First introduced in 1975, it is one of the original "wonder nines" and features a staggered-column magazine, all-steel construction, and a hammer forged barrel.

However following the 1948 communist coup d'état, all heavy industry was nationalized and was (at least officially) cut off from its Western export market behind the Iron Curtain.

[2] Although the model was developed for export purposes (the standard pistol cartridge of the Czechoslovak armed forces was the Soviet 7.62×25mm Tokarev, which was later replaced with the Warsaw Pact standard 9mm Makarov pistol cartridge), Koucký's domestic patents regarding the design were classified as "secret patents".

[2] The increasing popularity of the IPSC competitions in the Czech Republic led to inception of CZUB's factory team in 1992.

The design was further modified (i.e. the adjustable weights were eliminated, a new compensator was developed), however its main shortcoming of the same capacity as the standard CZ 75 magazines (15/16 in 9mm, 12 in .40 S&W) remained.

[4] The popular ST version was further developed mostly with aim of prolonging its lifespan, which led to introduction of CZ 75 TS (Tactical Sports) in 2005.

As of 2013, the model is used by the CZUB's factory shooters in the IPSC Standard division, with a custom-made version CZ 75 Tactical Sports Open being also available.

CZUB claims that its factory shooter Martin Kameníček had shot 150,000 rounds through the gun in five years, in which time he only needed to change the barrel once in order to maintain precision.

An enclosed cam track integral with the barrel is actuated by the slide release lever's transverse pin.

[6] Unlike most other semi-auto pistols, the CZ 75's slide rides inside its frame rails rather than outside, similar to the SIG P210.

Starting in 1980, CZUB modified the design by lengthening the slide rails to 140mm, transitioned to lower cost cast frames, and introduced a "half-cock" safety notch on the hammer to prevent it from inadvertently striking the firing pin during manual manipulation.