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CZ is a Czech firearms manufacturer that’s been around long enough to get things right. The company produces handguns, rifles, and shotguns that show up in competition circles, military contracts, and everyday carry holsters across Europe and beyond.
What sets their products apart is the combination of old-world manufacturing standards with practical design choices. You’ll find steel frames where they matter, hammer-fired actions that people trust, and ergonomics that work for extended shooting sessions. The fit and finish on CZ firearms tends to be a step above what you’d expect at their price points, which explains why competitive shooters gravitate toward certain models.
Pistols
The CZ pistols includes everything from full-size service handguns to compact carry options. The CZ Shadow series has become a staple in competitive shooting, particularly in IPSC and practical shooting disciplines where the combination of a steel frame, excellent trigger, and manageable recoil matters. These aren’t lightweight polymer guns – they’re built for accuracy and control during rapid-fire strings. For defensive use, they produce various compact and subcompact models that retain the reliability of their full-size counterparts. The DA/SA trigger system gives you options that striker-fired designs don’t offer.
Rifles and Carbines
The CZ Scorpion platform fills the pistol-caliber carbine role with a design that’s seen military and law enforcement adoption. It’s a modern system with controls that make sense, plenty of mounting options for optics and accessories, and manageable size for confined spaces. Their bolt-action rifles cover hunting and precision shooting applications, with actions that cycle smoothly and barrels that deliver consistent accuracy. The company also produces semi-automatic rifles in various configurations for sporting and defensive purposes.
Shotguns
CZ shotguns include over-under and semi-automatic models designed for clay sports and field work. The over-unders compete directly with established European makers at lower price points, offering similar build quality and finish. Their semi-autos handle high-volume shooting without the maintenance headaches some gas systems require.
CZ FAQs
What does CZ stand for?
CZ comes from “Ceska Zbrojovka,” which translates to “Czech Armory” in English. The name reflects the company’s origins as a Czech firearms manufacturer. Most shooters simply refer to the brand as CZ rather than using the full Czech name.
Which country is CZ?
CZ is from the Czech Republic, where the company maintains its manufacturing facilities. The region has a long history of precision metalworking and firearms production that dates back well over a century. This manufacturing heritage shows in the build quality and attention to detail across their product lines.
Is CZ a good gun brand?
CZ produces reliable firearms that compete well against more expensive brands, particularly in competitive shooting and defensive applications. Their pistols have earned a strong reputation among IPSC and practical shooting competitors who demand accuracy and durability. The quality control and fit-and-finish typically exceed what you’d expect at their price points, which is why they’ve gained market share across Europe.
Is a CZ a Glock?
No, CZ and Glock are completely different companies with distinct designs. While Glock uses a striker-fired polymer frame design, most CZ pistols feature hammer-fired actions with steel or alloy frames and DA/SA trigger systems. The shooting characteristics, ergonomics, and manual of arms differ significantly between the two brands, appealing to different shooter preferences.
