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TFB EXCLUSIVE: PRE-PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT OF THE CZ P-10 C – PART 2
The P-10 C has drastically transformed since its pre-production model. CZ considered comments and concerns from pre-production validators. They did change some features that I personally miss. They improved on others. I believe the pre-production P-10 C was one of the strongest pre-production guns I have ever handled. Strongest in the sense that it was the most polished and finished of all pre-production guns I have been in contact with. CZ really tried to produce an all-in-one perfect design, at arguably, one of the best price points. Certainly, the most bang for your buck, pun intended.
CZ P-10 C – SPECIFICATIONS
- Manufacturer page: https://cz-usa.com/product/cz-p-10-c/
- Chambering: 9mm Luger
- Magazine Capacity 15+1
- Frame: Fiber Reinforced Polymer
- Trigger Mech: Striker
- Barrel: 4.02in
- Height: 5.2in
- Weight: 26 oz.
The first change is the faceting on the slide changed the angle. The width-to-angle ratio has changed as it tapers back towards the rear of the slide. Coincidentally enough, it still fit the same holster properly. The change is very subtle but increased the aesthetic of the firearm ever so slightly.
TRigger Change was disheartening but NECESSARY
The next notable change between pre-production P-10 C and Gen 1 (let’s just call it the Gen 1) production was the trigger system. The trigger pull increased by about half a pound. The reset which was less-than audible and tactile in the pre-production gun; it was drastically augmented to a very tactile and audible reset. The P-10 C pre-production trigger was more of a true flat face design. The Gen 1 production P-10 C had a stronger curve added. The safety “dingus” on the pre-production P-10 C was closer to flush to the bottom of the trigger guard which prevented any adverse pinching or discomfort if the trigger was ridden low. The production trigger was more rounded at the bottom and left a larger air gap to the inside of the trigger guard. This feature, paired with a shorter more rounded dingus, created a friction point. If the user is riding the trigger low, part of their fingertip pad skin would get pinched between the dingus and the bottom of the trigger between the inside of the trigger guard. After running the gun for quite some time, blisters became apparent. This made it very uncomfortable for me long term. My hands are very large and ride the gun high, pitching my trigger finger downward towards the guard. I developed significant calluses on the bottom side of my trigger finger from this feature. I did not have the same experience with trigger finger pinching on the pre-production model. Keep in mind, this is my experience because of the way I press the trigger; this isn’t the same experience that everyone has. The production P-10 C model trigger also had more pre-travel and uptake on the reset. Again, the reset is very tactile and audible, which is a feature that is necessary for widespread popularity; almost a requirement to the consumer. The pre-production P-10 C reset was almost non-existent but there was such short travel between reset and the wall on the trigger press. The end user could run it very quickly without worrying about trigger reset or under travel lock up or short stroking the trigger. I have not had any short stroke lock up with the production P-10 C version, but it’s just something to note that the pre-production trigger was much smoother and faster to run. At the end of the day, the pre-production trigger was more complex in manufacturing and components and probably drove cost. It also did not have some of the audible and tactile features that are desirable by the tactical online community.
Sights Changed
CZ also changed the rear sight. The rear sight was originally a P-07 sight but was changed over to a Shadow 2 rear sight. Not the traditional adjustable rear Shadow 2 sight, but they’re fixed iron rear sight. They also released a suppressor height sight version. Both P-10 C and suppressor ready P-10 C have aluminum sights, rather than the steel sights that came on the preproduction model.
P-10 C AfterMarket UpGRADES FOR the “Gen 1”
Let’s talk about upgrades to the Gen 1 production P-10 C. I always like to see what upgrades are already available on the market for a platform or will be existing soon. Obviously, there are some features about the platform that I wanted to improve since experiencing the pre-production P-10 C. The trigger was one of those features. I really liked the pre-production P-10 C trigger, but I did not care as much for the production trigger. This came down strictly to the fact that the Gen 1 production P-10 C trigger created a hotspot on the underside of my index finger pad where interfaced and got pinched between the trigger, dingus, and frame. This is because I ride my triggers low. Once the Gen 1 P-10 C hit the market, HB Industries released in aftermarket trigger solution. CZ had been working on it through the pre-production gun. They were able to release it soon after the production P-10 C was available. The trigger they released was certainly an improvement, and it came with a spring kit to lighten up the trigger pull; 3.0 and 3.5 lbs. It certainly was a good improvement, but the original Gen 1 HB Industries P-10 C trigger shoe still pinched my finger.
Magazines that fit both p-07 & p-10 c
When I was demoing the pre-production P-10 C, I realized that the magazine bodies for the P-10 C were identical to the P-07. The only difference was that the P-10 C included magazines had a small rectangular cut out on the front side of the magazine body for the ambidextrous magazine release. The P-07 mag release cut still existed on the mag body so the magazines could be used in both guns. I knew this would accommodate the CZ Custom Shop +2 magazine base plates that I had previously purchased for my P-07. They did, in fact, work identically. The CZ Custom Shop P-07 +2 magazine base plate was one of the first already existing accessories for the CZ P-10 C.
I noticed that the blue factory ribbon spring captured assembly for the recoil spring looked very similar to the P-07. I compared both springs and noticed that the P-10 C recoil spring has 1 mm longer plastic captured body than the P-07 captured recoil spring assembly. My Cajun Gun Works, “Cajunized” P-07 was using the factory ribbon spring uncaptured and the CGW stainless steel guide rod. Running the factory ribbon spring on a stainless-steel guide rod is not ideal. Over time it will create ribbing indentations on the guide rod. It is something that I had tested in my P-07, and since the guide rod assemblies for both pistols were so similar, I decided to try it out in the P-10 C. I can tell you, after 20,000 rounds through the production P-10 C, that still has the uncaptured recoil spring paired with a stainless-steel guide rod. It runs fantastically and has not caused any malfunctions or issues. The Cajun Gun Works stainless steel guide rod assembly, in fact, worked swimmingly with the P-10 C production gun, as well as, the pre-production gun.
Ambi Mag Release & Weak Hands
The Gen 1 P-10 C production pistol has a true ambidextrous magazine release. This was one of the most handsome features of the platform. It was stiff and tactile enough that it would not accidentally release if the holster or an object contacted it during bending or concealed carry. This ended up being a qualm for many people that have soft, delicate, and fragile hands. I personally never had any problems with the magazine release assembly. It started off a little stiff from the factory, but after a few mags at the range it broke in just fine. In the 3rd installment of this tale, I will discuss the ramifications of people with weak hands and the continued improvement by CZ. I don’t think the improvement was needed.
Mid Iteration Change to the Striker Pocket
The Gen 1 CZ P-10 C had a change to the striker pocket. The change to the striker pocket is a cross relief cut that prevented rotation of the striker itself inside the slide. This also prevented looseness of the rear Striker capture plate on the back of the slide. Some customers complained about the fitment of the rear plate being loose but did not attribute to any malfunctions. CZ decided to change this feature ever so slightly to ensure tightness and appease the crowd. This change was carried over into future generations of the platform.
Suppressor ready version
CZ released a suppressor ready version of the P-10 C halfway between Gen 1 and Gen 2. It has all the features of the latest “Gen 1” P-10 C, but with newer style suppressor height sights. The gun cycled rough for the first 50-100 rounds but smoothed itself out quickly. Full teardown and some Flitz on the rails; it cycled smooth as glass. There is not a lot of blowback through the slide into the shooter’s face. This makes it a very desirable suppressor host gun.
Stay tuned for part 3…
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