Whenever a new company comes onto the market, I'm skeptical until I handle one in person. However, after reviewing the Arma Zeka’s website after the past year or so, I was convinced they were pretty special pistols. This company has actually been in Europe for a couple years, so they are not brand new. They are, however, brand new to the US market and have also introduced some brand new models to coincide with the US release. 
Arma Zeka pistols are not CZ clones, despite their appearance and their country of origin. While they use a Browning style locking system (as most pistols do), the Arma Zeka guns march to their own drummer. The frames are aluminum, but they have a steel insert, so there is no aluminum frame rails. Unlike other guns with a steel insert, the Arma Zeka rails are very adequate with much more than just small points of contact. They are very well executed and it appears that their entire lineup is geared towards competition in some fashion.
ARMA ZEKA | Sport Pistol
My favorite LGS has had great luck working with the importer down in Florida and they were able to get me one of the first into the country. Its serial number 3. This model is one of their top of the line guns, called the Super Optics Special, which is a SAO optics ready pistol with a threaded barrel that comes with a compensator. The barrel is about 5.25”. I linked the model below, though some of the text is lost in translation.
ARMA ZEKA | AZ-P1 Super Optics Special
This gun is likely the finest Czech pistol I’ve ever handled. From a quality standpoint, its at least as nice as the Laugo Alien. The FK BRNO Field Pistol would probably be its equal, but isn’t anywhere near as practical and the trigger doesn’t come close to this Arma Zeka. The trigger in this breaks at a clean and consistent 1.75 lbs, with a short and very positive reset. Its by far the best trigger I’ve ever felt on any Czech gun and approaches the best triggers in my entire collection. Considering the 2011’s I own, that is quite a ringing endorsement. The interesting thing is that the CZ Tactical Sport pistols have a trigger just as light, but the comparison pretty much stops there. That goes to show that the actual weight of the trigger isn’t everything. Everything about the Arma Zeka feels like a highly precision instrument. The slide action may be the smoothest I own. Its at least as smooth as my Atlas 2011’s and probably a match for my Pardinis, which I always considered my smoothest pistols before now.
The machining on the gun is very impressive. While it may not be to everyone’s taste, I love it. The ergonomics are perfect, in my opinion. It fits my hands like a glove. The black aluminum grip panels have a hexagon pattern and coupled with the grip tape, provide amazing traction. The front strap and backstrap checkering also works extremely well. The beavertail seems to be in a perfect position. While the pistol is not exactly a low bore axis design, the ergonomics allow your hands to get as high as possible. The ambi thumb safety is also very positive, albeit a little light for my tastes (not that its really needed on a competition gun anyway). The magwell is blended seamlessly. The devil is in the details with this pistol. Even the front and bottom of the trigger guard are very finely serrated. The frame is indented on either side for the thumb of your off hand, along with more grip tape for traction. It feels very comfortable. The weight of the gun is also perfect for me. Despite the aluminum frame, it weighs in at a hefty 44.2oz with an unloaded magazine. The balance of the weight feels outstanding in hand and I find the upright grip angle very comfortable.
Aesthetically, the gun is busy, but I don’t mind. The two tone color is ok, with the steel slide a semi glossy black and the aluminum frame a matte gray color. While I’m not a huge two tone fan, I do like the contrast here. They also come in a few different color combinations, as shown on the website. The wording on the slide and frame is plentiful and I’m sure it will turn some folks off. I’m used to it by now on some of these Euro handguns. It doesn’t bother me any longer.
I plan to shoot this pistol very soon, but if its not one of the best shooters in my collection, I’ll be surprised. I know that’s a tall order, but this gun has some of the best ergonomics and one the best triggers in the high end pistol world. Coupling that with the balance and weight of the gun and it sure feels like a winning combination. Price wasn’t cheap at $5300, but my first impressions are that its worth the money. There is a more watered down version on Gunbroker at the moment. I don’t see this pistol being my last from Arma Zeka.
So that’s all I have to report at the moment. Right now, I’m thrilled with this pistol. I honestly can’t imagine anything at the range changing that, but I’ll certainly report back. This company really could be the new high water mark for Czech pistols.
As always, please enjoy the pics and share your thoughts.
Thanks!
Here it is with a couple other noteable Czech pistols, the Laugo Alien and FK BRNO.
Arma Zeka pistols are not CZ clones, despite their appearance and their country of origin. While they use a Browning style locking system (as most pistols do), the Arma Zeka guns march to their own drummer. The frames are aluminum, but they have a steel insert, so there is no aluminum frame rails. Unlike other guns with a steel insert, the Arma Zeka rails are very adequate with much more than just small points of contact. They are very well executed and it appears that their entire lineup is geared towards competition in some fashion.
ARMA ZEKA | Sport Pistol
My favorite LGS has had great luck working with the importer down in Florida and they were able to get me one of the first into the country. Its serial number 3. This model is one of their top of the line guns, called the Super Optics Special, which is a SAO optics ready pistol with a threaded barrel that comes with a compensator. The barrel is about 5.25”. I linked the model below, though some of the text is lost in translation.
ARMA ZEKA | AZ-P1 Super Optics Special
This gun is likely the finest Czech pistol I’ve ever handled. From a quality standpoint, its at least as nice as the Laugo Alien. The FK BRNO Field Pistol would probably be its equal, but isn’t anywhere near as practical and the trigger doesn’t come close to this Arma Zeka. The trigger in this breaks at a clean and consistent 1.75 lbs, with a short and very positive reset. Its by far the best trigger I’ve ever felt on any Czech gun and approaches the best triggers in my entire collection. Considering the 2011’s I own, that is quite a ringing endorsement. The interesting thing is that the CZ Tactical Sport pistols have a trigger just as light, but the comparison pretty much stops there. That goes to show that the actual weight of the trigger isn’t everything. Everything about the Arma Zeka feels like a highly precision instrument. The slide action may be the smoothest I own. Its at least as smooth as my Atlas 2011’s and probably a match for my Pardinis, which I always considered my smoothest pistols before now.
The machining on the gun is very impressive. While it may not be to everyone’s taste, I love it. The ergonomics are perfect, in my opinion. It fits my hands like a glove. The black aluminum grip panels have a hexagon pattern and coupled with the grip tape, provide amazing traction. The front strap and backstrap checkering also works extremely well. The beavertail seems to be in a perfect position. While the pistol is not exactly a low bore axis design, the ergonomics allow your hands to get as high as possible. The ambi thumb safety is also very positive, albeit a little light for my tastes (not that its really needed on a competition gun anyway). The magwell is blended seamlessly. The devil is in the details with this pistol. Even the front and bottom of the trigger guard are very finely serrated. The frame is indented on either side for the thumb of your off hand, along with more grip tape for traction. It feels very comfortable. The weight of the gun is also perfect for me. Despite the aluminum frame, it weighs in at a hefty 44.2oz with an unloaded magazine. The balance of the weight feels outstanding in hand and I find the upright grip angle very comfortable.
Aesthetically, the gun is busy, but I don’t mind. The two tone color is ok, with the steel slide a semi glossy black and the aluminum frame a matte gray color. While I’m not a huge two tone fan, I do like the contrast here. They also come in a few different color combinations, as shown on the website. The wording on the slide and frame is plentiful and I’m sure it will turn some folks off. I’m used to it by now on some of these Euro handguns. It doesn’t bother me any longer.
I plan to shoot this pistol very soon, but if its not one of the best shooters in my collection, I’ll be surprised. I know that’s a tall order, but this gun has some of the best ergonomics and one the best triggers in the high end pistol world. Coupling that with the balance and weight of the gun and it sure feels like a winning combination. Price wasn’t cheap at $5300, but my first impressions are that its worth the money. There is a more watered down version on Gunbroker at the moment. I don’t see this pistol being my last from Arma Zeka.
So that’s all I have to report at the moment. Right now, I’m thrilled with this pistol. I honestly can’t imagine anything at the range changing that, but I’ll certainly report back. This company really could be the new high water mark for Czech pistols.
As always, please enjoy the pics and share your thoughts.
Thanks!
Here it is with a couple other noteable Czech pistols, the Laugo Alien and FK BRNO.
