Looked at a CZ97B the other day and was not impressed. Perhaps it was a bad example but the fit seemed horrible as compared to my 75B. So now I am thinking about getting a Witness instead. I've looked at them before and the only really bad thing I could find without shooting it were the extemely cheesy sights. So other that the sights to which I think CZs are far superior, what other differences are there?
CZ vs. EAA
- Thread starter AndABeer
- Start date
Walt Sherrill
New member
The two CZ-97Bs I've handled weren't that bad. I didn't see much difference between them and the CZ-75B.
I wanted one, but could never seemt to come up with the money at the right time.
Almost by accident, I was able to trade a Ruger Target Competition for an EAA Witness Sport Long Slide, which is their top-of-the-line .45 from several years back. It had been shot very little. Fit and finish (two tone) was outstanding, and it came with adjustable sights and what they claimed was a match-grade trigger. NOT.
After a trigger job, it still was horrible. I tried selling it, but nobody was interested. I brought it back from the gun shop and started dry firing it. After about three weeks of 300+ trigger pulls a night (while I was playing on the computer) it has developed a very nice trigger.
Very accurate, very reliable. (I need to sell a couple of guns to help pay for a new pickup, and I had the choice of selling the EAA Witness Long Slide or a custom 1911 that is very nice, indeed. The 1911 is up for sale.)
I suspect the run-of-the-mill CZ-97 is probably better out of the box, but I think I'll keep the Witness.
I wanted one, but could never seemt to come up with the money at the right time.
Almost by accident, I was able to trade a Ruger Target Competition for an EAA Witness Sport Long Slide, which is their top-of-the-line .45 from several years back. It had been shot very little. Fit and finish (two tone) was outstanding, and it came with adjustable sights and what they claimed was a match-grade trigger. NOT.
After a trigger job, it still was horrible. I tried selling it, but nobody was interested. I brought it back from the gun shop and started dry firing it. After about three weeks of 300+ trigger pulls a night (while I was playing on the computer) it has developed a very nice trigger.
Very accurate, very reliable. (I need to sell a couple of guns to help pay for a new pickup, and I had the choice of selling the EAA Witness Long Slide or a custom 1911 that is very nice, indeed. The 1911 is up for sale.)
I suspect the run-of-the-mill CZ-97 is probably better out of the box, but I think I'll keep the Witness.
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I, too, have only handled two CZ 97Bs: a used one at a local gun shop and the one I ordered and purchased. Fit and finish on both were the equal of the other commercial CZs that I own (4 others). I think you stumbled upon the rarity and not the norm as far as CZs are concerned.
I would try an locate another CZ 97B before discounting them all together.
--
Mike
I would try an locate another CZ 97B before discounting them all together.
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Mike
shiroikuma
New member
Hey I like CZ's but the EAA clones aren't bad either. You'd save enough money for 2 cases of ammo at least on the EAA too. I've been really considering an EAA to go with my CZ75B because I wanted a 10mm and CZ doesn't make 'em. Not going to happen because I just picked up two 10mm last week a Delta Elite and a Glock20. My wallet hurts just thinking about it. I kind of regret the Glock already and I haven't even shot it yet.
I have had to chance to shoot someonelses .45 EAA and I was very impressed with the SA trigger and it's accuracy. The finish and the sights are no where near as good as on a CZ but it is $100 cheaper. The main think they has kept me away was the sights. They are odd and look very difficult and expensive to replace and I want the option of night sights on any pistol. I think (but I dont' remember for sure) that the EAA front sight is milled onto the slide meaning you'd have to have the slide milled out for a new front sight. The rear sights are really high too making me wonder if you could find a aftermarket night sight that was tall enough in the rear.
shiro
I have had to chance to shoot someonelses .45 EAA and I was very impressed with the SA trigger and it's accuracy. The finish and the sights are no where near as good as on a CZ but it is $100 cheaper. The main think they has kept me away was the sights. They are odd and look very difficult and expensive to replace and I want the option of night sights on any pistol. I think (but I dont' remember for sure) that the EAA front sight is milled onto the slide meaning you'd have to have the slide milled out for a new front sight. The rear sights are really high too making me wonder if you could find a aftermarket night sight that was tall enough in the rear.
shiro
I haven't shot a CZ but do own a Witness 9mm, it's a terrific gun. So far it hasn't had any feed or ejection problems in about 600 rounds. It's a good deal more accurate than my old Taurus PT92 or Sig 220.
I would take a look at a couple more CZ's before deicding that they're all crap but considering the price difference between a EAA and a CZ I'd go with the Witness.
I would take a look at a couple more CZ's before deicding that they're all crap but considering the price difference between a EAA and a CZ I'd go with the Witness.
TonyPoulos
New member
Check out the 9mm Witness P-S - under $300 in a rust resistant finish, polymer frame, with a hi-cap.
Hey Shiro, I'll trade you a new Witness full size 10mm for your Glock.
Tony
Hey Shiro, I'll trade you a new Witness full size 10mm for your Glock.
Tony
I checked out a CZ-97 that was a looser too. The finish was very poor compared to my CZ-75B, the grips were really cheesy and the trigger reach was almost comically long in DA (and I have large hands and long fingers, that`s almost never an issue for me). I passed on it and went for my EAA Witness 10mm instead. The fit and trigger of the EAA aren`t up to my CZ-75 but they`re not bad, accuracy is pretty good but not outstanding (not as good as the CZ-75 so far) and I`ve had a few reliablity problems but they only pop up when I shoot Corbon 180gr. Penetrators, oh and the slide doesn`t always lock back on an empty mag. (it works about 90% of the time). I think the probs can be traced to a weak magazine spring so a Wolff +10% spring is on the way. The sights don`t bother me at all,they`re fine on both guns IMO. Lastly the grip tang on the CZ-75B is fine but the beavertail tang on the Witness is really comfy! (FWIW the 75SA has a beavertail tang too) Basically if I had to choose between the Witness and the CZ-97 I`d take the Witness (and I did!). Between the CZ-75B and the Witness I`ll take the CZ-75B.
Stephen Ewing
New member
Agree with the concensus that neither is as good as the CZ-75, but my 97 is a sloppy fit that shoots well. My Dad's 97 is much tighter, and shoots about the same. Which is to say, about the same as our Witnesses, but not in the '75's neighborhood.
Buy the one you like best, and run with it. What's the worst case scenario? You get the second best .45 on the face of the planet.
Steve
Buy the one you like best, and run with it. What's the worst case scenario? You get the second best .45 on the face of the planet.
Steve
Here in phoenix the witness are $75.00
to $100.oo less than most cz's,i own a
compact witness 10mm compact,mags for
the witness can be costly and you do
have to get used to the sights but they
work well for me.Biggest draw back to
the witness is resale value,i paid
$259.00 for mine ANIB with the stainless
finish
to $100.oo less than most cz's,i own a
compact witness 10mm compact,mags for
the witness can be costly and you do
have to get used to the sights but they
work well for me.Biggest draw back to
the witness is resale value,i paid
$259.00 for mine ANIB with the stainless
finish