Carry condition for CZ 75B

[American1776]

My new favorite carry pistol is the CZ 75B. I know that the 1911 is perfectly good to go cocked and locked (condition 1). That's how I carry and keep my 1911's.

What about the CZ 75B? It doesn't have a grip safety, just a thumb safety. It also has DA/SA mode capability, which requires the user to decock the hammer on a loaded chamber by pulling the trigger and carefully lowering the hammer.

Question: was this pistol designed with condition 1 in mind, or was it designed with DA/SA being the default mode of carry?

I know it's a choice. But I can't help but think that since the DA trigger reach is so darned long, maybe it was meant for condition 1?

I also know that European guns were typically carried by soldiers and police condition 3 back when this gun was designed.

Any thoughts on this?

(I've been carrying mine DA. After charging the pistol, I carefully decock the hammer down to full resting position.)

 

[bigwheelzip]

Even though I practice lowering the hammer when it's unloaded, I'm not crazy about doing it loaded because of the proximity of neighbors.

If I had more property, I'd point it in a safe direction and lower it to half-cock. It's a three position hammer and half-cock is how I'd prefer to carry it. It's the same position as the decocker models place the hammer.

 

[Farmer17]

It's safe to carry cocked and locked or hammer down. I don't think lowering a hammer safely is that big of a deal you just have to point the gun in a safe direction and really concentrate and be careful. I'd be much more nervous handling a striker fired gun with no safety and a modified or light trigger pull.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I don't have any experience with the CZ75B, but everything I've read about it says it's ok to carry cocked-and-locked. Personally, if I had one as a carry gun, that's the only way I'd carry it. I'm not entirely comfortable with manually decocking a cocked hammer (as opposed to using a decocking lever/safety), but that's just me. I wouldn't worry about the lack of a grip safety. As you probably know, the "B" means it has a firing pin safety (which is deactivated by pulling the trigger, such as when decocking the hammer). The Hi-Power doesn't have a grip safety and people have carried those in Condition 1. People also used to pin the grip safeties on 1911s. Just my opinion, but I think the grip safety is one of the negative aspects of the 1911 design.

 

[Rpg]

The CZ75 was designed to be carried cocked and locked or hammer down for a da first shot.

The fact it could be carried cocked and locked was what endeared it to Jeff Cooper. This was the only 'wonder nine' Cooper admired. The Bren Ten was inspired by the CZ.

 

[JaPes]

If I'm carrying my CZ 75B, I'll carry with the hammer in the 1/4 cock position for a DA first shot. Manually lowering the hammer on a live round isn't something I would ever advise for the inexperienced.

1. I have a clearing bucket in my basement. It's a 5 Gallon bucket with lid filled with sand. I make sure the muzzle is pointed into the bucket.

2. I put my thumb across the rear slide of the pistol to totally block the hammer.

3. I will ride my thumb on the hammer. I will press and release the trigger. I can feel the hammer release. I slowly release the hammer to 1/4 cock position.

If for some reason I cause a negligent discharge, the bucket will catch the projectile. Otherwise, carrying cocked and locked is perfectly fine given:

• Your CZ 75B's safety is in perfect working order.
• Your safety isn't easy to unintentionally disengage.
• Your holster's design won't unintentionally disengage the safety.

I do not carry the CZ 75B full size often. When I do carry a CZ, I carry a CZ 75D PCR. Compact CZ with a decocker. Chamber a round, depress the decocker, holster up and I'm good to go.

 

[Texas Star]

I liked mine very much, but did have qualms about lowering the hammer on a live round, just as I did with a Colt .45 Govt. Model.

I carried in DA mode,but would have left it cocked with safety on had I become engaged in a gunfight and moving from one position to another or holding a prisoner at gunpoint.

I think I did cock the hammer and leave my finger off the trigger when checking rooms where I'd heard sounds that shouldn't have occurred. But I was anticipating immediate use of the gun.

I always carried hammer down and safety off,as I do with all DA auto pistols. I carried Colts and Brownings cocked and locked. By bedside, chamber loaded and hammer down.

Disclaimer: these are personal experiences and not intended as advice to the public.

There is a CZ-75BD, which has a hammer-lowering lever. But I don't think it can be carried cocked and locked. I was used to the Colt, and wanted that feature.

 

[TTSH]

This thread is very timely for me as I have my first "safety" (i.e., "non-decocker") CZ pistol on its way to me as we speak. It's a RAMI safety/dual mode model and it was the only RAMI I could get my hands on... plus street price is somewhat lower on the safety model. It's unlikely that I will carry this particular pistol very often, but if/when I do, it will be carried hammer down or at the half-cock position. I may change my mind in time about that, but that's my intent.

If I eventually decide that manual decocking poses an unacceptable safety risk, I'll sell the gun and either try to obtain a RAMI decocker model or give it up entirely and move on to something else.

 

[Pig Hunter]

It has been my understanding the CZ was meant to be carried cocked and locked. The DA was a back up if there was a failure to fire you could pull the trigger before doing action clearing drills. Col. Cooper trained a S. American protection detail that carried Hi-Powers cocked on a loaded chamber without safety engaged. They said it was faster. Each of us has to work out our own salvation.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

Col. Cooper trained a S. American protection detail that carried Hi-Powers cocked on a loaded chamber without safety engaged. They said it was faster.

They carried a SA only pistol cocked without engaging the safety? Do you have a source for that information?

If decocking a pistol with a round in the chamber while at home, you should build yourself a decocking station. Basically, somewhere to point the gun in a safe direction--for example a large bucket filled with sand (edit--as was mentioned above). When decocking the pistol, keep it pointed in the barrel, if you have an accidental discharge, the bullet will be trapped without causing damage except to your hearing. I have heard some people use stacked books.

 

[bigwheelzip]

This thread is very timely for me as I have my first "safety" (i.e., "non-decocker") CZ pistol on its way to me as we speak. It's a RAMI ....

I'd like to see a thread on your range impressions when you get it. Good luck.

 

[TTSH]

Col. Cooper trained a S. American protection detail that carried Hi-Powers cocked on a loaded chamber without safety engaged. They said it was faster. Each of us has to work out our own salvation.

Even the legendary Colonel Jeff Cooper had at least one (and I'm guessing many more than one) negligent discharge in his day. Doesn't sound like a good idea to me to be carrying a Hi-Power cocked and unlocked even with a crappy stiff trigger.

Back in the good old days, I never had an issue carrying a 1911 cocked and locked, but I always pointed to the grip safety when folks questioned my carry mode. But I'm much older now and grip safeties haven't caught on so much... ... plus I pocket carry more than anything else these days.

Bottom line is that I wouldn't look good walking around with an extra limp that I really don't need. I've been spoiled by DA/SA pistols with decockers and DAO pistols. The RAMI safety model is a little out of character for me, but my PCR was something of a disappointment with its weird long reach (for me) and its razor-sharp serrated trigger. The RAMI is my second attempt at a truly likeable compact CZ.

 

[JohnRippert]

One of the main reasons I like the CZ75 family of pistols is the DA/SA. My SP01 Shadow is a safety model and I keep it in the nightstand with a loaded chamber , hammer at 1/4 cock. I have been lowering hammers on many different kinds of pistols and revolvers all my adult life. Follow your basic firearms rules and concentrate, no problems. I do prefer rowel hammers on pistols as they make it easier to safely lower the hammer.

 

[Old_Cop]

I have a CZ 75 and a PO1 Shadow. The later is a range only competition gun, the former is an early 75. The Shadow is cocked, safety on for match or practice. The 75 is a gun I got from my Dad and during the time that I carried it off duty, it was hammer down loaded. The decision is yours to make, I don't think that consciously lowering the hammer (safe direction) is an issue. If it is carry it Israeli style, loaded mag, empty chamber, jack a round as you draw.

 

[bigwheelzip]

There is a tip I picked up from a CZ forum for dry-fire practice, that would also work as a barrier to accidental discharge when manually lowering the hammer.

I put an o-ring used for faucet repair in the hammer notch at the rear of the slide for dry-fire, surrounding the firing pin.

I once forgot to take it out at the range, and the chambered round was untouched.

 

[ladder13]

I do not carry the CZ 75B full size often. When I do carry a CZ, I carry a CZ 75D PCR. Compact CZ with a decocker. Chamber a round, depress the decocker, holster up and I'm good to go.

Can't find the PCR anywhere, there's a looooong list for them at all lgs"s.
I had a like new one in my hands a few weeks back and stupidly left it in the store. I went back a week later....gone.

I left a NYSP 681 in a gun shop a couple months back also, cause I have one. Called a week later, gone.

I'm trying not to impulse buy but it hasn't worked out so well lately.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Col. Cooper trained a S. American protection detail that carried Hi-Powers cocked on a loaded chamber without safety engaged. They said it was faster. Each of us has to work out our own salvation.

I have read that U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers in Vietnam would carry their 1911s chamber loaded, hammer cocked, manual safety off, and the grip safety taped or strapped down. I don't know if that's true or, if true, how prevalent it was. If true, keep in mind this was also before 1911s came with firing pin safeties.

I've also seen a picture of a soldier carrying a 1911 in a thigh holster in Iraq, and it looked like the grip safety was taped down. IIRC, it was presumed he was either Special Forces or Delta Force.

I'm not advocating or recommending either approach, and it's not something I would do even though I don't like the grip safety on 1911s, but these things have been done.

 

[TTSH]

I have read that U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers in Vietnam would carry their 1911s chamber loaded, hammer cocked, manual safety off, and the grip safety taped or strapped down. I don't know if that's true or, if true, how prevalent it was. If true, keep in mind this was also before 1911s came with firing pin safeties.

I've also seen a picture of a soldier carrying a 1911 in a thigh holster in Iraq, and it looked like the grip safety was taped down. IIRC, it was presumed he was either Special Forces or Delta Force.

I would chalk that up to soldiers fighting in a warzone. It's not something for an old fart like me who is more likely to win the lottery than come up against a violent armed predator in my usual daily activities and travels.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I would chalk that up to soldiers fighting in a warzone. It's not something for an old fart like me who is more likely to win the lottery than come up against a violent armed predator in my usual daily activities and travels.

Good point.

 

[TTSH]

Can't find the PCR anywhere, there's a looooong list for them at all lgs"s.

Just remember that razor-sharp serrated trigger issue. I recommend getting one with the smooth black trigger... but even better, try both before buying. Some folks like the serrated trigger for when it's cold or wet outside or if your hands tend to get real sweaty. For me it's just too uncomfortable... and I plan to change it first opportunity I get.