CZ97B "E" Fair Market Value

[Smathersfish]

First let me say that I have a lightly modified CZ75B and a CGW P-01. I am a big fan of CZ products. I have been looking for a 1911 recently. In the past I have sold a S&W 1911PD Lightweight and a Ruger SR1911CMD because they just didn't do anything for me. I have a ton of 45ACP and nothing to shoot it in.

I have a chance to buy a new CZ97B with the E conversion from CGW. It also gas an adjustable rear sight. The gun was purchased and sent directly to CGW and has not been fired following modifications. I know that the full cost of the conversion cannot be added to the original purchase price but I am trying to determine the value. I found one on Armslist for $900.00. I have handled it and sure enough I fell in love. What are ya'lls  opinions? Thanks.

The gun will primarily be a range toy and possibly deer getter. Also, I might use it in local competitions that are "informal" and not officially IDPA/IPSC/USPSA but I will probably stay with 9mm for cost reasons. I understand the CGW bushing causes problems in determining what class the 97 competes in.

Thanks again, Josh     

[Litespeeds]

If you can get a brand new 97B-E for $900, I'd jump on it.  These guns will out shoot 1911's costing over $3K.  With an adjustable rear sight, I would say anything under $1,200 would be a good deal.

[Smathersfish]

I guess I was unclear. I found a comparable one on armslist in another state that is not new for $900. I would have to pay shipping and FFL for this one. The one I'm looking at locally is new and unfired and I will have about $950.00 in it including cash and trade. It is just in from CGW and the trigger feels great! Also the slide seems to fit better than my other CZ's. Do 97's slides fit more tight than their 9mm cousins? I'm pretty sure I should get this one before someone else does!

[razir66]

I don't believe so.  I have a shadow, p01, 97, all cajunized.  The tightest slide to frame is the p01, the loosest is the shadow.  As Stuart pointed out to me, it don't really matter, what matters is slide to barrel fit and the E conversion takes care of that on the 97.

Do 97's slides fit more tight than their 9mm cousins?

[schmeky]

razir66,

Is correct.  Sights are on the slide, not the frame, so any movement of the slide on the frame does not matter to the sights.  I have a 1911 Norinco that rattles pretty bad - loosey, goosey.   Fit a Kart Match barrel and it will do .75" groups at 25 yard from a rest.  This Norinco ain't "Purdy", but she sure can dance!
 

[Joe L]

Smathersfish--Sounds like you are considering buying a new 97B with E work plus adjustable sight.  That would be roughly a $1400 gun, I think, but you should check with CGW's web site to confirm.  If I needed another one, I would buy it for nearly full list price.  Or you can buy one yourself from CGW and get it with whatever options you want.   I don't think you are going to find a B"E" at a big discount if its a new gun as described above. 

I shoot a B"E" in bullseye matches just to irritate the 1911 fan boys.  I shot a 9mm P-09 in 2014 matches before I got the B"E".  I wanted more weight and  bigger holes.  The switch in early 2015 has worked out rather well. 

Joe

[Smathersfish]

I got it! What a block of metal this thing is! I will be looking for grips that make the grip more round feeling like the 75 series. Previous owner had already swapped the aluminum panels for CZ rubber and that helped. I'm thinking Nill because I favor wood grips but the ones made by DaveB look interesting too. The trigger is much more "crisp" than my CGW P-01. Where the P-01 has a light mushy feel, this one has more of a "glass breaking" feel to it. I am in love with this pistol. Shot it for the first time today on steel in the back yard. Seems to be very accurate as I had expected given the reviews. Seems that the adjustable sights are pretty close. I expect to hit the range this weekend and put it on paper and dial it in. I was given a fair deal on this by friend and fellow forum member . Thanks Reece! 

[Joe L]

Congrats on the new pistol.  I love the DaveB grips.  He might have changed the shape some by now, but I rounded off the front and rear tight radius some and reduced the size of the bump under my trigger finger knuckle and haven't touched them since.  Nice and wide but oval.  The rubber ones were just a little too flat on the sides. 

Joe

[Smathersfish]

Thanks for the comments Joe. Do you think you could post photos showing how you modified the DaveB grips. Thanks

[razir66]

The trigger is much more "crisp" than my CGW P-01. Where the P-01 has a light mushy feel, this one has more of a "glass breaking" feel to it. I am in love with this pistol.

Wow, that is surprising that the P01 has a 'mushy' feel.  My Cajun P01 and my Cajun 97 feel pretty darn similar, maybe the P01 has the decocker?  Mine does, but it is still a crisp break like the 97, they both have FPB still intact.  Anyway, congrats on a fine firearm and good luck finding a set of grips that feel good and please post pics once you get the new grips on!

[BDG]

I got it! What a block of metal this thing is! I will be looking for grips that make the grip more round feeling like the 75 series. Previous owner had already swapped the aluminum panels for CZ rubber and that helped. I'm thinking Nill because I favor wood grips but the ones made by DaveB look interesting too. The trigger is much more "crisp" than my CGW P-01. Where the P-01 has a light mushy feel, this one has more of a "glass breaking" feel to it. I am in love with this pistol. Shot it for the first time today on steel in the back yard. Seems to be very accurate as I had expected given the reviews. Seems that the adjustable sights are pretty close. I expect to hit the range this weekend and put it on paper and dial it in. I was given a fair deal on this by friend and fellow forum member . Thanks Reece!

Try lightly roughing the contact area of the sear and hammer hook to improve the feel. An overly smooth contact surface between the sear and hammer hook can make the sear feel as if it's sliding of the hook instead of giving you that clean light friction break.

[Smathersfish]

Wow! I put about 200 rounds trough the 97 today at the indoor range. No failures of any kind. After a few adjustments to the sights the groups moved to the center of the target. The rubber grips were not a problem at all but I still favor wood. The last two magazines tore the bulls eye out of the target. This thing shoots!

[Joe L]

Smatherfish,

Told ya.  Gun is good. 

Here is a photo of the grips showing where I rounded them off a little and reduced the ridge at the top.  These are perfect.  Get some. 



Joe