CZ P-09 C Nocturne
- Graham Baates
- 14 hours ago
- 6 min read
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There aren't a lot of DA/SA options out there anymore. They cost more to make and require more skill from the shooter to master. As a result, in an age of tightened budgets and folks seeking instant gratification, guns like the CZ P-09 C Nocturne simply don't sell well. That was a good thing for me as I was interested in the gun when it was released, but not in the initial price. Now after a year of low sales the price has lowered too and in late 2025 I picked up a new P-09 C Nocturne with an included Viridian RFX 11 for well below MSRP.
What Is It? The P-09 C Nocturne is a modernized compact double action / single action (including the option to have a decocker or safety) pistol with a polymer frame to be carry friendly. Modernizations include a slide cut for an optic and enhanced traction on stock and slide.
Who's it For? It's been a while since I've seen a hammer-fired gun need a second strike capability, but it's still a consideration that the P-09 C Nocturne provides. The main interest I think is for those wanting the combination of safety and readiness that only a DA/SA gun can provide. For those wanting a hammer-fired gun with a safety it can fill that role too without being too heavy for carry. While I used to think optics are more for range use, I also understand those wanting to carry with an optic and an enclosed option like the OSight SE would fill that roll nicely. More on the included Viridian RFX 11 later.
Take a look at the CZ P-09 C Nocturne in the tabletop video below. Fortunately I can say this is an instance when my initial assessment had some errors as the gun proved to be better on the range than expected. Rumble Link
Specifications:
Caliber: 9 × 19
Magazine capacity: 15+1
SKU: 91660
Safety features: Manual safety/decocker, Firing pin block
Frame material: Fiberglass-reinforced polymer
Trigger reset: 0.3 in
Trigger travel: SA: 0.4 DA: 0.5 in
Trigger pull: SA: 4.7 DA: 9.9 lbs
Trigger type: SA/DA
Sights: Luminescent, Fixed
Barrel length: 3.7 in
Height: 5.4 in
Width: 1.5 in
Length: 7.3 in
Weight with empty magazine: 26.1 oz
MSRP: $649
Prices around the web as of 22DEC25
Click links for current pricing and availability
From $439.99 at KYGunCo (with included optic options)
I had mixed feeling during the tabletop, and also hadn't researched exactly what it is about the P-09 C Nocturne that inspired a company to include a snap cap with a modern-production pistol. It's not an issue of firing pin quality, it's a design issue which risks a roll pin taking the brunt of firing pin force laterally if there's nothing in the chamber to cushion firing pin movement. Learning that was almost more disappointing. I'm not an engineer, but would like to think there has to be a better solution. I suppose this quick fix was a way of modern CZ adding a safety feature to a 50 year old design. 1911s went through a similar struggle with the introduction of the "80" series guns and that took a while for the aftermarket to figure out how to execute gracefully.
The included optic with my purchase was the Viridian RFX 11. I've got a bit of experience with most of the Viridian Weapon Technologies line and enjoy all of them aside from the RFX 11. My negative feelings about come from two sources. It's the only Viridian I've had fail on me, and that failure happened at a course specifically focused on the use of a dot. The unit just simply quit. I have other Viridian optics with thousands of rounds through them, so maybe I simply had a bad one. My other issue with the RFX 11 is that it is an auto-adjust dot. Auto adjustment is fine for range use, but does not belong on a defensive gun. If you don't believe me try standing in the dark and aiming an auto adjust dot into a bright area (such as one lit with your weapon light). The dot will be too dim. Conversely, try standing in a bright area such as under a porch light and aiming into the darkness of your property; the dot will be too bright and blow out your view of the target.
It was time to hit the range and put the P-09 C Nocturne through it's paces in the least-subjective way possible, the GBGuns Range Protocol:
Cold Shots: Truly my first shots through the gun.
Full Magazine +1: Suprisingly some modern guns still struggle with this. It's a test of how much play is in the magazine as well as how the slide cycles with pressure. This is also when I do my best to learn the trigger.
What's For Dinnerâ„¢: A test to see what ammunition the gun will eat. Does the gun feed the round from slide lock, will it cycle and feed another round of the same type, does the slide lock to the rear on empty, and is there any notable point of impact change with different loads.
45gr Sim-X DEFENSECORE $18.99 / 20 at Target Sports USAÂ (see review HERE)
50gr Liberty Ammunition Ultra Light $37.39 / 20 at Optics Planet (see review HERE)
95gr Magtech JSP $21.98 / 50 at Global Ordnance
100gr Sellier & Bellot XRG $13.34 / 25 at Target Sports USAÂ (see review HERE)
115gr TMJ EcoBullet $19.95 / 50 direct from EcoBullet (see review HERE)
115gr Sig 365 V-Crown $19.99 / 20 direct from Sig
115gr Wincherster SilverTip $18.29 / 20 at GrabaGun
124gr Federal Premium HST $39.95 / 50 from Widener's
147gr Winchester Defense Out of production?
165gr AMMO, Inc. /stelTH/ $21.25 / 50 at Target Sports
Standard range ammunition was Norma 124gr $12.82 / 50 at SportsmansGuide
Sights & Trigger Control: on a 6" spinner target at a distance of 12-ish yards. We got this from Titan Great Outdoors and use it to gauge how learnable the trigger is and usable the sights are for forced, timed, precise shots.
Practical Accuracy: Five shots from a distance of seven yards at a one inch target. This isn't so much about printing a tight group as it is a culmination of the shooting experience and time for to collect thoughts prior to making a conclusion.
After Shots: Final impressions and reflections from the range session.
See the process from start to finish in the Shooting Impressions video below. Rumble Link
At the range I was pleased with how quickly either the initial grittines of the trigger went away, or I adapted to it. The RFX 11 also performed well, and thanks to the cowitness sights my at-home zero only needed slight adjustment.
I was also pleased that CZ seems to have resolved an issue I had a few years back with the chamber being either too tight or too short in both the P-10C and P-10 F CR to eat many rounds, and the rifling of both guns apparently not liking anything outside of basic 115gr or 124gr ammunition. The P-09 C Nocturne at it all and grouped very nicely with most of the 11 loads tested.
A note about DA/SA that certainly impacted me was that it causes two different trigger reaches. This is why so many DA/SA triggers are so dramatically curved. On the P-09 C Nocturne, with it's compact size my hands were a bit too big to comfortably and corretly press the trigger with the pre-installed back strap. I always advocate people try out included back straps, with a DA/SA gun it's extra important as you may find a significant difference in both hand comfort and your ability to perform with the gun.