Among the great firearms companies of the past hundred years is CZ of Czechoslovakia. I began my association with CZ with the CZ 75 9mm pistol. These handguns have proven reliable and accurate and for those preferring hammer fired handguns remain a top choice for service use. CZ’s entry into the striker fired polymer frame world is the CZ P 10. The subject of this review and among CZ’s most interesting firearms is the CZ P10 C Ported a compensated barrel version of the CZ P10. The P10 itself has been in production since 2017 and has proven a reliable and useful firearm. The P 10 C Ported seems to be a answer to the demand for even less recoil in the 9mm. While a 9mm firearm this size is comfortable to fire in competition and also in combat training splits- the time between shots- are measured in incredibly small increments. The addition of a compensator makes for even faster shooting.
The CZ P10 C Ported
The CZ has more style than most striker fired handguns with a nicely contoured slide with angled forward cocking serrations and overall build quality that tells you the piece is well made of good material. The slide tapers slightly at the front in order to allow easy holstering. The sights are three dot types, well designed and appropriate for the mission. The pebble grained handle offers a good mix of abrasion and adhesion. The dust cover features a mount for a combat light. I fitted Streamlight, TruGlo and Viridian combat lights during the evaluation with good results. The slide is optics ready. The pistol is not supplied with an optics plate. The plate is ordered from CZ. The CZ systems allows for solid mount to the slide. The pistol is delivered with grip inserts to accommodate a range of hand sizes. Two magazines are included with the pistol.
The primary unique features of the CZ P10 C Ported is a prominent barrel port cut into the slide and barrel. The barrel is heavier than the standard CZ P 10 C. This make improved accuracy and certainly aids in recoil control as the pistol is a couple of ounces heavier as a result of this heavy barrel. In common with most striker fired pistols the trigger features a blade safety in the trigger face. Another safety feature is a positive firing pin block. The pistol is left hand friendly with its reversible magazine catch and ambidextrous slide lock levers.
I tested the CZ’s trigger action on two manual trigger compression gauges. The average break after several months of use is 4.9 pounds and clean with minimal take up and rapid reset with .16 inch travel. The action has cleaned up after a few months of use from 5.0 pounds. Disassembly is simple enough. Remove the magazine, clear the chamber, press the twin disassembly tabs downward and run the slide off of the frame. The recoil spring guide and barrel are easily removed. Prior to firing the pistol was lubricated along the long bearing surfaces, barrel hood, behind the muzzle, and along the cocking block.
Firing Tests
I mounted one of my favorite optics the Leupold Delta Point Pro. This is a recent pick of the US Marshals office after a thorough test. The DPP is a service grade optic with good features and proven durability. I like the top loading battery compartment and easy brightness adjustment. At less than two ounces the sights isn’t heavy but is durable. If you shoot competition you have seen this sight in the winner’s circle! I like the sight window and overall quality of the DPP. Both eyes open and real speed for the rule for carry optics. My sight is a 2.5. MOA reticl3. 3 and 6 MOA reticle versions are available. Here are the red dot sight’s specifications.
- Size:46 mm x 33.2 mm x 33.0 mm
- Sight Window:7 mm x 17.5 mm
- Weight:95 oz
- Average Price:$449
The pistol has performed well with iron sights. With the addition of the DPP carry optic the pistol is in a different level of performance. With a quality carry optic and the combination of a good trigger and excellent design in the barrel port, the CZ simply ate the targets up! Combat firing drills were a joy to complete. The pistol is lightest recoiling handgun I have fired in this weight class. Recoil is comparable to a heavier handgun yet the CZ P10 C Ported rides light on the hip. As for absolute accuracy the results were very good. With quality ammunition from Federal, Hornady, or Speer average five shot groups at 25 yards fell into the two inch or less range. The CZ P10 C Ported gets a clean bill of health and a strong recommendation.
Specifications – CZ P-10 C Ported
- Caliber:9×19
- Magazine Capacity:15 rounds
- Weight (empty):8 oz
- Overall Length:3 inches
- Width:3 inches
- Height:3 inches
- Barrel Length:4 inches
- Barrel:Cold hammer forged
- Sights: Three Dot outline
- Trigger Pull:0 lbs
- Trigger Travel:4 inches
- Reset Length:16 inches
- Frame:Fiberglass-reinforced polymer
- Safeties:Trigger safety, trigger bar safety, firing pin block
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