CZ75B or CZ75SA vs Browning Hi Power

[roo_ster]

Thinking about a 9x19 pistol. 

I am partial to SA C&L carry.  Also, if I am to tote a europellet-shooter, I might as well tote a bunch of them.  So, service-auto sized double stack.  That narrows it down to a few, of which the CZ75 and BHP most interest me.

Any of ya'll own both?  I have fired a couple CZ75B pistols, but never the BHP.  How do they stack up?

[HankB]

CZ75 pistols are SA/DA, but can be carried cocked and locked. They're well made and reliable, but the location of the safety doesn't fall as naturally under my thumb as that on a BHP or 1911 - it's just a little bit out of place, which is why I didn't buy one after trying it.

I frequently carry a Mk III BHP. Just a little lighter than the CZ, it's reliable & well made - almost the ideal full size 9mm service pistol - but there are two criticisms: they'e shipped with a magazine disconnect (easily remedied) and the trigger reset is a little on the long side. "Pointability" in my hand is nearly perfect and the safety lever and slide release are in the right place.

The BHP also costs a bit more than the CZ, but having a gun that fits is worth the extra cost.

[mtnbkr]

Get a Glock.

Sorry, had to do it.

I've fired the CZ75B and Browning HP, but not side by side.  Because there were years between the two firings, I have a hard time making a valid comparison, but I *think* I liked the HP better.  However, you might be able to get two CZ75Bs for the price of one "real" Browning HP (or come close to it).

I have small hands, so any doublestack gun that fits me well gets a nod.  As much as I like the capacity and function of the Beretta 9mm, the grip doesn't fit my raccoon hands well at all.

I shot both well, but the HP was a bit more svelte. 

Chris

[MechAg94]

IMO, if you are looking at carry, take a look at the CZ 75 P01 and SP01.  The P01 is the compact version with a rail.  Mine has proven very reliable and is fairly compact and easy to carry with regard to size and has a 14 round mag.  The SP01 is a larger version with an 18 round mag.  For me, I prefer the versions that have the decocker rather than the safety.  The decocker rotates clockwise and is very easy to activate with the thumb.  I guess I am not much on safeties.  I'd rather have a good DA trigger than a safety.

I've never fired a BHP.  Something I'll have to pick up one day.

Thread veer:
If you want to part from those two out, look at two guns:
the Springfield Armory XDm 3.8 9mm.  It is pretty compact and light with a 19 round mag.  It is lighter fully loaded than my CZ, though it is polymer.  
I picked up an FN FNP9 not too long ago.  The price was just under $400.  It is a pretty handy pistol to shoot with good capacity (16 round mag).  It is SA/DA also.  The only downside is the DA trigger sucks while the SA trigger is very good.  Other than the trigger, I figure it is better than the Sigmas and Taurus pistols in the cheaper price ranges.

[dogmush]

Never fired a CZ 75, although I put a couple of rounds through their poly (P-07 duty?) framed 9. Nice gun, nothing amazing.

I did however, just pick up a 50's (I think) build FN High Power from Sarco.  60 yrs old, beat up finish, and aftermarket Houge grips I don't like.  I've only had it to the range once so far, but it's a really cool shooter.  Fun, accurate, fast and easy to shoot.  Like when I started with 1911's my BHP was almost instinctually easy to shoot fast and well.  It was easy to see why it's so popular.

For a shooter, I'd go BHP all the way.  For carry, I have to note that a new Browning is like $300 more then a new CZ.  I think a High Power is a better gun in many ways, but the CZ is a solid performer as well.  I'd probably let the amount you want to spend dictate the choice.

[Hawkmoon]

You really can't go wrong with either a CZ-75b or a Hi-Power. Personally, I prefer the Hi-Power, but some day I'll probably own a CZ-75 just to say I own a CZ-75.

[Hutch]

Have had multiple examples of both, sorta-kinda prefer the CZ.  I think the CZ is more likely to be reliable out of the box than the P35.  Both pointed well for me.  I think the safety position of the CZ is preferable. If I had to go get one or the other, I would pick the CZ.

[Boomhauer]

Browning HP (and get the MkIII version). I prefer it vastly to the CZ-75, and yes, I owned both. And sold both. The CZ-75 because I did not like it. The slide has less area to grip and mine came from the factory with the wonderful feature of a grip screw being crossthreaded which promptly broke off flush with the frame. The Browning because it was a much older 1961 version that would have cost way too much to bring up to date.

Get the Browning. Get a MkIII. Get the magazine safety removed. Enjoy the bliss. The browning also feels like a much slimmer pistol and was one of the best carrying pistols I have ever picked up bar none.

[rcnixon]

Oddly enough, I was at the range last Saturday with my neighbor and his friend and we had my BHP and neighbor's CZ-75.  The CZ has an aftermarket trigger (I think) and sear (I'm sure) and my BHP is a MkII/MkIII transition model (It has the safety only on the left side, the sights are the small GI style but the extractor is in the ejection port) made in 1985.  I have left the magazine safety in but I have polished the shoe that impinges on the top front of the magazine and I also polished the top front surface of each magazine.  This has eliminated most of the grittiness in the trigger and it is now consistant and about five and a half pounds.  The first stage take-up is smooth and the let-off is consistant.  I'm sure if I polished more of the sear, hammer and trigger surfaces, I could get the pull down but I like it.  It has more than a couple of thousand rounds through it so it is well broken in.  It's been my favorite auto pistol for quite some time in spite of the so-so sights.

The CZ is brand new as is the trigger kit in it so it will need a few hundred trigger pulls to get is broken in.  It's an OK pistol and, since we get to the range a fair amount, I'll be able to give a more objective report on it in a few months.  Maybe when I get more familiar with it I'll like it better.

On another, but related note, we had three 1911's with us also.  I have a 1918 M1911 which I believe is a "Black Army Colt", neighbor guy has a pretty new Springfield Armory stainless steel M1911A1 and the neighbor's friend brought along his well-broken-in nickel Series 70 Gold Cup.  Mmm, I now have pistol envy.  The GC has a trigger job and nice sights and is a fine shooter.  Mine is what it is, an old (really old) government model and the Springfield is a decent, modern example of the 1911.  The Springfield needs a few hundred trigger pulls and some action work to smooth it out but the sights are pretty good.  M1911s are my second favorite auto pistol.

I guess this turned into a range day report so I'll pull it back on track by saying: "Get a MkIII Browning High-Power, you won't be disappointed."

Russ

[MechAg94]

So what kind of prices do you see for new or used BHP's?  The store down the road has a nice looking used one at about $699.  That is a bit steep for me.  I'll have to wait for an opportunity to try one I guess.

[dogmush]

So what kind of prices do you see for new or used BHP's?  The store down the road has a nice looking used one at about $699.  That is a bit steep for me.  I'll have to wait for an opportunity to try one I guess.

~$450
http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php?topic=34064.0

 

[Boomhauer]

~$450
http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php?topic=34064.0

 

You don't want one of those for a CCW gun, though.

[dogmush]

You don't want one of those for a CCW gun, though.

True, although Mech didn't mention carry, just that he wanted one.

ETA: Sarco is also advertising $275 Israeli and Hungarian HP clones, to add to your collection.  The FEG's could make a good carry Hi Power.