The CZ-75: A Czech Classic

The quality coming out of Česká zbrojovka, which translates to Czech Armory, is renowned among competitive shooters and quickly acknowledged once casual enthusiasts get behind one of their triggers. Stateside the company, which now has Colt’s Manufacturing under its corporate umbrella, is more affectionately known as CZ.

It’s headquartered in Uherský Brod in the Czech Republic, where operation began in 1937. Because there were several facilities that served as the nation’s armories before World War II, the firm’s legal name is technically Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod—differentiating from the country’s other early gunmakers, most now long gone.

In 1997, the company established CZ-USA to bolster imports of its fine line of firearms stateside. Its headquarters today is Kansas City, Kan. One of its hottest sellers on opening day, undoubtedly, was the semi-automatic CZ 75 pistol. It was first introduced in 1975 and by 2007, more than a million had been sold across the globe.

Today there are 13 versions available to enthusiasts, all in 9 mm Luger. A few also available chambered for .40 S&W and in variations that make them compliant for restrictive regions of the country. Odds are good there's a model ideally suited for your needs, from self-defense, duty and, of course, weekend matches.

In 2022, the company introduced the CZ TS 2 Racing Green (above) model to its CZ 75 lineup. It brings all the features that made the original so popular and ready for both the IPSC Standard Division and USPSA Limited Division right out of the box. The semi-automatic, available in 9 mm Luger only, has an extended left-side safety, a thumb rest and an adjustable magazine release that nicely matches the anodized green aluminum grips and magazine bases. It’s built from the ground up to be reliable and fast—with the looks to match.

Its double-stack magazine capacity is 20 cartridges. The cold-hammer forged barrel measures 5.23" and the pistol’s overall length is 8.86". It weighs 49 ozs, the manual safety is ambidextrous and MSRP is $2,055.

The CZ 75 B, CZ 75 BD and CZ 75 B Omega are truer to the original design. Each have 4.6" barrels, measure 8.1" in overall length, weigh 36.6 ozs. and are chambered in 9 mm Luger exclusively. The retail pricing is also identical in all three models at $745. The semi-automatic double- and single-action pistols come either with a manual safety, de-cocker or the Omega trigger, along with the ability to swap from manual safety to de-cocker respectively.  

The company offers a complete line of competition models, optics-ready versions and more. The CZ 75 TS Competition will set you back $3,699—the most expensive in the lineup—but it’s ready to go in IPSC Open or Limited divisions, and the features make it obvious owners will never jealously eye another competitor’s pistol.