CZ 97 BD First Impressions

[tdogg]

Well I took the 97 BD out for the first time today.  It is a smooth 45!  It is really accurate considering the 45 caliber.  I still think my 40P is more accurate but that may change as I put more rounds through the 97 BD.  They are both more accurate than the SP-01 tactical in 9mm I have.  But the SP-01 has a 19 round capacity.

I shot 100 rounds of cheap ammo through it and only had one issue.  After about 60 rounds the slide locked up?  I dropped the mag and the slide was still locked up?  I literally couldn't get the slide to cycle at all.  I let the gun cool down and forced the slide through some cycles and it free'd itself up.  It is almost like it was too hot and something was binding?  I haven't pulled it apart to clean it yet to see if there was something in there.  After I let it cool for a bit it ran through another 40 rounds with no problem.  So I don't know if there was something in there that was binding or if there is a problem?  I need to pull the gun apart, inspect, and clean it to see if there was any thing noticably wrong?

Any who I likey thus far!

Toby

[tdogg]

Here are some pictures:






Cheers!
Toby

[bang bang]

congrats on your new toy.

fwiw, its not a good idea to "shoot thru" a problem like that.  But hey, its your gun and sooner or later, you will figure out why you dont do thing like that.

[tdogg]

Yeah, I was concerned and hence I stopped shooting it to investigate.  I would have torn the gun down but the slide started to move freely after a minute or so.  I moved on to another gun for awhile and came back to it and it still racked like normal.  It may have been some sort of burr that worked its way out during my investigation.  I will post up if I find anything when I tear the gun down.

[777TRUTH]

fwiw, its not a good idea to "shoot thru" a problem like that.  But hey, its your gun and sooner or later, you will figure out why you dont do thing like that.

+1 on bang bang.

Glad it worked out for you and congrats on your new toy. Looks like a happy family.

[tdogg]

Well I tore the gun apart and immediately found the Barrel Bushing not aligned with the Recoil Spring Housing detent.  One of the "lugs" on the Barrel Bushing was slightly deformed (by the Recoil Spring Housing) causing a slight interference fit with the barrel.  I imagine when the barrel was hot and expanded this caused the slide to lock up with the barrel.

I don't know if this would be covered under warranty but I contacted CZ to see.  I definitely need a new barrel bushing.  I did straighten it out a bit but don't want to tempt any barrel damage.  Either way I will get the required parts and get the gun back to the range for more practice.

Cheers!
Toby

[tdogg]

Well I contacted CZ USA warranty and they sent me a new barrel bushing no questions asked.  They told me if this happens again they will want to see the gun.  I ordered three new style trigger pins so when I get around to it I can polish the internals on the SP-01 and the 97BD.

Cheers to CZ for warranting something that may not have been their fault (most likely was my fault).

All is well again for the 97BD.

Cheers!
Toby

[czechyoself]

Nice collection. I think I'll end up with something similar within the year if I keep it up. The only thing that irks me is that they still haven't added a rail to the 97BD and to be honest, it's why I chose another SP01 instead of a 97B/BD. Plus .45 ammo is double the price of 9mm and about 30% more expensive than 40 S&W from what I've bought, so that relegates it to a very expensive and limited plinking engagement at the range.

Good on CZ for replacing that bushing. I think their warranty and support is world class. I bought a used SP01 .40 and it was perfect and barely 1.5 years old, with a dead front sight. CZ had me mail in the slide (I paid for shipping to them) and they replaced the front sight and slightly oiled/polished the rear sight windows so both were equally bright. Turn around time was about 4 days if I remember. Things like this really build confidence, don't they?