CZ front sight replacement guide

There are different front sights for different CZ models. In this article we go through the differences and why you should know about them when replacing front sights. 

What to watch when switching front sight

There are two things to consider when replacing front sight:

#1 front sight type

#2 front sight height

Types of CZ front sights 

First and foremost you need to get the right type of front sight. There are two of them:

• front sights secured by pin [pin type] - there is pin going from side of the slide underneath the pin;
• front sight secured by screw [screw type] - there is a screw from top of the front sight.

It is crucial to get the correct front sight type. You can technically install the screw type to CZ model with pin type front sight. But you cannot do vice versa. 

CZ models with front sight secured by pin

These front sights use a pin, and need you to drill the front sight once you have it seated in its position, in order to install it.

In the image above you can see there is slight cut on the bottom. Its only a pre-drill and some manufacturers make it to make the final drill little easier.

Whether your CZ has this type of front sight or another one, you do best if you visually check. It is mostly metal CZ models (CZ 75 line, CZ Shadow 2 line, CZ TS 2 line etc) but you can find many exceptions within those lines. For example CZ Shadow 2 uses pin type, yet CZ Shadow 2 Orange uses screw type .

Installation

As always, we recommend checking with a gunsmith for proper deinstallation of the old front sight and installation of the new one. But if you want to do it yourself, follow the steps below.

Replacement of front sight fixed by pin

As visible from the photo, a front sight fixed by pin has a small hole on its bottom. If your front sight has this hole, it is a pin-fixed type.

1. Disassemble your CZ pistol so that you hold only the slide
2. Attach the slide in a bench vise with leather around it to prevent scratches
3. Knock out the pin that goes underneath the front sight
4. Once the front sight is free, knock it out – use a polymer rod between the hammer and the sight to avoid damage
5. Clean the dovetail cut surface
6. Insert the new front sight and knock it in straight angle, again use some polymer rod between the hammer
7. Ensure the front sight is fully seated in the dovetail cut
8. Use a 2mm drill bit to drill through the pinhole and enlarge the pre-drilled hole
9. Knock the pin back in to fix the new sight
10. The installation is complete

CZ models with front sight secured by screw

These front sights have easier mechanism for mounting - simply by hex key screw from top of the front sight. If you buy yourself fiber optic front sight of this type, the screw is sometimes hidden underneath the fiber rod (in such case the rod comes only half-fixated, so you can install it first). Another type has the screw in front of the front sight body itself (as the image below).

Deinstallation of a screw-fixed sight and installation of a new one is easier than with pin type sight:

1. Disassemble your CZ pistol so that you hold only the slide
2. Attach the slide in a bench vise with leather around it to prevent scratches
3. Unscrew the factory front sight screw
4. Knock out the front sight – use a polymer rod to avoid damage
5. Clean the dovetail cut surface
6. Remove the fiber optic rod from the new front sight to access the screw channel (this only applies if the screw is underneath the fiber rod)
7. Remove the screw of the new sight before installation
8. Insert the new sight and knock it in straight using a polymer rod
9. Ensure the front sight is fully seated in the dovetail cut
10. Screw in the new front sight screw to secure it
11. Insert the fiber optic rod back in its place
12. Heat the protruding fiber rod with a lighter to create a small bump and secure it (this only applies if the screw is underneath the fiber rod)
13. The installation is complete

Height of the front sight

Second thing to consider is height of the front sight. If you buy too much high or too much low front sight, you will shoot too low or too high.

Keep in mind that if you replace rear sight for such that does not have the same height as the factory rear sight, you will also have to replace front sight for another one. However, if you buy any sole rear sight on CZ Parts, you can rest assured it is understood that it is the same height as factory rear sight. And as a result, it will work with the factory front sight.   

There are 5 most common heights for CZ models:

• 5.5 mm - standard for CZ 75B, CZ 75 SP-01 Shadow, CZ P-01, CZ 75 Compact, CZ 85, CZ 97, CZ 75 SP-01, CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical, CZ 75 SP-01 Phantom and CZ 75 SP-01 Competition.
• 5.75 mm - standard for CZ P-10C, CZ P-10SC, CZ P-10F, CZ P-10S, CZ P-07 and CZ P-09.
• 6.0 mm - standard for CZ 75 Tactical Sports Orange
• 6.25 mm - standard for CZ Shadow 2 Target, CZ TS 2
• 7.5 mm - standard for CZ Shadow 2

Conclusion

When choosing just a front sight, first check the type of your front sight. Second check the height of the front sight. Otherwise you will not be able to secure the front sight in its positoin, although the height may fit.

In case you are buying whole set of sights, the heights of front sight to the rear sight will fit all the time and you do not have to worry about anything.

On page of each of the product shall be list of compatible CZ models which take these heights already into consideration, so please make sure to double check it before ordering.