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CZ just scored a massive win on the global military stage.
Colt CZ Group SE announced this week that Česká zbrojovka has been selected by the German Bundeswehr as its new standard service pistol. The decision follows an open international tender and represents one of the most significant contracts in CZ’s modern history.
According to the company, the pistol adopted by the Bundeswehr—designated P13—is based on the CZ P-10 C OR (Optics-Ready) platform and will be delivered in a Flat Dark Earth (FDE) finish. It’s a striker-fired, duty-focused handgun designed specifically for professional military use, emphasizing reliability, durability, and intuitive handling.
“We are honored that the German Bundeswehr has chosen CZ as its partner,” said CZ CEO and Chairman Jan Zajíc. “Our success in this rearmament tender is one of the most significant achievements in CZ’s modern history. It clearly confirms the outstanding reputation our firearms have earned through active deployment in real combat conditions.”
That last point matters. This wasn’t a political hand-me-down or a legacy pick. CZ beat out multiple global competitors in a competitive process, reinforcing the company’s growing reputation as a serious military supplier. Not just a commercial or competition favorite.
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The P-10 C OR platform brings a lot to the table for service use. Known for its excellent ergonomics and natural pointability, the pistol features a robust striker-fired system, high magazine capacity, and optics-ready capability right out of the gate. It’s built to survive hard use, adverse conditions, and high round counts. Exactly what modern military forces demand.
CZ will fulfill the contract in cooperation with its authorized German partner POL-TEC GmbH & Co., which will assist with delivery and long-term logistical and technical support for the Bundeswehr. That local partnership is a key piece of major European defense contracts and helps ensure ongoing sustainment over the life of the pistol.
For CZ, this contract is more than just a single win. It’s a statement.
Founded in 1936, CZ has steadily expanded from a respected European manufacturer into a global firearms powerhouse, exporting to nearly 100 countries and supplying military and law-enforcement agencies worldwide. The Bundeswehr selection puts CZ firmly in elite company and reinforces its place among top-tier duty pistol manufacturers.
From a civilian shooter’s perspective, wins like this tend to trickle down. Military contracts often drive further refinement, durability upgrades, and long-term platform support. Benefits that eventually show up in commercial offerings.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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Further proof that just about everybody makes a better Glock than Glock does.
Fantastic! Not a pandering 2×4 non-ergonomic Glock with the idiot Luger grip angle! A pistol that actually feels good in one’s hand, all while being reliable, like just about everything today. CZ is a great company, from the only country in Europe with a 2A voted in the last 20 years.
looks like a glock to me.
The P10 is very much built on the blocky, glocky tupperware pattern but is a bit more robust. A little more meat around the chambre.
“Perfection.” Until gen 6 comes out or some canny joker with a 3d printer decides to jailbreak a new giggle switch again.
you know if you’re going to pretend to be american then at least get a u.s. region spell checker! as for your expertise, have you even held a glock let alone owned one?
I don’t use a spell checker, paul. I was captain of my high school spelling team. Not “a-levels”, not “maths”. A regular, Texas high school.
I have shot a lot of guns. I had an FFL for a while. I have held Glocks, I have shot Glocks and I have even personally owned… at least one, that I can think of. Honestly, the Glock I owned was not the best one to judge them on, it was a 21. (you know I am a .45 guy – a very American calibre!) I think the problem was that I was holding these Glocks with human hands, which is not really what they are designed for, especially the large frame Glocks. I have shot 9mms and .40s and one 31 in .357 Sig and while they were more comfortable to shoot than my 21, I just didn’t jive with them. I may have even shot one in .45 GAP for some odd reason. Anyway, point is, a great philosopher once said that silicon parts are made for toys.
XDs are a much more comfortable tupperware option. The Glocks for people that don’t like Glocks.
I think the “XDs” is too narrow. I like the XDm’s. But then i got an Echelon , and a P365x . Sold my 2 XDm’s . And YEAH, Glocks are good quality, but i DETEST the grip (non ergo) and the grip ANGLE. I will never own a Glock, Or the new Ruger clone.
Don’t mind Paul… Blue Dog……we all know he’s an Idiot. The end
Fantastic! Not a pandering 2×4 non-ergonomic Glock with the idiot Luger grip angle! A pistol that actually feels good in one’s hand, all while being reliable, like just about everything today. CZ is a great company, from the only country in Europe with a 2A voted in the last 20 years.
my G23 works just fine for me and at the end of the day, for me, thats what matters.