TFB Review: CZ P-09 C Nocturne Pistol – The P-07’s Successor

Česká zbrojovka, aka CZ recently launched the redesigned P-09 and P-07 pistols, which now go by the designation P-09 F Nocturne (full size) and P-09 C Nocturne (compact size) that includes a number of cosmetic and functional upgrades. Both the F and C versions have the same internal parts and operation as their predecessors, but today we’ll focus on the CZ P-09 C Nocturne, in which we’ll take a look at each upgrade and how it also relates to concealed carry. Let’s Czech it out (sorry, I had to).

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CZ P-09 C NOCTURNE LEGACY FEATURES

The CZ P-09 C Nocturne carries over several aspects from its predecessor, the P-07. The profile is essentially the same, with the exception of the P-07 having different sights and a couple more slots on the railed dust cover. Other than those two things, the new P-09C Nocturne has the same silhouette, down to the squared-off trigger guard, the angled slide geometry, grip shape and hammer. The difference comes with the external details, which are noticeable. Both the P-07 and new P-09 C have the Omega system, which is the ability to swap out the ambidextrous decocker lever for an ambidextrous non-decocking manual safety lever, which makes it more customizable to the user’s preference. My own preference is to have the decocker lever, but I’ll detail the swapping process in a separate article for those who prefer a safety instead. Now let’s dig into the upgrades.

CZ P-09 C NOCTURNE UPGRADES

OPTICS READY

The biggest upgrade from the CZ P-07 and previous P-09 to the P-09 Nocturne series is the additional feature of the optics cut from the factory. The P-09 C and F optics ready cut features a direct mount system for the RMSc footprint, also known as the Holosun K footprint, which omits the need for plate mounts. This direct optic mount lowers the red dot sight window so as to cowitness the pistol’s iron sights through the window. There are some pros and cons to this, but in my opinion, the pros win out. For one, you get to keep your standard height iron sights compared to buying suppressor height sights separately. Secondly, you don’t have to contend with a factory or aftermarket plate that increases optic height, overall cost, and adds more screws into the mix. The biggest caution is making sure that your red dot sight mounting screws don’t go too deep into the slide. CZ uses M4-style mounting screws.

IRON SIGHTS

One thing I’ve noticed people haven’t been talking about is the new iron sights for the Nocturne series. Most of CZ’s front sights are uniquely in line with the barrel and retained via a cross pin. However, CZ’s Nocturne series features front and rear dovetail cuts that are compatible with SIG P320 iron sights. The front sight is marked 7.0 while the rear sight is marked 8.5. I love that CZ chose to do this since there are already plenty of aftermarket P320 sights available. The particular rear sights that the CZ P-09 C Nocturne ships with are such that the user could use them to rack the slide on a table, wall, or shoe sole if no optic is mounted.

The sights that come from the factory are typical three dot combat style with horizontal serrations to reduce glare. They aren’t night sights, but the dots are filled with a photoluminescent (glow in the dark) paint that is extremely vibrant after a couple second charge from a flashlight. One night, I decided to test how long a five second charge would last and the glow in the dark sights were still easily picked up seven hours later! I’ve long praised CZ’s use of this material on their pistol sights since my first TFB review of the CZ SP-01 Phantom.

SLIDE SERRATIONS

The new Nocturne series have similar, yet different slide serrations compared to the earlier P-07 model. A completely new feature for the Nocturnes is that the front slide serrations now also include cuts on the top. While the new style of slide serrations retains the same angles as the older ones, the Nocturnes are much deeper. If you ever thought the P-07 was aggressive-looking, then the P-09 C looks even sharper, and I mean that both figuratively and literally, the new slide serrations are sharp!

GRIP TEXTURE & BACK STRAPS

The updated grip texture on the CZ P-09 Nocturne series looks and feels great! It’s a perfect blend of comfort and retention while gripping the pistol. I also found that the grip texture wasn’t interfering with my shirt while carrying it concealed which is always a plus. CZ updated the number of texture real estate spaces to encompass a larger area, including more uniformity at the front and back straps compared to the older P-07. The texture is grippy without being abrasive on your hands or torso while carrying concealed.

The CZ P-09 C Nocturne comes with three replaceable back straps to accommodate different-sized hands. Each back strap shows its size designation at the base with the letters “S,” “M,” or “L.” The grip panel is held in place by the same pin that retains the main spring plug. To remove the pin (make sure the pistol is empty first), put some pressure on the lanyard ring, I do this by pressing it onto a table or block of wood. Then use a punch to push the pin out. Slowly ease the pressure off and the main spring plug will come out and the grip back strap can be slid downward off the grip.

One thing to note is that the main spring and hammer strut on the CZ P-09 C Nocturne are partly exposed within the magazine well, so users will want to consider routine cleaning if carrying this pistol regularly. Another note is that some users have complained that they’ve pinched their fingers between the lanyard and magazine base plate while inserting a fresh magazine. I’ve never had this problem with any lanyard loop pistol, but CZ-USA and Cajun Gun Works offer main spring plugs without the lanyard loop, which I may do in time to have a sleeker overall profile.

CZ P-09 C NOCTURNE AT THE RANGE

On the CZ subReddit, some people have noted an issue with failures to feed. There are several consensuses as to why some are experiencing FTFs. One caution when mounting an optic is to make sure the seating depth won’t bind up the extractor. I did have a few failure to feed malfunctions with Hornady Critical Defense 115 grain, and another failure to feed with Winchester White Box 115 grain, but the rest fed ok. There were a couple times that the slide seemed to run slow but it went into battery without assistance; a couple times with the same Winchester White Box and once with Federal American Eagle 147 grain. For compact and full-size defensive pistols, my main go-to load is the Hornady American Gunner 9mm 124-grain +P using XTP projectiles. These fed and fired flawlessly, as did the Sierra Outdoor Master 124-grain JHP loading.

Aside from the few failures to feed early on, I love the CZ P-09 C Nocturne! I found the accuracy to be very satisfactory. After mounting and zeroing the Holosun 407K on my first range trip, my first group was 2.5 inches at 15 yards. During my last range trip with the P-09 C Nocturne, I brought my son who has been a TFB hand model in other reviews and he shot consistently tight groups right out of the gate. I also brought my 13-year-old daughter. This was only her second time shooting a 9mm pistol (I don’t get the family out enough!) and by her second magazine, she tightened down her groups from 10 inches to 3 inches at 10 and 12 yards.

From the factory, the trigger had been less than buttery smooth, but I wouldn’t have described it as gritty either. However, after lots of dry fires and approximately 400 live fires, the trigger has smoothed out more in DA and much more in SA. Could it be better and smoother? Yes, however, given the accuracy my kids and I were able to achieve in short order, I wouldn’t say that ordering an upgrade kit or polishing is a must-have. I do plan on purchasing my review sample with the intention of carrying it and I wouldn’t have any qualms about using the trigger in stock condition.

The CZ P-09 C Nocturne comes with two 15-round magazines, or two 10-round magazines for states with capacity restrictions. CZ-USA didn’t know when they’d have Nocturne spec’d magazines available for purchase separately. However, the P-09 C accepts P-10 15-round and 19-round magazines, while the P-09 F accepts P-10 19-round magazines. I also used a couple of my CZ 75 ACT Mags and they worked flawlessly as well. As most of you have noticed from the photos, the Nocturne magazine base plates feature a segment of grip texture, with that same segment being slightly beveled in case you need to rip the magazine out of the well. However, both magazines that I received dropped free perfectly.

The double-action trigger pull breaks around 10 pounds, while the single-action pull breaks around 3.5 pounds. The SA trigger reset is about .5 inches, which is long by trigger-snob standards, but I’ve never considered myself as such.

CONCEALED CARRY WITH THE CZ P-09 C NOCTURNE

I wanted to see how the CZ P09 C Nocturne carries, so I bought an affordable P-07 Kydex holster from Amazon with the intent to modify it to my liking. I cut some clearance for the mounted Holosun 407K X2 red dot and changed out the plastic clip for a two-pronged metal one. I was able to completely conceal the new P-09 C in both the appendix and 4 o’clock positions. I’ve always preferred the 4 o’clock, but appendix carry is growing on me. Since the Nocturne’s launch, more and more holster makers are offering holsters for it.

The P-09 C is just slightly thicker at 1.42 inches (at the ambidextrous decocker/safety levers) than a Glock 19’s 1.26 inches. My 5’10”, 190 lb frame has been able to conceal it just fine with a large, untucked shirt.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The CZ P-09 C Nocturne received an outstanding upgrade treatment compared to its predecessor. Not only does the upgrade look great, but feels great in the hand and shoots great as well. The P-09 C may need a break-in period, which is unfortunate, but not unheard of. The break-in period I experienced was done in less than 100 rounds. If you’re in the market for a hammer-fired, compact-size pistol that has a direct mount optic cut, I recommend looking at the CZ P-09 C Nocturne! The ability to swap parts from a decocker only to a manual safety caters to the end user’s preference which is always a nice feature straight from the factory. I’ll be buying my review sample for concealed carry.

The MSRP is quite reasonable at $549. You can find the Nocturne spec sheets HERE and HERE, or visit CZ-USA.com to see all of their products. What do you think about the CZ P-09 C Nocturne? If you’ve already purchased one, how has your experience been?

CONS:

• Hammer spring / strut are exposed in the magwell
• Trigger is a bit heavy, but manageable
• Slide serrations are sharp
• Teething issues with potential failures to feed

PROS:

• Price!!
• Grip angle and profile are perfect
• Large trigger guard for gloved fingers
• Ambidextrous decocker or manual safety
• Magazine release swappable for right or left side operation
• Optics Ready with RMSc/Holosun K footprint direct mount
• Sights share SIG P320 pattern
• Great aftermarket support

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