Cz 97b

[bluedsteelnwood]

Since moving to a gun friendly state have been trying to decide on a handgun to buy which I will be able to do in late December. Have a lot of experience with M1 garands and other semiauto rifles. My first choice was a 1911A1 clone like the entry level Kimber or Springfield Armory Inc. fully loaded. Recently went to a shop where one of the salesmen showed me a CZ 97B which I was impressed with due to the worksmanship and the way it fit my hand. I don't know a lot about semiauto pistols in regards to the 1911s being SA and the CZ being double actiion. I am not buying for concealed carry so concealment is not a concern. Want a reliable accurate 45ACP. Can anyone tell me the plus and minus of these two pistols. I am also aware of the Para Ordinace as another double action pistol in this class. but again can't translate the advatages of double verus single action in a semiauto.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. While I do not own a CZ97, I have fired a couple and they worked fine with ball and handloaded CSWC ammunition. I'm told that some can be picky on feeding JHP ammo reliably, but have been advised that Mike Eagleshield at CZ-USA can make them where they will.

The 1911's can sometimes have this affliction as well.

Go with the gun you personally like the best.

You will find more gunsmiths do custom 1911 work and you will find much, much more in the way of aftermarket options for this gun than the CZ.

While most any quality semi is capable of tighter groups than most shooters, the CZ is an extremely accurate pistol. The 1911's are very, very accurate as well.


Internally, the single-action 1911 is not nearly so complex as is the CZ. On the other hand, the CZ97 can be carried cocked and locked. It can also be used DA for the first shot with the conventional SA in subsequent shots. The CZ trigger is a bit long for many in DA mode.

Best.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

My 97b is exceptionally reliable. I can make it jam easily though. The quirk of the 97b is that the ammo must not be to long. 1.272 is about the real max. 1.275 is the SAAMI max. If I try to shoot long loaded ammo it jams easily. If you keep them shorter say 1.265 to 1.272 for 230 grn FMJ's it will work perfectly.

Now when it gets to JHP's. You have to watch the ogive of the bullet so it does not jam.

So what does all of this mean to you a potential buyer? Not a rip other then you will need to test your ammo to see if the 97b likes it. If it does or you reload this is just an artifact. If not you will end up gripeing about the 97b on the forum. Do a search and you will find this out. So what does Mike do? From my discussions with him and reading on the web he polishes up the feedramp and rethroats the barrel and all is great.

Ok, so what do I think of my 97b? It is great, easily the best polish job of any of my custom guns and rivals the finishs of my 50's vintage S&W revolvers. The gun is accurate, I mean reliably accurate and every time accurate. It is kind of uncany how good you can be with it. I vaguely remember some magazine like gun-test or SOF said it was the most accurate out of box 45acp they ever tried or something like that.

It is a fun gun to pop with, it shoots well, has a lot of metal so recoil is really mild and it is easy clean! Complaints? It did not come with adjustable sights which is a pet peeve of mine.

Good luck, I consider mine to be my best "bought it on a whim" purchase ever!

 

[aircarver]

I have a 1911, Sig 220, and CZ-97B. I shoot them off against each other and the CZ-97 is noticibly easier to get tight (one hole vertical slit) groups. I don't have an explanation, just the observed results.

 

[bluedsteelnwood]

Thank you so much guys. I just started posting on this forum and I'm impressed by the detailed cordial manner in which my question was answered. I think I'll be hanging out here a lot.

 

[Russ]

I'd go with the gun that fits your hand and budget the best. CZ's are a good deal for the money.

 

[Lightsped]

I have been 100% happy with my CZ97b. I bought mine back in 1998. No problems whatsoever. Extremely accurate!

 

[CZF]

With a 97B you can get wood and blued! people complain about the
97B and not feeding Hollow-Points. Well, it was never designed to do
such as Czech law prohibits them, and the gun was created around
the S&B 230 gr Hardball. Most people find 97Bs too big for CCW..
and regulate them to Range use.

Other than the (minor) JHP issue. The guns run very well and are
superbly accurate..even in the hands of less than expert shooters.
The hefty steel frame really soaks up recoil.

Unlike most other .45s in it's price range. The 97B is not an entry level
CZ, and shows it in the workmanship of the gun. Smooth as any SIG
or 1911 I've owned in the past.

Most people find the grip too big for a compfortable hold. Hakan can
slim them down, which makes a great difference.

I think the glossy blued 97B with it's graceful beavertail tang..is
one nice .45