LTC holders across the Bay State keep asking about new striker guns, and CZ's DUTY 4.0 is the one to know about this year. It is a 9x19mm service pistol with a serialized modular chassis, a fiberglass-reinforced polymer frame and a direct-mount optics-ready slide over fixed sights. The 4-inch barrel is not threaded, overall length is 7.4 inches, and the SFDA trigger pulls at about 5.6 pounds.

CZ offers the C compact at 135 mm tall and the F full-size at 143 mm, and each comes with or without a manual thumb safety, the MS models. For buyers from Boston, Quincy and Lynn out to Worcester, Springfield and Northampton, the practical questions are roster status and configuration, and your dealer answers both before anything ships. As a new release, it is worth asking your dealer early so you are first in line if and when it is cleared.

Three things define the DUTY 4.0. First, a serialized modular chassis: the serialized part is inside, the polymer grip around it is modular. Second, the trigger, a striker SFDA rated at 25 ± 4 N (5.6 ± 0.9 lbs), 4 mm (0.16 in) reset, 9 ± 1 mm (0.4 ± 0.04 in) travel, which is short and repeatable for a service pistol. Third, a direct-mount optics-ready slide, shown by CZ with Holosun, Aimpoint and Shield dots fitted, so a optic sits low without a stack of plates.

The F is the full-frame frame: 143 mm (5.6 in) tall, 780 g (27.7 oz) with an empty magazine, 17+1 rounds of 9mm on board and 19+1 with the extended floor plate. The longer grip fills a big hand and settles the gun between shots.

A manual safety is the one thing that separates this model from its sibling. It sits beside the three automatic safeties, firing pin block, trigger safety and trigger-bar safety, and does not change the trigger pull.

Best fit: the belt, the nightstand and the range; the version to buy if you rarely need to hide the gun. Shooters coming from a CZ 75 will recognize the grip angle; buyers coming from any other striker gun will notice the trigger first.

A handgun in Massachusetts needs a License to Carry, issued by your local police licensing authority, so have your LTC before you order. Handguns transferred by a Massachusetts dealer must be on the state roster and meet the Attorney General's regulations; your dealer confirms the DUTY 4.0's status before we ship. Ammunition ships to the licensed Massachusetts dealer you pick, for pickup with your LTC or FID, while optics and most parts ship to your door.

Questions buyers ask: Is the CZ DUTY 4.0 on the Massachusetts roster? It is a new release, so ask your dealer. Handguns transferred by a Massachusetts dealer must be on the state roster and meet the Attorney General's regulations, and your dealer confirms that before we ship. Do I need an LTC or an FID for this pistol? A License to Carry. The FID card covers most rifles and shotguns; handguns in Massachusetts require the LTC, issued by your local police licensing authority. Is the CZ DUTY 4.0 F MS the same gun as the F? Yes, apart from the manual thumb safety. Chassis, trigger, slide and the 17+1 capacity are identical.