A base pad is the bottom plate of a magazine. It closes the magazine body and holds the spring and the locking plate inside. With a new base pad you can add rounds to your CZ magazine, make it heavier so it drops free faster, protect it when it hits the ground, or make it pass through a magwell. You can choose from original CZ base pads and from pads by Toni System, Eemann Tech, Armanov, KMR, Boss Components, Ascalon Arms, Manul, Strike Industries and Position 7.
Choose by magazine, not only by pistol
A base pad fits a magazine body. CZ pistols that share one magazine family also share base pads. This means one base pad often fits several CZ models. The Shadow 2, CZ 75, CZ 75 SP-01, SP-01 Shadow and P-01 magazines take the same base pads. The P-10C, P-10F and P-10S share their base pads too, and several of these pads also fit the P-07 and P-09. The CZ P-10M is the exception, it needs its own base pad. Other examples of shared base pads:
- TS 2 base pads also fit the CZ 75 Tactical Sports.
- P-09 Nocturne base pads fit both the P-09C Nocturne and the P-09F Nocturne.
- CZ 457 base pads also fit .22 LR magazines of the CZ 455, CZ 452, CZ 453 and CZ 512.
Base pads for your model:
Magwell compatible or not
A magwell widens the opening of the grip, so you reload faster. The base pad must pass into the magwell, so its shape matters. That is why each base pad is marked as one of two types:
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Magwell compatible: the pad is shaped to enter the magwell. Choose it when your pistol has a magwell.
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Magwell non-compatible: the pad is for a pistol without a magwell.
On the CZ Shadow 2 and CZ 75 family the factory base pads are not compatible with a magwell. If you add a magwell to one of these pistols, you also need new base pads. Each model collection is split into both types, so you see only the pads that work with your setup. You find magwells in Magwells.
More rounds in the magazine
Many base pads add rounds. The number is in the product name, for example "+2 rounds". Depending on your model, you can get:
- from +0.5 to +8 rounds on Shadow 2, CZ 75 and SP-01 magazines,
- from +1 to +8 rounds on TS 2 magazines,
- from +0.5 to +5 rounds on P-10 magazines,
- +5 rounds on Scorpion Evo 3 magazines,
- 2 to 3 rounds on CZ 457 .22 LR magazines, with an extended spring included.
If you want only magwell fit or extra weight, you can also choose pads that keep the original capacity.
The gain can depend on the magazine size. For example, the Ascalon Arms pad adds +4 rounds on a P-10 size C magazine and typically +3 rounds on size F and S magazines. A large extension usually needs a longer magazine spring, which you find in Springs. If you shoot competitions, check the magazine length rules of your division. Toni System makes a +1.5 round pad for the Shadow 2 and CZ 75 family that is made for the IPSC box.
Materials
The material decides how heavy the magazine is and how well it survives drops.
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Aluminium gives you a light and rigid pad. Most base pads are aluminium, made by CZ, Toni System, KMR, Armanov, Ascalon Arms and Manul. The Ascalon pads are CNC machined from 7075 aluminium with a hard anodized finish. According to CZ, their aluminium Shadow 2 series pad improves the weight distribution and slightly reduces felt recoil.
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Brass gives you the heaviest pad. The extra weight helps an empty magazine drop free. Brass pads come from CZ, Eemann Tech and Boss Components.
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Polymer keeps the magazine light. Polymer pads come from CZ, Strike Industries and Ascalon Arms (PA12). Position 7 makes a PETG pad for the CZ 457.
The pads are made in the Czech Republic (CZ, KMR, Ascalon Arms, Manul, Position 7), Italy (Toni System), Slovenia (Armanov), Estonia (Eemann Tech), Australia (Boss Components) and the US (Strike Industries).
Locking plate
The locking plate sits on top of the magazine spring and holds the base pad in place. If yours is worn or lost, you can replace it with the steel locking plate for CZ magazines from Eemann Tech. It also works with aftermarket base pads that have no other locking system, such as a fixing screw.
Installation
You can change a base pad at home without a gunsmith. On most CZ pistol magazines a small punch is all you need.
- Unload the magazine.
- Push the locking plate up through the hole in the base pad.
- Slide the base pad off the magazine body. Hold the spring with your thumb, because it is under tension.
- Slide the new base pad on until the locking plate snaps into its hole.
- Load the magazine and check that it seats and drops free.
Some pads have their own lock. The Armanov TS 2 pad comes off when you push its bottom plate. The Ascalon pads come apart for cleaning without tools.
Related collections
New base pads often go together with a magwell or stronger springs. See Magwells and Springs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the base pads on my CZ magazines at home?
Yes. On most CZ pistol magazines you need only a small punch.
- Unload the magazine.
- Push the locking plate through the hole in the base pad.
- Slide the old pad off and hold the spring.
- Slide the new pad on until the locking plate snaps in.
Then check that the magazine seats and drops free.
Do I need new base pads when I add a magwell to my CZ?
Yes, on the CZ Shadow 2 and CZ 75 family. Their factory base pads are not compatible with a magwell. Choose a pad marked magwell compatible in the collection for your model.
Do base pads from one CZ model fit another CZ model?
Yes, if both pistols use the same magazine family. The Shadow 2, CZ 75, CZ 75 SP-01, SP-01 Shadow and P-01 share base pads. The P-10C, P-10F and P-10S share base pads too, and several of them also fit the P-07 and P-09. The TS 2, Scorpion Evo 3 and CZ 457 have their own.
Which material should I choose for my CZ base pads?
It depends on what you need.
- Choose brass if you want the most weight, so empty magazines drop free.
- Choose aluminium if you want a rigid pad with less weight.
- Choose polymer if you want to keep the magazine light.
