ASG CZ P-09 DT FDE
A basic 4.5mm Tactical Trainer Part 3 Part 2 Part 1
By Dennis Adler
Another excellent feature of the ASG CZ P-09 is the full length 1913 Picatinny rail which allows light and light laser combinations to seat all the way back to the triggerguard. This also proved advantageous with the compact LaserMax Spartan green laser. This is a very affordable targeting laser that works with centerfire, rimfire and CO2 pistols that have full length rails.
As a training gun the ASG CZ P-09 falls a little short of the mark because of its 8+8 rotary stick magazine, separate CO2 channel and not having a slide that locks back on an empty magazine (but there are centerfire guns that don’t lock back, too, so this really isn’t a non starter in my book; I carry a Ruger LCP as a backup and it doesn’t lock back on an empty magazine). If the ASG model has any one flaw that taints its use for training it is the added pushbutton release on the left-side thumb safety. If you can get past that, then the P-09 begins to show its better nature as both a serious 4.5mm shooter and a decent training gun with benefits.
The ambidextrous ON/OFF paddles on the LaserMax extend inside the front of the triggerguard allowing easy operation with the trigger finger. With the large triggerguard on the CZ this does not crowd the trigger finger.
What ASG brings to the table
As shown in Parts 1 and 2, this is a very accurate counterpart to the 9mm version for size and basic handling. The grips are an exceptional copy of the centerfire model, the white dot sights are also accurate in design, it has blowback action with a pretty snappy kick for a CO2 pistol, and a very good DA/SA trigger. It is the latter that makes this ASG model worth considering for training purposes because the trigger closely approximates that of the actual firearm. Trigger control is one of the most important aspects of training with airguns and a comparable trigger to a centerfire pistol is essential. The ASG CZ model makes the cut with honors. The last key feature is the manual thumb safety. There’s no way to put this in a good light as far as ease of operation once the safety is set. It clicks on with ease, if you use the right hand safety instead of the left, it not only puts the gun into SAFE condition it de-cocks and lowers the hammer. Practicing this safety skill when re-holstering is a basic training regimen with a DA/SA semi-auto.
The grips on the CO2 model are an exact copy of the centerfire pistols. Combined with the white dot sights, blowback action, and a DA/SA trigger with a solid SA pull, the ASG model truly earns the CZ name. The left side thumb safety also works as a decocking lever.
Just for the record, the left side release will also de-cock the gun, but it pushes the thumb safety below a spring-loaded bearing that rests underneath. You simply push the left safety up a little and it goes back into place, no big deal. The ambidextrous safeties are linked together but nevertheless by using the right side safety to decock the gun (as shown in Part 2 using the trigger finger) it does not bring the left side safety down below the button! Only if you use the left side; don’t ask I have no idea why. To take the pistol from SAFE to FIRE you still have to negotiate the redundant button release on the left side. In the final analysis, we have a blowback action, pellet-firing pistol with a combination safety and decocker, excellent sights and DA/SA trigger, overall approximate weight and balance to the 9mm, and a grip design that is a 100 percent match. As a training gun, all that’s missing is a good holster. ASG has that, too.
The Strike Systems paddle holster is cant adjustable, allowing the molded holster to rotate to different angles that best suit the comfort of the user and drawing style. Here the holster is in a full vertical position which I prefer with a paddle rig.
Gear up
The ASG Strike Systems Tactical Holster is a cant adjustable, Level 1 paddle design. It could also be regarded as a Level 2 design, since it is a combination of passive retention created by the molded holster itself, plus a secondary trigger finger release on the side of the holster that locks into the triggerguard. Depending upon the standard used, this can also be regarded as a Level 1, since the passive retention of a contoured holster can be easily defeated in a gun grab scenario, which is the basis for determining holster retention levels.
The ASG Strike System Tactical Gear paddle holster is a Level 1 design (based on the Safariland standards) with a molded pouch and a trigger finger release on the side of the holster. The locking system engages the triggerguard and prevents the gun from being drawn without first activating the release.
According to Safariland, which manufacturers a vast majority of law enforcement holsters, Level 1 requires at least one system that can defeat a traditional gun grab and the weapon cannot be pulled from the holster for a test period of 5 seconds. The wearer must then be able to release and draw the weapon. On this basis, the ASG Strike Systems Tactical holster is a Level 1 design with its trigger finger release. Contoured (mostly injection molded and Kydex) holsters that can securely retain the gun when the holster is held upside down can also be regarded as Level 1. This type of retention is usually a contoured fit around the gun that uses a detent pressing into the triggerguard as a solid but passive restraint. If the wearer fell or was on the ground or had to perform some sort of physical maneuver that could cause the gun to fall out of the holster, it would still be secured. However, even though solidly retained in the holster, this would not pass the Safariland Level 1 test for a gun grab. The same could be said for a thumb strap or thumb break design because they can be easily defeated in a gun grab, even though the gun would be secured in a fall, jump, or roll test.
The idea of a Level 1 retention system is to first and foremost prevent the gun from falling out of the holster. Secondly, to defeat a gun grab by an assailant who tries to yank the gun from the holster in a scuffle. Here I am pulling the gun without activating the release. It will not come out of the holster and the paddle has hooks on the underside that prevent the holster from being yanked from my waist. This would delay a gun grab long enough for the wearer to take action against the assault.
The final test of a Level 1 or higher retention level holster after a gun grab is to still be able to effectively draw the firearm.
Considering that that majority of CCW holsters are open top designs with only the contoured pouch for retention, a true Level 1 holster (by Safariland standards) would be far more secure overall. There are Level 2, Level 3 and even Level 4 holsters for law enforcement requirements where a gun grab is not an unlikely scenario. The Level 1 is simply good sense for safe, secure concealed carry with a medium to large frame handgun. The ASG injection molded P-09 holster is well built and priced commensurately with the airgun.
The hex head wrench that comes with the holster fits through an opening in the triggerguard locking mechanism and passes through the holster into a locking nut on the paddle. Loosening the nut allows the holster to adjust to a different angle or cant. This is strictly personal preference.
Here you can see that the holster now has a slight forward cant compared to the vertical position shown earlier. Again, all a matter of personal preference but the ASG holster’s locking design is very accommodating to a variety of preferences.
Velocity and Accuracy
With a fresh CO2 loaded, the P-09 clocked a high of 341 fps and an average of 338 fps with the 7.0 grain Meisterkugeln lead wadcutters. Switching to Sig Sauer Match Ballistic alloy wadcutter pellets, the P-09 sent the 5.25 grain rounds downrange at a high of 390 fps and an average of 378 fps.
With the gun’s white dot sights my 8-shots hit a little left but dead center for elevation. Without correcting my aim I was able to get eight rounds into 0.875 inches.
With the white dot sights the P-09 shot a little left but dead center for elevation. Without correcting my aim I was able to punch eight shots from 10 meters into a total of 0.875 inches. Correcting my aim, holding right by about 1-inch, I grouped a little high but put two 8-round loads into 0.75 inches total spread with a large hole measuring 0.625 inches that accounts for 11 of 16 rounds. I ran another test with the Sig Sauer alloy wadcutters and my groups were almost the same size (within a 16th of an inch) but grouped high.
Correcting my aim, holding right by about 1-inch, I grouped a little high but put two 8-round loads into 0.75 inches total spread with a large hole measuring 0.625 inches that accounts for 11 of 16 rounds.
Using the LaserMax Spartan green laser, the ASG CZ P-09 put six of eight in a ragged hole above the bullseye measuring 0.437 inches with the remaining two rounds hitting the center ring for a total spread of eight shots at 0.875 inches.
With the LaserMax green laser sighted in for the CO2 P-09 I was able to put six of eight shots at only 0.437 inches with the remaining two rounds hitting the center ring for a total spread of 0.875 inches from 10 meters.
Overall, this is a fairly overlooked pellet pistol that deserves another look if you haven’t found the PX4, Gamo, or Sig Sauer blowback action pellet models to your liking. ASG has cut fewer corners in building a quality pellet firing semi-auto within the constraints of current design technology. The established CZ frame and slide design is one of the best there is, in either centerfire or CO2 handgun models. Much of what you do with guns like the CZ P-09 pellet model depends upon the level of training you’re interested in and the level of commitment beyond just having fun with an air pistol. The CZ P-09 is one of those guns that can go either way, especially if you want to shoot 4.5mm pellets instead of BBs.
Pretty much my experience with this pistol. A pretty accurate pistol. Glad you brought up the LCP. I will carry a Colt Mustang Pocketlite as a light carry . I am one of those who believes that a 380 is an adequate defense pistol. The airgun market has ignored a big market by not coming out with replica 380 pellet or even bb pistolsin the smallerccw semiautos.The Walther PpK/s is to me ,an anemic pistol and needs a redesign. The Beretta 84 and Makarov are good but big .AnLCP 2 might lend itself to a co2pistol. A Colt Government , not the short grip Mustang , Sig232 should be possible . In larger ccw pistols in 9mm a Kimber Micro9 and the Ruger LC9 and S&W Shield seriesshould be possible . Sig seems to be upping the ante with the pellet X5
Overall, I think Sig is going to have a big impact on the airgun market this year with several new models. As for PPK/S-sized CO2 models, there is a solid need for them with airgun enthusiasts and handgun enthusiasts alike. The PPK/S is the oldest blowback airgun in production and needs to be updated with a self contained CO2 BB magazine and a better finish and working safety, decocker. One can hope that there is another generation in the Umarex line somewhere down the road. Once that hurdle has been cleared the door is open for similarly-sized pistols. Time, tooling, cost, and market demand…that’s a big hurdle. I’m not a naysayer because Umarex has done the almost impossible by giving the airgun world the Colt Peacemakers and a select fire Broomhandle Mauser. ASG also has great potential to do better guns, as does Swiss Arms and of course, Air Venturi, which may well knock everyone’s socks off with their forthcoming Springfield Armory line. Still could be quite a year!
There’s a report at Hard Air Magazine that The Shooting Party of Shenstone, Staffs, UK, will be distributing a 12-gram CO2 powered .177 cal BB shooting replica of the Lee Enfield SMLE rifle for the UK market. Hard Air Magazine reports there is no word yet on whether or not the Lee Enfield SMLE BB Gun will be distributed in the U.S.
Get them over here if that is true . Hopefully a cartridge firing rifle . The SMLE is one of the great bolt action rifles. With the advent of the cartridge firing 1894 , would hope other co2 rifles are on the way. Sharps, Rolling Block, 03 Springfield. 98Mauser.
Just saw the article. Wow! Wood stock, 8 lbs and velocityof 600 fps. Soup cans just became an endangered species. Pair that up with your Webley. Bully !
Yeah, if Pyramyd Air can be persuaded to get the Lee Enfield SMLE in stock, I’ll buy one!
Air Venturi has the potential to become a major player. They will probably launch handguns with the polymer XD series but they should do the scaled down EMPpistol,. Their version of the Colt Mustang ,the 911with an extended mag looks like it could be 12gm co2 capable. If the M1A is a wood stocked pellet version of the M14 it would be a game changer. While Umarex deserves kudos for the Peacemaker, they are not doing the innovative replicas they introduced previously. Why no Thompson? More versions of the Po8 like an Artillery Model, why no WW2 Colt 1911, updatedWalther P38 with co2 mag?Browning High Power? And why no 4 3/4 Peacemakers? By now they should have come out with an 1860 Army.
I saw a video of an interview with an Umarex rep at the Shot Show. The rep showed the Umarex Glock prototypes that were on display. The prototypes are non-blowback, double action only with stick magazines. The rep said these Glock 19 replicas could be released possibly as early as this Spring and that other Glock replicas including blowback versions are in the planning stages.
If that is true , and the long awaited Glocks are stick magazine non blowbacks , they are losers out of the gate.Who gave them that advice,Gletcher?
It would seem if Umarex brings out the non-blowback, stick magazine version of the Glock 17, then they are strictly targeting the entry level, blister pack displayed Wal-Mart marketplace, and that’s all well and good for the BB gun market. Not simultaneously introducing blowback models with self contained CO2 BB magazines leaves the door wide open for Sig Sauer to dominate the adult airgun market with contemporary, BB and pellet-firing models. There is a sense of irony to this, if it plays out this way since Sig beat Glock for the military contract with the P320 based M17/M18 and Sig is preparing to introduce a blowback action CO2 model this year. Mass marketing vs. targeted marketing!
Not just Sig, but Air Venturi with the Springfield XD Series. If those are co2 mags with blowback , they will take themarket in the higher end training market.Glock just made the biggest mistake ever in the airgun market.
Well, I may be about to violate terms of usage for this Pyramyd Air blog, but it seems I need to reveal where I saw the Umarex interview video. The video is at Replica Airguns. In the video, the Glock prototype appeared to be identified as Glock 19, not Glock 17. Watch the video.
A couple of interesting things in the video. First the Glock looks like a toy with yesterday’s technology. If blowback co2 mag models don’t follow , what a disappointment . The 1894,lever gun is stated as 400 fps, so with over14 inches more barrel length it is about the same as a 5 1/2 barrel Peacemaker. Either it has been detuned, or there is only a 5 1/2 barrel inside a shroud that is around 19 inches. The rep states that they may not want to step on Walther’s toes so there might not be a pellet version. Hawkeye that I am, he appears to be stuffing the rifle with nickel pellet shells
I too saw him loading the lever action with what appear to be rear loading pellet shells instead of front loading BB shells. I was curious about that, but don’t have enough information to explain it.
We’ll just have to wait until the rifles are released and Dennis reviews one.
Lawman is correct; the BB and pellet shells all load from the rear. I watched the video and they look like brass shells to me but under the intense lighting of the Shot Show there are a lot of reflections. But remember there’s nothing that stops you from loading the pellet shells in a smoothbore.
Both the Umarex bb and pellet shells are rear loading The bb shells are brass and the pellet shells are nickel