Testing the Guncrafter Executive CZ 75

By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor

There has been a flood of new shooters during the past few months, who unfortunately have little knowledge of firearms, shooting, personal defense or ammunition types.

Some store owners are well qualified, but not most. The counter guy and the internet commando often give bad advice. Among the worst pieces of advice on handguns is the smaller the better. Another shaky piece of advice is that cheap guns are just fine. On the other hand, there are handguns that are built for performance regardless of price- the price is set after performance parameters are met. These pistols are not for bulk consumption. They are very satisfying to own and use.

There are excellent high end 1911 handguns. The Browning High Power has seen plenty of customization. There are many aftermarket parts for the Beretta 92. However, the CZ 75 hasn’t received the same attention.

As issued the Czech 9mm is among the finest double action first shot pistols of all time. Rugged, reliable and accurate, the CZ 75 pistol represents one of the best buys in the firearms world. The CZ 75 was developed by Czech designers as a service pistol. While some say it is a combination of the Browning High Power and a double action first shot trigger, this is shortchanging Czech designers. The slide runs inside the frame like the Petter pistols making for a lower bore axis than most 9mm handguns. Machining, fit, and overall design are excellent. The pistol is a selective double action in the original and still in production version. It is carried fully loaded and ready to fire by a long pull of the double action first shot trigger. After firing the first shot, the slide cocks the hammer for subsequent single action.

The safety is sometimes misunderstood. While it is possible to carry the pistol with the hammer to the rear and the safety on this isn’t the intent. During tactical movement the pistol may be placed on safe after the first shot. A Beretta 92 or SIG P226 would have to be decocked for safety during climbing, etc. The CZ places the tactical over the technical. Today there are decocker versions available if you prefer. The original is a great all around tactical minded service pistol.

It is interesting that the original CZ 75 was something of a mystery gun for years. We could purchase cheap Chinese Communists Tokarev pistol but the excellent CZ was not allowed to be imported because of its Soviet bloc origins. I think it is still true the Chinese seem to know how to get to our politicians in a superior manner.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall the CZ 75 was available in the United States. We were in the odd situation of having experience with inferior clone guns before we were able to use the “real thing.” The CZ 75 quickly earned an excellent reputation in the states. There are sight upgrades and CZ pistols with light rails. A true custom upgrade comes from Guncrafter Industries. Guncrafter offers among the finest, perhaps the finest, 1911 custom pistols. They have now turned their talents to the CZ 75.

While Guncrafter manufactures its own slides, frames and components for the 1911, CZ 75 upgrades begin with a factory CZ 75 pistol. The Czechs use first quality steel in the CZ 75. This makes a good basis for an upgrade. The pistol endures a quality control inspection to be certain the individual pistol meets Guncrafter standards, and each piece is stamped with the Guncrafter logo.

The most obvious upgrade is the color case hardened frame. This isn’t easy to get right. The pistol is given a clear coating over the case hardening, and the slide is polished and given a beautiful classic blue finish. It is interesting that the barrel is shortened slightly and recrowned to make it flush fit to the slide. This is similar in concept to the Beretta Centurion, a slightly modified pistol that features excellent balance.

Guncrafter offers several CZ 75 type pistols including a compact version and the SP 101 with a rail for mounting combat lights. All are steel frame pistols. This means the pistols feature soft recoil. Combined with the CZ75’s low bore axis and well-designed grip frame the pistols are excellent shooters. The 4.6-inch barrel CZ75 at 35 ounces is perhaps the best shooting option, while the compact version is easier to carry. With sixteen 9mm rounds available the CZ75 offers a good reserve of ammunition. Sights on my version are drift adjustable CZ type. They are not the largest or the smallest sights but offer a good sight picture.

The most outstanding feature of the Guncrafter pistol is the action job. The CZ 75 double action pistol is a reasonably smooth action. The single action trigger is tight and clean. Guncrafter improves the action considerably with a superb nine-pound double action trigger and a crisp four-pound trigger. The result is the easiest shooting CZ 75 pistol I have hefted and fired, though perhaps a little heavy in the opinion of some for personal defense.

I have spent my life carrying steel frame pistols such as the 1911 and the High Power. The CZ 75 9mm balances well on the hip. I carried the Guncrafter in a Galco Royal Guard inside the waistband holster. The holster features dual belt loops, a tightly molded body, and a reinforced holstering welt. The narrow slide design of the CZ 75 allows for rapid re-holstering. The Galco Royal Guard and CZ 75 are an excellent combination. Like all good IWB holsters the Galco Royal Guard rides close to the body inside the trousers and is easily concealed by a covering garment.

I have enjoyed several profitable firing sessions with the Guncrafter Executive pistol. The improvements are evident. Drawing and firing from concealed carry and getting on target quickly the smooth double action trigger and well-designed sights offer excellent hit probability. In single action fire the pistol is as controllable as any steel frame 9mm and perhaps more so due to the crisp trigger action. Take up is modest and reset superior to the standard CZ75.

I have fired the pistol with the supplied magazines including 16 round and 18 round magazines. I added MecGar magazines with internal coating as well. Most of the rounds fired have been handloads using the Hornady 124-grain FMJ or the Hornady XTP 124-grain bullet. I use Titegroup gunpowder for 9mm handloads. This insures a clean burn and excellent consistency.

The pistol is superbly accurate. Drawing and getting on target quickly, the pistol offers excellent hit potential. The pistol is controllable in rapid fire. Combat accuracy is most important. The Guncrafter pistol is considerably smoother than a standard CZ 75 pistol. I also tested the pistol for absolute accuracy firing from a solid benchrest firing position at the 25-yard line. I used the Hornady 115-grain XTP in this test. This is among the most accurate factory 9mm loads. The XTP exhibits an excellent balance of expansion and penetration for personal defense. Accuracy potential proved excellent. While a few groups were smaller the average was five shots into 2.0 inches. The Guncrafter CZ Executive is a superior handgun in every way well worth its price.