CZ P-09 9mm

So, I got the email asking if I would like to test the CZ P-09 and I thought surely the person sending me the email was not a regular reader of my blog or they would know that I am a CZ fanatic.  In my opinion the pistols coming from the Czech Republic are "World Class".  They are well designed, reliable, very accurate and still one of the best values in the firearms market.

The CZ P-09 also gives the shooter options.  The pistol has a traditional double action with a decocker lever to safely lower the hammer on a loaded chamber but, with a few easily performed steps, you can remove the decocking mechanism and replace it with a manufacturer supplied manual safety turning your P-09 into a single action pistol.  The double action pull is a smooth 10.5 pounds and the single action pull is steady at an even 5 pounds.

The P-09 also includes small, medium and large interchangeable backstraps to give the shooter the option of finding the best fit between their hand and the pistol.

Here are the pistols standard specifications:

Caliber	9mm
Capacity	19+1
Weight	1.85 pounds
Overall Length	8.1 inches
Barrel Length	4.53 inches
Height	5.79 inches
Width	1.46 inches
MSRP	$530.00

As you can tell from the photos the P-09 has a polymer frame which is nicely textured to help maintain your grip from shot to shot.  The pistol also employs CZ's Omega trigger system which uses fewer parts than their original CZ 75 trigger system.  The CZ 75 already had one of the best double action pulls available on any handgun but the Omega system provides a smoother trigger pull and, due to the fewer parts, is less likely to suffer any breakage. 

The P-09 also has very flat controls as evidenced by the slide stop release and the decocting lever shown above.

The pistol also has cocking serrations at the front of the slide.  I don't use them but if you need them CZ has accommodated your preference.

It is evident that the design team of the P-09 was focused on ergonomics and function.  The photos above show a excellently stippled surface on the sides of the grip frame, molded serrations on the front strap, a generously undercut trigger guard, a trigger guard large enough to accommodate a shooter wearing gloves, a smooth and contoured trigger that helps mitigate trigger finger fatigue during long shooting sessions and the front of the trigger guard is hooked and serrated if you still place the index finger of your non-dominate hand on the trigger guard.

The sights on the pistol as of the fixed, three dot variety with one dot up front

and two dots on the rear sight.

CZ states that the sights are fixed but the rear sight can be drift adjusted for windage correction although you will probably find that it shoots to point of aim right out of the box.  

All in all this is an extremely fine defensive weapon combining intuitive ergonomics, reliability, accuracy and a very comforting 19 +1 rounds of 9mm.  The P-09 is also chambered in a .40 caliber offering, if that is your preference, holding 15 + 1 rounds of ammunition.   

So let's review how she shot:

All rounds used in the evaluation were Magtech 115 grain full-metal jacketed ammunition.

At 21 feet all 10 rounds were nicely centered and stayed inside of the 3 inch Birchwood Casey target with eight of those ten rounds touching.

At 30 feet all 20 rounds fired stayed inside the 3 inch target.

At 50 feet all 32 rounds fired stayed inside an 8 inch Birchwood Casey target.

You might look at the CZ P-09 and like what you see but still be concerned about how easily an 8 inch long and almost 5 and 3/4 inch tall handgun would be to carry.  I understand your concern but with the right holster and cover garment the light weight and flat controls will make this pistol easier to conceal than you might imagine and with a 20 round capacity you can go about your day confident that you prepared for any eventuality that the day may bring.