[romeofoxtrot]

This is my first evening on the forum. I don't even know how to post, so please indulge me. I just traded for a used but excellent and beautiful CZ-85 Pre-B. I love the look, design, and especially the "feel" -- it fits my hand and points perfectly. The problem is that the magazines that came with the gun apparently are not for this model. Two Mec-Gars are the 16 round ones that I'm told are for the B model. The others (brand unknown) also malfunction by locking the slide back as the round nosedives and jams into the feed ramp on about every third round more or less. Also the brass is scratched with a line clearly cut in each round once cycling through the gun by firing or just by ejecting the live rounds to check functioning. Cleaning it didn't help, although I didn't think about taking out the extractor and cleaning that area. Anyway, I need the proper magazines for sure and any other ideas anyone may have about what exactly is wrong here. Can anyone help me?!?!

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. First, welcome to the site. I hope you enjoy your visits here.

The CZ-75 Pre-B does use a magazine that is slightly different (smaller in some dimensions) than the B Models. Mine will not accept aftermarket CZ 75 magazines, although an early Tanfoglio TZ-75 magazine works fine in any of my Pre-B guns. I do not know if such would be the same for currently TZ magazines. These were made by Mec-Gar. I am not sure if they still have them in stock but at one time Pre-B magazines (15-shot) could be bought from CZ-USA. You might also check the classifieds of post a "Want to Buy" classified at this site for Pre-B magazines:

http://p201.ezboard.com/bczechpistols82792

I do not remember his name but at the CZ Forum listed above, they will know a gunsmith who can slightly open the magazine well such that your Pre-B will work with B magazines and still be able to use the Pre-B ones.

Best.

 

[mbott]

I do not remember his name but at the CZ Forum listed above, they will know a gunsmith who can slightly open the magazine well such that your Pre-B will work with B magazines and still be able to use the Pre-B ones.

I believe you are thinking of Jim Miossi of Miossi Gun Works.

A little CZ History can be found here: http://p201.ezboard.com/fczechpistols82792frm25.showMessage?topicID=91.topic

--
Mike

 

[romeofoxtrot]

Mike--
Thanks so much for the history information. Among the many things I learned is the possibility that my Pre-B 85 may be a transitional model. It has the serrated slide, with a spur hammer, and smaller sights; it has, of course the improved ambidextrous controls of the 85; firing pin safety is not there; adjustable trigger stop is there as is a squared trigger guard, and the newer black checkered plastic grips with the CZ emblem at the base on both sides. At the front of the slide on the left side of the frame it says: A.A.L.-Phila., PA. In the idention just above the extractor on the right side of the frame there is some kind of proof mark inside an oval-like with the number 91. I wonder if this could be the year of manufacture. Serial # starts with the letter "B" and is four digits. Any more information you could share in helping identify this piece would be most appreciated. I am intrigued more than ever now. Thanks again.
--Ray

 

[mbott]

In the idention just above the extractor on the right side of the frame there is some kind of proof mark inside an oval-like with the number 91. I wonder if this could be the year of manufacture.

Ray,

That's exactly what the number is.

--
Mike

 

[romeofoxtrot]

Apparently the problem with my '91 CZ-85 transitional model was not the magazines after all. Following a call to CZ and a very helpful discussion with their gunsmith Mike, I learned the problem was likely a weak slide stop spring. He explained how to bend it to make it work better, which I tried and in the process lost the spring pin. Another call to Mike ended in his offer to send me a replacement pin and spring at no cost. After my daughter found the pin I'd lost, I finally got the gun back together and took it out to the range. All three magazines I have -- two 16 rd Mec-Gars and one possibly original beat-up CZ magazine all functioned perfectly. I'm ecstatic again because the gun is in beautiful condition. In fact I was so appreciative to CZ that I went out and put a P-01 on layaway. The more I read, handle, shoot, and generally study these guns, the more I like them. I've never quite had a gun grow on me like these have. Thanks to all of you who have responded with helpful and informative comments.

 

[mbott]

The more I read, handle, shoot, and generally study these guns, the more I like them. I've never quite had a gun grow on me like these have.

What you have just described are the early symptoms of CZ-itis. Although it is not a terminal disease by any means, it has been know to have a devastating affect on credit cards and savings accounts.

In fact I was so appreciative to CZ that I went out and put a P-01 on layaway.

An excellent choice.

--
Mike

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hello romeofoxtrot,

I believe that you will find the CZ series of handguns to be the most useful and user friendly handguns out there and will no doubt it will become your favorite just as mine has become. I have had excellent conversations and support from CZ-USA and Mike.

I shoot my CZ 75B often and it just keeps getting better and better.

Chris

 

[CZ85convert]

I know this is an incredibly old thread but I thought I would put a very useful piece of information up anyhow.

I also have a CZ85 Pre B Transitional Model mine was made in 1992. I bought it in 2008 "brand new" in box, it had been sitting in the back of a gun safe for 15 years. We had to pry the box off the shelf with one of those cake spatulas, the packing grease had turned into glue.

I have tried 2 different kinds of CZ75 mags that were recommended by CZUSA, and none of them worked.

I wrote an email to the CZ Custom shop and they told me that CZ75 SP01 #11152 Mags worked, and they do they are 18rd capacity, and drop free when empty just like the mag that came with the gun.

The only "issue" is the baseplate, the SP01 has a "drop heel" that matches the 3/8" thick baseplate and covers the backstrap of the mag.

The CZ85 does not have that heel, so there is about 3/8" of magazine exposed at the back.
I dont have issue with that, I carry it with the flush fit 16rd mag and have the 18rd one as spare.