CZ makes some of the world’s best selling pistols, and some of the best quality guns.
The company has been in business for 85 years, owns Colt and Dan Wesson Firearms, among others, and continues to produce some of the best handguns for almost every class.
But what are the best CZ pistols on sale in 2023?
1. CZ 75 B
- Price: $575.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 4.6 inches
- Weight: 2.2lb
- Capacity: 16+1
Launched in 1975, the CZ 75 is a legend.
It is the most imitated firearm in recent history, discounting the much older 1911, and it is still the go to service pistol in the Czech Republic and plenty of other nations.
A staggered mag, rather than a true double stack, meant this was one of the first Wonder Nines, high capacity 9mm pistols that changed the world of close combat.
The full size CZ 75 B semi auto 9mm pistol was a pioneer, a trailblazer that carved a path for today’s high capacity 9mm handguns.
Now this is a short recoil operated, locked breech pistol with a Browning linkless cam locking system that was born in the legendary Browning Hi-Power. The slide rides inside the frame and the B model comes with a firing pin block safety mechanism.
It was designed to be carried cocked and locked, with a simple thumb safety sending you live and straight to the more accurate single action.
Modern Kydex holsters mean it’s a legit option to treat it like a striker fired pistol and keep it holstered, using the long double action as the safety.
Or even a combination of those two: safety off, cocked and holstered. That’s pretty Operator, but it could be the best solution. The point is, you have more options.
Why is CZ 75 Copied Everywhere?
After the 2nd World War brothers Josef and František Koucký were the star engineers at the State owned and deeply Communist CZUB. In 1969 Frantisek retired and was offered a pet project, a 9mm handgun for export.
It was a clean sheet of paper exercise and the world’s most famous Double Action/Single Action pistol was the result.
But because it was a secret project, nothing was patented abroad. So it was basically open season as far as the patents were concerned. Other manufacturers tore the CZ 75 apart and created clones, tribute acts and new stories based on the classic novel.
Specialist 75 Based Handguns
CZ has gone on to create legendary sporting pistols for competitive shooting based on this simple forged frame and stainless steel slide.
You can spend thousands on a CZ 75 platform these days, and we’ll get to those. But this is the best selling service pistol that folks wax lyrical about on the forums, and the purist’s choice.
It’s also a gateway drug that might lead you to a whole collection of CZ pistols and watching videos ion Youtube at 2am to remove the firing pin block. But by then you will be telling everyone how much better they are than a Glock and you’ll officially be a CZ guy.
2. CZ P-10 Compact
- Price: $399.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 4 inches
- Weight: 1.7lb
- Capacity: 15+1
The CZ P-10 has the Glock 19 firmly in its sights. Arguably, it outperforms the best-selling Austrian in every aspect and owner reviews are pretty vocal about how much sharper, tighter and more precise the Czech gun feels.
You can go for a sub-compact, compact pistol as you see here or the full size F with a 4.5 inch barrel that takes aim at the Glock 34 Gen 5. Kind of…
A flatter shooting pistol and better recoil reduction are a few of the benefits of the full size handgun, according to CZ guys. But this compact is just as competent as the Glock, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory or Sig Sauer P320.
A CZ 75 style grip angle is a big difference, and a lot of people prefer this set-up to the best Glocks in 2023.
There is a mild palmswell, deep beavertail grip to eliminate slide bite and interchangeable backstraps to get the right balance in your hand.
CZ tuned the trigger for a clean 4.5-5lb break and super fast reset, too, which feels like an afterrmarket drop in trigger for ‘other polymer framed striker fired pistols’.
A polymer frame and Nitride finished stainless steel slide were designed to withstand military use and abuse. You can use a flush fitting mag or a longer stick mag too.
Czech military and Law Enforcement Officers carry these striker fired handguns, if they don’t like the traditional CZ 75 that is still in service.
3. CZ Shadow 2
- Price: $1,368.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 4.89 inches
- Weight: 2.9lb
- Capacity: 17+1
If you like the CZ 75 but want something a little more refined, and just, well, better, the CZ Shadow 2 might be the gun you’re looking for.
The Shadow 2 is a ground up rework of the CZ 75, without going to the extremes of the Tactical Sport Orange a little further down.
Built for the IPSC Production Vision, the Shadow 2 is also one of those left field home firearms that lots of you choose to rely on having tested all sorts. It happens too often to be an accident.
Why? It’s a sweet shooting pistol without too many concessions to range use that would rule it out as a tactical pistol. It’s heavy, but that can work in its favor for defensive duties as recoil and muzzle rise just isn’t a thing.
The trigger has been reworked with a short reset and a creamy smooth trigger pull. It is still a DA/SA pistol, although there is a SAO only version and that trigger set features on the more expensive guns too. But sticking with the original system means this is a far more practical handgun for the real world.
Read the gun reviews and basically all of them love it.
Those Duralumin grips are an aluminum alloy that are pure race gun touches, and yet work perfectly and look pretty fine too. An adjustable magazine release helps you perfect your reload times and that’s a chunky manual safety that you can just feel in low light.
4. CZ P-01 Omega 9mm
- Price: $772.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel length: 3.75 inches
- Weight: 1.8lb
- Capacity: 14+1
It is smaller than a compact pistol, larger than a sub-compact pistol, but for a lot of people this is absolutely the sweet spot for a concealed carry pistol.
Big enough to hold, small enough to stash, it works as a combat pistol. And armed forces, military and Law Enforcement Agencies in the Czech Republic have adopted this Czeska Zbrojovka as standard equipment.
Built on a forged aluminum frame, the CZ P-01 Omega 9mm is a lightweight concealed carry handgun with some neat touches. That aluminum alloy frame saves a ton of weight for a start.
You can easily convert it from a manual safety to a decocker version. Hence the name Omega Convertible. And we’d go for some night sights at the same time.
The P-01 Omega 9mm also gets that new Omega Convertible trigger set, so it’s a damned good gun. It’s overlooked when it comes to the best concealed carry guns and that’s a shame, because this all-metal compact handgun has a lot to offer.
5. CZ Tactical Sport Orange
- Price: $1,876.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 5.4 inches
- Weight: 3lb
- Capacity: 19+1
The CZ Tactical Sport Orange might just be the best CZ competition shooter out the box.
Calling it optics ready feels like doing a disservice. It comes with fixing points for a red dot bracket and this is a pistol designed for IPSC sport shooting disciplines.
Shooting targets is what it does…
You can take yours to the range, though, rely on the fiber optic front sight and fully adjustable rear sights and just enjoy the fine art of shooting with a perfectly balanced full size pistol.
The rate of fire you’ll achieve with this gun is a constant source of bewilderment to new owners and even gets some people a caution at the range.
Muzzle climb is barely a thing with a 5.4 inch barrel and a 3lb gun in your hand to combat that savagely famous, ummm, 9mm recoil. A super fast reset on that match grade trigger means you can fire off 20 round groups like a pro.
SAO Better Than DA/SA
This is a single action only trigger that experts swear is so much better than the DA/SA option that you just have to go this way if you want compete seriously.
Or if you just want to go recreational shooting then the ergonomics might suit you better than a double stack 1911. And that’s fine too.
Compared to a 2011 the CZ is a thoroughbred, with match grade everything and that longer barrel. In many ways it’s a better gun.
And did we mention the trigger?
6. CZ P-07
- Price: $534.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 3.75 inches
- Weight: 1.7lb
- Capacity: 10+1
A compact carry handgun with a sub 4 inch barrel, a hammer and decocking lever set up and a double action/single action trigger. This ticks a lot of boxes for some people out there.
Released in 2009 this 9mm was the first with the Omega trigger set-up, which simplified the CZ 75 set up considerably.
Interlocking parts meant that the days of gunsmithing tools and knowledge were long gone and anybody could service their CZ at home. That was a big sterp for these polymer framed pistols.
It’s a hugely competent Glock alternative, if you’re looking for one…
7. CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1 9mm
- Price: $749.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 7.75 inches
- Weight: 5lb
- Capacity: 20+1
The CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1 9mm has become a hit with special forces, military and Law enforcement and the general public all round the world.
It’s a simple semi-auto pistol, encased in polymer to keep out the elements and dust. There’s a clear manual safety, charging handle, mag release and not a huge amount else. Also, it’s seriously compact and while people use a brace, you don’t necessarily need one.
The Scorpion is a blowback operated semi auto pistol chambered in 9mm and that is useful thing to have, especially with these compact pistol dimensions. It is that, together with the excellent record for reliability, that turned the full auto sub machine gun into a military favorite.
Also the threaded barrel means you can take off the faux suppressor and the Scorpion is really suppressor ready under there.
For storming and clearing buildings, this is the best cut price alternative to the HK SP5 and MP5.
The full length Picatinny rail up top, second rail underneath for mounting lights and lasers and molded side rails mean you can dress it up with all the tacti-cool gear in your arsenal.
From red dot sights to weapon lights and lasers, you can literally have it all on there at the same time.
And even cultured and respectable people do…
Don’t forget the Evo 3 S2 Micro
The shorter barrel is a clear response to the likes of the Sig Sauer Copperhead, Angstadt Arms and other smaller 9mm Pistol Caliber Carbines.
It’s a concealed carry 9mm AR pistol that fits in a backpack and yet with a low profile red dot it is an absolute weapon of war when called upon. Again its suppressor ready under that faux suppressor, confusingly…
Unfortunately the S2 Micro is officially discontinued as of 2022. But they still pop up for sale sometimes and it’s a good choice for a concealed carry AR.
Also look out or the Evo 3 S1 9mm suppressor ready semi auto rifles. These are great carbine rifles that turn 9mm Luger into an absolute weapon you can use for home defense, small game hunting or pest control.
8. CZ P-09
- Price: $549.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 4.54 inches
- Weight: 3lb
- Capacity: 20+1
A modern polymer service pistol with a hammer fired action is a rare find these days. So it is always going to find a market.
This is the full size polymer frame with the enhanced Omega DA/SA trigger and Picatinny rail for mounting lights underneath.
You can easily switch between a frame mounted manual safety and the pre-installed decocking lever that is a CZ hallmark.
Aside from that the major calling card here are that high, think grip that is quite unlike any Glock grip angle you’ve ever seen, but is reminiscent of the 75.
The grip is a surprising amount of the whole polymer frame firearm, and this more than the hammer probably defines this semi-automatic pistol. Look for the best deals and you’ve got a real find here.
9. CZ Czechmate Parrot
- Price: $3,717.99
- Action: Semi Automatic
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 5 inches
- Weight: 3lb
- Capacity: 20+1
Of course the CZ Czechmate Parrot is aimed at elite competitive shooting. But if you want the ultimate 9mm pistol at home, and you’re willing to sped this kind of money, then your Parrot could be your new lifelong friend.
The dramatic red dot mount on the frame, rather than the slide, for that last degree of fixed rigidity, is the full size Parrot’s calling card. Well that and the 3-port compensator. We probably shouldn’t forget that.
But, if you want to shoot it as a normal pistol, take the range gear off and you’re left with this Czeska Zbrojovka masterpiece.
You still get a compensator, a super flat match-grade trigger system, frame mounted manual safety and a simple target shooting hammer, together with almost a side charging handle with that oversized purple bolt attached. But this all works beautifully and intuitively as a full size defensive gun too.
There is plenty of middle ground on offer from CZ and the Shadow and Tac 2 Orange are probably more sensible choices if you’re not a dedicated competitor in top grade shooting sports. An optics ready slide, rather than these shenanigans, is honestly more practical for your home defense firearms too.
But if you just want the best of the best, well then you need a Parrot in your life. And we do love those aluminum grips on this high price, high spec steel frame handgun…
10. CZ Rami
- Price: $550+
- Action: Semi automatic
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 3.05 inches
- Weight: 1.63lb
- Capacity: 10+1
The CZ Rami is a cult hero in the firearms industry.
It’s officially discontinued and has been for two years, which is why this alloy frame carry gun is super hard to find. But if you spot this semi-automatic pistol, buy it and get an instant cult collector’s item.
Released in 2004 this semi-auto 9mm is one of the pioneers of the micro compact 9mm pistol class and has consistently been a thorn in the side of the best striker fired pistols thanks to its endless personality.
You might not rely on the CZ 2075 Rami as your last line of defense. It does suffer the occasional jam. But that doesn’t matter. You’ll have so much fun with this all-metal micro-compact hammer fired pistol at the range that you’ll soon spend disproportionate amounts of time together.
It always goes that way…
A Gun With a Soul
Technically it’s just a cut down version of the full size CZ 75, but it’s so much more than that. This is one of those that will put a smile on our face every time you fire it. And they are pretty rare honestly.
The CZ Rami is also surprisingly ergonomic and easy to shoot, with that high beavertail and undercut trigger guard giving you a nice grip high up the frame.
There’s an extended mag with 14 rounds if you need a chunkier grip and if your State laws allow and a manual safety on the frame. Otherwise you get 10 rounds with a flush fitting mag.
If you own a Rami, you know how good this semi-auto 9mm pistol really is. If you don’t own one, and can find one, buy a gun online immediately.
CZ Gun Parts & Accessories
You’re clearly going to need gun parts and accessories for your semi auto pistol at some point, from a drop in suppressor ready barrel to an oversize manual safety for gloved hands, to lots of stuff really.
A SAO conversion for the Shadow is one of the popular DIY projects out there and you can get the gun parts & accessories from Primary Arms and Palmetto State Armory, among others.
You can order a fiber optic front sight and enhanced rears to replace these analogue era Eastern Bloc dot sights. And you probably should.
A fiber optic front sight, and upgraded rears, will do wonders for your gun. And you can change almost anything on your finely built handguns and rifles these days.
What are the Best Red Dot Sight for your CZ?
If your pistol is optics ready, or if it a custom slide, it’s then time to get the best red dot sights up top. You might want the RMR Trijicon Type 2, Shield RMSc, Vortex Venom or Leupold Deltapoint.
We spend a lot of time peering through the best red dot sight options for your AR-15, pistol and shotguns and finding weekly deals. So yeah we know a little about them…
You can read the full buyer’s guide on the best red dot sight options here.
What Else We Got For You
We got CZ handguns, rifles and shotguns and so many more high quality guns for sale. Check out the semi-automatic carbines chambered in 9mm here before you buy a gun online.
As for shotguns, CZ USA has some top quality field shotguns and hunting gear, including classic side by side double barrel shotguns, tactical shotguns with red dot sights and a variety of pump action shotguns.
The company can also sell you a mean bolt action rifle and one of the best 22LR bolt action rifles, semi automatic rifles too. Those are rimfire rifles, centerfire rifles, every kind of rifle and weekly deals, sometimes daily deals.
CZ rimfire rifles are the stuff of legend and their bolt action centerfire rifles are awesome too. We’ll help you find the best deals.
You’ll need ammo, 9mm is covered here.
What is the CZ Custom Shop
The Ghost Products CZ Custom Shop is a separate entity, an authorized dealer owned by master gunsmith Angus Hobdell in Mesa, Arizona. There he takes CZ handguns to the next level, with the full backing of CZ USA.
So if you see a CZ Custom shop handguns, rifles and shotguns for sale online, buy with confidence.
Of course you can always go the whole hog and get a Dan Wesson DWX, a 1911 based on the CZ 75.
Manual Safety vs Decocker
You can now switch between a manual safety and a decocker on your CZ handgun thanks to the CZ Omega trigger system. A decocker is kind of a rare find these days. Most folks just accepted the manual safety as the best solution, but CZ USA has stuck with them.
Simply put the decocker drops the hammer safely without firing the gun. A manual safety stops the hammer doing anything useful at all and locks the gun in safe mode.
I mean we have to be honest we think the manual safety is a better solution, or the trigger safety you see on the polymer pistols. But we still kinda like the old decocker system, if only in theory.
But others straight up hate any kind of manual safety on a defensive handgun. So we’re all different, is the point.
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