CZ’s P-10 M 9mm is an overlooked gem among rough-hewn stones. The pistol is designed for personal defense. Personal defense is about training that allows us to make good decisions in real time, based on the information we have. We don’t need to wonder whether our firearm is up to the task.
I have a litany of objections concerning many modern firearms and most of them are cheap guns. I get a burr under my saddle from those who recommend these pieces. Quite frankly, I doubt whether some of the folks in the popular press have fired the pistols before recommending them.
The CZ P10 9mm is a proven handgun offered in several frame sizes configurations and barrel lengths. The newest CZ in my battery is the P10 M. It has had some features cut. It isn’t about privation or economy; the change is about simplicity, and perhaps perfecting the slim-line 9mm handgun.
The CZ P10 has proven as reliable as the metal frame CZ 75 handguns, and that is saying something. The pistol is comfortable to fire and has good handling qualities. The CZ P-10 M moves the pistol into the micro pistol niche. The pistol shares trigger action and sights with the larger handgun. However, there are changes including a slim grip and 7-round magazine. The pistol is too small for backstrap inserts. Let’s look at the main features and specifications.
CZ P-10 M Specifications
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7+1 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.2 inches
Overall length: 6.3 inches
Height: 4.4 inches
Width: 1-inch, maximum
Weight: 20.2 ounces
The grips are nicely pebbled for good purchase during firing. Three-dot sights offer a good aiming point. The pistol is blocky, but so are most polymer-frame striker-fired pistols.
The CZ P-10 M features forward and rear cocking serrations. The firing grip is only an inch wide (even slimmer toward the top of the grip). This is a slim-line 9 just when most makers are marketing pistols with a wide high-capacity grip in the same approximate size.
The pistol is easy to load, unload, rack and make ready, and easy to conceal. Those with small hands will find the CZ P-10 M a good fit. The pistol’s magazine is staggered to allow a short magazine holding 7 rounds.
Unlike many small pistols, the CZ P-10 M features a light rail. I especially like the rear strap treatment. The trigger breaks at 7.5 pounds — the same weight as most P10 variants. While the trigger isn’t light, it is manageable. Trigger reset is sharp.
A big difference between other P10 pistols and most of the handguns on the market is that the P10 M doesn’t feature a slide stop, at least it doesn’t have a visible slide stop. The slide locks open on the last shot, and the pistol may be reloaded quickly by slapping in a fresh loaded magazine and tugging the slide to the rear and releasing the slide.
I have lost count of the students I have seen drift their thumb into the slide lock during firing strings with small harder-kicking pistols. This locks the pistol back during a firing string. That will not occur with this handgun.
The P10 M is a great design for deep concealment. The magazine release is a good design and positive in operation. Trigger reach is aided by slight depressions in each side of the grip.
To miniaturize the pistol further, CZ modified the takedown. The P10 uses a takedown like Glock’s takedown levers. The P10 M uses a single takedown pin. Move the slide to the rear and release the pin. This isn’t difficult at all. This is simply an adjustment to be made if you are familiar with the standard P10. This helps make the pistol even more compact.
Proof Testing
The proof is in firing the handgun. While based on a proven design, anything could happen in a redesign. Most of the ammunition fired was CCI Blazer FMJ 9mm, with some Federal Syntech hollow points, Hornady Critical Defense, and Winchester Silvertip.
I worked in a job for many years that reminded me daily of my own mortality. Some of it is too rough to discuss. Among the various assaults and Smith and Wesson “divorce shootings,” (a common term for a domestic shooting) there were quite a few defensive uses of the handgun. The CZ P-10 M is better than most handguns I have seen used in defensive shootings and better than half the handguns I see in concealed carry permit classes.
I carried the CZ P-10 M concealed under a light sport shirt in a Galco Sto-N-Go inside the waistband holster. Quickly drawing, I addressed a man-sized silhouette target at 7 yards. You must be certain the grip is firm, and the sights are properly aligned when shooting a handgun with a short grip and abbreviated sight radius. The CZ 9mm provided good results.
The pistol handles well. Recoil is lighter than expected. The pistol handles quickly and offers good hit potential. Firing over 100 cartridges, the pistol never failed to feed, chamber, fire, or eject. As for absolute accuracy, I carefully bench rested the CZ P-10 M 9mm from a solid firing position. I fired the Hornady 115-grain Critical Defense at 15 yards, firing two 5-shot groups.
The average 5-shot group was 2.3 inches. The pistol is reliable and offers good hit probability. The CZ P-10 M offers a credible design for snag-free concealed carry with modifications intended to prevent malfunctions or tie ups. This is a good piece to carry.
Do you carry a slim-line 9? What do you think of the CZ P-10 M? Let us know in the comments.