CZ’s P-10 M 9mm is an overlooked gem among rough-hewn stones. The pistol is designed for personal defense. Personal defense is about training that allows us to make good decisions in real time, based on the information we have. We don’t need to wonder whether our firearm is up to the task.
I have a litany of objections concerning many modern firearms and most of them are cheap guns. I get a burr under my saddle from those who recommend these pieces. Quite frankly, I doubt whether some of the folks in the popular press have fired the pistols before recommending them.
The CZ P10 9mm is a proven handgun offered in several frame sizes configurations and barrel lengths. The newest CZ in my battery is the P10 M. It has had some features cut. It isn’t about privation or economy; the change is about simplicity, and perhaps perfecting the slim-line 9mm handgun.
The CZ P10 has proven as reliable as the metal frame CZ 75 handguns, and that is saying something. The pistol is comfortable to fire and has good handling qualities. The CZ P-10 M moves the pistol into the micro pistol niche. The pistol shares trigger action and sights with the larger handgun. However, there are changes including a slim grip and 7-round magazine. The pistol is too small for backstrap inserts. Let’s look at the main features and specifications.
CZ P-10 M Specifications
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7+1 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.2 inches
Overall length: 6.3 inches
Height: 4.4 inches
Width: 1-inch, maximum
Weight: 20.2 ounces
The grips are nicely pebbled for good purchase during firing. Three-dot sights offer a good aiming point. The pistol is blocky, but so are most polymer-frame striker-fired pistols.
The CZ P-10 M features forward and rear cocking serrations. The firing grip is only an inch wide (even slimmer toward the top of the grip). This is a slim-line 9 just when most makers are marketing pistols with a wide high-capacity grip in the same approximate size.
The pistol is easy to load, unload, rack and make ready, and easy to conceal. Those with small hands will find the CZ P-10 M a good fit. The pistol’s magazine is staggered to allow a short magazine holding 7 rounds.
Unlike many small pistols, the CZ P-10 M features a light rail. I especially like the rear strap treatment. The trigger breaks at 7.5 pounds — the same weight as most P10 variants. While the trigger isn’t light, it is manageable. Trigger reset is sharp.
A big difference between other P10 pistols and most of the handguns on the market is that the P10 M doesn’t feature a slide stop, at least it doesn’t have a visible slide stop. The slide locks open on the last shot, and the pistol may be reloaded quickly by slapping in a fresh loaded magazine and tugging the slide to the rear and releasing the slide.
I have lost count of the students I have seen drift their thumb into the slide lock during firing strings with small harder-kicking pistols. This locks the pistol back during a firing string. That will not occur with this handgun.
The P10 M is a great design for deep concealment. The magazine release is a good design and positive in operation. Trigger reach is aided by slight depressions in each side of the grip.
To miniaturize the pistol further, CZ modified the takedown. The P10 uses a takedown like Glock’s takedown levers. The P10 M uses a single takedown pin. Move the slide to the rear and release the pin. This isn’t difficult at all. This is simply an adjustment to be made if you are familiar with the standard P10. This helps make the pistol even more compact.
Proof Testing
The proof is in firing the handgun. While based on a proven design, anything could happen in a redesign. Most of the ammunition fired was CCI Blazer FMJ 9mm, with some Federal Syntech hollow points, Hornady Critical Defense, and Winchester Silvertip.
I worked in a job for many years that reminded me daily of my own mortality. Some of it is too rough to discuss. Among the various assaults and Smith and Wesson “divorce shootings,” (a common term for a domestic shooting) there were quite a few defensive uses of the handgun. The CZ P-10 M is better than most handguns I have seen used in defensive shootings and better than half the handguns I see in concealed carry permit classes.
I carried the CZ P-10 M concealed under a light sport shirt in a Galco Sto-N-Go inside the waistband holster. Quickly drawing, I addressed a man-sized silhouette target at 7 yards. You must be certain the grip is firm, and the sights are properly aligned when shooting a handgun with a short grip and abbreviated sight radius. The CZ 9mm provided good results.
The pistol handles well. Recoil is lighter than expected. The pistol handles quickly and offers good hit potential. Firing over 100 cartridges, the pistol never failed to feed, chamber, fire, or eject. As for absolute accuracy, I carefully bench rested the CZ P-10 M 9mm from a solid firing position. I fired the Hornady 115-grain Critical Defense at 15 yards, firing two 5-shot groups.
The average 5-shot group was 2.3 inches. The pistol is reliable and offers good hit probability. The CZ P-10 M offers a credible design for snag-free concealed carry with modifications intended to prevent malfunctions or tie ups. This is a good piece to carry.
Do you carry a slim-line 9? What do you think of the CZ P-10 M? Let us know in the comments.
The CZ 9mm pistol proved reliable with a wide range of ammunition. Slowing down for maximum accuracy the CZ P-10 M is a good shooting pistol. The P10 M is a credible pistol. 
When all is said and done the CZ P10M is a well-designed handgun. The author found the Galco Sto-N-Go inside the waistband holster a good choice for concealed carry. 
A good set of combat sights tops the CZ’s slide. 
Firing offhand in rapid fire the CZ 9mm gave good results. A well-designed, staggered magazine is one of the CZ’s good design features. 
Forward cocking serrations make for easy slide racking. Firing at man-sized targets at realistic combat range the CZ pistol gave good results.
This is my first adventure into the slim lined pistols. I owned multiple CZ pistols and they are my favorite and this is why I chose the P10m. I did alot of watching videos and read on this pistol. My Current everyday is a decked out glock 19 that I built. Tired of the sagging of the pants and I’m too young to wear suspenders to keep my pants up. The pistol will be delivered today at the range I work at and cannot wait to put it thru its paces.
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I generally carry a high capacity compact pistol. ( I love my CZ 75c.) However when I carry a “subcompact”, slim line pistol I rely on my Kahr P9. Hard to find a slimmer pistol that a Kahr..
The CZ P-10 M looks just like the TAURUS TX 22 WHICH I HAVE. BUT I ALSO WANT A 9MM THAT LOOK’S LIKE THE TX22. THIS COULD BETHE ONE. SO HOW MUCH.
Barry
Thanks for reading.
A Glock 43 9mm or FN 503 might be ideal for your needs.
Bob
I love my P10M. I had it milled for a red dot.
I still prefer it over the G43, Shield Plus, Hellcat, and 365.
It has the perfect balance of price, ability, and reliability.
Thanks for this article abd thanks to the gentlemen who comment. I’m learning from all.
This article comes at a time when I am researching for slim line reliable compact 9mm’s.
My EDC is a S&W 380. Easy to carry but I’d rather be handling a 9mm for self- defense. My Springfield 9mm XD is too bulky, it’s a double stack, long barrel and at my size simply is too uncomfortable to carry on my body.
So again. Thanks for the info.
David —
I have tested many guns as well over the years, Obviously it is about quality. You pay for what you get. Some may cost more but they are obviously better manufactured. You have to be willing to pay more for a better product, as it is with everything you buy, not just guns.
OK to answer your question David-
The Taurus GX4 has been reliable and worth the money.
I find the SCCY very difficult to shoot well, and consider it a 7 to 10 yard pistol.
For modest use- a few hundred rounds a year if that many- the inexpensive guns are OK I suppose.
The shooter who demands more and who fires his pistol in training and expect more will not be
satisfied. Life is worth more than a few hundred dollars. Just the same those on a tight budget should have a viable choice.
The value of a service grade pistol is that it will withstand severe abuse and neglect and still work. The pistol should give you a chance of winning the war if it comes. From a carjack assault to a Russian sword dance the dangers of the world are many. A pistol should be designed to stand high training use with little access to maintenance. The expenditure on the handgun depends on your focus. I think that the baseline of reliability is the Glock. If the pistol costs less corners have been cut, if it costs more then you should get something. I have studied many institutional tests of handguns and quite a few simply come apart. The SIG P series, Beretta 92, and CZ 75 are guns I trust. The 1911 beginning with the Colt. There have always been more cheap guns than better guns. The quality of manufacture is evident. The CZ P10, as an example, has been around long enough to earn a good reputation.
Bob, it sounds like you’ve found a new best friend. I can’t help but wonder which of the low-priced small guns you’d not recommend. Like you, I test a lot of guns and among the lower-priced guns I find the ones from Taurus and SCCY well-made and good shooters. The ones from the major manufacturers such as Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Sig and Springfield Armory are more a matter of taste than quality. Oh, and I forgot Glock. I’m not a Glock guy but the G-43X dots all the i’s and crosses all the t’s.
I still carry my Kahr PM-9. I believe that it was one of the first mini-9’s. For me it shoots almost instinctively. Its small, light and conceals nicely. The trigger is smooth. The only difficulty that I have is that I do have some arthritis in my hand and wrist, so shooting more than a magazine starts to get painful because it’s so light.