The CZ 75 was the third wondernine, introduced in 1975, after the VP-70 (1970), the S&W 59 (1971). The Bereta Model 92 came long a year later in 1976. The CZ 75 and Beretta 92 were however by far the most successful of the early Wondernines and aged far better than the other two. Both are still relevant and popular today in a number of different variants.
The major advantages of the CZ 75 pistols are the steel or alloy frame options, as well as the safety lever or decocker lever options. The CZ 75 also fits the hands of people who like the feel of a 1911 or Hi Power. It doesn’t suffer from the fat grip and overly long trigger reach of the double stack versions of the Beretta 92.
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I have an early pre-B CZ 75, as well as an AT-84 clone made by Solothurn. These pre-B and B models are DA/SA with a safety lever that allows them to be carried cocked and locked. The AT-84 was imported by Action Arms for a short time and they’ve become extremely pricey on the used market.
I have a CZ 75D Compact PCR. Like the other D and BD models it is SA/DA but with a decocking lever. It’s the alloy frame, decocker equipped version of the CZ 75 Compact. If I am going to carry a 9mm handgun, this is likely to be this one. It’s the sweet spot between size and controllability, weight, and magazine capacity.
I also have:
- a CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical (top left) which has a 17 round magazine and rail. It is also a decocker equipped pistol but they also make it in a safety lever model;
- a CZ 75 Compact (middle left). It’s a steel frame, safety lever equipped pistol. The steel frame makes it the softest shooting of the compact CZ 75 compact models, while not making it overly heavy for concealed carry;
- a CZ 75 RAMI (bottom left), a sub compact alloy frame derivative of the CZ 75. It’s available with a 10 round flush magazine or a 13 round finger grip extension magazine. It’s about the smallest readily controllable double stack compact available (although I 5ink it’s been discontinued); and
- a CZ 75 Kadet (top right). It’s a superb .22 LR version of the CZ 75, that is very accurate and very reliable, particularly by .22 LR sub caliber pistol standards. It’s also been discontinued, but they still sell a Kadet conversion kit that will fit on a CZ 75 frame.
All of them are excellent handguns.