I bought a 9mm CZ-75 compact with safety, but the vendor made a mistake an sent my FFL the decocker version instead.  I noticed this at my FFL, and played with the decocker mechanism a little bit.. Now I'm not sure which I want (send it back for the safety model, or keep the decocker).

Can you guys give me some advise on which is better and why?  This is my first handgun, although i have shot many at the ranges.  I liked the idea of a manual safety for my first handgun, but I can see how the decocker would be safer in some ways.  I decided to sit on it for a day before I accepted it from my FFL.

I have the safety and decocker version of the fullsize. I prefer the decocker. The trigger is smoother without the block, and the double action pull on the decocker is more than enough to prevent a negligent or accidental discharge. In the navy I've always used decockers and many of the militaries in the world have gone this route as well.

Safety


The standard, non-Omega trigger CZ decockers are more complicated, and there's no way to carry "cocked and locked" and they are harder to tune if you ever have a trigger job done.

The P-07 and P-09 can be changed back and forth.

In a Compact, I prefer the decocker.  Main reason being I feel more comfortable decocking with the lever than manually lowering it (or carrying around with the safety on).  If you are new to firearms, and this is going to be a carry weapon, I suggest the decocker.

Great input guys.  I appreciate the help.  

Keep the comments coming - I'll read 'em in the morning before I make up my mind :)

It's a matter of personal preference. I prefer safety-equipped CZs. I had one decocker CZ and sold it. You can always manually lower the hammer if you want, but with the safety you have the option of applying the safety and having the pistol ready in single action. With the decocker you're pretty much stuck with DA on the first pull unless you want to manually cock it, which you won't want to.

I also prefer a safety-equipped model because it provides a nice index to help keep your grip the same every time. One generally shoots with their strong-hand thumb resting on the safety, so your thumb is in the same place each time and you can get a good, high grip.

Do you plan on carrying with your Compact?

Both of your pistols have a block unless you had it removed.

Yes - eventually.

I carry the decocker version. Besides the decocker, it has an aluminum frame. The safety version, unless you ordered a fancy one from CZ Custom, will have a steel frame and be heavier. It is a matter of preference. I would rather not have to remember to remove the safety under duress, ie. self defense situation. YMMV.

If you're worried about trigger quality, between CZ Custom and Cajun Gun Works, you can get a pretty usable trigger from a decocker or safety pistol.

I'm a 1911 /XD guy so I've never carried with a decocker,  So my experience is limited to safety and grip safety or USA and grip safety.



So in the decocker version, you carry round in the chamber but hammer down and the first pull is DA and then SA afterwards?



 

Correct. Before carrying the pistol, load a round, decock, holster. First shot is DA, then SA. Depending on how much money you put into the pistol, that DA can be either minimal creep then 5 lb break, or shitload of creep and like 7-8 lbs.

I prefer the safety. That said, the decocker guns are much more difficult to detail strip and tune.

So how does the CZ come as?  The first or second description?

Stock comes as second. Mine has custom CGW parts, so is exactly as the first is described. If you shoot a stock one enough the trigger gets better, but your best bet is adding aftermarket parts.

Cool, thanks!

I like them all and I've carried both ways. But as a general rule, I prefer handguns for carry that don't require the use of a manual safety. But since the safety model can be carried cocked and locked or you can carry the gun for a DA shot by lowering to the safety notch (same area the decocker models lower the hammer too).

-Safety model guns (Omega models even more so) are easier to work on than decockers. If you plan to do so.
-The safety models can be cocked and locked or carried by manually lowering the hammer.
-Both can have decent triggers after some work and/or rounds sent down range.

My advice:
-If this is purely a range gun. Get the safety model.
-If you are using this for carry eventually. I like the decocker so you don't have to bother with manually lowering a hammer. Though not a huge deal.
-But if you don't mind and are comfortable manually lowering hammers, but don't want to use a safety for carry. The gun can be safely carried DA.

-If you buy the safety model and work on the trigger and remove the firing pin block. And plan to carry DA. The hammer needs to go all the way down. If you leave the firing pin block. It can be lowered to the middle (safety) notch. Like where the hammer falls on a decocker model. For drop safety. The older pre-b 75's that don't have firing pin blocks. The hammers are required (should) be lowered all the way down to avoid accidental/negligent discharges from dropped guns or bumped hammers (however unlikely). If you remove the firing pin block from a decocker. I'd lower the hammer down all the way as well. Which kind of negates the point of the decocker.

I prefer the safety model over the decockers...
Coming from a 1911 background it is more natural to me.  I sweep the safety on the draw without thought.

All personal preference.

For classes and general range use I prefer the safety.

If I was going to conceal a CZ I'd prefer the decocker and practice the draw and the first long pull

The decocker mechanism is complicated, has small parts, and is tricky to work on. I figured out you can use some of the pins to assist in reassembly. I filed and ground my sear to shorten the pull. I want to add an over travel screw eventually, but I am happy. The whole process was very tricky and time consuming, but I enjoyed it.

I am perfectly happy not having a safety. Having a safety is a preference and I believe you will be happy with either choice. I would save up and get a Kadet kit to help practice up on the DA/SA transition and to blast ammo. It is pretty easy to get used to after a short while. As with shooting, it takes practice.

Here's some gun porn.

I prefer Decocker. Most of my handguns have decocker (HK P30, HK P2000SK, CZ 75 P-01). Just practice with the first shot in DA and then everything else should be smooth sailing. In a defensive situation, I rather not think about disengaging the safety.

Yg

Safety....Decocker.....Safety.....Decocker.....   It will go on and on.  For me personally give me a de-cocker.  Why? With a safety under stress if you need  to fire the gun you have to  turn off the safety. You have to carry a loaded and cocked pistol and then remember to turn off the safety at the worse possible time. That was how they did it 100 years ago!

Times change, people change. Some say they just want the trigger pull to be the same each and every time and that is why they want a safety.  Well, that is OK for them but in my limited experience in another life a long time ago in a place far away where people shot at  you...... I learned that when you truly need your weapon and you need it NOW...you will have no concept of how much the trigger pull is or how far you have to pull it. You will just point and pull it and pull it over and over until the threat is gone or it quits going bang.

That same time period also taught me that for me personally, I just never warmed up the 1911. I know a bunch of people think its the only pistol ever made right (some also think Harley's are the only motorcycle worth owning or Ford makes the only pickup).

After owning and using de-cocker pistols for some years now I find I really just don't want a "cocked and locked" pistol any more, period. I only have one left in my collect and I really find it undesirable next to my other de-cocking pistols.

BUT.....YMMV.   Like I said, its a personal thing.

Decocker.

Safety.

Safety. Two options, cocked and locked or hammer down.

Plus, with the 75 compact, you have the fpb as extra security.

safety


Dropping the hammer on live rounds enhances life.  

Or it can shorten life.

It's not a huge deal either way. But it's a bit easier/safer with the B guns since you can pull the trigger then immediately release it and lower the hammer to the safety notch. The older guns you need/should lower the hammer all the way down. The trigger need to be pulled the whole time.

Thank you everyone for the excellent feedback and advice.  In the end, I choose to bring home the decocker, because the vendor gave me a healthy discount on the gun since they sent the wrong one to me.  Plus, I want a CZ now and the compact safety version is nowhere to be found in stock.  In the end, I'll probably get the ARFCOM "both" and then decide which I like better in the long term.    In the meantime, the decocker feature is really nice, and I can practice lowering the hammer manually while the gun is unloaded.  Again, thanks for all the feedback.  

One question about the safety version: if the chamber is empty and the safety is on, can you draw the slide back to chamber a round?  Or is the slide locked until the safety is switched off?


Here she is.  It came with really nice night sights and I upgraded to the wood grips from CZC.  Time to take it out shooting.

Nope, the safety locks the slide.

That looks sharp with those grips.

i have the safety on my cz 75b compact and it feels good, never was a fan of decockers