CZ97.45 or Kimber 1911 ?

[MJ]

Had a chance to hold both over the week end. The latest CZ97 has an improved longe feed ramp and well Who doesn't like a nice 1911? The Kimber is $300+ more but at this point it doesn't mater to me.

Opinions welcome

,
OK the source or confusion is from a change in feed ramps. The corrected or improved if you wish is longer and has a different angle to it.

New version on the left older on the right.





Thank you.

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[sevt_chevelle]

CZ hands down, CZ hands and feet down over any Kimber.

Take that saved 300 bucks, go to CGW get the Pro package trigger install it yourself and have a trigger that smokes the vast majority of pistols made today.
Or if you are feeling randy, send it to CGW, get the E-mod, trigger work and 1911 bushing.

I have 4 45 ACPs, 2 Dan Wesson 1911, CZ 97 and Sig P220. My CZ is more accurate then both my 1911s and several others Ive shot it against, Colt, Ruger, SA and Ed brown. IMO it also the most shootable 45.

 

[BreechFace]

Going to be a lot of personal preferences given on this subject.

My suggestion below is without shooting a CZ 97, but they are very nice!

For me, I would go with the CZ 97 (and will soon be) and save up to spend some money on CGW parts or if the budget allows send it to them and have them work their magic for you.

The 97 will have a bigger grip than a single stack 1911, just something to keep in mind.

See my thread on my decision making towards a 97

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-getting-skinnier.879866/page-3#post-11758392

 

[FL-NC]

1911

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Do you have a 1911? If not, that is the way I would go.

The 97 is large in the grip for me. I tried to like it but just couldn't get past that.

 

[Walkalong]

I shoot my 1911 .45 ACP more because it simply fits me better, but my CZ-97 is a wonderful gun.

 

[MJ]

Grateful for the input.

 

[JR24]

Range gun only? Cause if carry is a concern the 97 is a beast, though soft shooter.

I prefer a 1911, but not a Kimber. Ruger, Springfield, Sig, Colt would be my preference, depending on price range.

CZ is a great option though as well, so it's a win either way

 

[Bacon buster]

The 1911 will be easier to find stuff on the shelf for. Magazines holsters ect.

 

[MJ]

Again thanks for the post. It didn't seem larger than the USP full size .

I'm a 1911 believer, carried one for two years in harms way and it worked when I needed it to. But it was loose enough to work in the elements and further than 25 feet was air support not my monkey.

I'm going to give it a go.

 

[silicosys4]

I'd rather have a CZ anything over a Kimber. Just my personal preference
I do happen to like the style of the cz97, even though a 1911 fits my hand better than a cz75.

 

[Otto]

CZ hands down, CZ hands and feet down over any Kimber.

Take that saved 300 bucks, go to CGW get the Pro package trigger install it yourself and have a trigger that smokes the vast majority of pistols made today.

That’s exactly what my son did to his 97 a couple of months back. Im real picky when it comes to triggers but I was surprised how well his turned out...my gunsmith couldn’t have done any better.

 

[SwampWolf]

Over time, I've reviewed reports criticizing the Model 97 for being "finicky" in reliably feeding different bullet profiles. If this was (is) a problem, maybe the new, longer and redefined angled feed ramp properly addresses the issue.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I'd prefer the Kimber over the 97 for concealed carry but if its not for carry then the 97.

 

[drband]

It comes down to grip size. If possible compare them side by side in your hands. The CZ has a looong DA trigger reach. SA is good.
I converted mine to SAO-and got rid of the DA reach issue. My trigger is “close” to a 1911 trigger (using CGW parts). It will never be quite the same because CZs have a pivoting trigger and 1911s have an ingenious sliding trigger that can be tuned to an amazing level.
But I love my CZ97B and often shoot it a little better than a 1911. It’s good enough.
Get what you want, there’s not a bad choice here.

 

[Victor252]

It comes down to grip size. If possible compare them side by side in your hands. The CZ has a looong DA trigger reach. SA is good.
I converted mine to SAO-and got rid of the DA reach issue. My trigger is “close” to a 1911 trigger (using CGW parts). It will never be quite the same because CZs have a pivoting trigger and 1911s have an ingenious sliding trigger that can be tuned to an amazing level.
But I love my CZ97B and often shoot it a little better than a 1911. It’s good enough.
Get what you want, there’s not a bad choice here.

Just to add on this, the location of the thumb safety is different on the CZ97. I find it's too hard to reach with my right thumb easily. But if it's a range gun, I guess that doesn't matter.

I'm a 1911 guy but I might take that CZ over a Kimber 1911. There are just better options than Kimber in the 1911 market.

 

[BreechFace]

I converted mine to SAO-and got rid of the DA reach issue.

Why not just leave it DA/SA and just use it cocked and locked?

In talking with CGW they said converting to SAO makes no difference to the SA pull, so they didn't see the point of making it SA-Only

I was headed down the same thinking that you were in converting a 97b in to SAO until talking with CGW and they said there is no pull difference between their tuned SA/DA and a SAO trigger when comparing SA in both instances. Their reply was that there is nothing in the DA trigger mechanism that has an effect on the SA pull, so one might as well keep options open.

 

[Winkman822]

CZ...and this coming from a 1911 guy. In my experience, Kimber 1911's are inconsistent at best

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

If I were even considering the two of them in direct competition to one another the first and foremost question I'd ask my self is:

Does the grip size matter to me? might go no farther than that.

Do I want a fat .45?
Do I specifically NOT want a fat .45.

And the opposite for the Kimber.

Then, capacity. Does it matter in this decision?

I've had 100% exceptional satisfaction with my Kimber and those of friends and family but.... I am totally in for most anything made by the Czech people too so my decision would likely be completely based upon the grip.

In the end though, I like slim plus a mag over double stack in most cases.

Todd.

 

[drband]

Why not just leave it DA/SA and just use it cocked and locked?

In talking with CGW they said converting to SAO makes no difference to the SA pull, so they didn't see the point of making it SA-Only

I was headed down the same thinking that you were in converting a 97b in to SAO until talking with CGW and they said there is no pull difference between their tuned SA/DA and a SAO trigger when comparing SA in both instances. Their reply was that there is nothing in the DA trigger mechanism that has an effect on the SA pull, so one might as well keep options open.

I do use my 97 cocked and locked, but the trigger reach and tuning possibilities in SAO seemed to work better for me. I use the factory rubber grips, SAO trigger, removed the firing pin safety, spring & lifter (replaced with CGW bushing), and installed the free floating trigger pin. The take up and over travel adjustments on the SAO trigger gave me a 1911ish trigger after all the parts were installed. Short take up, short over travel, tactile reset. All that and the smooth straight trigger profile make it “just right” for me!
It’s just great that we get to tune our pistols to our own preferences. I had no real use for the DA in this pistol so I maximized the SA to my liking.

 

[I6turbo]

Been there, done that with the Kimber 1911 and the 97B. I didn't find the Kimber-haters' claims justified - it was a good gun - but I just liked the 97B better.
I eventually sold the Kimber a year or so after getting the 97B because I just always seemed to shoot the 97B instead. I often hear people talk about the 97B being too large for their hands, but it feels to me like it fits my hand better and more securely than a 1911. Here are some photos (that I've posted before) of me holding the guns the same way, then an over-lay, and a side-by-side. Compared to a 97B, the 1911 feels to me like I'm holding the box that a gun came in.





Aligned at the back of the grip where the web of the hand wraps around:




As others have said, you can pretty much make a CZ trigger as good as you want using CGW parts. I've done it with some 75-based guns, but the 97B only has their Ultra-Lite Kit (which goes into any CZ I buy) at this point. The 97B is a smooth, accurate, and relatively soft shooter.

 

[Walkalong]

I need some of those thin grips for my 97 to try out one of these days.

 

[BreechFace]

I need some of those thin grips for my 97 to try out one of these days.

Does anyone know if PCR grips will fit the 97b? I assume so but would like verification.

 

[I6turbo]

Does anyone know if PCR grips will fit the 97b? I assume so but would like verification.

Are you talking about a 75 D PCR compact (not brand of grips called PCR)? The grips on the 97B are quite a bit taller. The 2013+ 97 grips (the thin aluminum ones) are probably lower profile than the PCR grips, too. Here's the PCR on the top left and the 97B on the bottom left.

 

[nettlle]

I have a Kimber 1911, two CZ PCR's and a Colt Wiley Clapp Govt Model in 45 ACP. I also have a Kimber 84 and Kimber 82. Both the 84 and 82 are Clackamas rifles.

The Kimber 1911 is junk. I still have it. I will never buy another Kimber 1911. The Kimber 84 and Kimber 82 are worth their weight in gold. As are the CZ PCR's.