Took my 97B to the range yesterday and today - my thougts so far.

[MLynch]

I am a CZ fan, and I love 9mm and .45 ACP as a semi-auto round. So the 97B was an easy sell.  I already have three CZs in 9mm.

Overall I love the 97B.  It's a smooth shooting .45 and it does what it's supposed to do.  I've put 200 rounds though it between yesterday and today and I only had two malfunctions: one stove pipe, and one failure to feed.  So far that's a 1% malfunction rate.  I can live with that!  My shot placement was consistent (ranged between 5 yards and 15yards).  My shots on a whole were hitting a little low, but I have a sneaky suspicion that is a user related error, and not hardware. The double action trigger is nice and smooth, and not a heavy pull as I expected it to be.  ...It feels very similar my 75B with a 13 lb main spring.  The single action trigger is smooth and easy, and the reset is clean and tight.

My only issue is that the recoil backs the grip screws out so that after about 50 rounds the aluminum grips are loose.  That happened last night and tonight.  I've ordered rubber grips for it as the aluminum grips make the overall grip surface feel too thin. I have the CZ rubber grips on my 75B and my 75D PCR and I love the feel of them, so I'm hoping they will help fill out some of the width.  I'm also considering using blue LockTite to secure the grip screws - unless someone has another solution.

On a whole I am very happy with my 97B - it's the nicest .45 I own.

[robertk7]

I have heard of using an o ring on the screw to hold them in place do a search don't remember the size.
I had the issue and used locktite on the screws holds for a while be careful of solvents they can effect the grip from the locktite.
I don't want to go to the rubber grips they are too large for my hands I can't handle the gun as well.

[cdhbrad]

I use O-rings on my 1911s, but because of the way the heads on the grip screws are tapered on the 97B aluminum grips, I don't think an o-ring will allow the screw to seat flush with the grips.  Try a little grease or anti-seize compound if you have it, on the threads of the screws.....I always grease the threads of screws and bolts on my bicycles and they don't back out and they don't seize either.  I would go the Loctite route only as a last choice, use only Blue Loctite, and be very careful not to put too much on the threads.     

[hrdguera]

I put about 300 rounds through my 97B before I felt the Aluminum grips get loose. So far ....I have since put an additional 200 rounds and haven't noticed it again. In fact, I never even checked the grips when I took the pistol out of the box. They might have been loose when they arrived!

Blue Loctite seems the way to go but I have also heard that clear nail polish works too. Because of our climate down here in Texas ....I want to be able to get the grips off to get to the sweat and salt from under them when I clean the pistol. I also now keep a small Torx driver in my bag to tighten the screws. This isn't much of a problem as I hear the same thing from 1911 owners all the time.
Anyone have any other grips other the aluminum and if you do how do they feel? I would be very willing to put the same kind of black grips that are on my 75B Brushed Stainless.

Truthfully, I enjoy the 97B and my 75B so much that an occasional loose grip screw seems like a minor issue.
Everything deserves a little TLC to keep it in top form.

[ffr1910]

I have the factory wood grips on my blued 97, and I think aluminum grips ruin the beauty of a blued gun. There, I said it. I know there was much anticipation when the aluminum grips were slated to come out on the 97, but I like my wood one better, I think they fit the beauty of the bluing better. To your question, the wood grips fit my hand great and I have no plans of changing-Bill

[hrdguera]

My 97B is not Blued ...it is Polycoated. Color is the same as the Aluminum grips.
I will probably try the other grips. I might even try the red ....but since I carry the 97B sometimes .......it might just be too obvious!   

[ffr1910]

Just my opinion for what it is worth, if the gun is polycoated then any grips would probably look okay. my comments were directed as bluing/wood, but that is not your case   bill

[hrdguera]

Just my opinion for what it is worth, if the gun is polycoated then any grips would probably look okay. my comments were directed as bluing/wood, but that is not your case   bill

Looking for a Blued 97B this weekend at the two big shows in town. They are not very common around here. The competition shooters and the knowledgeable shooters snap them up as soon as they arrive on the shelves. I have been shooting my 97B for a few days in a row and this morning I picked up my Sig 226 and 227 and they felt absolutely small in my hand. Had to check for sure that I had the right pistols!

[WahooDick]

I agree with ffr1910; the wooden grips on my blued 97B feel good and look great.  I also put wooden grips on my 75 BD and then switched them for the rubber grips which don't look as good, but have a better feel.  A few adds to my 97B: (all from CGW) red front sight, the Reach Reduction Kit (for reset), trigger pin and return spring.  This is my favorite gun and it never has failed to shoot (all my ammo is reloaded).