CZ, short for Česká zbrojovka, is the Czech gun maker behind the CZ 75, one of the most copied pistol designs in the world. Its parent company also owns Colt, and in 2026 the German Army picked a CZ pistol as its new sidearm.
Company at a glance
| Founded | 1936, Uherský Brod, Czechoslovakia |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Uherský Brod, Czech Republic; CZ-USA: Kansas City, Kansas |
| Ownership | Colt CZ Group SE, public on the Prague Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam |
| Status | In operation |
Locations and moves
The Uherský Brod plant was built in 1936 to move arms production away from the western border. CZ-USA was founded in California in 1997 and moved to Kansas City, Kansas in 1998. A planned plant in Little Rock, Arkansas was announced in 2019 but put on hold in 2021 after CZ bought Colt.
Timeline
- 1936 Uherský Brod factory established.
- 1950 Becomes an independent company.
- 1975 CZ 75 introduced.
- 1992 Privatized as a joint-stock company.
- 1997 CZ-USA founded.
- 2005 Buys Dan Wesson Firearms.
- 2017 P-10 C launched.
- 2020 Group listed on the Prague Stock Exchange.
- 2021 Buys Colt and Colt Canada.
- 2022 Group renamed Colt CZ Group.
- 2024 Buys ammunition maker Sellier & Bellot.
- 2026 The German Army picks the CZ P13 to replace its H&K pistols. Group adds a Euronext Amsterdam listing.
Major pistols
| Model | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CZ 75 B, SP-01 | DA/SA 9mm | The classic all-steel CZ |
| Shadow 2 | Single action / DA/SA 9mm | Competition favorite |
| P-10 C, S, F | Striker-fired 9mm | Modern polymer line |
| P-07, P-09 | DA/SA polymer | Compact and full size |
| CZ 52, CZ 82/83 | Historic | Former military and police pistols |
Also makes: the Scorpion EVO 3, Bren 2 rifles, CZ 457 and CZ 600 bolt-action rifles and shotguns.
Important people
- František and Josef Koucký: designers of the CZ 75
- René Holeček: controlling shareholder of the group
- Petr Paleček: CEO of CZ-USA since 2026
Notable events
- The CZ 75 is used by Czech forces and police and many others, and has been widely copied.
- In 2021 CZ bought Colt for $220 million.
- In 2026 the German Army chose the CZ P13, a version of the P-10 C, under a contract for up to about 203,000 pistols.
CZ gallery
CZ pistols from the Gun Websites collection.
More makers: Pistol Brands · New to pistols? Start with Where to Start.
Company details change. Information current as of October 2026.