Today on I Carry we have a CZ USA P07 pistol chambered in 9mm, carried in a JM Custom Kydex AIWB holster.
CZ-USA is the American branch of Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod, or CZUB, headquartered in the Czech Republic. CZUB started making firearms soon after World War I and continues to do so to this day. CZ is known for making rifles and pistols for armed citizens as well as military and law enforcement and an excellent line of hunting shotguns, we’ll be talking about one gun in particular today, the polymer-framed P07, chambered in 9mm.
CZ USA 9mm P07 (MSRP: $585)
The CZ P07 was first introduced in 2009 as the P07 Duty. It was the first gun to feature CZ’s Omega Trigger system, which allows the owner of a P07 to quickly change their gun from double action/single action (DA/SA) to “cocked and locked” single action similar to a 1911. We’ll talk more about how DA/SA works in just a bit, but for now, let’s look at the P07 itself.
The model we’re using is the latest version of the P07 updated in 2014. It has serrations on the front of the slide, interchangeable backstraps, 3 dot sights and a 15 round magazine versus the 16 round capacity of the original P07 Duty. The pistol shipped from the factory with the Omega Trigger set in a DA/SA configuration, and I chose to leave it in that configuration, although changing it over to a single-action with safety is easy to do and takes just a few minutes.
On the range, the initial long trigger pull of the first shot (something that’s common to all DA/SA guns) was noticeably different from the following single-action shots. I have found that the P07’s grip has just the right amount of stippling. There’s enough that you can hang on to the gun without feeling like you’ve been squeezing a cheese grater after a long session at the range.
CZ pistols are known for their ergonomics, and the P07 is no exception. The decocking and slide stop levers are very easy to manipulate, as is the magazine release. As a nice added touch, there is stippling on the side of the frame to give you positive feedback that yes, your finger is definitely off the trigger and you are obeying one of the fundamental rules of gun safety.
A DA/SA can be quite a change for people who are used to either a single-action gun like the 1911 or a striker-fired gun like a Glock. In fact, there are many trainers out there who wouldn’t recommend a DA/SA gun to a first-time pistol owner, as learning to master two different trigger pulls (the longer, heavier double action trigger pull where the hammer is cocked, and the lighter trigger pull after that first shot) is a more daunting task than mastering the consistent trigger pull of a 1911 or Glock.
I can understand those opinions, and I have some sympathy for what they are saying. However, I have found that a person who can handle the trigger on a DA/SA gun well can handle the trigger on just about any gun out there. Knowing how to deal with a heavier trigger press comes in mighty handy with double action revolvers, and being able to instantly switch over to the lighter single action trigger means you can handle any variations on trigger pull you might find on different guns out there. Does it take more time to learn a DA/SA trigger? Yes. Is it worth the effort? In my opinion, yes, and the P07 is a great way to learn how to run a double action/single action gun.
JM Custom Kydex AIWB Holster (MSRP: $75)
The JM Custom Kydex AIWB holster is one of the standard bearers of the appendix carry revolution. It has all the features you want in a AIWB (Appendix Inside The Waistband) holster, such as a wing for better concealment and a muzzle pad to press the gun into your body for even more concealment. The holster is available with a variety of different mounting options including loops, clips and other mounting options. There are also options for different size sweat guards to stop your gun from digging into your body, which also helps keep the sweat of your body away from the gun, preventing excess rust on your carry gun.
The muzzle pad that ships with the AIWB can be shaped to your liking, and the holster can also be ordered with a cutout for a red dot optic. The mold lines on the Kydex itself are sharp and crisp. indicating that great care was taken on the production line when it was built. JM Custom Kydex is a leader in high-quality Kydex holsters, and the model I tested is ample proof of that fact.
SOF-T Tourniquet In A Blue Force Gear Ten Speed M4 Pouch (Tourniquet MSRP: $31.19, Pouch MSRP $53.95)
Carrying medical gear saves lives, and it should be carried on you, not near you or in your vehicle. This can present a problem, as tourniquets and other emergency medical gear aren’t usually built with the armed citizen in mind. What works on the belt of a law enforcement officer or inside a paramedic’s response bag probably isn’t going to work for the armed citizen as they go about their daily business.
The Ten Speed M4 Pouch is designed to hold a standard AR-15 magazine. However, the springy, clingy fabric of the pouch means it can conform to other items such as a tourniquet. The SOF-T tourniquet is ideal for this sort of on-body carry. It is TCCC-approved, and collapses down so it can be carried discreetly in a number of different ways. On my belt, carried in this pouch, it’s just about the same size as a spare magazine, which means I can have medical gear on my person just about everywhere I go.
