 82 degrees inside the range at 9:00AM this morning. Not to be daunted, I left the house with 3 Mec Gar Magazines loaded with 18 rounds each of 124 grain Winchester NATO ball ammo.

On B-27 targets rapid fire at 10 yards this morning, the results were indeed impressive:

Now I am up to 300 trouble free rounds out of the CZ-75B and would consider it ready for "serious social purposes".

Now that the slide stop and recoil spring have been replaced and the front sight repainted, this CZ-75B just hums along like a sewing machine. I did notice that the slide would close when the magazine was forcefully inserted, thus chambering a round. Talk about speed reloads!

My rapid fire and accurate shooting brought much attention from the firing line this morning as CZ's just are not very common in my neck of the woods.

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hello,

The newer slide stop seems be a one piece design compared to the older one and the old recoil spring was indeed worn and tired.

Like you sir, I do believe in keeping spares on hand and as for the luck--I certainly believe that good maintainence and a experienced hand will solve any future ills.

Best,

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hello Jonas and Leland,

Jonas, I believe I will be back in Switzerland by next summer if my plans go accordingly well this fall/winter. I will join you for a fine raclette if you invite me!

Leland, I really enjoy shooting the CZ very, very fast and with my 18 round Mec Gars I really enjoy cutting the center out of the B-27's. I actually enjoy shooting as a form of stress relief and I had quite a bit a stress that day!

Thank you,

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hello Kelly,

The factory rubber grips fit my hand to a "T". As far as finding a used CZ-75B, I did indeed luck into it and it is not a stocking item at the gunstore I frequent here in Myrtle Beach.

CZ's are tough handguns and the finish on mine is definately a little beat. I've been comtemplating getting it refinished after about a year of shooting and carry to see if I want to invest the extra money in a $200.00/handgun.

As for holsters, Mr. Twoguns has made an excellent recommendation! Don Hume's stuff is excellent and really crafted for the gun the holster is designed for. I haven't bought a holster, but do have a Bianchi Black Widow for the CZ.

I do really enjoy this CZ quite a bit.

Chris