Opinions on CZ 97B

[Belgiboy]

Does anyone have any experience handling and shooting the CZ 97B. I am eyeballing one on Gunbroker, and I really like the way it looks. I'm a 1911 and HP fan which means that I would probably like the CZ's too (don't own one yet). My main concern is that the thumb safety seems smallish. Is it hard to engage that safety with the thumb of the strong hand if you want to go cocked and locked?

This would definately be a carry-gun so I'm interested in holsters too. Any (semi-) educated comments on anything about this gun would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rbernie]

I've owned several. They are well made, accurate, and just wonderful pistols to shoot.

Small, they are not. Their grip frame is overly large for most folk, and they are quite bulky and heavy. I've CCWed one for a while, and it's not as easy/comfortable to do as a Sig P220 or other full-size 45ACP.

 

[DougDubya]

CZ safeties are generously sized slabs, akin to the pedals on an HK USP.

A CZ-97 safety provides so much more surface to contact than an old Mil-spec 1911 style safety.

 

[Treo]

My hands are medium sized, I guess. I have no problem W/ 1911s or the CZ75. The 97B OTOH is just big enough to feel uncomfort able in my hand.

 

[LAK Supply]

I like them. Great weapons IMO.

 

[Moonclip]

I have HEARD, I haven't shot one, but I talked to a owner about it and he agreed, that they have trouble feeding jhp. Accuracy was good though he said. The extreme size keeps me from owning one as well.

 

[rbernie]

I have HEARD, I haven't shot one, but I talked to a owner about it and he agreed, that they have trouble feeding jhp.

Good point.

Some do, some don't. Most are OK out of the box with HPs with a rounded shoulder. They surely do not like square shoulders on the bullet. I ran 230gr Remington GSs with no issues.

Many folk also install a firmer recoil spring because 'everybody says you need one', and then wonder why they suddenly get nose-dives.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

rbernie nailed it.
Don't change the recoil spring. Just shoot it.
If you have medium sized hands, you need to hold one before you buy it to be sure.
Even the smaller CZ75/85 models have a fairly long trigger reach for the index finger.
However, if you buy one, be prepared to get the CZ bug. They're very addicting due to the quality/price ratio and the comfortable and natural feel of the grip.

 

[Belgiboy]

OK, I'll definately hold one first since I would also describe my hands as medium sized. We'll see, I may have to go with the HK instead (USP Compact) that i have been craving too... The CZ is just better looking, that is all. I just don't want this one to be a safe-queen, I have enough of those.

 

[Deer Hunter]

My hands are medium sized and I have no problem.




It's an insanly accurate pistol. It will make you look GOOD.

 

[NG VI]

I love mine, but it was broken the last time I took it out. I don't believe it's anything that plagues CZs, it was in someone elses hands when the incident occured, obviously the idiot couldn't tell me what happened or why my previously stellar pistol's trigger is now ***ked. I still love it though and I want to buy a 9mm CZ this summer, I can't hold it against a wonderful gun that somebody somehow managed to make it stop working properly.

 

[Lightsped]

I have a early 1998 model (low serial number). The 97b is definately a man sized gun. It is also very overbuilt. Highly accurate as well. I love mine.

 

[Belgiboy]

Thanks for the Pictures, they are awesome guns. I think I want one, no matter what, and will go for it if the price is right.

 

[Craig M. Arnold]

CZ97Bs

I've had a bunch of the CZ97Bs. I still own two of them. Great pistols. The grip is on the large size, so hold one before you buy. I have medium size hands and have no trouble with the 97Bs.

Here's a picture of the two I currently own. A glossy blue one and a RSR satin nickel one.

Best regards.

 

[sgphoto]

A beautiful satin-nickel CZ97B Mr. Arnold. Gorgeous!

My CZ97B was out of the box accurate. The first ten rounds made me smile as no other pistol has done. It continues to be a favorite to shoot and carry.

It's big on the hip, but a pleasure to shoot. A very natural pointing pistol. It seems to fall in line quite well with my hand, moreso than the CZ75B (my usual carry 9mm).



I haven't owned a 1911 A1 style pistol in many years. I still shoot friend's 1911s from time-to-time. I've been very tempted by the Rock Island Armory line of GI type pistols. Well made. priced very competitively, good customer service. Seems to run out-of-the-box with a variety of ammo.

Yet, every time I get ready to order one, I think about "What can the 1911 style do for me better than the CZ97B?"

The only thing might be weight, but I'm a big boy and a few more ounces is nothing compared to the steak and potatoes I had last night.

Other than that, I can't spend the money on a 1911 as a carry piece when I have the .45 that suits me.

Now I'll add a gun to the fold simply to have, range shoot, and fondle, but when it comes to my carry guns the 97B is my .45 of choice.

Steve

 

[rbernie]

As an aside to this thread - they do seem difficult to sell, once you make the plunge. I've bought and sold several, and it always takes a long time to find 'just the right buyer' for a -97B.

 

[Lightsped]

I was at the gunstore the other day looking at CZs and noticed a new 97b in that satin nickle color. That particular model is not in any of my CZ catalogs.

Is the satin nickle 97b rare? If known, tell me more about it.

 

[Deacon Blues]

Those satin nickel 97s were a special run for RSR; only 60 were made, along with 60 two-tone models. To my knowledge, CZ has never said anything about making nickel a standard finish on the 97B.

What's got me excited is the announcement of the 97BD (decocker). It reportedly comes with thin rubber grips, which should make it fit more hands. If you could fit a PCR/P-01 trigger on it, I think that most people who could handle the 75 would be able to handle the 97 as well.

 

[Lightsped]

RSR? Who or what is that? I'm looking for some good quality photos of the RSR 97b. Anyone know of any good images showing the color correctly and clearly?

 

[Deacon Blues]

Here's a thread with a good picture of a nickel 97B: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=263920

And for RSR: http://www.rsrgroup.com

I guess I'm trying to say, "look it up for yourself!"

 

[dleong]

Probably one of the most accurate box-stock 45ACP handguns on the market right now. The factory trigger isn't exactly the paragon of refinement, but the trigger mechanism is identical to that of the venerable CZ 75B, so it's very easy to disassemble and improve.

As others here have already mentioned, it's a little on the largish side, so it might be a good idea to actually handle one before making a decision. Due to its size, I can't imagine it would be very comfortable for CCW, though. However, its size and heft do make for a very soft-shooting 45ACP pistol.

Feel free to head over to the CZ 97B page at CZ Forum for more information about the 97B.

I notice you're located in MN. So am I. If you're in the Twin Cities area, perhaps we could meet up at a local range and you can try out the 97B for yourself. Shoot me a PM if you're interested in doing so.

Here's an image of mine (click on the thumbnail for the full-size version):




DL

 

[tblt]

The CZ75B will be my next 9mm

 

[wally]

Great gun if it fits you, like the Glock 21 its too fat in the grip and long in the trigger for me to really like.

Mine has trouble with my lead SWC reloads, but seems OK with the limited JHP I've tried -- no gun that feeds these SWC has ever given trouble with JHP but I've several , the CZ97 among them, that are OK with JHP but not these.

Look at the EAA Witness if you want a CZ75-like .45 that is not as fat as the CZ97. The take the same magazines as the CZ97, what's strange is my four Witness .45s all feed my lead SWC reloads.

--wally.