CZ 75 compact FTE problems

[dagnabbit]

I really have high hopes for for a 75 compact as it's a well made and accurate piece, but I'm plagued by extractor malfunctions. 10 or 12 FTE out of a 50 round box is the norm and it's driving me nuts. Does anybody have experience with this? Would a stronger extractor spring help?

[seamus]

Perhaps, I have a compact 40 that had fte problems until I broke it in better. What kind of ammo are you using? Are the mags ok? Tell us more and maybe we can help?

[dagnabbit]

It's funny you should mention the magazines, seamus. I've never come across mags that were so damn tight. Sometimes it's all I can do to fill them to capacity.
I actually went back to the range today and shot the snot out of it to see if it was a breaking in problem and it may be what it is, as it was in your case. About 500 rounds through it and it will shoot Federal American Eagle OK, but still is bad with WWB, and what really stinks is that it's worst with carry loads like Gold Dot and CorBon.

Here's a pic I just took of the cover. Is the amount of wear on the left normal? The metal by the ejection port is all scratched up from all the FTE, as sometimes it half ejects and stovepipes.
Sigh.

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/messiercat/cover.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>

[Gary G23]

FTE is a fairly common CZ problem but it has a simple solution. WOLFF EXTRACTOR SPRING. I now replace the extractor spring in every CZ pistol I buy even before I shoot it. As you have figured out American Eagle is one the best extracting rounds in ANY pistol, and WWB is one of the worst. Aluminum case Blazer is also hard to extract but works fine if you have a Wolff spring.

[22/45]

My 75 Compact is showing zero wear in the areas you pointed out, and I have 3k+ rounds through it. Never an FTE, fed a steady diet of WWB and S&B.

My full-size has had some FTE issues, which I solved by shooting higher-power ammo (at least in a limited 150-round test, I bought the Compact and put the full-size up).

I'd say your experience with the Compact is not normal, though you didn't say how much you've shot it, and if you bought it new or used. Give CZ-USA a call. They sent me two new extractors and springs while I was troubleshooting my full-size.

[dagnabbit]

I've got to say that my CZ experience is not going very well, 22/45.
I've tried calling them several times and only got through once. The guy told me that FedEx would stop by to pick the Compact up and they never did. They never heard from them.
The pistol was bought new, has 500 rounds through it. If the thing fires 3 in a row successfully I get shocked. It's actually a boring task to shoot, having to stop, remove mag, shake case out, insert mag, cycle, repeat 2-3 times per 10 round mag.
A Wolff extractor spring arrived today and I'm going to put it in tomorrow to see if it helps.
Zero wear? Damn.

[dagnabbit]

Add me to the list of Compact owners who solved the FTE problems by putting in a Wolff extractor spring. Went out to the range today and ran 200 rounds of 4 brands (including WWB) without a single hiccup. What a difference!

I'm astounded that CZ would even consider selling pistols with such an obviously weak component. What the hell? A lot of discussion boards have this same thread, same complaints, same remedy. It's no mystery, why do they do it?

For those who need to replace the spring - use a 1/16 pin punch and knock the extractor pin through from the top of the receiver, clean the extractor slot well (very little or no oil - it attracts dirt) - replace the spring, push the extractor in and use the punch to keep it in place while you knock the pin back up completely. I peened the metal a little around the pin underneath to keep it in place.

Now I've got a shooter.

[22/45]

Originally posted by dagnabbit
Add me to the list of Compact owners who solved the FTE problems by putting in a Wolff extractor spring.

I'll remember that when I'm ready to bring the full-size out again. I replaced the extractor spring once or twice, but with OE CZ parts. Didn't think to try Wolff back then.

[dagnabbit]

Went out to the range again today and had a fine day of shooting. The Compact is quite accurate.
A follow up note about CZ support - I finally got an email from Mike Eagleshield saying he's been sending Woolff springs out to people with the extractor problems and CZ's not doing much to correct it. Strange.