Download AR Dope Bag March 2001: CZ 75B SA / Merkel 280 EL
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CZ 75B SA CZ 75B SA MANUFACTURER: Ceska Zbrojovka a.s., 68827 Pistol Uhersky Brod, Czech Republic IMPORTER: CZ-USA (Dept. AR), 1401 Fairfax Trafficway, Building B, Unit With its steel frame and single-action-only fire control system, the 119, Kansas City, KS new CZ 75B SA pistol in .40 S&W is certain to appeal to shooters 66115; (913) 321-1811; www.cz-usa.com who prefer single-actions that may be carried cocked-and-locked. CALIBER: 9 mm Luger uilding on the success prefer a classic, Browning- (+P), 40 S&W (tested) ACTION TYPE: short recoil- of its popular CZ 75- based, M1911-type pistol. operated, semi-automatic Bseries of semi-auto- Available in 9 mm Luger or pistol matic, double-action pistols, .40 S&W caliber, the short CONSTRUCTION: carbon CZ has introduced a new, sin- recoil-operated CZ 75B SA is steel frame and slide gle-action model called the CZ rated for +P ammunition. The 3 OVERALL LENGTH: 8 ⁄16" 75B SA. In the 1970s, the clas- pistol is supplied with two polit- FINISH: matte black 5 sic CZ 75 design earned the ically correct, 10-shot, steel BARREL: 4 ⁄8" RIFLING: six-groove, 1:14" grudging respect of pistol guru magazines and a polymer mag- RH twist Col. Jeff Cooper—not a fan of azine loading tool. Additional 5 HEIGHT: 5 ⁄16" double-action, semi-automatic standard accessories include a 3 WIDTH: 1 ⁄4" 9 mms—because of its ability metal cleaning brush, slotted WEIGHT EMPTY: 37 ozs. to be carried cocked and locked plastic cleaning rod, padded MAGAZINE: 10-round, in M1911 fashion. Now fans of double-column carry case and keyed cable lock. SIGHTS: combat-type, low- the single-action semi-auto A computer-rendered facsimile profile with three white can have all the positive fea- of the factory acceptance target dots; post front, notched tures of the CZ 75 design with- and an illustrated manual come blade rear drift- out the double-action opera- with each pistol. CZ provides a adjustable for windage tion that such handgunners three-year warranty on parts and TRIGGER: single-action deem superfluous. with overtravel adjust- a one-year warranty on surface ment; 3-lbs. pull Built on a compact steel treatments and stocks. 5 STOCKS: two-piece, check- frame with a 4 ⁄8" barrel, the We test-fired an example of ered, black polymer new model is 20 mm shorter the CZ 75B SA in .40 S&W sent ACCESSORIES: padded, and 10 mm lower than the stan- to us by U.S. importer CZ-USA black polymer carry case, dard CZ 75 pistol. Despite its in Kansas City, Kan. Using sev- extra magazine, maga- compact dimensions, the CZ zine loading tool, metal cleaning brush, slotted 75B SA weighs a hefty 37 ozs. The low-profile, three-white- plastic cleaning rod and with an empty magazine. With dot sights on the CZ 75B SA keyed cable lock the pistol’s single-action-only pistol are solid and depend- SUGGESTED RETAIL fire control system and steel able—just the ticket for a PRICE: $467 frame, this new model will defensive pistol. The rear sight appeal to those shooters who is drift-adjustable for windage. The American Rifleman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” at least since WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information 1921, when Col. Townsend Whelen first titled his column with it. Even based on the limited experience of individuals under specific conditions and circumstances.They do then, it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used by target shoot- not detail the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolutely nec- ers to hold ammunition and accessories on the firing line. “Sight dope” essary to properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents page. also was a traditional marksman’s term for sight adjustment information, Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training require- while judging wind speed and direction was called “doping the wind.” ments, procedures, techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity. 58 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN • March 2001 SHOOTING RESULTS .40 S&W Vel.@ 15' Energy Recoil Smallest Largest Average Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ft.-lbs.) (ft.-lbs.) (inches) (inches) (inches) Black Hills No. BH40JHP 901 Avg. 324 4.6 1.12 3.16 1.90 In similar manner 180-gr. JHP 15 Sd to earlier CZ 75 pis- Federal No.PD40HS4 1124 Avg. 378 4.3 1.97 2.39 2.12 tols, the CZ 75B SA 135-gr. JHP 21 Sd breaks down easily Hornady No. 9132 1129 Avg. 439 5.5 1.56 3.52 2.50 into its major com- 155-gr. JHP 21 Sd ponents for clean- Average Extreme Spread: 2.17 ing and routine 5 maintenance. Measured average velocity for 10 rounds from a 4 ⁄8" barrel. Range temperature: 66° F. Humidity: 56%. Accuracy for five consecutive, five-shot groups at 25 yds. from a sand- bag. Abbreviations: Sd (standard deviation), JHP (jacketed hollow point). panels available today. Another nice touch we liked was the trig- ger overtravel adjustment screw. However,the shape of the bers on the scale. However, for trigger bow itself proved slight- concealed, all-day carry, the ly flat for some shooters’ tastes. weight becomes much more The ambidextrous manual safe- noticeable. For that reason, the model and the double- ty levers proved easy to reach 27-oz. CZ 75D compact model action CZ 75BD models are and operate, but the slide release with an aluminum alloy frame compared with the slides lever proved too high for shoot- may be a better choice for some removed, they at first appear ers with small hands and short users, although the fire control identical. However, a closer fingers. Left-handed shooters system on that model is double- comparison reveals minor vari- will welcome the magazine action/single-action with a ations in the trigger bar, sear and release button, which may be decocking lever. The CZ 75B disconnector as well as several reversed for southpaws. We SA tested had a pleasantly light other small parts. Essentially, liked the fact that even empty 3-lb. trigger pull spoiled by a the single-action CZ 75B SA magazines readily fell free of long take-up. model lacks the linkage pieces the pistol when the magazine The CZ 75B SA comes used on the double-action BD to release button was pressed. equipped with frame mounted, ambidextrous safety levers, an eral brands of JHP ammunition cock and release the hammer. Where it counts, workman- These consist of the disconnec- ship and quality on the CZ 75B automatic firing pin safety and in various bullet weights, the CZ a safety notch on the hammer. 75B SA lived up to the reputa- tor and sear, which are absent or SA remains above reproach. different according to require- However, fit and finish could The manual safety levers block tion already established by it the trigger when applied, leav- predecessors—functioning was ment. Other differences include stand improvement. Compared a longer trigger bar on the BD to the bad old days of communist ing the hammer in the classic, flawless. We also tested accura- single-action cocked-and- cy with results summarized in model and decocking levers on control when fit and finish did not the double-action BD model count on a firearm, CZ has made locked position. the accompanying table. With We liked the low-profile, most standard loads, bullet replaced by safety levers on the great improvements in this area; single-action CZ 75B SA. however, further improvements three-white-dot sights. No non- impact coincided with point of sense here, just the basics in aim. Perceived recoil proved Everyone who fired this pis- to fit and finish on internal sur- tol gave very high marks to the faces would be welcome. solid and dependable form as is modest partly because of the proper for a defensive pistol. pistol’s 37-oz. weight. comfortable grip panels. CZ Balance and handling of the really deserves credit for CZ 75B SA are excellent. That said, CZ may wish to con- Like all CZ 75 pistols, the sider an adjustable sight option SA model has internal frame designing some of the most Because of that, the pistol does comfortable factory plastic grip not feel heavy despite the num- in addition to the drift- rails and a low bore axis. As we adjustable for windage have mentioned before, rear unit on our test gun. we like these features. As the CZ 75 pistol Internal frame rails help design grows older, it keep dust and dirt out of seems to get better the mechanism while a rather than becoming low bore axis reduces long in the tooth. This is perceived recoil and aids because CZ remains quick recovery for fol- dedicated to constantly low-up shots. meeting consumer When the fire control needs with new models, mechanisms of both the features and options. single-action CZ 75B SA This new model is a per- We especially liked the fect example as it CZ 75B SA’s comfort- extends the appeal of the able, checkered, black CZ 75 to single-action plastic grip panels. aficionados. 59 MERKEL 280 EL MANUFACTURER: Merkel Freres, Strasse 7 October, 10, Suhl, Germany IMPORTER: GSI, Inc. (Dept. AR), 7661 Commerce Lane, P.O. Merkel’s 28-ga. 280 EL is a Box 129, Trussville, AL nimble and lively shotgun. 35173; (205) 655-8299; 1 www.gsifirearms.com Weighing a scant 5 ⁄2 lbs., this is a shotgun we could GAUGE: 28 ACTION TYPE: Self- carry afield or on a clays cocking Anson & Deeley course the entire day.