New 97B owner, and a sight question

[PennsyPlinker]

Hello all

Yesterday I finally laid hands on a used 97B, and I bought it.  I called CZ to ask about the year of manufacture, and they told me 2001.  But then, on the FAQ of their site, I found the secret code for dates, and that says the gun was made in 1998.

I have huge hands, so all the reports of the grips being too big were actually encouraging to me.    I had it out to the range for a very short session today, and for the most part, it works very well so far.  But, I have a question.  It involves the sights.  I have searched and searched, and found nothing conclusive on sights.  I have found dead links to providers of sights, and I have found assertions by people I don't know countered by other people I don't know.  

Does anyone know of a decent aftermarket sight for this gun?  I have owned a 75 P-01 (now owned by my father) and currently own a 75 compact in .40 S&W.  The sights on both of these guns are way better than those on this 97B.  The same goes for the sights on my Kadet conversion.  And as far as the 75 compact goes, the rear sight is about 1/8" shorter than that of the 97B, which validates those who assert that the sights made for 75s (and 85s?) won't fit this 97.  

To put it politely, the rear sight on this gun stinks.  I did not notice it while I was handling it yesterday, but it made itself very apparent at the range.  I had a lot of difficulty picking up the rear site at all, and the left dot was pretty much invisible to my eye.  I do not claim to have the sharpest eyes around, but I am still able to see the sights on just about all my guns.  Ideally, I would like to find a fiber optic.  I have owned several guns with night sights, and to me, they are not all that big of a deal.  I am hoping to hear from people who have actually changed out the sights on their 97B, and not conjecture.  Thanks.

[Rowe-75]

I haven't seen much for a after market 3 dot sight system for the 97b. You could get the Competition rear sight with the Fiber optic front sight.

[CZ75BRocks]

  In my case I went to TruDot Tritium 3 dot. I sold the gun (too big for my hands).  I carry for SD 7 days/week and I always use Tritium sights.  The TruDots look like 3 dot.  The vials are inset in a white field. So, that in the daylight they look like a 3 dot.  In the dark, well, they're Tritium.  I do agree the rear sights blow.  They always look like they came off of a mousegun due to the size in relation to the size of the grip Frame.  It's really noticeable because of the "taper" of the slide as it rises above the slide.  The 97B is a superb weapon.  I never get my thong in a twist over JHP feeding issues.  I always carry 230gr FMJs in a 45acp.  "a 9mm JHP might expand, but, a 45acp will never shrink"

[PennsyPlinker]

Thanks for the replies guys.  I looked at the competition sights, and while they look like they might solve part of my problem for shooting the thing, for carry they might not work out so well. 

  In my case I went to TruDot Tritium 3 dot.

I searched on TruDot and found lots, but none specific to the 97B.  Do you remember which ones you bought?  Did they change the point of aim for you?

I carry FMJs too, although I just picked up some Powerball ammo for another .45 ACP I have.  I suspect that stuff should feed just like an FMJ.  At least, that is how they advertise it.


Thanks.

[CZ75BRocks]

  As to the TruDots and selection his the good news:  The CZ97B and the CZ75B use the same front sight, simple.  The Rear sight blade's dovetail is the same as a CZ75B, simple.  Underneath the factory rear sight there is a void from the MIM casting process.  In that void is a number.  This number corresponds to a predetermine height.  The greater the number the taller the sight.  The CZ75B TruDot has and uses the same numbering convention, again, simple.  The sucky part is that you have to remove the factory rear to find the number. OBTW get a good magnifying glass, loupe, or magnifying visor, they're tiny.  If you call CZ they can supply you with the same sights used on a CZ97BD.  They are Tritium 3 dot.  However, the elevation adjustment is done by selecting the corresponding rear sight blade.  In other words two 97 may use different rear sights.  I'm sorry I can't give you more.

[Dashpot10]

"I haven't seen much for a after market 3 dot sight system for the 97b. You could get the Competition rear sight with the Fiber optic front sight."

This is the exact combination I use on my 97b.  It works very well with my 60 year old eyes.   

I would prefer an adjustable rear sight because the point of aim changes between 200gr and 230gr bullets.

Chris

[PennsyPlinker]

Thanks for all the responses.  I am going to go with the night sights from CZ.