CZ 97 B or BD?

[TarDevil]

I'm interested in a discussion about the pros or cons of these two guns. I've always leaned toward the decock version, but I've read differing gun reviews saying the 97B safety cannot be engaged unless the hammer is cocked... and vice versa.

A version of this gun is on my short list for my next purchase, so I'd love to hear your opinions about preference for the B or D version.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

If the gun is NOT cocked, there is no practical reason for the safety -- unless you've got a super-light DA trigger, but even then both guns come with firing pin safeties. The only way eithre gun will fire is if the trigger is pulled fully to the rear.b

Internally, the guns are almost identical -- with the BD, one hammer hook is removed to make room for the decocker mechanism; except for that (and the extra decocker parts) the guns are otherwise the same.)

The BD version starts from the half-cock notch. The B version CAN be started from that same position -- with the same measure of "safety" in either case. It can also be started from hammer fully down or from cocked & locked (safety on). (Note: the gun games won't let a "Stock" or "Production" gun start from half-cock unless it is intended to start that way: the BD is, the B isn't.)

You decide which you prefer. If you can do cocked & locked, the B gives you that option. If you can't do cocked & locked (feel unsafe, aren't comfortable) then the BD is a good choice.

Be SURE you try one (at least hold it and work the trigger, as it is a BIG gun, and bigger through the grip than the similar Tanfoglio/Witness guns. (Note, however, that after-market grips can make the grip less fat, and parts from the CZ Custom Shop or Cajun Gun Works can shorted the long DA trigger pull (if starting from hammer down.)

 

[TarDevil]

Thanks, Walt.

Big is good, because I'm looking for something my wife can shoot also. She has larger hands than me and likes guns with larger grips. We'll go try one before buying.

Understand about not needing the safety if the gun isn't cocked (I'm ok with "cocked and locked, BTW)... but can you tell me if the "B" safety can be engaged with the gun uncocked?

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Understand about not needing the safety if the gun isn't cocked (I'm ok with "cocked and locked, BTW)... but can you tell me if the "B" safety can be engaged with the gun uncocked?

No. None of the CZ guns (including the new Omega design) will let you engage the safety unless the hammer is cocked. (If you come across a CZ that WILL do so, something is worn or not working right.)

Only the CZ-pattern guns based on the slightly different Tanfoglio design do that. (Most of the CZ "Clones" -- none are really clones -- are based on the Tanfoglio design.)

 

[eldon519]

I'm not sure how the 97B is, but on a 75B, to lower the hammer, you have to grasp the hammer, pull the trigger, and lower it on a live round. Once in a blue moon I don't mind this, but it is sort of one of those things where if you do it often, probability, however low, might bite you in the rear. I also recall the hammer being small and hard to grip compared to a DA revolver.

The BD had a decocker and resolves this problem from what I understand. Unless you are pretty sure you'll mostly carry cocked-and-locked, I'd go BD.

 

[JDR]

With my CZ 75B I can easily lower the hammer on a chambered round, I practice this all the time at the range, easy does it

IMHO I don't like the "BD" models, since I ride my thumb on the safety when I shoot it, and I wouldn't want to accidentally decock the gun. And the 97B is also on my short list of guns I want to own.

 

[CZ9shooter]

You cant accidentally decock it. The decocker is located much more rearward and higher than the saftey. Your thumb sits under it. It takes considerable force and requires quite a bit of travel to operate it as well.

I like my 75bd. I dont carry it often, but it does go in and out of my quick access safe frequently. I like being able to load and then decock it safley while in the house. I also just like guns without any manual safties. Nothing that I have to remember to disengage. All of my hanguns larger than 22 are this way.

And yes, manually lowering the hammer is actually quite easy after some practice on an unloaded gun. Grab it with two fingers, not over the top with your thumb. It does involve some risk IMO though.

 

[Pilot]

I prefer the B model, as I am very comfortable decocking on a live round. If it bothers you put your thumb in front of the hammer. That being said I do have a PCR which is a decocker, and I really like the gun, and the trigger.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

I have two safety model CZ's and one decocker. All are great guns but I prefer the safety over the decocker. I trust my hand to lower the hammer more than I do a decocker but neither have ever gave me any issues.

When shooting them I can't say I can really tell a difference or have any problems with the decocker.

 

[Fremmer]

Go with the cocked and locked. You'll have the same trigger pull right from the first shot.
The lighter trigger pull on the first shot is more important than a decocker IMO.

 

[peacebutready]

Off Topic: Oooh, those models are sweet

 

[peacebutready]

The BD version starts from the half-cock notch. The B version CAN be started from that same position -- with the same measure of "safety" in either case. It can also be started from hammer fully down or from cocked & locked (safety on). (Note: the gun games won't let a "Stock" or "Production" gun start from half-cock unless it is intended to start that way: the BD is, the B isn't.)

Are you sure about that last part in bold? Also, is the B model safe to carry with the hammer fully down while chambered? I guess it's moot if half-cock is safe to carry.

 

[CZ9shooter]

Hammer down is as safe as anything. No manual saftey device needed. Like most modern guns the firing pin does not contact the primer even when the hammer is resting on it. The long heavy trigger pull is the "saftey." Half cock is the same but with a little shorter pull. Still quite heavy though.

 

[peacebutready]

I think the finish of the B model is blue. See first link below. I think the BD model has their "polycoat". I'm not sure because if looks different from the CZ 75Bs I've seen. See the second link below.

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-97-b-45-acp-black-aluminum-grips-fo-front-sight-10-rd-mags/

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-97-bd-...-grips-3-dot-tritium-night-sights-10-rd-mags/

 

[peacebutready]

delete

 

[TarDevil]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully we can get our hands on one of these this weekend. I'm leaning toward the "B" after Walt explained the safety question. I just haven't had any exposure to CZ's.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I think the finish of the B model is blue. See first link below. I think the BD model has their "polycoat". I'm not sure because if looks different from the CZ 75Bs I've seen. See the second link below.

I've never seen a or heard of a B or BD in anything but polycoat, but you can probably order one in high-gloss blue through the CZ Custom Shop. There was special run of 97B's in Satin Nickel some years back, too -- and that was a gorgeous gun.

I had a 97B some years back, and a Witness Sport Long Slide, and an ASAI ONE PRO all at the same time; my CZ pattern-.45 cup ranneth over! The last two are based on the Tanfoglio pattern and are almost as thin as the 75B through the grip -- noticeably thinner in the hand -- but all used the same size magazines (they were interchangeable.)

The BD version starts from the half-cock notch. The B version CAN be started from that same position -- with the same measure of "safety" in either case. It can also be started from hammer fully down or from cocked & locked (safety on). (Note: the gun games won't let a "Stock" or "Production" gun start from half-cock unless it is intended to start that way: the BD is, the B isn't.)

Are you sure about that last part in bold? Also, is the B model safe to carry with the hammer fully down while chambered? I guess it's moot if half-cock is safe to carry.

Absolutely sure in the case of IDPA, and IPSC, and have been told this was the case for USPSA. The rulebooks are on line and the IPSC and IDPA and address this point directly; I haven't looked it up in the USPSA books, but because USPSA and IPSC seem so similar, I accepted their comments as valid.

Re: safety with hammer down -- All CZ have firing pin blocks. The guns cannot fire (the firing pins cannot move) unless the trigger is pulled fully to the rear. Drops won't do it, hammer slams won't do it, etc. Yes. Most all modern handguns have a similar feature.

 

[FrankCastleThePunisher]

I fondled a 97B last week at LGS and it was polycoated and it was a beauty for $720.00, and really felt good in my hand. The 97B or BD is on my short list to add to my three CZ's I already have.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

...I'm not sure how the 97B is, but on a 75B, to lower the hammer, you have to grasp the hammer, pull the trigger, and lower it on a live round. Once in a blue moon I don't mind this, but it is sort of one of those things where if you do it often, probability, however low, might bite you in the rear. I also recall the hammer being small and hard to grip compared to a DA revolver.

That's the way you have to do it with any revolver, as well. And any hammer-fired gun not equipped with a decocker. It's a basic gun-handling skill and you should be comfortable doing it, even if its something you don't do that often. But you have three options...

1) At the range, you'll typically fire until the mag's empty and the slide is locked back. No issue.

2) If you're uneasy decocking manually, drop the magazine and rack the slide to eject the round in the chamber. (With a little practice you can eject it into your hand by placing your hand OVER the slide when you rack it...)

3) Folks who are worried about decocking, but who want to do it manually, put their off-hand thumb or finger at the rear of the slide where the hammer would fall. Then they release the hammer down using their strong hand trigger finger to release the trigger, and the strong hand thumb to ease the hammer down. The thumb or finger acts as a barrier until the hammer is fully down. (Others just grasp the hammer with the the thumb and forefinger of their off hand and ease the hammer down when it's released by the trigger...)

For the gun to fire, that hammer has to HIT the firing pin with speed and force to advance it beyond the typically stout firing pin spring, and to ignite the primer. Slowing it down and interfering with it's fall reduces the chances of a negligent discharge greatly -- and if you keep a hand (or two) on the hammer throughout the process, it's not going to happen...

It's not rocket science.

 

[TarDevil]

Good info, Walt. Thanks.

Pretty much sold on the B since that gives me the option of C&L carry.