[Nightcrawler]

Before I start, I want to say that by all accounts, my experience with this pistol is a fluke. Most other owners have reported much more success than I have.

I've had my CZ-97 since June of last year. In that time I've put at least a couple thousand rounds of hardball ammo of various types, breaking it in to the point where it simply never jams with that ammunition. It's also very accurate, the fit and finish are top notch, and it has a smooth, sweet SA/DA trigger.

However, I simply can NOT get the thing to feed hollow point ammunition.

Winchester 185grn Silvertips: One or two Failures to Feed per box.

Trition 450SMC 230grn JHP: One or two FTFs per box.

Corbon 230grn JHP +P: Doesn't even want to chamber.

Remington Golden Sabre 230grn +P: 1 FTF in a box of 25 I fired today.

Federal Personal Protection 165grn JHP: Can't recall, don't think it jammed in the box of 20 I fired today.

I might have tried a couple other brands, but can't recall; don't have the best selection around here. In any case, the pistol doesn't give me any trouble with Wolf, but it chokes on premium JHP ammunition.

Since I've been so satisfied with it in every other way, I don't know what to do.

Should I sell/trade it, or send it in to CZ-USA for a possible repair? It's simply too picky about JHP ammo as is, and sadly, that's unacceptable.

[pale horse]

Have a gunsmith throat the barrel. But you know that the CZ97B is meant to ball ammo run through it not jhp.

[Erich]

Shoot, it sounds like you like it, and from everything I've read about the CZ-97 you're right to like it. Why not just get some of that expanding hardball stuff they make for NJ residents if you feel that you must have your ammo expand bigger than .451 (which some people might hold is already plenty big)?

[Nightcrawler]

It's not I think I need JHP ammunition for self defense, though I do worry about the liability involved should one of my rounds overpenetrate. It's just that, well, a modern pistol SHOULD feed factory JHP ammo. If Glock, HK, Sig, Ruger, and others can do it why shouldn't my CZ be able to?

You know, my other choices were a Springfield Mil-Spec and a Ruger KP90. Don't know about the Springfield, but I'll bet I wouldn't be typing this right now had I got the Ruger. Springfield...who knows. Lotsa people don't have any luck with entry-level 1911s, others do. Hard to say without testing one.

[Justin]

But you know that the CZ97B is meant to ball ammo run through it not jhp. Um, do you have a source for this?

[Sactown]

If you contact CZ-USA they will tell you that only ball ammo is recommended. I've read this on different forums regarding the 97.

[George Hill]

Call CZ-USA and talk to Mike, the head (only?) gunsmith there.

He will take care of you. He can do a throat and polish job on it and it will run just fine.

[Nightcrawler]

I emailed CZ-USA today. I'll probably call monday. Hopefully, I can get it to work. I REALLY like the CZ-97 pistol.

[caz223]

Have you tried pow'rball?

[goon]

One of my shooting buddies just got a '97. He works at a gunshop, and has alot of communications with people at CZ. He told me that none of the CZ handguns are taylored for HP bullets. Something about HP bullets not being legal in most countries where CZ's are sold. Anyhow, I would think that CZ would be able to polish it to work with HP bullets if anyone could. Many gunsmiths aren't familiar with CZ pistols, so I would be careful about which smith you take it to unless you send it back to CZ.
It really isn't a matter of CZ not being able to make them work with HP, it is a matter of no one demanding it.
What I don't understand is why they don't make their smaller handguns that are taylored to CCW to work with HP bullets. I know that most, if not all that I have heard of do, but they aren't really designed to. We just get lucky.

As far as the Springfield, I can give you personal experience on that one. My new Mil-Spec is as reliable as a claw hammer. Unfortunately, it was also as accurate as one when I first got it.
I have had it to a local smith three times to have the rear sight drifted, and I have done a significant amount of filing on the front sight. I can finally hit within about 4 inches of where I am aiming. It still needs a little work.
If you buy a Springfield, expect to work on it.
I would give CZ a chance. Their rep for customer service is top notch.

[cratz2]

It is troubling that it won't even feed the 230 Gr Golden Sabers. I've honestly found them to feed 100% as reliably as smoothly as ball ammo in all my guns. Even my bad colt 1991A1 that wouldn't feed one round of the notoriously prro-feeding 200 Gr Gold Dots fed the 230 Golden Saber just fine. :(

The 97 is a very nice, smooth gun if a bit on the large side. It's one of those guns that isn't too expensive but just seems to reek of quality.

By the way, is this your only centerfire handgun?

[Nightcrawler]

I've been thinking. I just like the CZ-97 to give up on it just yet. A trip back to CZ-USA may well be in order, but I'm willing to give that a shot first.

It's not my only handgun. I've got two Smith N-Frames to keep my company. It is my only autoloader, though.

[CZ-75]

You need a Makarov to keep you company while your CZ is out for repair.

[Marko Kloos]

He works at a gunshop, and has alot of communications with people at CZ. He told me that none of the CZ handguns are taylored for HP bullets.

Both my CZ-75s have never had an issue feeding HP ammo.

[Mal H]

My 97B did have some problems with JHP's at the beginning. I don't like to send off a gun when the operation required is so simple. It was obvious from examining the barrel that a little polishing of the feed ramp with a Dremel polishing wheel was in order. The ramp is now shiny and slick and it did the trick. The pistol feeds Fed Hydra-Shoks flawlessly and also some reloads with a 155 gr. pointed SWC (very short rounds for .45 ACP). I haven't tried Cor-bons, so they might be another story.

[PCRCCW]

Great thread....Id keep it for a while and play with, if it were me.

One thing about the 97B or just the CZ large frame platform regarding the 45 ACP chambering. The feedramp is a tad steep for the 45 ACP. Normally, as has been stated already, most will feed anything you can put in the mag. But heres the deal...3 problems arrise with the 97B, as I can determine from many discussions with the CZForum.

1) Due to the steeper feedramp, OAL of the bullets seem to be more critical for proper feeding as compared to other 45's. The rounds cant be to long or they jam..they can make the arc from the mag, up the feedramp into the chamber.

2) If the feedramp isnt smooth..it is more likely to give you problems....it just aggrevates #1...or amplifies it.

3) Inconsistant spring tension in CZ OEM springs. Everyone who is a true ComBlock gun dude/dudet knows the spring quality and consistancy at times isnt there. Wolff recoil and main springs in OEM Weights help alot....again a weak recoil spring can amplify problem #1...and if #2 is effecting it slightly, you will assuredly have feeding problems.

I would cover these bases first and go from there.....just my opinion.

Shoot well.

[Island Beretta]

Early CZs and BHP were known for occasionally hanging up on HPs. This happened in the early days for both designs but recent models do not show the problem due to improved feed ramp surface and throating. Get this checked out.

Check your springs and magazine also as sometimes these give out on the CZ (the Witness shows this also).

Finally, Nightcrawler, I have noticed that you said you have only one autoloader. I simply would be amiss if I did not suggest that you pick up a .45 in the Sig, HK or Beretta line, unless of course you definitely need something along the 1911 line. No problems there, though pricier than the CZ. ;)

[goon]

Both my CZ-75s have never had an issue feeding HP ammo.

Mine hasn't either.
There are old 1911's and BHP's out there that weren't made for HP bullets that will still feed them anyway.
It is my understanding that this can just be attributed to the inherent reliability of the CZ-75.
Also, are your CZ's 9mm's?
There are those who claim the te 9mmx19 is inherently more feed reliable than most other rounds because of its relatively small size and slight taper. Combine that with the long feed ramp of a CZ, and it almost has to work.

[mbott]

Silvertips were the first HP ammo that I ran through my CZ 97B and I haven't had a problem at all with them. I've probably put about 900 of them through my 97B without one failure. However, my favorite .45 load is plain old 230 gr. ball ammo.

--
Mike

[Chuck Dye]

Have you investigated magazine tuning? Never had anything to do with CZ's, but my much used and much borrowed copy of Kuhnhausen's book on the 1911, if stood on its spine and allowed to open by gravity, opens to the magazine tuning section. Might be worth looking into for the CZ.

[PAshooter]

I selected Federal's EFMJ as my "social round of choice" and my 97B will fire this "truncated cone" bullet all day long without a hiccup. Haven't tried any of the wide mouth hollow points.

The problem I've had is that the slide won't lock back on an empty mag. Locks open just fine if I manually rack the slide with an empty mag, but not when firing. I plan to return the gun to CZ-USA for a fix. Other than this (something that hopefully they can fix) I love the feel, fit, and finish of this gun.

[Nightcrawler]

You know, I can huff an puff about the CZ not liking JHP ammo, but I think I really like the pistol too much to sell. It was my first "quality" pistol, you know. My first pistol was a 4" Charles Daly 1911, that I bought as a private sale when I was 18. The guide rod broke after a few hundred rounds, I never shot it much, and sold it after a year.

Plus, I like the CZ company. They have a nice, wide lineup of pistols, and from all accounts the Czech Republic is a cool country.

With any luck, I can send it in to CZ-USA for a throat and polish. While they're at it, maybe they can install an ambi safety for a Witness .45 on there, too, so I can properly utilize the locked/cocked carry option.

If I can't get it to eat JHP ammo...ah, hell. Buffalo Bore (http://www.buffalobore.com) makes +P FMJ .45ACP ammunition. :evil:

[CZF]

Yes, you would be sorry if you sold your big CZ. I'm forced to sell
mine, but thats a different story.

Regarding your plight with hollow-points.
Get ahold of FEG. I think he has had a most positive experience
with using 230 gr Gold Dots in his 97B.

[PCRCCW]

The CZUSA throat and polish is a good idea..even though you cant throat it...just polish the feed ramp. The witness safety isnt a simple swap...the spring ball indents have to be done....its not a drop in conversion...Call and talk to Mike at CZUSA...he can fill you in.
shoot well