Micro-compact 9mm pistols are popular for concealed carry for good reason, but nothing handles quite like a contemporary compact handgun. Compacts are a step down in size from full-sized duty pistols, but shoot more like a full-sized handgun than even smaller subcompact and micro-compacts. Up for consideration are two of the most popular and proven compact handguns around: the Glock 19 and the CZ P01. Both could not be more different, but they play in the same field. Let’s have a look at their benefits and costs of each, so you can make the best choice. It is Glock 19 vs. CZ P01.

The CZ P01: A Strong Sequel

The CZ P01 is a smaller aluminum-framed version of the firm’s famous CZ 75. Like the latter, it is a DA/SA hammer-fired pistol and uses double-stack magazines. It features a shorter grip, limiting capacity to fifteen round standard magazines. The slide is also nixed to accommodate a 3.9 inch barrel. It features a decocker instead of a manual safety as seen on the 75. Other improvements include a squared-off triggerguard, a light rail, and forward and rearward cocking serrations, as well as a reversible magazine release.

The P01 came out in 2001 as a lighter duty gun for the Czech National Police but was quickly approved by NATO and offered for commercial sale in the USA.

CZ P01 Specs:

• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Capacity: 15+1
• Barrel Length: 3.9 inches
• Overall Length: 7.2 inches
• Slide Width: 1.0 inch
• Overall Width: 1.25 inches
• Height: 5.0 inches
• Weight: 2 lbs. 2.5 oz. (loaded)

CZ P01 for Sale

Where to Find Your CZ P01?

• Gun.Deals ($$$ compare)
• Guns.com
• Palmetto State Armory

The Glock 19: Outshining the Original

The Glock 17 as adopted by the Austrian Army in 1982 was a landmark shift in firearm engineering. It was not the first striker action handgun or even the first polymer framed handgun, but Glock made it viable and acceptable for a larger audience. The Glock 17 is a full-sized duty handgun with a seventeen-round magazine.

A lighter and more carry friendly version of the Glock 17 came in 1988 with the Glock 19. The Glock 19 has a four-inch barrel and a shorter grip and a magazine capacity of fifteen rounds. Thanks to an impressive marketing campaign, the Glock 19, and to a lesser extent the 17, proved popular for concealed carry and with law enforcement looking to trade in their revolvers and double action auto pistols for something lighter, higher capacity, and consistent from a shooting perspective.

Glock 19 Specs:

• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Capacity: 15+1
• Barrel Length: 4.0 inches
• Overall Length: 7.0 inches
• Slide Width: 1.0 inches
• Overall Width: 1.25 inches
• Height: 5.0 inches
• Weight: 1 lb. 14.5 oz. (loaded)

Glock 19 for Sale

Where to Find Your Glock 19?

• Gun.Deals ($$$ compare)
• Primary Arms
• Guns.com
• Palmetto State Armory

Compare and Contrast

Dimensions

In terms of size, the Glock 19 and CZ P01 are comparable in terms of barrel length, overall length, height and width. Both are double-stack handguns that use stock fifteen round magazines. The consequential dimensional difference is weight. The use of all-steel magazines and an aluminum frame make the P01 four ounces heavier when fully loaded.

Sights

The differences between the CZ P01 and the Glock 19 magnify when it comes to controls. The Glock 19 comes with polymer sights, including a removable front white dotted post and a white-out rear square notch. The P01’s uses tritium iron sights for use in low light and is grooved along the sighting plane to cut down on sun glare.

Rails

Both handguns feature a squared-off trigger guard with stippling to accommodate shooters with a more forward firing grip, but the P01’s trigger guard is more pronounced. So too is the P01’s single-slot light rail, which is also used on the G19.

Grips

The CZ P01 is a more traditional handgun with separate grip panels. In this case, a stock P01 comes with checkered rubber grips. But this addition does not give it any extra girth as it would on other pistols It also uses subdued milling along the front and backstrap to help the shooter get a secure grip. The Glock 19’s monolithic grip frame does not require panels, but additional backstraps can be added. In terms of feel, the first generations of the G19 were rather slick sided, but the latter models available feature moderate stippling along the entirety of the grip.

While we are on the subject of grip, we cannot ignore the elephant in the article: Glock’s grip angle. It is 22 degrees and when the pistol is pointed, the front sight tends to sit proud. This was a good idea when Glock looked to supplant revolvers in the law enforcement market, but contemporary shooters used to other semi-autos may not cotton to it. For its mileage, the P01’s 15-degree grip angle is closer to a 1911 and the pistol is more pointable.

Buttons and Switches

The P01 is a firmly right-handed hammer-fired design. The pistol features a de-cocker lever and a generous slide release on the left side of the pistol, as well as a round magazine release button. The magazine release is reversible to the other side for left-handed shooters. The Glock 19 also started as southpaw unfriendly, but that has changed with time. The latest Gen. 5 models use a reversible magazine release that is visibly and texturally larger than the P01’s button style release. The slide release is a simple stamped steel tab on both sides of the pistol.

On the P01, the slide release doubles for taking down the handgun, whereas the Glock 19 has a set of pullable tabs to accomplish the same task, since both handguns are Browning tilting-breech style handguns.

Double Action vs. Striker Fired

Mechanically, the biggest difference between both pistols is their firing mechanisms. The CZ P01 is a hammer-fired double action pistol. The pistol can be carried with the hammer down on a live round and a long pull of the trigger can be used to set the pistol off. Subsequent shots require a short single action pull as the hammer is automatically re-cocked by the slide. To render the pistol safer when cocked, the decocker is pushed down to drop the hammer into the half-cock notch. The longer double action trigger pull acts as your safety. In terms of trigger pull weight, the P01’s double action pull is close to ten pounds but the single action pull with the hammer cocked is a crisp 4 1/4 lbs. with some play before the break.

The Glock 19 is a striker fired handgun that uses Glock’s safe action design. Some effort is needed to press the trigger to finish cocking the striker before it releases. This and the addition of a trigger-shoe safety prevents accidental discharge unless the trigger is pulled. This results in a consistent 6 lb. trigger pull shot after shot that is short, but with enough feedback for a margin of safety.

On the Line: Glock 19 vs. CZ P01

It is easy to get hung up on the mechanical differences between the CZ P01 and the Glock 19. Both are completely different from a control standpoint and the differences between a double action pistol and a striker action one will have particular advantages and disadvantages. But we cannot forget that both pistols compete in that compact category and both should be judged in that context side by side.

From a carry perspective, the Glock 19 is marginally lighter. On the firing line, it also has its attributes. The squared slide has plenty of surface area to grab in order to chamber a round. Most importantly, it has a consistent trigger pull. It is not particularly light, but it is not long enough to subsidize bad habits like jerking the trigger or putting too much or too little trigger finger on the trigger.

With the P01, you gain a superior single action trigger that works well for hitting targets and printing tight groups. The few extra ounce of weight soaks up slightly more recoil and the grip angle makes it a more natural pointer. Overall, it is a slightly easier pistol to shoot. But the need to follow-through with two different trigger pulls takes some getting used to. If you are on the range and immediately start shooting a locked and loaded P01, that hammer is already back and it is tempting to not train the muscle memory to run the first double action shot. Double action with the hammer down is how the P01 is safely carried and it is not a hard pull, particularly when dropped in the half-cock notch, but it is noticeable.

Transitioning from double action shot to that next single action shot requires follow-through that is somewhat less forgiving than with the Glock. What you get in exchange is a heavier first pull that makes it harder to make mistakes, whether it is bad trigger discipline, a fouled re-holstering, or letting off the trigger if you decide not to shoot.

In terms of sights and feel, both are a close match but the P01 falls behind slightly with its low-cut slide that leaves the shooter with less to hang onto. On the other hand, the P01’s slide release and magazine release are more pronounced and easier to hit.

Which to Pick?

On the whole, both the Glock 19 and CZ P01 are good shooters. Ergonomically, what will work well for some will not work for others. Each have particular attributes that make them appealing. If aftermarket support and a consistent trigger is more important, the Glock 19 will look better. But the subconscious need for all-metal, added safety, and second-strike capability will put the CZ P01 over the finish line.

Jim’s Gems:

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