C7-75 Compact or P01 for carry

I've got a C7-75B Compact 40S&W that I've loved for range use, but don't find it feeds reliably enough for carry use. I get failure to feed almost every time I'm out, so I'm thinking of picking up a 9mm model, since they reportedly have greater reliability. Which route would you go on this? I'm also going to fondle a S&W M&P9c and see if I like that any better than the CZ, but I have grown accustomed to the feel of the CZ and there's just something about the one you already know....

I'm leaning towards the 75B, because I'm a 1911 guy and cocked and locked makes sense to me. Other than that, I don't really have a reason to choose either way. Thanks for the help!

The CZ P01 is a very nice handgun. It has the DA/SA with decocker. Ergonomics are very nice and it is small enough to conceal.

I think it pretty much comes down to do you want/need a rail or not and do you want a decocker or safety.

You can get a CZ PCR (75D) if you want a decocker and don't want a rail. I've never carried a P-01, but I would think a PCR (thinner profile up front) would be more comfortable for carry. But if you're comfortable with C&L, I would definitely go with a standard Compact.

Personally, I don't like the decocker models. Get the safety model and you can still manually decock if you really wanted to for some reason, but there's really no reason to ever do so. Also I shoot with my firing-hand thumb resting on the safety, like a 1911, so when I shoot a decocker model I don't have that index point. The decocker is just in my way.

Have you tried different ammo in your .40 75?

I use my own XTP / nickel case reloads, and they run the best. It's mostly Winchester and CCI range ammo that I have trouble with, but it's all round-nose, so it should feed well. I'm thinking maybe I need to pick up a Mec-Gar magazine and see if that where the problem lies. Every once in a while, it seems like the follower gets hung up and doesn't push up the front of the bullet.

I have a 75B I have had some years now. Stone reliable with all ammo I have used. Ball or HP.

My new 9mm Rami only has a bit over 150 rounds thgrough it. But it fed all ball and HP I used perfectly to.

I believe the shape of the 9mm round makes it more reliable than stubbier ammo shapes.

I went Compact to get the same slide controls/sights as my 97B.
Takes the Kadet and bigger mags fine at the range, no 9mm issues, just occasional cheap bulk 22 ftf with full pin strikes.

Dang happy with mine.

I'll add that my 9mm CZs have been exceptionally reliable, as or more reliable than anything else I've ever owned (a number of HKs, Sigs, etc..).

I don't have any experience with the .40s.

My 2 cents if you care. I have a 40 compact and a 9mm semi compact. For a carry gun my issue with the PCR is how fat it is with the light rail. You have the 40 compact that is pretty much the same size just heavier. The 9mm compact is much thinner up front and easier to carry for me, but it is all steel and heavy for some. Also I don't care for the decocker the PO1 has.

My two favorite handgun are the CZ and the M&P, I have to say I would be hard pressed to choose one over the other. Since you already have a CZ why not try the M&P. The M&P compact is a nice size and with the apex sear the trigger is really nice. You can get full size mags and use them in the M&P also. Just something to think about.

Back to the 40 compact reliablity, I use to have five factory CZ compact 40 maga and all five would randomly have the rounds hang up in the magazine and not feed properly. What I figured out with mine was the edge of the flat faced 40 round would catch in the cutout for the mag catch on the factory mag. I got some full size Mecgar 40 mags and haven't had another problem. Not sure if the mags are cut different or what, since I have always read Mecgar makes CZ mags. It was such a problem with CZ that they changed the factory 40 compact mag from the ten round flush fit mag they started with to the ten round extended mag to try and help with the feeding problem.

Shoot the CZ and carry the M&P. The steel CZ gets heavy and covered with sweat in the summer. Good luck on your choice. David

Just for clarification, the PCR does not have a light rail.

The PCR frame is an aluminum alloy and is profiled similar to a 75 Compact. So if you don't need/want a rail, but want a decocker, I think a PCR is the way to go.

But, like I said, my vote goes to the 75 Compact. I used to carry mine on a regular basis.

You know I carry a P-01 every day and don't really like how it carries. It feels really long and heavy in the handle to me.

I have over 1,000 rounds through it with no malfunctions.

Thanks dwhitehorne! I think I'll try new mags, because I've got the flush compact mags and all of them hang up.

I'm leaning pretty heavily towards carrying an M&P 40, though, so I'll most likely keep shooting the CZ and carry the lightweight.

Oops good catch. I meant the PO1. The PCR is nice if you like the decocker, but they sure seem hard to find compared to the PO1.


I actually got rid of my M&P compact 9mm and still have a fullsize 40 and 45. The good thing about the 40 is the factory 9mm barrel fits in the 40 and works flawless if you use 9mm mags. David

Does the 40s&w compact work the same way with the barrel swap? I was looking at the S&W M&P 40c for just that reason.

From what I have read online, it does. I found a few posts in the S&W section. Most are about the full size 40 to 9mm but some compact owner posted a few pages in also. All I can say is I have the full size 40 and I got a factory 9mm barrel off the EE. Dropped in the barrel and have been using 9mm mags with close to 800 rounds and not a stoppage. David

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_5_16/101824_Sandamp_W_Mandamp_P_40c_to_9mm.html

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_5_16/104694_.html

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