The classics, as they say, never die. While the origin of this phrase is debatable, it sure feels like it came from the firearm industry. When a company has a good product, it often tends to use it as a base for future models, and a great example of this is the CZ 75. This iconic design survived the polymer-versus-metal wars by reincarnating itself as the P-09. However, successful as the design has been, CZ-USA recently decided that an update to the proven duty gun was in order, which it has delivered in the form of the P-09 Nocturne, available in both full-size (F) and compact (C) versions.
Like models past, the Nocturne is a semi-automatic, hammer-fired pistol that feeds from a detachable box magazine. When at rest with a round chambered, the barrel is locked into the slide. After the trigger is pressed, the resultant recoil sends the slide and the barrel rearward together for a short distance to allow chamber pressures to subside before they separate, permitting the case to be extracted and ejected. The hammer is cocked as the slide continues its stroke, before the recoil spring returns it to battery, stripping a fresh round off the magazine in the process.
The P-09’s CZ 75 heritage is evident in its rail system. As opposed to the more conventional arrangement, the Nocturne’s slide rests within its frame rather than overhanging it. This less obtrusive mating of parts contributes to a low bore axis, which results in less muzzle flip during firing. While the rails, barrel and slide are comprised of metal, the frame is made of reinforced polymer, which keeps the pistol’s overall weight reasonably low. The use of this material also makes it easier to add premium features such as interchangeable backstraps and a more aggressive texturing pattern.
The Nocturne features a double-action/single-action fire control group, which is not a common configuration these days. In practice, the first shot necessitates a long, heavy trigger press, while subsequent shots only require a short press. The decocker affords a safe means of carrying the pistol with the hammer down, leaving no extra steps between drawing and firing. The pistol ships with this decocker installed, however, it also includes an interchangeable safety lever that permits carrying the Nocturne “cocked and locked.” Both options are bilateral, with the push-button magazine release being reversible, making this pistol a good option for southpaw shooters.
Aside from a more striking appearance, the P-09 F Nocturne’s most obvious addition is its optics cut. The pistol ships with a cover held in place by a pair of Torx screws; once removed, it reveals a direct mount for a Shield-footprint optic. For our testing, we mounted Shield’s new AMSc, the company’s latest sealed-emitter design.
CZ boasts that the Nocturne was created to function with a variety of ammunition types, so we assembled an assortment to challenge that claim. We initiated our range day by zeroing the optic, which was already surprisingly close. From the bench, shooters were able to gather a feel for the single-action mode of the trigger, which garnered predominantly positive reactions. At just a shade more than 4 lbs., it was quite light—and, at 10 lbs., 8 ozs., the double-action pull was likewise found to be relatively light.
All testers remarked on the straight-back nature of the recoil, and we were pleased by how easy it was to change the backstraps right on the range. This made accommodating our crew of varying hand sizes quite effortless. Stepping over to a field laden with cardboard IPSC targets, we practiced drawing and firing double-action shots. Although the trigger was stiff, each shooter felt that the pistol pointed instinctively, which expedited putting rounds on target. Controlled-pair drills affirmed this sentiment and let us reap the benefits of the design’s decreased muzzle flip, allowing both shots to be placed extraordinarily close to each other.
Overall, we found the Nocturne to be precise in both its DA and SA modes, making the pistol a solid pick for both slow-fire and rapid-fire shooting disciplines. We concluded our day after exhausting a total of 350 trouble-free rounds, speaking well to the sample’s reliability.
The CZ P-09 F Nocturne proved to be a capable handgun with enough utility to satisfy shooters of multiple camps; shooters who prefer a DA/SA trigger will enjoy it right out of the box with the decocker, while those more accustomed to M1911-style carry will be happy after switching over to the manual safety. This rich a feature set typically commands a hefty price tag, however, with an MSRP of $579, the Nocturne’s value is as clear as day.
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