The guns (current CZUB/CZ-USA offerings only):

CZ 75 Tactical Sports



Expanding upon the lineage of the purpose-built ST IPSC, the TS is made for competition. It is ideally at home in IPSC Standard, USPSA Limited, or similar steel divisions. The large steel frame soaks up recoil like none other, but can be off-putting in its stock form to both shooters with small hands and shooters who prefer to quickly transition light guns around a course. Both can be remedied by a little work, most often seen performed by Angus, Rob, Zoe, and the rest of the fine folks at CZ Custom. .40S&W, 17+1 (IPSC Standard), 20+1 (USPSA Limited, Angus pads), or 21+1 (USPSA Limited, Angus pads with Grams kits). Fixed black sights. Wood grips standard.



CZ 75 TS Czechmate



A new TS derivative, the Czechmate offers a "turnkey solution" to shooters in IPSC Open and USPSA Open divisions - everything you need to run except a belt, holster, and mag pouches. Compensator? Check. C-More? Check. Big stick? Check. Some small sticks? Check. Spare parts? Check. (Or maybe I should be saying "Czech." ) The Czechmate became available in Europe in early-ish 2010, but didn't see US shores until late summer, when a half-dozen pieces finally made it stateside. 9x19mm ("9 Major" capable), 20+1 (short stick) or 26+1 (big stick). C-More red dot sight. (Fixed sights available with optional barrel nut.) Slimline aluminum grips standard.



CZ 75 SP-01 Shadow



Considered by many to be the ideal IPSC Production gun, the Shadow is also at home in USPSA Production, and can be made compliant with IDPA regulations to be run in either the SSP or ESP divisions. Used to great effect by members of both CZ-UB and CZ-USA teams to win numerous Production titles. 9x19mm, 18+1 capable (normally restricted further by division). Fixed fibre optic front sight with fixed black rear. Rubber grips standard.

I have a CZ XX. What division(s) should I compete in?

This question gets asked a lot. I'll approach it here by breaking down each of the three major sports' divisions and listing the appropriate pistols, rather than trying to match them the other way around.



IPSC Open
Eligible pistols: Every pistol that CZ has ever made in 9x19mm or larger caliber

Competitive choices: Czechmate (9mm), Champion (9mm)

Best out-of-the-box match: CZ 75 TS Czechmate (9mm)



IPSC Modified
Eligible pistols: All except Czechmate, Champion

Competitive choices: M IPSC (.40S&W)

Best out-of-the-box match: CZ 75 M IPSC (.40S&W)


IPSC Standard
Eligible pistols: Any standard iron-sighted CZ

Competitive choices: Tactical Sports (.40S&W), ST IPSC (.40S&W)

Best out-of-the-box match: CZ 75 Tactical Sports (.40S&W)



IPSC Production
Eligible pistols: CZ75B Omega, CZ75 P-02, CZ75, CZ75B, CZ75B Stainless, CZ75BD, CZ75BD Police, CZ75 Compact, CZ75D Compact, CZ75 SemiCompact, CZ75 Combat II, CZ85, CZ85B, CZ85 Combat, CZ40B, CZ97B, CZ99, CZ100, CZ110, CZ2075 Rami, CZ2075 Rami P, CZ75 P01, P07 Duty, CZ75 SP-01, CZ75 SP-01 Tactical, CZ75 SP-01 Shadow, SP01 Two Tone, CZ75 SP-01 Sport, CZ75 SP-01 Phantom

Competitive choices: Any DA/SA model with a magazine capacity of 15 rounds

Best out-of-the-box match: CZ 75 SP-01 Shadow (9mm)


USPSA Open
Eligible pistols: Every pistol that CZ has ever made in 9x19mm or larger caliber

Competitive choices: Czechmate (9mm), Champion (9mm)

Best out-of-the-box match: CZ 75 TS Czechmate (9mm)


USPSA Limited
Eligible pistols: Any standard iron-sighted CZ

Competitive choices: Tactical Sports (.40S&W), ST IPSC (.40S&W)

Best out-of-the-box match: CZ 75 Tactical Sports (.40S&W)


USPSA Limited-10
Eligible pistols: Any standard iron-sighted CZ

Competitive choices: Tactical Sports (.40S&W), ST IPSC (.40S&W), 75B SA (.40S&W), 97B (.45ACP)

Best out-of-the-box match: CZ 75 Tactical Sports (.40S&W) or CZ 75B SA (.40S&W)


USPSA Production
Eligible pistols: CZ100, CZ100B, CZ2075 Rami 9mm & 40 S&W, CZ2075 Rami P 9mm & 40, CZ75, CZ75 Compact 9mm, CZ75 P01, CZ75 SemiCompact, CZ75 SP-01, CZ75 SP-01 Shadow 9mm 4.72", CZ75 SP-01 Tactical, CZ75B 9mm & 40 S&W, CZ75B Stainless, CZ75BD, CZ75D Compact, CZ83, CZ85, CZ85 Combat, CZ85B, CZ97B

Competitive choices: Any DA/SA model with a magazine capacity of 10 rounds

Best out-of-the-box match: CZ 75 SP-01 Shadow (9mm)



IDPA SSP
Eligible pistols: All standard iron-sighted DA/SA and DAO variants - note that some SP-01 models (esp. Shadow) may require modification from factory configuration to reduce weight (e.g., grip changes, swapping of recoil guide rods, etc); also may exclude 97 models (see note on CDP below)

Competitive choices: Any DA/SA model with a magazine capacity of 10 rounds

Best out-of-the-box match: CZ 85 Combat (9mm)


IDPA ESP
Eligible pistols: Any standard iron-sighted DA/SA, DAO, or SAO model, except for TS and ST IPSC; also may exclude 97 models (see note on CDP below)

Competitive choices: Any SAO or manual-safety DA/SA model with a magazine capacity of 10 rounds

Best out-of-the-box match: CZ 75B SA (9mm)


IDPA CDP
Eligible pistols: 97B, 97BD ??? - if they can make SSP weight (39 oz. or less with an empty magazine... can anyone confirm?)

Competitive choices: 97B

Best out-of-the-box match: CZ 97B (.45ACP)








What basic mods are available for my competition-oriented CZ?

(Note: If a model is not listed separately for any given section, then it falls under the closest-matching catch-all category.)

Front Sights, drop-in, P07:
CZUB factory
CZ Custom 1.0mm (0.04") fibre-optic

Front Sights, drop-in, all other standard CZ models:
CZUB factory dot (from standard models)
CZUB factory black (from the Tactical Sports model)
CZUB factory fibre-optic (from the SP-01 Shadow model)
CZ Custom 1.0mm (0.04") fibre-optic
CZ Custom 1.5mm (0.06") fibre-optic
LPA SPR high-profile black (as part of the SPR front/rear set)
LPA SPR high-profile dot (as part of the SPR front/rear set)
LPA TTF fibre-optic (as part of the TTF front/rear set)

Rear Sights, fixed, drop-in, SP-01 Shadow:
CZUB factory black
CZ Custom competition black

Rear Sights, fixed, drop-in, P07:
CZUB factory
CZ Custom tactical black
CZ Custom competition black
CZ Custom fibre-optic

Rear Sights, fixed, drop-in, Tactical Sports:
CZUB factory black

Rear Sights, fixed, some fitting required, Tactical Sports:
Harrison Design black (requires some filing to fit; rear overhang slightly too low, front a little long - but it works)

Rear Sights, fixed, drop-in, all other standard CZ models:
CZUB factory "dot" (from standard models)
CZ Custom tactical black
CZ Custom competition black

Rear Sights, adjustable, drop-in, SP-01 Shadow:
None

Rear Sights, adjustable, drop-in, P07:
None

Rear Sights, adjustable, drop-in, Tactical Sports:
LPA TRT dot
LPA TRT black
Kensight beveled dot
Kensight beveled black
Kensight rounded black
Kensight square black

Rear Sights, adjustable, drop-in, all other standard CZ models:
FAO black
LPA TPU dot
LPA TPU outline
LPA TPU black
LPA SPR high-profile dot (as part of the SPR front/rear set)
LPA SPR high-profile outline (as part of the SPR front/rear set)
LPA SPR high-profile black (as part of the SPR front/rear set)
LPA TTF fibre-optic (as part of the TTF front/rear set)

Grips, OFM-approved*, compact models:
Plastic
Rubber
Cocobolo half-checker
Cocobolo full-checker
Aluminum thin grip-tape
Aluminum thin checker

Grips, full-size models with mag-well:
Walnut checker
Aluminum thin grip-tape

Grips, OFM-approved*, full-size models without mag-well:
Plastic
Rubber
Cocobolo half-checker
Cocobolo full-checker
Aluminum thin grip-tape
Aluminum thick grip-tape
Aluminum thin checker
Aluminum thick grip-tape

Triggers, DA/SA and DAO models:
Older-style standard
New-style standard
Older-style overtravel-adjustable (85C type)
New-style overtravel-adjustable (85C type)
Recurve (SP-01 type)

Triggers, SAO models:
CZUB factory plastic
CZ Custom aluminum straight-blade

Magazine extensions, Tactical Sports:
CZ Custom aluminum +3

Magazine extensions, P07:
CZ Custom aluminum +4

Magazine extensions, other standard models:
CZ Custom aluminum short +2
CZ Custom aluminum long +4
Mec-Gar plastic +2

Mag-wells, Tactical Sports:
CZUB factory plastic
CZ Custom aluminum

Mag-wells, standard 75/85/SP-01 models:
CZ Custom aluminum


(* - These items are considered "factory", "factory option", "OFM" or "OEM" by most competition organizations.)








Are CZs particularly competitive against the usual suspects?

Absolutely.

For USPSA Limited, a Tactical Sports model will be on very equal footing against the dominant S_I 2011. The common 140mm magazines for the TS hold 20+1 rounds of .40S&W, reloadable, which is actually more than a 2011 running stock STI mags. With Grams followers and springs, TS mags can get 21+1, reloadable, which is right up there with everything else. (There are some with 22+1 mags for 2011s, but they typically aren't reloadable, nor are they particularly common). The TS can have a slight advantage to velocity, given that it sports a slightly longer barrel than a 5" 2011. (Obviously, a 6" 2011 will have the edge over the TS.) The sheer weight of the TS can be seen as an advantage, as it soaks up recoil with ease; however, some object to its weight - personal preference comes into play here, which doesn't reflect on the gun's inherent suitability for competition. The trigger on a TS can be tuned to rival a 1911/2011 trigger, with weights in the sub-2# range and travel/reset to suit.

For IPSC Standard, a TS is one of the best out-of-the-box solutions. With a stock magazine capacity of 17+1 rounds of .40S&W, the TS is right there with a stock Inifinity and well ahead of a stock STI. I have heard reports that some have managed to get an IPSC-legal +1 basepad, which definitely leaves the TS on solid footing in the capacity department. Again, the barrel length of the TS can be an advantage, as can the weight. And the trigger is no slouch.

For USPSA Production, a SA/DA CZ is plenty competitive. While some decry the DA first shot (as opposed to a DAO or DAO-like striker-fired mechanism), the result is a light, short SA for everything else in the course. Again, the weight of the all-steel CZs can come into play, for better or for worse. Standard CZs also offer a somewhat larger degree of customization, given that there are numerous "OEM" grips available, a change that cannot be mirrored in Production by the typical polymer-framed fare.

For IPSC Production, any SA/DA CZ is just about ideal. Selective action is a big deal for IPSC given the first-shot trigger pull weight requirement. Any full-size CZ can be loaded to 15+1 per division requirements, so no drawback there; and with a SP-01, the extended magazines act as a great aid to positively seating the magazine on fast reloads.

My god that Checkmate is sweet! Too bad it shares the gigantor TS frame is over $3,000. I guess you gotta pay to play!

Great post

This need's a tack.