Are the grips to a 97 larger then a 1911 (or Beretta 92FS)?
Still, undecided between an SP-01 & 75BD
The 97BD that I got came with the ultra slim alumium grips. While the grip is a little longer then the standard 75, they're not overly large reminding me of my SP-01 Phantom. The 97 is a dream to shoot with felt recoil and muzzle flip of other non-CZ design 9mm. The only downside is that it's capacity is only 10+1 and its weight.
As for your other inquiry, I personally went with the 75BD. I owned both the BD Police and the SP-01 Tactical but just didn't like all the weight out front so I sold it. I also had a Kadet .22 conversion that fit the BD better and the balance was more comparable to the other CZs I own.
If you have to have a accessory rail, then try and find either a Phantom (good luck!) or a P-09. I also owned a P-09 but sold it due to it wouldn't accept standard CZ 9mm magazines and the decock was backward to CZ other (except the P-07) decockers. The polymer models will save you approximately 10-12 oz. over that of the metal frame models, which if you plan on carrying it, you'll greatly appreciate halfway through the day.
