If this is your first handgun, here is the plain version. The CZ DUTY 4.0 is a new striker-fired 9mm, which means a simple trigger with no hammer to cock and no decocker to learn. It holds 15 rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber as the C compact, or 17 plus one as the F full-size. Both have a 4-inch barrel, fixed sights with nothing to adjust, and a slide you can add a red dot to later.

The frame is fiberglass-reinforced polymer, light at 770 to 780 g, and the serial number lives on the internal chassis. If you would rather have a thumb safety, pick the MS version of either size. Whether you are in Amarillo, Waco, Huntsville, Fayetteville or Cedar Rapids, the pull is the same 5.6 pounds and the MSRP is $729, which buys a lot of pistol for a first gun.

CZ built the DUTY around a registered chassis that the polymer polymer grip wraps around, the same idea that lets a shooter change frame size without buying a new registered gun. The trigger is a refined SFDA striker unit, 25 ± 4 N (5.6 ± 0.9 lbs) pull, 4 mm (0.16 in) reset, 9 ± 1 mm (0.4 ± 0.04 in) travel. The slide takes optics by direct mounting; CZ's product photos show Holosun, Aimpoint and Shield units in place. Sights are fixed, the 4-inch barrel is not threaded.

Pick the C when the gun has to disappear under a cover garment. It gives up two rounds to the full-frame model (15+1 against 17+1) and about 8 mm of grip height, and in return it is 135 mm (5.3 in) tall and 770 g (27.2 oz) light.

No external safety here. The firing pin block, trigger safety and trigger bar safety handle drop safety, and the holster handles the rest. CZ sells the same gun with a thumb lever as the MS model.

Best fit: concealed carry where your state allows it, home defense, and range time that does not need a full-frame grip. Shooters coming from a CZ 75 will recognize the grip angle; shooters coming from any other striker gun will notice the trigger first.

Name any licensed dealer in your state and the firearm ships to them for the background check; the dealer applies your state's rules at pickup and will walk you through them. Not sure which dealer? Most gun shops with an FFL will receive it, so ask the one nearest you. Stock and price are re-checked against the distributor the moment you order.

Questions buyers ask: What does striker-fired mean for a beginner? There is no external hammer and no decocker; every trigger pull is the same 5.6 pounds, so there is less to learn than on a hammer-fired pistol. Should a first-time buyer get the MS version? The MS adds a manual thumb safety on top of the built-in firing pin block, trigger safety and trigger bar safety. Some new owners like the extra lever; others prefer the simpler standard model. Both are safe when handled correctly. Does the CZ DUTY 4.0 C take CZ P-10 magazines? CZ lists the DUTY with its own 15-round magazine and an longer base plate for 17+1. P-10 magazine fit is not confirmed, so plan on DUTY magazines.