Finally I went to the range with the CZ70 and the CZ83 (another post). I had not been to the range for more than 3 months. A bit rusty. First, I shot 100 rounds with Kadet Kit. Then I proceeded to the CZ70.
(Getting started...)
Got 2 boxes of S&B .32ACP (73 grain). I loaded 8 rounds into the magazine using Den's loader (the spring was stiff. Eventually I could load 9 rounds), inserted the mag into the gun, racked the slide and.....FTF.... Doh!. No matter, no matter.... The gun was sleeping for years, after all. Now, the 1st round went into the chamber... Good. Not too smooth. But it went in. (this only happened at the very beginning. After that, it cycled like clockwork. No problem whatsoever.) OK, ready to shoot.
(How did the gun shoot?)
This gun shoots like a little sister of the CZ82. Very accurate and controllable. See the links.
FYI, I started at 3 m - approx 10 feet. Targets 1 through 8. Then I move the target a bit further to approx 3.5m -12 feet - Targets 1-4 in the second sheet.
First 64-70 rounds at 3 m.
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u428/Saltriver42/CZ%2070%20and%20CZ%2083%201st%20range%20trip/CZ%2070%20shooting/CZ7083Sep2220121sttry001.jpgThe rest at 3.5 m.
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u428/Saltriver42/CZ%2070%20and%20CZ%2083%201st%20range%20trip/CZ%2070%20shooting/CZ7083Sep2220121sttry002.jpgEach target (if you are so inclined...)
http://s1067.photobucket.com/albums/u428/Saltriver42/CZ%2070%20and%20CZ%2083%201st%20range%20trip/CZ%2070%20shooting/As you can see, it is very capable of good accuracy/grouping. The best grouping of the day....
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u428/Saltriver42/CZ%2070%20and%20CZ%2083%201st%20range%20trip/CZ%2070%20shooting/CZ70Sep2220121sttry004.jpgThis gun is plenty accurate. It is the human element that needs some work as usual (practice, practice, practice...)
The gun also has rather stout recoil, just like the 82. After 70th round or so, the web of my hand was red. It was getting a little uncomfortable. After 90th round, I had to stop shooting to shake it off.
I strongly suspect that the strong recoil, to a degree, was caused by the gun's worn-out recoil spring. So I ordered a replacement spring here:
https://www.buymilsurp.com/recoil-spring-10-cz50-cz70-cz50-cz70-czech-pistol-p-367.htmlToday the replacement recoil spring arrived. I was surprised at its length. It is much longer than the one that came with the gun.
http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u428/Saltriver42/CZ%2070/CZ70recoilsprings003.jpgIf you get the 70, it may be worthwhile to get a replacement recoil spring. (may improve your shooting. If not,, you will have a spare.)
The trigger (SA) was pretty serviceable after the trigger job. Sure it is still heavy. But it won't affect your shooting.
The front sight is rather small. But for a gun from that era, it is expected. And the gun is very reliable. Oh, I forgot to test the decocker. I will do that next time.
(What do you think of the gun?)
If you are a collector of CZ guns, by all means, go for it. Around $160, it shoots like the 82. She is lots of gun for that price. I think you would enjoy the gun for target practice/plinking, especially if you like the 82.
(For CC?)
That depends on how comfortable you are with .32 ACP cartridge. If you are, I won't stop you from carrying the 70.
It may not have too much firepower. But it has accuracy in abundance. I think you can get very good placement out of this gun. I REALLY would not like it, if this baby were aimed at my eye socket !
(Compared to 82/83?)
If I had to choose one, either the 70 or the 82/83, then I would have to give more thought to that.
Here is the thing: As I said, the gun shoots like a little 82. Imagine Makrov is chambered in .32, and you would not be far off. So if you like the way this gun shoots, why not go for the 82 itself? It has more firepower. On the other hand, if you are wary of the 82 (or Makrov), you may be better off with the 83. The 70 is very controllable. But the 83 is even more so. As a bonus, it has more firepower, too.
This gun's niche is for those who like the way the 82 shoots, but find Makarov a bit too much.
The edges of the 70 over the 82/83 are its price and the fact that .32 ACP may be less expensive than .380 or Makarov. (and it is more concealable. YMMV). On other aspects (firepower, ergonomics, spares/magazine availability), the 82/83 have an edge IMHO. But hey, each on his own. It is you who are shooting it, not I.
I am pretty happy with the gun, though. If you get that kind of accuracy and reliability for around $160, you can't complain. Only if I can lessen the recoil somewhat.... I would keep shooting it all day long.
Cheers.
