In this day and age when violence seems to erupt in even the most innocent of venues (the recent shootings in a movie theater in Aurora, Colo. and at a Minneapolis sign company in September come to mind) it feels good to know that I have the ability to carry a firearm on my person thanks to my Minnesota carry permit.
    I want to be able to protect myself and my family from danger.
    That being said, however, I've found myself gun-less in crowded public places on more than a few occasions over the past several years even though I had every right to carry. It's not that I didn't want to have a sidearm on my person - it's just hard to carry in certain situations.
    Particularly when temperatures are warm enough to put me in short sleeve shirts or shorts.
    Now some people are comfortable carrying smaller handguns in those situations that come in calibers like .380. But that's not me. I'm most comfortable with a gun that fits my hand, feels good and solid when I shoot, and carries at least a 9mm round.
    I want something that feels full-sized but isn't because I don't like baby guns and I'm not a big enough person to comfortably conceal a full-size 1911.
   Up until this past summer finding a handgun that fit that description at a price range I could afford was proving to be a difficult task. It's frustrating because it seems all the gun companies are focusing their efforts on tiny guns designed to appeal to what I like to call the "new crowd" of conceal and carry purchasers, who have been convinced to buy a gun for any number of reasons - from our liberal president's view of firearms control to the recent violence I spoke of earlier.
    But I'm old school. I want a semi-auto handgun to feel like a solid semi-auto handgun.

    When I wrapped my hand around the CZ RAMI 2075 in 9mm I knew my search was over - I found the coolest (and most comfortable) carry gun (for me) ever.
    First, the particulars from CZ-USA.
  • The CZ 2075 RAMI is a sub-compact semi-automatic based on the proven CZ 75 line of pistols distributed by CZ-USA.
  • Just like the 75, another very popular hangun, the RAMI is double action/single action, allowing it to be carried in different conditions depending on the shooter’s preferences. Several safety devices are used including a firing pin block and a manual safety.
  • Incorporating the CZ double-stack magazine design, the little RAMI ships with a 10 round flush-mount magazine and 14 round extended magazine in the 9mm Luger version, or 7 and 9 round magazines in .40 S&W. A low capacity-compliant version of the 9mm is available with two 10 round magazines.
  • With a 3-inch barrel and an unloaded weight of less than 26 ounces, the black polycoat, alloy-framed RAMI is ideal for concealed carry.
    Out-of-the-box, this pistol is extremely accurate. I'm not the world's greatest shot by any means but I was consistently putting holes in the center of my target from seven yards and most personal defense experts will tell you that it's important to be proficient from five to 10 yards.
    It's got an adjustable rear site and I did tweak it a bit, probably to compensate for my tendency to shoot low left. But other than that it was on from the get go. I was even hitting the six inch target from further out, as far as 20 yards.
    So that alone instills confidence in a person.
    Another impressive fact about the gun is that it's not that jumpy. Surprisingly, the kick is light and manageable despite the light weight of the pistol. I've owned and shot a lot of 9mm's over the years and few if any have been as smooth to shoot - especially when practicing the double tap.
    The only other gun I've shot that has been nearly as easy on the wrist was the Ruger SR9C, which compared to the RAMI is a bit more jumpy and a little too thin for my liking.
    Which brings me to my favorite part about the CZ RAMI - It's look and feel. I love how it resembles a 1911 with the dovetail and hammer and I love how solid it feels in my hand. For such a light gun, it just feels - for lack of a better word - manly.
    It's thin enough to conceal and thick enough to feel like I believe a gun should feel.
    When you grip it you know your dealing with a serious piece of weaponry. It's built solid. It looks solid. And the performance is solid.
    What more could you ask for?
    Finally, the RAMI 2075 really feels light whether you carry with the 10-round or 14-round clip. Often times the larger clip adds the kind of weight that's bothersome to me but with this gun that hasn't been the case.
    It also fits very nice in a leather holster on my side and is easily concealed with most shirts - t-shirts included - although I usually wear a longer shirt.
    Interesting side note - the RAMI fits perfectly in Ruger's SR9C leather holster.
    For the record, since I bought the gun I've run many different brands of ammunition through it - including Blazer, American Eagle and Hornaday - without a flaw. No FTE's and no FTF's.

    The downside of the gun?
    While it has removable grips finding a nice set of wood replacements has proven to be difficult. There are a couple of people overseas who make them and sell them on Ebay or other places but the prices are a little high and I have yet to come across the style I want.
    Also, I found that when you fill either the 10-round or 14-round clip, both rattle a bit. It's not extremely loud and I suppose in a public place surrounded by noise and people no one would notice. But I notice and it's irritating.
   However, in my mind, that's a small price to pay to carry such an accurate, light, tough and stylish handgun with me at almost all times.
    The CZ RAMI 2075 has a list price of $517.   

    For more information see www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-2075-rami-p/ or www.czforum.com.