[Grayrider]

Gents,

Just picked up a CZ-97B. I finally gave in after a long struggle to resist the urge. First impressions out of the box are very positive. Despite hearing that the gun is quite large, I find that it is not. Odd so many think so. It is roughly the size of a 1911 but a bit thinner. I will have to lay it next to one this evening and see how it compares. The double action trigger is too far forward, but I think this is due to it being a bit too curved. CZ should have gone with a somewhat straighter trigger. The pull is very smooth for DA, and fairly light if somewhat sloppy for SA. I will have that attended to later. I don't like the sights, but then I hate dot sights so those will have to go. The fit and finish is superb. I definately like the way it handles. This gun strikes one as perhaps what would occur if you mated a 1911 with a CZ-75. Or perhaps if the Witness 45 was made well, this is what one would get. It is certainly an interesting pistol. I hope it shoots as well as I keep hearing.

A couple questions for anyone in the know. Are there other trigger options out there? I would like to keep it double action, but may have to go SA only if there is not a replacement trigger. Either that or get used to it.

Will the Champion or IPSC ST safety fit? I like the flatter shelf of those pistol safeties. Sights, trigger, and grips from Hakan--that will make quite a package.

GR

[DMK]

It is roughly the size of a 1911 but a bit thinner.:confused: You mean thicker no? The '97 is a double stack.

[Grayrider]

No, thinner. Doublestack doesn't necessarily mean a thicker pistol. For example the various polymer hi-cap 1911s are thinner than a standard 1911. Grip panel thickness and the cuts in the frame factor in. However, by thinner I mainly was referring to the overall thickness--slide and frame included. This gun has a slimmer feeling profile. I need to get it home compare them side by side, though. The grip may not be that different in thickness.

Oh if only this were made in 10mm. The mags exist already in the form of Witness 10mm mags. So little to change. Are you listening CZ!!!

GR

[DMK]

Hmm, that's interesting. Not what I would have thought at all.

I know my CZ-40B is appreciably thicker than my 1911, even at the slide. I'll have to compare my CZ-75 also.

[Sean Smith]

It is roughly the size of a 1911 but a bit thinner.

Get out the tape measure and check again. ;)

For example the various polymer hi-cap 1911s are thinner than a standard 1911.

No they aren't. Only possible exception is a Wilson KZ-45, which isn't a true double-stack gun.

[Rangegod]

I’ve always found it interesting that people think the 97B is huge. Maybe it’s the full-length dust cover (sort of LB Monolith look). I have measured and compared every grip and frame dimension on both the 97B and my Sig 220. I found that with the exception of trigger reach they are virtually identical. This is impressive considering the 220 is a single stack gun. I basically consider the 97Bs’ trigger reach to be a non-issue, as the CZ is designed to carry at the half cock and can be carried C&L, either of which overcomes the problem.

JAC

[tiberius]

I'm glad that you perceive it to be so slim, as perception is what really matters, IMHO, in a pistol. When you get around to actually measuring, however, you will find that that CZ97 has a thinner slide than the 1911, but the 1911 has a thinner frame and grip than the CZ.

[George Hill]

http://www.madogre.com/Interviews/CZ97B_Review.htm

One of these days I will get another one. Next time it will be a brightly blued one with Hakan grips... and will ride in an HBE holster.

Great handgun. The most accurate I have ever fired. Period.

[Correia]

I sold George that CZ-97, (well actually it was a rather complcated 4 way trade, but that is a long story).

The CZ was a fine gun, but the grip and frame was wider than a standard 1911. The slide was close, but I was mostly paying attention to the biggest part.

[PCRCCW]

Oh boy...oh boy....(tail wagging :rolleyes: ) another CZ thread.......yee haa!

The size and dimensions of the gun are very confusing to most. Where I find it very large is in the front to rear thickness of the grip. It feels HUGE to me in that dimension, even though it isnt. Hey....its me, so what do you expect? :D

They are a runner. Honestly, Walts 97 I had, was as accurate as my clients Sig 220ST and my STI/Kimber/Custom SA bla bla bla....very accurate.

The Trigger question is answered...yes, you can get a PO1 trigger for it and its a recurve style...it will bring the trigger closer to the grip....

Some have even converted them to SA Only with great results..........

The CZ75 SA/ 75 IPSC safety levers will go right on it..or should without much of a hiccup. I prefer them also...I like the way they swipe off better than the OEM wittle wons. :D

You should be able to get the recurved trigger/new safety levers from CZUSA..call and talk to MIKE...he's the dude in the know! Gun smith and parts chaser.

Hakan is the guy for grips and just a gentleman in his own right. Buy his stuff....you will absolutely not regret it.

I think I know a guy who makes holsters or something for those guns also..............ya....whatever!

Enjoy it........and Shoot well..

[Grayrider]

I got it home and did some comparing. The grip by eye is almost identical in thickness to the 1911 (in this case my Dan Wesson PM10). If it is indeed thicker, it cannot be by more than a fraction of an inch. The perceived thinness I noted at first is in fact (as mentioned above) due to the slide having more of a taper at the top. Interesting. Dimensionally it is very similar to a 1911, but notably has a much longer grip top to bottom. By the way my Bul M-5 was in fact thinner in the grip than my 1911s IF you count grip panels. Perhaps I should have made that clearer in my comments above. Of course that is excluding the flare at the bottom of the Bul grip. In the case of the doublestack 1911s, I think it is the circumfrance that makes people think they are much larger. There is far less a taper at the front and back edge of the grip due to the wider magazine. The same affects the feel of the 97. I like it, though. Much the same as my IPSC ST.

PCCRW had the answers I needed. Thanks! The trigger is growing on me, but a little less curve would be nice for the DA pull. I also note I have the slide with FCS, as opposed to the 97 shown on CZ-USA's web site that lacks them. Is that an older design?

Glad you guys kept posting how great these pistols are. You talked me into it!

GR

[CZF]

A lot of people have been wanting a 97B in 10mm for a long time now.
Only if Bar-Sto decides to make 10mm tubes, will we ever see such.

A compact .45 ACP or .40 97B would be a better option.

I tend to shoot more 10mm and 9mm than .45 ACP.
My beautiful CZ .45 just sits in it's gun rug.

My Witness is not as slick as my 97B. They are about the
same size, with the CZ a bit bigger in most areas.

The action on your gun will smooth out with use. Mine
is super silky in DA and very crisp in SA.

The 97B is too big/heavy for most to conceal everday. It's niche
is for competition like IDPA, or general target shooting. Few
people have ever tested the 97B with a wide variety of ammo.
In 1998 Handguns testing showed a 1 1/4 inch group with PMC
hardball!

Glossy blue with MMC adjustable nites and Hakanized grips.
I doubt if i'll ever get my asking price. So a CZ safe queen it
remains.

My HBE Holster for the P-01 fit my 97B quite perfectly, if a bit short.

Glad to hear that more people are turning to the 97B.
Let us know how it shoots!!

[PCRCCW]

GrayRider,
Ok...Ill confess. CZ's arent that great....so in all honesty and fairness, I feel partially responsible for your purchase. Ill repent and give you 100$ for it...just because Im a nice guy :scrutiny: Hey, I was raised right..you know? :rolleyes:

Uh huh.....er....whatever! :D

Let us know how it shoots. If your local, Ive got a deal on some 45 ammo if you want it?

Shoot well..............

[Grayrider]

I plan to hit the range next weekend. Meanwhile a call to CZ USA is in order. I am in Missouri, so turn around to them would be quick. I may just see what it would cost to have them do the installs.

Hakan is a true gentleman, that is for certain. I was on his list to have him do a set of grips for my 75B in 40, but may have to switch to the 97. Of course I could just have him do both...

:D

GR

[Lightsped]

I bought a CZ-97B back in 98 or 99. Mine is a older model without the slide serations on the front. My 97B is done in the flat black finish (polycoat?).

My CZ-97B is probally one of the mose accurate guns I own. Highly accurate and definately overbuilt. You don't feel like this gun is delicate.

Question:
Does anyone here have a CZ-97B with the gold/silver "Kansas City, KS USA" text on the right side of the frame? I think this text really takes away from the gun's looks. Is there anyway to remove this text? It appears as if was stamped onto the gun, not etched. I could be wrong though. See the text below.

http://www.neospeed.org/images/mycz-97b.jpg

[tiberius]

Rangegod says:
I basically consider the 97Bs’ trigger reach to be a non-issue, as the CZ is designed to carry at the half cock....
Where do you get this from? The half cock notch is a safety mechanism, but is not intended to be used as a carry method. The CZ should only be carried C&L or with the hammer completely down.

[Walt Sherrill]

Hey, Tiberius:

The CZ isn't a 1911!!

The CZ decocker models decock to half-cock mode. That's the way they are supposed to be carried. (There's really no way to decock to full hammer down, without unloading the gun and pulling the trigger.)

The sears in the decocker models are the standard sears that have been narrowed to accomodate the decocker mechanism. Because of the narrowing, they are marginally less strong than the sears in the non-decocker models. The only difference between them is the mod to make room for the decocker linkage.

While its probably not correct to say the original gun was designed to be carried at half-cock -- the earliest model didn't have a decock mode -- it is absolutely correct to say that the DECOCKER models were designed to be carried that way.

Given that, and given that the non-decocker versions have more robust sears than the decocker versions, we can infer that they are at least as safe as the decocker versions, when carried at half cock.

And doing so lightens the weight of the first DA pull by about a pound.

[tiberius]

Interesting. I am not familiar with the decockers at all as I think they are uncessary mechanisms (I can decock my own darn hammer thank you:)) and remove one of the best features of the CZs - namely C&L carry. I assume that the decocker decocks to the half cock position as a safety consideration to prevent any chance of the hammer striking the firing pin during this process.

My statment of it being "unsafe" was indeed probably an overstatement as it is no more "unsafe" than a Glock is. I do still see it as "less safe" mode though do to the lightening and shortening of the trigger pull, but this is not a big deal if normal safe gun handelling is used.

[Walt Sherrill]

I was still amending my earlier reply, above, while you were responding.

But we agree on decocker models.... I prefer the standard models, with the ability to carry hammer down, half-cocked, and cocked and locked, and use mine that way in IDPA.

(I have four CZs and a Witness, none with a decocker.)

[tiberius]

The more I think about it, the more I think that I'm gonna have to experiment with the half cock option on my 75B. I do come from the 1911 "school" and originally came to the CZ-75 for a Wondernine alternative with a similar manaul of arms to my beloved .45's.

[Grayrider]

Tiberius, I share your experience. I too was drawn to the CZ as a means of getting a wondernine that had the same manual of arms I have grown to love on the 1911. I suspect there are a lot of 1911/CZ fans out there. Over time I have grown a little less comfortable with C&L carry on guns that don't have grip safeties. Perhaps I should not be. Even if I don't carry it that way I like having the option of putting the safety on while keeping the gun cocked.

This half-cock discussion has been informative as well. It certainly improves the trigger on the 97 a bit.

GR

[cz75bdneos22]

Aha!!
another one joins the club...:neener:
enjoy your CZ..

[tiberius]

Over time I have grown a little less comfortable with C&L carry on guns that don't have grip safeties.

This is one of the reasons that I actually LIKE the firing pin block in the "series 80" Colts and "B" series CZs for carry weapons. The small degradation in trigger pull is inconsequential in a combat pistol IMHO. I think the trigger activated firing pin block is considerably more effective than the grip safety in general as it also prevents AD when the pistol ois dropped on its muzzle.

[Matthew_Q]

Great. Just freaking great guys. Dangit! Now I WANT ONE. I don't have the budget for it, but I WANT ONE!!!

I had contemplated getting a 97 instead of the 75 I did get... and I love my 75... but now the 97 is calling out to me... BUY ME!! BUY ME!!

I need to quit hanging out on these boards... my wallet is going to be hurting!!

[Rangegod]

Walt Sherrill,

Thanks Walt, you saved me alot of typing.

JAC

[George Hill]

Matthew_Q - You have no idea... These guns are so accurate it's not even funny... not only that, but the triggers are amazing. Top these off with the fact that the gun feels so dang good in the hand and it shoots like a pussy cat with even hot loads...
You don't WANT one of these...
You NEED one of these!

[Walt Sherrill]

I had meant to mention the Firing Pin Block when I replied, but neglected to do so. That's a lot more important than the half-cock notch as a safety feature. And, happily, the Firing Pin Block is NOT a deterrent to a good trigger.

With a properly tuned weapon -- a good trigger job and having the gunsmith polish the firing pin block plunger (in the slide) -- its almost impossible to detect the presence of the firing pin block.

I have a really fine pre-B CZ-75 (no firing pin block) with an extraordinary DA and SA trigger. I also have a very nice CZ-85 Combat (which does not have a firing pin block). And a couple of other CZ (and other handguns)

But the best trigger on any of my pistols (except for an old S&W 52-2) is the trigger on my CZ-75B SA, obtained from PCRCCW. The firing pin block is still in place on that gun, but I defy you to "feel" it when using the trigger. That gun's trigger breaks like glass. (So does my pre-B, but that trigger is heavier.)

The only downside to the firing pin block is that you shouldn't dry fire these guns a lot, until you upgrade the old firing pin retention roll pin with one of the new "doubled" roll pins now installed in new guns, or get a modified firing pin (available from J.R. Farrar, a gunsmith who frequents the CZ Forum.

[link]http://www.jrfarrar.com[/line]

In the meantime, use a snap cap.

(I dry fired my CZ-75B thousands of times without problem, but dry-fired my CZ-40B only a few hundred times before the retention pin broke. Happily, you can find one that will work in any hardware store --you don't have to wait for one to be shipped to you. I later installed the JR's firing pin in the 75B, and traded it away when I got the CZ-85 Combat.)

[Matthew_Q]

Dangit George! You're not helping!!!

You have me thinking about selling my 1911 now!!! AHHH!!!!!

[Grayrider]

Now, now--lets not get hasty. Keep the 1911. There will continue to be 97s, and you will come up with the money one of these days. I like my CZs a lot, but they are still second to my 1911s. You should have both if you like both.

:D

GR

[Matthew_Q]

yeah, but my 1911 isn't very accurate...

[Grayrider]

Ahh....well then perhaps so.

GR

[Matthew_Q]

Must.... avoid..... CZ .....topics........ will .... end......up......... selling...... everything....to .... obtain.........

[Lightsped]

So no one here has the annoying "CZ USA Kanasas City, KS" text on the right side of the slide? And no one has any idea how to easily and safely remove it without damaging the gun?

[Walt Sherrill]

One forum member, I think it was PCRCCW, suggested fine-tipped permanent magic marker.

That ought to work just fine.

[Mal H]

Lightsped, My 97B has the gold "CZ USA Kansas City, KS" marking also (bought mid year '99). I guess it never really bothered me, sort of like the way Ruger has the entire 20 page owners manual stamped on the barrel of their guns. I would never ask to have it there, but it doesn't bother me a lot. Anyway, just for the heck of it, I tried the suggestion Walt just mentioned a few minutes ago. It seemed to work well. The marking is a lot less noticeable now. It'll probably show again after a few cleanings.

[Lightsped]

How fine of a marker are you using to cover up the shiney distributor text? Do you actually have to trace the letters one by one, or are you just covering the immediate area with the marker? I just don't want to screw up my most accurate pistol. Actually, I may just leave things as is. Not sure yet.

Thanks

[PCRCCW]

Mathew_Q....

Listen to the sound of my ...er...typing, your eyes are getting heavy....CZ's will take you over and thats just the start....your safe will grow full and your wallet thin.....Youll count cases flying through the air instead of sheep when you cant sleep..and the lack of sleep will be from CZITIS!
:what: Run...dont walk...run to get your 97! :D

Walt, I defy anyone to find a better pivoting SA trigger on ANY gun. Let alone on one with a FPB still in place...:D

If you get a fine tip permanent marker and go over the lettering ever so slightly..and then wipe it off of he poly very quickly with a damp cloth..it wont hurt your poly but will hide the lettering.

Shoot well...............

[goon]

I don't have a CZ-97 to compare to, but I would swear that it is larger than a 1911.
It is big for me to CCW, but maybe it would work for some.
Anyhow, it is a great gun. I would like to have one eventually, but I have other desires to deal with first.;)

[George Hill]

You know, a CZ-97B NIB is a lot cheaper than new 1911. If you want a 1911 that is as accurate as a CZ-97B... well, let's just say you could have 3 CZ's for that kinda money, and perhaps a couple really good holsters too.

Hey, a CZ is like a Pringles. Pop can open and have a taste... just one wont hurt.
:evil:

[Walt Sherrill]

I've had several 1911s and still have one (in 9mm).

The CZ-97B grip IS BIGGER than a 1911. That's why I no longer have a CZ-97B. (I do have a Witness Sport Long Slide in .45, however, and while the gun itself is about the same size, the grip is slightly smaller, more like a standard CZ-75B...)

The CZ-97B is a fine gun, though... Just wish the grip were smaller or my hand a bit bigger.

[Lightsped]

I pulled out my Colt 1911 Government, and my CZ-97b. The grip on the CZ-97b is slightly larger. What I believe makes the CZ-97b feel so big is that the trigger is so far forward.

If you have a standard size 1911 laying around, try this (unloaded of course). Hold both guns, squeeze the trigger on the CZ-97b. Now that the trigger is all the way back on the CZ-97b, doesn't it feel about the same as the 1911 with which the trigger is not being pulled?

[Prodigalshooter]

The 97B's grip kept me away from them for about a year or so, but I finally got one earlier this year. Glad I did, it's a pleasure to shoot. The grip is bigger than 1911 in most every dimension, but since I shoot it in SA mode in IDPA (cocked & locked) the longer DA trigger hasn't been a factor.
During prctice sessions I have gently lowered the hammer and shot it DA, which is a little bit longer reach than I'd like, but still posibble in SD situations.
My complaints about the 97 at this point are the sights (too small) and the lack of Hakan grips (for now anyway, hurry up Hakan!).
I'm contemplating the XS Big Dot set up, seems like a good sight system for IDPA, which is my primary use for the 97.
My holster is a Fist, works well, good retention and still easy draw.
Here's a pic of the 97 and a full size Springfield.

[George Hill]

Lot's of talk about the grip size...

It's about the same size as a Beretta 92, so if you have handle that, you will have no problems with a CZ-97. And while the trigger reach is a little far out there... with the hammer back, the trigger moves back a great deal and is well within reach. If the trigger remains an issue, you can have the gun converted to SAO and that solves the problems unless you have Munchkin Mitts.
And if you do have Munchkin Mitts, then it doesn't make sense to lament the gun's design just because it isn't built to your size.

I taught a very small sized young Chinese lady how to shoot once. Lovely girl. She had no problem with a 1911. Later, she also had no problem with the CZ-97. If she can shoot the 97 with no problem... You must have smaller hands than her.

[Beav]

I own several so called larger gripped guns and none of them felt as big as my 97B. Its really the combination of the grip and the long DA trigger as stated. All of my other big guns (96G, P226, USP45) have slightly smaller grips or shorter triggers that make them "fit" for me. I was frustrated with the 97B's long DA trigger so I sold it. If I had known about converting it to SAO I may have held on to it. *sigh*

[heritageguy]

Lightsped,

I have one on my polycoat 97B. It was in white letters. Used gun blue. Now the letters are black and noticeable only at the proper angle. It took several passes with the gun blue but it eventually darkened to jet black. Looks fine to me that way.

[aircarver]

I shoot my -97 against my 1911 all the time. The -97 humbles the 1911 every time.

[ChickenHawk]

Boy, the honeymoon doesn't last long, does it? :p

Personally, I think the CZ trigger is pretty good. There are usually tons of good options, but I'd shoot it like this for a while before considering a trigger job.

Cheers,
ChickenHawk

[CZF]

i SENT MY STOCK 97B grips to Hakan. He slimmed them down and added his
Xtreme texture. Really made a difference. The rather abrasive grips were
now better to handle, and looked like my other Blackout grips on my
CZs.

I have MMC adjustable nites on my gun, but would opt for the XS
fixed sights if I was to buy another 97B and want night sights.