CZ TS 3 Orange: Optic-Ready Competition Pistol for IPSC and USPSA

The TS 2 Orange earned its reputation as one of the most accurate and shootable steel-framed competition pistols on the market. But competition shooting moved on. IPSC Optics and USPSA Limited Optics divisions now dominate match participation, and the TS 2 was never designed with a slide-mounted optic in mind. Shooters had to send slides out for custom milling or run aftermarket plates, neither of which delivered the same integration quality as a factory solution.

CZ spent 2-3 years developing the TS 3 to address this gap directly. Rather than simply milling the existing TS 2 slide, they redesigned nearly every component: frame geometry, magwell, thumb rests, safeties, grips, hammer, and trigger. The result is a purpose-built optics-division pistol, not a retrofit. For competitive shooters who have been waiting for CZ to enter the optic-ready space with the Tactical Sport line, this is the pistol that answers that demand. If you shoot IPSC or USPSA with a competition-grade 9mm, the TS 3 Orange is designed to compete at the highest level.

The TS 3 Orange features an optics-ready interface machined directly into the slide, accepting Trijicon RMR, Shield RMSc, Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, and Holosun-K footprint sights without adapter plates. Direct mounting eliminates the added weight and potential failure point of plate-based systems. The optic sits lower on the slide, keeping the dot closer to the bore axis for faster acquisition during transitions.

This is the feature that defines the TS 3's reason for existing. CZ specifically targeted IPSC Optics and USPSA Limited Optics divisions, where a factory-integrated optic mount is no longer optional. Competitors who run aftermarket milling risk inconsistent machining tolerances, warranty voiding, and suboptimal optic height. The TS 3 eliminates all of that. For shooters who prefer iron sights, a fiber optic front sight and fully adjustable rear sight are included, and the pistol remains division-legal without an optic.

The TS 3 frame is machined from a single solid piece of steel, with deeper undercuts beneath both the trigger guard and beavertail. This allows the shooter to seat the hand higher on the grip, reducing muzzle rise per shot. A higher grip position directly translates to faster split times in competition. For IPSC Optics shooters running major power factor loads, that improvement in recoil management compounds across an entire stage.

The magwell received a complete overhaul: wider, longer, and with a flared transition that eliminates the stepped ledge of the TS 2. The magazine release is now adjustable to five different positions for fast, controlled reloads. G10 composite grips replace the previous aluminum panels, with updated geometry and serrations for a firmer hold. The redesigned thumb rest sits higher with a steeper profile, eliminating contact between the support thumb and the slide. The manual safety matches the 25-degree thumb rest angle for natural support-hand placement. Left-handed shooters get a right-side thumb rest available as an accessory, and the manual safety is fully mirrored.

The TS 3 Orange runs a single-action-only trigger with adjustable take-up and overtravel, breaking at approximately 1.3 lbs (6 N). Trigger travel measures 3-4 mm with a 3-4 mm reset. Every TS 3 Orange is hand-fitted by an experienced gunsmith, and the polished cold hammer forged bull barrel with a new crown design delivers match-grade accuracy that reflects that level of individual attention. For competition shooters who stage triggers during precision shots or ride the reset during rapid strings, the TS 3 trigger is a meaningful step forward.

The redesigned slide features aggressive cocking serrations and optimized weight-relief cuts, riding on full-length frame rails with tight tolerances from hand fitting. The slide wears CZ's BoBox nitriding finish for corrosion resistance regardless of range conditions. Magazine capacity remains at 20+1, keeping the TS 3 Orange compliant with IPSC Standard and Optics division capacity rules. If you are building a competition-focused pistol setup from our catalog, the TS 3 represents a ready-to-compete platform that needs little more than an optic and magazines to take to a match.

CZ maintained backward compatibility as a design priority. Most TS 2 upgrade kits, springs, trigger shoes, and safeties fit the TS 3 directly. Shooters who have invested in aftermarket TS 2 parts can transfer their preferred modifications without starting from scratch. This is a smart move from CZ: the TS 2 has an established ecosystem of competition aftermarket support, and breaking that compatibility would have been a significant barrier to adoption.

The development timeline, approximately 2-3 years of focused engineering, reflects the scope of changes. CZ did not rush a milled-slide variant to market. Every redesigned component went through the competition shooting feedback loop, with Grauffel and other CZ team shooters providing direct input. The TS 3 is the product of that iterative process, not a cosmetic refresh. For context on how competition pistol upgrades affect performance, see our AR-15 trigger guide.

The CZ TS 3 Orange fills the gap that competitive shooters have been asking CZ to address since optics divisions became the dominant format in IPSC and USPSA. A factory optic-ready Tactical Sport, built from the ground up for a slide-mounted dot, is exactly the product this market segment needed. The universal optic cut supporting four major footprints without plates is a strong engineering choice that keeps the system simple and lightweight.

At an estimated $2,000-2,100, the TS 3 Orange positions itself in the same tier as the Tanfoglio Stock III Xtreme and CZ's own Czechmate, but with a more focused mission: dominate optics divisions with a single, refined package. The backward compatibility with TS 2 parts lowers the switching cost for existing CZ competition shooters, and the Grauffel endorsement is not just marketing. When a nine-time world champion says the trigger is “exactly what I need,” the engineering team delivered. Check how the CZ P13 Bundeswehr contract further validates CZ's current momentum as a firearms manufacturer.