When you shrink something down, you usually have to accept a few tradeoffs—like how mini cupcakes are adorable but never quite satisfying, or how fun-sized candy bars feel like lies wrapped in foil. But when CZ decided to shrink their P10C down to create the P10S, they managed to retain almost all of the flavor and performance of the original, while still producing a handgun that’s better suited for concealed carry.
That said, let’s get one thing out of the way right up front: the P10S isn’t that much lighter than the compact model. We’re talking maybe a couple of ounces at best. If you're hoping for something featherweight, this ain’t it. Toss it in your waistband and you’ll still know it’s there. But for me, that tradeoff was worth it. Why? Because what you do get is a smaller footprint and much easier concealability—without sacrificing shootability.
And wow, is it shootable.
Feels Like a Bigger Gun—In All the Right Ways
I wasn’t expecting this little pistol to feel so... not little. The recoil is incredibly manageable, and the overall balance makes it a pleasure to shoot. It feels like you're firing something a size class up, but without the hand fatigue, snappy recoil, or constant readjustment that often comes with smaller carry pistols. It’s as if someone handed a full-size pistol to Ant-Man and said, “Can you shrink this down and keep the good parts?” And he did.
From a control perspective, this is where the P10S really separates itself from some of the competition. For me personally, it beat out both the Walther PDP F and the Smith & Wesson Shield Plus—and I don’t say that lightly. Those are excellent firearms in their own right. But when it came to accuracy, especially in follow-up shots, the CZ just made life easier. The break, the reset, the balance—it all clicked.
Now, that’s not to say the Shield Plus or the PDP F are inaccurate (they’re absolutely not), but I found that I was more accurate more easily with the P10S. That’s my experience, and your mileage may vary depending on hand size, grip strength, and what kind of range-day coffee you’re running on.
Features That Matter
One of the standout perks of the optics-ready version is that it comes standard with tritium-enhanced sights. That’s a really welcome touch in a world where most “optics-ready” pistols come with throwaway irons that seem to exist only to fill the holes until your red dot arrives. Not here—these are sights I’d happily run even without an optic. In low light, they glow just enough to keep you on target without blinding you or looking like a lightsaber duel in your waistband.
As for the grip texture, much like its larger brothers in the P10 lineup, it strikes that rare balance between a solid, tactile grip and feeling like your hand is being aggressively hate-f*ed by Legos**. It's assertive, but not abusive. You’re not going to lose control of the gun during recoil, but you’re also not going to walk away with your palm looking like a topographic map. For concealed carry, this level of grip is a win—it stays put in your hand but won’t sandpaper your side into oblivion after a day of carry.
The trigger is solid out of the box, and while there are smoother options on the market, it’s predictable and breaks cleanly. No surprises here—unless you’re surprised at how much you actually like shooting this thing.
Final Thoughts
Is the P10S perfect? No, but it's pretty darn close for my purposes. I do wish it shaved off a little more weight from its bigger sibling—because if you’re going subcompact, you’re probably trying to lose some ounces along with the length and height. But in every other respect, the CZ P10S hits a sweet spot that few guns in this category manage to land.
It’s concealable, controllable, accurate, and doesn’t feel like a compromise gun. That alone makes it a standout in a sea of subcompacts trying to do too much or too little.
If you're in the market for something smaller that still behaves like a full-size on the range, the CZ P10S deserves a serious look.
In fact, it may just have found a spot on my hip.
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