??CZ97??

Shot a rental at the range. The pistol was very accurate and high-quality. Good fit and finish. The steel frame and size made the recoil very easy to manage. The DA pull was smooth but the SA was a dream. Only fed it 50rds of 3D remanufactured FMJ; but it functioned quite well with it.

My only complaints were:

1) the ten round, double stack, tapered mag made for a really big stock that I had trouble getting my hands around.

2) It is a good-sized pistol. I think it would work if you can carry openly or want a handgun for the house but it isn't an easy one to conceal.
 
TCW,

The CZ97B is going for $459 new at the place I frequent in Smyrna, Georgia. The 97 is next on my list of "gotta have" pistols. I've heard good things about them and if they are as good as the CZ75B I will be -very- happy. :)

Joe/Ga
 
Well at one time it was on my "gotta have list" also, but not anymore. Now it's on my "gonna keep" list. :)

I have to echo everything Bartholomew said with emphasis on accurate. It really is accurate. But I would slightly disagree with the grip size. It is big but not unwieldy and I don't have very large hands.

I was just playing with mine before signing on here - doing some dry firing. I also just fixed one of its flaws - the magazine doesn't drop free due to a magazine tensioning spring. You just have to remove one pin and flatten out the spring and the mag drops free and easy.

Here's the link for the instructions: [Link to invalid post]
 
Mal,

Did your 97 come with one magazine or two? Do you know what extra mags are going for?

I also agree about the grip size. While my hands are a bit large they are not huge. The grip fits me well and is certainly no larger than a full size USP .45 grip.

Joe/Ga
 
I think they are going for the mid $30 range.

Auction Arms is a good place to Buy a 97 for in the high $300s, NIB, from independent FFLs. Usually quite a few, so no one is bidding against you.
 
Joe - My 97B came with 2 Mec-Gar magazines. I haven't bought any spares yet but someone else here has said they purchased some from Ajax Grips for $16.95. (Don't look under Mec-Gar, go to "Search by Weapon Type" and select EAA .45)

[This message has been edited by Mal H (edited June 22, 2000).]
 
TCW: I recommend you handle one yourself to judge the grip size. It may not be an issue for you. I have a problem with practically all of the double-stack .45 mags out there. I can hold on to them OK; but they just don't feel "right" in my hands.

Having said that, I would still make an exception for the CZ97. It was a wonderful gun. I also liked that you could carry the gun DA/SA or SA, cocked and locked.
 
I have had one for several months and I think it is a superb pistol if it fits your hand. CZ appears to have fixed the magazine retention feature. On mine the magazines drop free with no modifications.
 
I wanted one because I have a CZ-75 and it is one of my favorite pistols. Then I picked one up at the gun show. This dude is huge! I was disappointed. If it fits your hand, then get one. They have a good reputation...Illini
 
I am really amazed at how many folks love the CZ-series. I own a CZ 75 and my next pistol is going to be the 97. I handled(read: drooled :)) over one at a gun show here (Indianapolis) earlier this month. It was going for $459. However, I am a girl with, what I consider, relatively small hands. I didn't have any problem with the grip. Is there such a thing as a "compact" model?

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Kim

NRA Millenium Life Member
 
TCW, I've had my CZ 97B for several months now and find it very comfortable to shoot and very accurate. Since I don't reload my only complaint is the cost of feeding it ;)

RugerMarkII, To date the only compact 45 similar to the CZ 97, that I'm aware of, would be in the EAA Witness series. I haven't handled one but have heard good things from knowledgable owners. Maybe CZ will come out with a compact '97 but we'll have to wait and see. Might be a good reason to write to them about. I have handled a CZ 75B Compact at a local store and was impressed with the feel of it but am not in the market for a new purchase just yet.
 
Kim:

The only problem I have seen with the CZ97B size wize is that some people who I nave let try mine have trouble with reaching the trigger to pull it properly for firing double action. One friend who has this problem says she will get one anyway and always use it as a single action. She says it is a "Super 1911" when used this way.
 
Hey Mal H, how does the accuracy of yout CZ97 compare to a high end 1911 ?

I handled one a while back and was impressed, wouldn't mind picking one up.
 
MTAA - I can't really give you a definitive answer 'cause I don't own a high end 1911. I have a Combat Commander with a fine trigger job and Bomar sights, but that's as close as it comes. But comparing those two is an apples/oranges thing since the CZ has a longer barrel. All I can give is my initial experience with it (I've had it about 4 weeks). For the very first 2 mags of 10 rounds I shot with it, 9 out of 10 were in the 10 or X and 1 was in the 9 ring of a B3 target (50') using a Delta rest. Not too shabby at all, I was impressed. I know the gun has a lot more accuracy potential than I am shooting with it.
 
Great gun, a bit chunky. My biggest complaint would be the DA trigger pull reach, I can reach it okay but most people can't. No compact version yet, but hopefully they'll come out with one. The CZ guns are great, especially for the prices they sell at. I hope they stay that price :)
 
Thanks for the report Mal H. Based on my initial inspection and my experience with CZ products I had a feeling the 97 would be an accurate, easy shooting piece. It would be an interesing comparison if one of the gun rags put it up against some other quality .45s (Gold Match, G30, P220, ect.).
 
I have the Witness CZ 45 clone, It is a great shooter, and very reliable. I'm keeping mine. As for the magazines, the Tangfoglio origional mags drop free. The Mec-gar replacements don't. I think they are made that way. I get mags for this gun at Ajax Grips, and at the local gun shows. I've never had a problem finding them.

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Good shootin to ya
Plateshooter
 
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