The Best CZ Pistols: Czech Value & Precision

When it comes to protecting your home, your family, and yourself, only the very best will do. Enter: CZ USA. This American subsidiary of the Czech-based company has a long history in the firearms business, repairing and producing weapons since the early years of the 20th century.

With longevity like that, you know you’re getting a weapon built on experience. Of course, with more than 50 handgun models alone to choose from (not to mention myriad carbines and 30 different rifles), selecting the best CZ pistol for you can be a massive undertaking.

Rather than getting overwhelmed by all of your options, fear not; we have researched and compiled the best of the best of this high-performance brand.

Below is my list of the best CZ pistols. I list the best choices in terms of value, performance, design, and cost.

Click on the name to head to the product page, read reviews, and check prices, or skip ahead to the list of pistols.

1. Best Overall: CZ 75

As one of the most popular full-size CZ pistols on the market today, the CZ 75 will impress even the most ardent gun enthusiast. Built with incredible craftsmanship, the CZ 75 sports a sleek finish and revised checkered grip. In this DA/SA, you’re getting a slimmer trigger guard, added thumb stop, and fully adjustable target sights.

The CZ 75 boasts a 4.6-inch barrel length, so it’s a little big for concealed carry, and at nearly 2.2 lbs is heavy for carrying on your person all day. But for home defense or target shooting, the 75 is a joy. Performance-wise, you’re investing in exceptional accuracy.

Yes, you’re going to wince when you cut the check on this handgun, but with its steel frame, ultra-light trigger pull, and top-notch reliability, it’s well worth the extra investment for a quality pistol chambered in 9mm.

2. Best for Concealed Carry: CZ P10-S

The CZ P-10 S is a fantastic entry in the world of 9mm subcompacts. It’s akin to a scaled-down P-10 C, offering a balance of size and capacity that rivals the Glock 26.

The P-10 S is surprisingly effective when it comes to recoil management, and with replaceable backstraps, the grip customization is a significant plus.

The stock trigger and sights are impressive for a factory setup, and its concealed carry design is serviceable, although its thicker build and aggressive grip texture may not appeal to all.

With the factory mag, I found myself pulling shots to the right because my pinky gets pinched between the grip and the magazine. The pistol shoots great, but that small gap makes it a real challenge to shoot for extended range sessions.

Swapping the factory mag out with the larger CZ P01 magazine allows me to shoot pain-free and make cleaner shots when practicing for a few hundred rounds.

While the bigger magazine isn’t ideal for concealed carry, it’s helpful for target practice.

The P-10 S’s ergonomics are pure CZ, offering a grip experience superior to Glock’s blocky design. I appreciate its readiness for carry right out of the box, and while aftermarket support is still growing, the existing features are more than enough for most.

I’ve put around 700 rounds through my P-10 S without any issues, so it’s more than reliable enough for most.

Aesthetically, the P-10 S maintains CZ’s stylish edge over the Blocks of the world. It’s a bit beefier than many subcompacts, but visually appealing, and that added bulk helps in the control department.

The factory iron sights, including a tritium front sight with an orange ring, are both usable and practical. Comparatively, while you don’t get Glock 19-level capacity, the CZ lacks the extensive aftermarket support, its smoother trigger and superior ergonomics make it a more enjoyable shooting experience for my money.

We have a full hands-on review of the P-10 S if you want more.

3. Best Marksman Pistol: CZ Shadow

The Shadow clocks in at just a hair over 41 ounces, making it one of the heavier CZ pistols. That said, it’s a pleasure to shoot. The added weight keeps the recoil at a minimum, and its excellent balance makes it ideal for competitive shooters. You get a fantastic fiber-optic system, as well as a manual safety.

If you’re in the market for a semi-auto 9mm pistol that you can trust to provide you with reliable marksmanship, the CZ Shadow won’t let you down.

4. Best for Home Defense: CZ P10 F

Armed with a durable yet lightweight polymer frame, this striker-fired 9mm Luger pistol is just the ticket for a multi-role pistol. It’s not the most compact pistol on the market, but there’s no reason it won’t serve you well if concealed carry is your goal.

And just in case you get in a sticky situation, a three-dot sight system is at the ready to assist you in lining up your target. The CZ P10 F is easy to handle, comfortable to shoot, and comes with a trigger pull that’s ideal for personal defense.

Not only that, but it’s very well-priced. If you’ve always wanted a CZ pistol but didn’t want to break the bank, the P10 F is a solid contender.

5. Best for Suppressed Use: CZ P-07

The P-07 offers a threaded barrel paired with high night sights — so it’s ready to suppress out of the box. It’s also quite compact, making it a great fit for concealed or all-day carry. What’s more, the night sights lend a helping hand if you’re ever in a low-light situation that calls for you to defend yourself.

Armed with 17+1 9mm rounds, you’ll be well-prepared should any trouble come your way. And thanks to a slick double-action trigger setup, you can trust that your pistol will always be responsive and reliable. Even better, this gun is also decidedly affordable.

Most CZ pistols are designed and built in the Czech Republic, which is where the “CZ” comes from. That said, in 2019 CZ-USA opened a factory here in the States, located in good old Kansas City, Missouri, which can be a big deal for those who want to buy American. Chances are, when you buy a CZ pistol in the United States, it was likely made here.

The icing on the cake is that American CZ pistols are known for being superbly well-made firearms, so not only are you likely buying American, but you’re getting a reliable and well-built firearm to boot.

Aside from the manufacturing location, CZ firearms are proven, all-around performers. Long before Dave Miller (CZ-USA product manager & Pro Shooter) smashed a Guinness World Record, 3,653 clays with a CZ shotgun in one hour — CZ pistols have been making their mark.

They aren’t a “budget-friendly alternative” to the Glocks and S&Ws of the world — CZ makes some of the most reliable weapons on the market today — from their classic Scorpion PCC to polymer frame firearms that are at home in any role – from self-defense to sport shooting.

They don’t crank out 200,000 pistols a year like the Big Boys — it’s actually more like 25,000, almost all of them chambered in 9mm. CZ’s focus is on getting it right with a specific caliber, and that focus lends itself to surprisingly performant products.

What’s more, if you peruse top 10 pistol lists as I do, the CZ 75 is likely on many of them. It’s widely regarded as one of the best in its class. In short, you really can’t go wrong with CZ’s semi-automatic pistols regardless of how you want to employ them.

You’re investing in a reliable semi-auto that is built to last and sure to serve you well for years to come.

Formed in 1918, CZ Firearms started out as Austro-Hungarian Artillery. Before making its own firearms, CZ was in the business of repairing military rifles. But by 1925, CZ Firearms was well on its way to producing machine guns, rifles, and even vehicles.

Following World War II, CZ Firearms was still under the thumb of communism. Fortunately, that has all changed. And today, CZ is free to produce its weapons without opposition. So while CZ Firearms hasn’t always been strictly focused on making weapons, the guns that they do produce are some of the very best available.

In addition to the storied history, CZ acquired renowned pistol brand Dan Wesson in 2005, adding another layer of experience and prestige to the organization. Wesson was founded in 1968 as a revolver maker by a grandson of the well-known Daniel B. Wesson and has since become one of the premier M1911 brands on the market.

Although at times pricey, with CZ you can trust that you are spending your hard-earned money on a reliable, accurate, and comfortable handgun.

Few firearms brands offer the shooter the variety of CZ’s pistol lineup. Given the stellar precision provided by CZ pistols, you can count on investing in a firearm that will help you defend your home with authority, but that’s far from their only role. Thanks to the compact offering from CZ, you can take your weapon with you on the streets for accurate concealed carry protection.

Many competitive shooters love the CZ 75 for high-performance events, so you can be sure there’s a CZ for your needs, whatever they may be.

Sure, you’re likely going to spend more for a CZ pistol. But when it comes to protecting your home, yourself, and those you love, or competing against the best — price is rarely the right measure.

Despite the higher-end price points and weight of the full-size models, CZ pistols are simply great performers. Everything about them screams quality and reliability, making CZ a worthy addition to anyone’s arsenal.

1. Concealed Nation, Beginners Guide
2. CZ Firearms, About CZ USA
3. CZ Firearms, About CZ
4. ATF, Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Report 2019 Final
5. Hopkins Shooting, About
6. How David Miller And Team CZ-USA Set A Guinness World Record
7. CZ Facebook