CZ75B, SA1911 or Colt 1911

flejl · February 10, 2004, 17:58

I am thinking about picking up a pistol to play with, since buying a Bulgy Makarov for my wife. The Bulgy is a nice small pistol, but I would like something a bit larger. I have narrowed it down to the CZ75B, the Springfieled Armory (SA) GI model 1911, or a Colt 1911.

From what I have read, the CZ75B is an update to the old Browning Hi-power, which was an update to the 1911. If I go the CZ route, I would get one chambered in 9mm. These go for around $350-$400 in my area.

Being an old Marine, I have a fondness for the 1911 and have seen the SA models advertised for around the same price as the CZ75B's. I read the review of the SA1911 in the Shotgun news (they liked it) and several reports of poor quality on this board, so I am a little unsure about it.

The last is well, the Colt 1911, but these go for almost $200 more, and with Colt being in its current financial position (not good I think), I am wondering if the name is worth the price.

Any suggestions will be welcome.

Thanks

SKS45 · February 10, 2004, 18:11

Flejl,

I have a CZ75B and like it very much. But it depends on what you are going to use it for. I can tell you that it is a fairly accurate pistol and I actually use mine for the NRA Pistol Qualification Course. This is in effect a bullseye pistol competition. It is definately more accurate than my range directors glock. It is also extremely reliable and I've had very few failures to feed and that was generally with one type of ammo. That problem disappeared after I polished the feed ramp. The down side is that I find that I generally don't carry it much. The wide handgrip makes it more difficult to carry comfortably especially in an inside the waistband holster. So if your going to use it for concealed carry you might consider a standard 45. just my 2 cents, hope it helps.

Brett

BattlePack · February 10, 2004, 18:42

Well, I've shot and/or owned all three. I prefer the 1911s, because, well... they are .45 ACP. Not knowing how the magazine ban is going to pan out, I'd rather carry 8 .45 versus 10 9mm rounds.

Hands down for me my favorite 1911 is a Springfield mil-spec (Not the WWII repro). Reliable and can be obtained for $400-$450. I think this is the best bargain out there. I had a Springield Loaded model a few years ago that required a little gunsmithing, and was not nearly as well liked as their plain jane mil-spec.

If you have the extra cash, you can't go wrong with a new rollmark Colt 1991A1 for about $580. A quality 1911 for not too much more bucks.

Nothing wrong with the CZ75B. Keep in mind that hicap magazines are approximately $45, so that will tack some cost on potentially.

Talyn · February 10, 2004, 21:30

The CZ75 is not an update of the BHP which is also not an update of the 1911. All three are distinctly different designs. The CZ75 and BHP only share a similar barrel locking design.

After comparing the quality of SA and Colt 1911's I went with SA because they were far superior. It's too bad Colt 1911's have declined so much.

Talyn

Attilla · February 10, 2004, 23:22

CZ75B
They also come in .40 now, which is my favorite.

br549 · February 11, 2004, 00:40

I own both and in my opinion you won`t go wrong with either.Just decide if you want a 45 acp or a 9mm and buy a SA 1911 in 45 or the CZ75 in 9mm.
Myself I like the basic Springfield Armory 45 so well I bought a second one just cause it was to good a gun to turn down at the price it was offered to me for.I`ve had Colt`s both 70 and 80 series and I`d just as soon have the Springfield.

DABTL · February 11, 2004, 07:55

I have a pre-War Colt and two CZ75b's, one in 9mm and the other .40, and the SA 45.

I prefer the CZ, either, over the other two.

The only difficulty I have had was a stripped grip screw on the .40 when delivered and that took a couple of seconds to change out.

My preference in finish is the polymer finish. My 9mm has ridden hundreds of thousands of miles in the console of two trucks without cleaning or oiling and looks new. Virtually no scratching after five years. You cannot get that with the Colt or SA.

garandman · February 11, 2004, 10:42

Granted I'm NOT a 1911 fan. Their grip feels like holding a 2x4 to me, so my opinion of 1911's is tainted, and I won't bother you with it. My motto with guns is "If it feels good (in the grip) DO IT."

But re: the CZ, you CANNOT get as much gun for the same money in ANY other gun, IMO.

Actually, you can't more gun for some TWICE the money.

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY recommend the CZ75BD. OUTSTANDING gun.

Then you can get the Kadet 22 rimfire conversion kit for another $250 with 2 mags, and fully adjustable rear sight (W&E) and have TWO guns for the same money as ONE 1911.

Accurate like no one's business.

AND relatively cheap hicaps for the 9mm - $25 per.

What's NOT to love???

John Randolph · February 11, 2004, 10:48

All excellent firearms to have some guiltless (in terms of money

) fun at the range. I have an SA1911 mil-spec. I love it, but you'd do just as well with a CZ. I guess the criteria for me would be which caliber I preferred.

flejl · February 11, 2004, 17:00

Guys,

Thanks for the help.

From the response it seems like all three are good choices. Since we already have the Mak in 9x18, I am leaning toward the 1911. My FFL received an Imbel receiver for me today from FAC, so when I pick it up tomorrow, I will see if he has an SA 1911 Mil Spec to look at. I have already checked out the Colt 1911 and the CZ75B and liked these as well. I will let everyone know how this goes.

February 10, 2004, 17:58	#1
flejl Registered FALaholic #: 10776 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: PA Posts: 640	CZ75B, SA1911 or Colt 1911 I am thinking about picking up a pistol to play with, since buying a Bulgy Makarov for my wife. The Bulgy is a nice small pistol, but I would like something a bit larger. I have narrowed it down to the CZ75B, the Springfieled Armory (SA) GI model 1911, or a Colt 1911. From what I have read, the CZ75B is an update to the old Browning Hi-power, which was an update to the 1911. If I go the CZ route, I would get one chambered in 9mm. These go for around $350-$400 in my area. Being an old Marine, I have a fondness for the 1911 and have seen the SA models advertised for around the same price as the CZ75B's. I read the review of the SA1911 in the Shotgun news (they liked it) and several reports of poor quality on this board, so I am a little unsure about it. The last is well, the Colt 1911, but these go for almost $200 more, and with Colt being in its current financial position (not good I think), I am wondering if the name is worth the price. Any suggestions will be welcome. Thanks

February 10, 2004, 21:30	#4
Talyn Registered FALaholic #: 1702 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,154	The CZ75 is not an update of the BHP which is also not an update of the 1911. All three are distinctly different designs. The CZ75 and BHP only share a similar barrel locking design. After comparing the quality of SA and Colt 1911's I went with SA because they were far superior. It's too bad Colt 1911's have declined so much. Talyn __________________ NRA Life Member "Those without swords can still die upon them" An armed country is a free country. If guns kill people I can blame my pencil for causing misspelled words.

February 11, 2004, 07:55	#7
DABTL Registered FALaholic #: 138 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 31,447	I have a pre-War Colt and two CZ75b's, one in 9mm and the other .40, and the SA 45. I prefer the CZ, either, over the other two. The only difficulty I have had was a stripped grip screw on the .40 when delivered and that took a couple of seconds to change out. My preference in finish is the polymer finish. My 9mm has ridden hundreds of thousands of miles in the console of two trucks without cleaning or oiling and looks new. Virtually no scratching after five years. You cannot get that with the Colt or SA. __________________ "The work begins anew, the hope rises again, and the dream lives on." Ted Kennedy 2008

February 11, 2004, 10:42	#8
garandman Registered FALaholic #: 1929 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Somewhere, USA Posts: 718	Granted I'm NOT a 1911 fan. Their grip feels like holding a 2x4 to me, so my opinion of 1911's is tainted, and I won't bother you with it. My motto with guns is "If it feels good (in the grip) DO IT." But re: the CZ, you CANNOT get as much gun for the same money in ANY other gun, IMO. Actually, you can't more gun for some TWICE the money. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY recommend the CZ75BD. OUTSTANDING gun. Then you can get the Kadet 22 rimfire conversion kit for another $250 with 2 mags, and fully adjustable rear sight (W&E) and have TWO guns for the same money as ONE 1911. Accurate like no one's business. AND relatively cheap hicaps for the 9mm - $25 per. What's NOT to love??? __________________ In the gun rights debate, I talk like an optimist, think like a realist, and work like a pessimist.

February 11, 2004, 10:48	#9
John Randolph Registered FALaholic #: 2686 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Da Burgh Posts: 713	All excellent firearms to have some guiltless (in terms of money ) fun at the range. I have an SA1911 mil-spec. I love it, but you'd do just as well with a CZ. I guess the criteria for me would be which caliber I preferred. __________________ One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. -Sir Winston Churchill

February 10, 2004, 18:11	#2
SKS45 Registered FALaholic #: 9348 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 315	Flejl, I have a CZ75B and like it very much. But it depends on what you are going to use it for. I can tell you that it is a fairly accurate pistol and I actually use mine for the NRA Pistol Qualification Course. This is in effect a bullseye pistol competition. It is definately more accurate than my range directors glock. It is also extremely reliable and I've had very few failures to feed and that was generally with one type of ammo. That problem disappeared after I polished the feed ramp. The down side is that I find that I generally don't carry it much. The wide handgrip makes it more difficult to carry comfortably especially in an inside the waistband holster. So if your going to use it for concealed carry you might consider a standard 45. just my 2 cents, hope it helps. Brett

February 10, 2004, 18:42	#3
BattlePack Registered FALaholic #: 5773 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: richmond Posts: 689	Well, I've shot and/or owned all three. I prefer the 1911s, because, well... they are .45 ACP. Not knowing how the magazine ban is going to pan out, I'd rather carry 8 .45 versus 10 9mm rounds. Hands down for me my favorite 1911 is a Springfield mil-spec (Not the WWII repro). Reliable and can be obtained for $400-$450. I think this is the best bargain out there. I had a Springield Loaded model a few years ago that required a little gunsmithing, and was not nearly as well liked as their plain jane mil-spec. If you have the extra cash, you can't go wrong with a new rollmark Colt 1991A1 for about $580. A quality 1911 for not too much more bucks. Nothing wrong with the CZ75B. Keep in mind that hicap magazines are approximately $45, so that will tack some cost on potentially.

February 10, 2004, 23:22	#5
Attilla Registered FALaholic #: 12465 Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 59	CZ75B They also come in .40 now, which is my favorite.

February 11, 2004, 00:40	#6
br549 Registered FALaholic #: 5943 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: AR Posts: 27	I own both and in my opinion you won`t go wrong with either.Just decide if you want a 45 acp or a 9mm and buy a SA 1911 in 45 or the CZ75 in 9mm. Myself I like the basic Springfield Armory 45 so well I bought a second one just cause it was to good a gun to turn down at the price it was offered to me for.I`ve had Colt`s both 70 and 80 series and I`d just as soon have the Springfield.

February 11, 2004, 17:00	#10
flejl Registered FALaholic #: 10776 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: PA Posts: 640	Guys, Thanks for the help. From the response it seems like all three are good choices. Since we already have the Mak in 9x18, I am leaning toward the 1911. My FFL received an Imbel receiver for me today from FAC, so when I pick it up tomorrow, I will see if he has an SA 1911 Mil Spec to look at. I have already checked out the Colt 1911 and the CZ75B and liked these as well. I will let everyone know how this goes.

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