The CZ P-10 C Suppressory Ready. (Photo: CZ-USA)
The standard CZ P-10 C. (Photo: CZ-USA)
The FDE CZ P-10 C. (Photo: CZ-USA)
We got a first hands-on look at the newest in an upcoming family of CZ pistols, the CZ P-10 C or Compact. The CZ P-10 C is a polymer-framed striker-fired mid-size service pistol that aims to outperform even the most competitive and featured next-generation poly pistols.
“It may have taken a while to come to market, but we feel the wait has been worth it,” said CZ in the official announcement. “With CZ reliability, engineered ergonomics and a bevy of features both familiar and new, the P-10 is the complete package.”
It’s true, the pistol looks like it’s a real problem-solver. The P-10 C built with concealed-carry, home defense, competition and duty in mind. The P-10 C sports fully-ambidextrous controls with magazine and slide release buttons on both sides. The slide and frame have a familiar profile and are compatible with “common” holsters. The magazines are similar, too. Standard magazines offer a 15+1-round capacity and extended magazines will provide 17+1.
According to CZ the striker-fired P-10 mag bodies are the same as the hammer-fired P-07 and P-09 design. They are backwards-compatible with the earlier P-series pistols. The main difference is a new cutout pattern for the new magazine catch on the P-10.
CZ has three models in the works to launch with, the standard P-10 C, the P-10 C Flat Dark Earth two-tone model and the P-10 C Suppressor-Ready model. The company expects to have .40 S&W variants in standard black and flat dark earth out in mid-2017. The .40-caliber models will have a standard capacity of 12+1. All steel surfaces have a black nitride finish.
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Here you can see the interchangeable backstrap system and P-07-compatible magazines. (Photo: Mike Humphries)
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Standard flush mags hold 15+1, extended mags are also available. (Photo: Mike Humphries)
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Of course, the real difference between a leading service pistol and a commanding one isn’t going to be the feature set, it’s going to be the trigger. That’s where CZ expects to come out on top. The P-10 C trigger is short with a quick, positive reset and a 4-to-4.5 pound break. That’s on-par with custom carry aftermarket triggers and entry-level competition triggers.
Putting that in perspective, the bulk of today’s next-gen striker-fired service pistols have triggers that measure in the 5.5-7.5 pound range. A shorter, lighter trigger means more consistent accuracy and faster follow-up shots.
Testing in the real world will tell how well these promises hold up but this is CZ, one of the most trusted names in self-defense, competition and military firearms manufacturing. It would be surprising, to say the least, if CZ fell short.
The P-10 C’s other features are also very modern, including three interchangeable backstraps, front and rear slide serrations and 3-dot ledge-style night sights. These sights can be used as a hook for racking the slide one-handed. It has a squared trigger guard for shooting off barriers and a deeply undercut beavertail that stops at the rear of the slide.
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A look from the left shows standard striker controls… (Photo: Mike Humphries)
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…And from the right. Notice the mirrored controls. (Photo: Mike Humphries)
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The trigger face has slight serrations and a passive trigger safety. The trigger is almost flat with only a mild curve. (Photo: Mike Humphries)
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Comes with three backstraps, two mags and a cleaning rod. (Photo: Mike Humphries)
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The takedown levers and trigger safety should be familiar to many shooters. (Photo: Mike Humphries)
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Specifications
- Caliber: 9mm Luger or .40 S&W
- Capacity: 15+1 or 12+1
- Weight: 26 ounces
- Barrel length: 4.02 inches
- Overall length 7.36 inches
- Height: 5.2 inches
- Width 1.25 inches
- Finish: black nitride
- Sights: three-dot steel
- MSRP: $499 up to $541 depending on the model
Other familiar components include an industry-standard takedown method with a pull-down locking piece and a singular passive grip safety as the only external pistol safety. The frame is equipped with an accessory rail and it has more aggressive checkering on the front- and backstraps for comfy carry and good control in the hand at the same time.
The CZ P-10 is something of a spiritual successor to the P-07, CZ’s extremely popular polymer-framed hammer-fired pistol. It’s not the first polymer striker-fired pistol CZ’s ever made; back in the mid-’90s CZ introduced the 100-series, which never saw much success. Like the P-07 the P-10 is a capable and economical all-purpose pistol. With MSRPs starting at $499 real-world prices are likely to be extremely affordable.
If the P-10 series is half as good as the P-07 was when it first launched then the P-10 is guaranteed to be a solid and long-lived success for CZ with CZ shooters around the world. We’ll get a review to you as soon as possible — we’re just waiting on the pistol, due just around the corner.
According to CZ’s Zachary Hein the P-10’s availability is “imminent.” The .40 S&W models “Are expected mid-2017.”