CZ RAMI .40 S&W

The CZ 2075 RAMI, CZ's sub-compact version of its venerable CZ75 pistol, combines small size with up to 10+1 rounds of medium-caliber capacity. Distributed by CZ-USA (Dept. ST, P.O. Box 171073, Kansas City, KS 66117; 800-955-4486; www.cz-usa.com), it's available in either 9mm or .40 S&W. And it's a darn fine design.

Radek Hauerland and Milan Trkulja designed the RAMI, hence the model designation--it's an acronym derived from the first two letters of their first names. Operation is the proven short-recoil system with the lock-up design borrowed, with some modification, from the SP47/8 SIG, or, as it's more popularly known, the P-210.

The RAMI's sights are angled to prevent snagging and drift-adjustable for windage. CZ offers interchangeable front sights to adjust elevation to a unique load.

Of significant difference in the lock-up is that while the SIG has additional lugs in front of the barrel block that lock into the top of the slide the RAMI relies solely on the block around the chamber area to lock into the ejection port. That slighter arrangement should not be mistaken for a weakness because it's the same degree of locking seen on Glock pistols.

Upon firing, the barrel and slide recoil together for about five millimeters, after which the barrel is forced down and out of engagement with the slide by the action of the kidney-shaped cutout in the barrel lug riding down the slide stop pin. Once free from the barrel engagement, the slide cycles fully, ejecting the spent cartridge case and picking up a fresh round from the double-stack magazine.

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SPECS CZ 2075 RAMI .40 S&W DA/SA Semiautomatic Pistol
Importer:	CZ USA
Model:	2075 RAMI
Operation:	Short-recoil-operated DA/SA autoloader
Caliber:	.40 S&W
Barrel Length:	3 inches
Overall Length:	6.57 inches
Weight, empty	24.5 ounces
Height:	4.72 inches
Safety:	Manual trigger and slide locking safety lever, passive firing pin safety
Sights:	Three illuminated dot system
Stocks:	Black rubber
Magazine Capacity:	8 rounds
Finish:	Black polycoat
Price:	$576

The machined slide rails are full length and ride on full-length rails on the inside of the frame. That results in maximum bearing surface between slide and frame but also maximizes accuracy potential by minimizing side play. Returning the slide to the closed position is a stout compound recoil spring assembly, necessitated by the abbreviated length of the RAMI. The assembly's large outer spring is removable, but the inner spring component is captive.

The RAMI employs a selective double-action/single-action trigger mode to suit the shooter's preference. Internally, there are no surprises. A stirrup-shaped trigger bar passes around both sides of the magazine. Bumps on either leg of that trigger bar press against the slide to force the trigger bar down and out of engagement with the hammer assembly, thus disconnecting the trigger when the slide is not closed fully.

Pulling the trigger in the double-action mode moves the bar rearward, cocking the hammer. At the end of its travel, the bar lifts the firing pin block lever and trips the sear allowing the hammer to fly forward under pressure of the coil mainspring to strike the firing pin and fire the gun.

Ergonomically, there's a lot to like about the sub-compact CZ 2075 RAMI. The magazine release and safety levers are in familiar locations for Model 1911 users, and the beavertail at the top of the backstrap muzzles any chance of a bite from the RAMI's Commander-style hammer.

The distinct hump on the backstrap fills the hand properly while vertical grooves on it and horizontal grooves on the frontstrap ensure a good grip for all but the meatiest of paws. Magazine floorplates have a finger shelf, though even small-handed shooters will find their little finger curling under the butt. Those with larger hands may find their little finger wagging around for a place to rest.

The .40 S&W RAMI pistol comes with two eight-round double-stack magazines and a loading tool.

As to concealability, the RAMI gets fairly high m

arks. It's not something I'd like to carry around in an ankle holster, but when carried in a strong-side concealed-carry holster, the RAMI hides relatively well even under a loose tee shirt. It has an alloy frame and, at 25 ounces unloaded, has heft.

Sights are dovetailed into the slide with the rear unit drift adjustable for windage. CZ offers replacement front sights to adjust elevation to a unique load, and all RAMIs come from the factory sighted to point of aim at 25 meters.

I fired loads with bullets weighing from 130 to 180 grains, and over that broad spectrum, sights seemed best regulated at 25 yards for 155-grain bullets at between 1000 and 1200 fps muzzle velocity. The low-profile sights were angled to prevent snagging, and they have very effective illuminating dots for shooting in low-light conditions. In daylight, the size of the front blade and rear notch over the 4.92-inch sight radius form a crisp sight picture that isn't cramped like on a target pistol or sloppy like on a typical pocket pistol.

This is a snappy little pistol to shoot, so if you're sensitive to recoil, find a range where you can rent and test-fire 9mm and .40 RAMIs before committing to buying. Those not as affected by recoil or who are more experienced shooting handguns will probably find the recoil easily manageable.

Accuracy results were obtained by firing the RAMI at 25 yards from a Ransom Rest using E.A.A. Witness grip inserts modified to accept the RAMI's short grip and large magazine floorplate. I saw dramatically better accuracy from bullets weighing 165 grains or less, which corresponds nicely with the bullet weight for which the sights are regulated. All the lighter weight bullet loads grouped in the neighborhood of 2.50 inches for five five-shot groups at 25 yards while bullets weighing 180 grains gave roughly four-inch groups. Best accuracy was with Magtech's 130-grain all-copper hollowpoint, but in a tie for most accurate load was Hornady's new 155-grain TAP.

SHOOTING CZ's .40 S&W RAMI
Factory Load	Muzzle Velocity (fps)	Standard Deviation (fps)	25-yard Accuracy (inches)
Magtech First Defense 130-gr. SCHP	1112	20	1.92
Hornady 155-gr. TAP	1099	20	1.92
Magtech Guardian Gold 155-gr. JHP	1062	6	2.66
Speer Lawman 155-gr. TMJ	1021	15	2.13
Black Hills 165-gr. JHP EXP	1032	10	3.74
Federal Premium 165-gr. Hydra-Shok	894	7	3.52
Hornady 180-gr. XTP	919	15	4.10
Remington 180-gr. Golden Saber	919	11	3.16
Remington 180-gr. JHP	909	21	3.40
Winchester Personal Protection 180-gr. SXT
NOTES: Accuracy is the average of five five-shot groups fired with the pistol mounted in a Ransom Rest at 25 yards. Velocity is the average of 10 rounds measured 15 feet from the gun's muzzle.

Throughout my testing there were no consistent malfunctions and only two hang-ups of bullet noses on the feed-ramp. The hang-ups occurred when the gun was very dirty, and my advice is to keep the gun clean and lightly polish the feedramp only if necessary. Ejection was very positive; cases were thrown vigorously.

If you're looking for the most itty bitty little pistol you can find, keep looking. If your idea of a carry gun is a full-size Model 1911, keep going. But if your carry gun isn't too heavy, is powerful enough to matter, has enough capacity to give you peace of mind, has the accuracy necessary to hit what you're aiming at, and offers excellent reliability, CZ definitely has a gun for you.