Dilemma....97 vs P09

[Spartan33]

Interested to hear from people who have both. 
I have a fairly new P09.  GREAT GUN - reliable, soft shooting, easy to shoot accurately.
However, I find myself wanting a 97.  I really like the 45.  CZ is a great platform.  This match seems fantastic. 
While I like the P09, I prefer a steel frame. They don't feel cheap or fragile (not that they really are, just feel that way).  I find CZ steel framed pistols are just incredibly comfortable in the hand, not to mention the weight making them very shootable, and feeling like something with more craftsmanship. 97 has a fiber optic front sight, which I love.
I HAVE TO CHOOSE ONE.
What am I not considering, other than ammo cost and capacity???

I should mention that I have an SP-01, that's not going anywhere.  IMHO, it does everything the P09 does, but a little better - softer shooting, better sights, fits my hand better, etc.

[Canuck44]

I own a 97B.  If you have large hands this is the pistol for you.  If you have Medium Small to small hands then the 97B is really not for you.  I wear a Medium Large golf glove and the gun has as big a grip as I would want to encounter on a gun.  I think the gun is an excellent buy, and is super accurate.  Mine really only shoots RN bullets and chokes on Lyman 200 gr LSWC.  An easy fix but one I have not done.

Aside from having a large grip the gun is excellent.

Hope this helps

Bob

[Riptide439]

+1 to all Canuk's comments including non-RN bullets.
I invested in Cajun Gun Works upgrades and believe it was the best investment I ever made in a pistol. Shot it inmy 1st USPS match last week and was very impressed with the performance of the gun but the operator needs work!

I honestly would not even compare the P09 to the 97. IMO it is not even a close matchup. The 97 takes it,

[Spartan33]

It's funny that hand size has come up.  I have huge hands....not thick, but long.  I'm 6'6" and have never met someone with larger hands.  Often I can't find fitting gloves.  I actually consider this a testament to CZ, because my SP-01 is the most comfortable gun I've held (no local 97s around).
That's a gripe I have with my P09.  Can't find a naturally confortable grip....which has been better than any other poly framed pistol, just not my SP-01.

You guys are confirming what I've been thinking.  P09 is a great service pistol, but for my use, I prefer a more finished piece of machinery. It's just always hard to let a good gun go.

How do they handle hollow points and SD ammo?

[tdogg]

Just out today shooting the 97BD.  Mine seems to feed and shoot 200 SWC's just fine?  I was shooting my own reloads against some Federal factory 230 ball ammo.  My SWC reloads were easily more accurate and I've had not failures to feed yet.

I've got large hands and the 97BD is difficult to hold onto.  I'm getting thin aluminum grips today and having CGW make me an extended magazine release so it's a little easier to perform mag changes in competition.

But its my favorite gun to shoot, I have been working toward getting it ready for USPSA and now maybe IDPA comp's.  I currently shoot my 9mm SP01 Tactical and there is no doubt I'm faster with it in follow up shots and mag changes.  I hope with the grip changes that I can improve on that with the 97BD.

I can't speak to the P09 as I haven't shot or handled one.

Cheers,
Toby

[Canuck44]

It's funny that hand size has come up.  I have huge hands....not thick, but long.  I'm 6'6" and have never met someone with larger hands.  Often I can't find fitting gloves.  I actually consider this a testament to CZ, because my SP-01 is the most comfortable gun I've held (no local 97s around).
That's a gripe I have with my P09.  Can't find a naturally confortable grip....which has been better than any other poly framed pistol, just not my SP-01.

You guys are confirming what I've been thinking.  P09 is a great service pistol, but for my use, I prefer a more finished piece of machinery. It's just always hard to let a good gun go.

How do they handle hollow points and SD ammo?

If yo have large hands go for it, the 97B is your gun.  It's a .45ACP I would expect any bullet shape that does not have a round olgive is going to give the gun fits.  I know you can get the gun ramp modified to allow SWC designs.  You should speak to a 'smith familiar with CZ's to be sure.  I just accepted the fact the gun wasn't going to shoot LSWC and moved on to RN bullets.  For me and my needs that was the solution.  You lijely want the gun for other reasons than mine so have that aspect checked out.

I am willing to bet the gun will out shoot 1911's that cast 4 times the cost of a 97B with more rounds in the mag.

Take Care

Bob

[robertk7]

I've got fairly small hands 5'3" wear medium or large gloves depending on the manufacturer. I have a 97 BD as well as an SP-01, (both have the thin aluminium grips) on both gun i need to change my grip in order to drop a mag there is really no difference for me my thumb does not easily reach the mag release on either gun. But i have no issues with trigger reach I can shoot double action or single action with almost equal competency. I am waiting for a P-09 three day delay here in Illinois and I did not really notice the Mag release when I played with it but the trigger reach seemed comparable and comfortable to me. Can tell you more on Monday after I Pick it up. I am not currently aware of any fullsize guns that I can reach the Mag release on without switching my strong hand grip.  I can't really activate or deactivate the safety on either model which is one reason I prefer the BD model that I can activate without changing my grip.

Bob

[nicky]

     I have both pistols. I think they are both great.
     I have fairly large hands & can't use my trigger finger due to a childhood accident. So I have to use my middle finger which is too long but works.
     I love my 97B. It has some weight & feels great in my hand. I like the fact that it feels like I am holding something substantial. I suggest that you find one and see how it feels to you before buying one. Many complain about the size.
     I bought a used P-09 with very low mileage. First time at the range I was surprised at how accurate it was. I prefer metal pistols but this piece has me rethinking my view about plastic guns. This is a great pistol.
     If you can't get both I would think the 97B would be the way you should go. Since you have a SP-01 this would give you a metal pistol in 45.
     Either way you can't go wrong.
     Just my 2 cents.

[Smitty79]

It does depend on the planned use.   As a night stand or SHTF gun, the P-09 wins for me.   I like lots of bullets.  19+1 vs 10+1 is a no brainer.   As a range gun, pick your poison.

[BA Glover]

Good thread.  I'm kinda in the same boat.  For me it's a 97 or a P-07. Oh and it's not which one its just which one first.....

[Smitty79]

Good thread.  I'm kinda in the same boat.  For me it's a 97 or a P-07. Oh and it's not which one its just which one first.....

Which one fills the role you need filled first?   More than half of any gun purchasing decision is what do you need it to do.   After that, it's personnel preference.

[Spartan33]

Glad some others are benefiting from this thread. 
I don't really have a role to fill.  My SP-01 covers things quite well.  It was more for fun.  At the moment, I think ill stick with my P09.  I just can't get rid of a good gun, and I got it for a great price.  It can act as a backup to any role my SP-01 fills (always nice to have a backup).

I do still plan on a 97, but may be a few more months, and a couple other purchases, away.
I'm the meantime I can load up on 9mm ammo.

[BubbaLa]

i've read that cz will still sell the 97, but it will be not be made by them. fud or true?

[Alpha Sierra]

i've read that cz will still sell the 97, but it will be not be made by them. fud or true?

Who wrote that?