CZ-Colt Z40: A rare double-action manufactured by Colt

The CZ-Colt Z40 pistol dates from 1998. The pistol was developed by Ceska Zbrojovka (CZ) together with Colt. Colt wanted to make a good double-action pistol but had never managed to master the double-action technology. Colt thought it could solve this by having another manufacturer develop and produce this weapon. Colt could not ask Smith & Wesson, its main competitor, for help.

Design

Therefore it opted for the Czech company Ceska Zbrojovka. The Colt people put forward just one significant specification – this pistol must bear exterior similarity with the Colt 1911. In 1998 this resulted in the introduction of the Z40. It is a 12-shot double-action-only pistol in .40 S&W caliber with a barrel length of 111 mm and a fixed combat rear sight. The blued weapon has a light metal frame and a steel slide. It is mainly meant as a service weapon for the army and police.

It is curious to see that Colt entirely makes the left of the frame, i.e., with the Colt name and the inscription Colt Mfg Co., Hartford CT USA, while the words “Made in the Czech Republic” on the right of the pistol show where the pistol was made. Colt sold the weapon on the American market for a short time, but the cooperation with CZ soon foundered. In 1999, Colt removed it from its range.

In the same year, CZ decided to start selling the weapon itself. This was not without problems either because CZ ceased production of this model in 2000.

The Colt Z40/CZ.40B pistol mechanism was fully adopted from the CZ-75 line of pistols. After CZ/Colt deal collapsed, the pistol was made by CZ for another customer, but in limited numbers.

When Radek Hauerland worked on the trigger mechanism for the CZ-COLT Z40 pistol chambered in .40 S&W caliber, he simultaneously got ready SA/DA and Decocker versions of these pistols. Therefore it was easy to produce all these trigger mechanism versions later, and also, the caliber conversion down from .40 to 9×19 was very easy to make. Besides the Colt Z.40 and CZ .40 B pistols, another model based on COLT Z .40 design was produced in 9 x 19 cal and called the CZ LE 9.

Technical specifications CZ-COLT Z40

Manufacturer:	Ceska Zbrojovka (CZ) and Colt
Type:	double-action / single-action
Caliber:	.40 S&W
Barrel:	4.37in (111mm)
Weight:	35.02oz (992 gm)
Magazine capacity:	12 rounds