Cajun Gun Works bushing upgrade?

[sothoth]

Anyone had their 97b or 97bd send to CGW for the pro package and the conversion to the 1911 style barrel bushing?  Are you happy with it?  Is is more accurate?

I have one that I’d like to have sent to CGW but don’t know if I want that modification or not.  I don’t know if the accuracy difference is significant and if I want it modified so far from stock. 

Thoughts?

[Joe L]

I bought my 97 as a 97B"E" model from CGW maybe 4 years ago.  CGW replaces the factory screw-in barrel bushing with a very carefully fit 1911 bushing.  I shoot bullseye and some 100 yard demonstrations with the pistol so the modification was key for me.  What I can't tell you is how loose the factory bushing was.  That is what sets the improvement. 

For example, on my 9mm 75B, I must have had a very sloppy barrel bushing because adding the CGW 10x bushing made a match level shooter out of it, and it was a dog before, but most 75B's aren't that sloppy. 

With the "E" bushing modification, my 97 is well under 2" at 50 yards.  With the factory bushing, I'm guessing maybe 4-6" at 50 yards is more common, but that is just a guess on my part.  You probably won't see much difference at 10 yards, but will be night and day at 100 yards.   I wouldn't have a 97 without the CGW "E" bushing modification, but that is because I do a lot of "precision" shooting.  If it was just a carry gun or plinker, not a match gun, maybe not. 

I personally enjoy tapping apart a precision fitted barrel, slide, and bushing, instead of just having the parts fall out.  I own something that another person took pride in machining and fitting to make it function as perfectly as possible.  Well worth the price to me. 

Joe 

[Joe L]

I found a video at 100 yards shot with my 97B"E" in 2017.   (ignore anything after 4 minutes in to the video, editing error on my part)
https://youtu.be/u7Rp9RLx3QE

Here is a 25 yard timed fire bullseye practice target, showing how I generally try to shoot the pistol.
https://youtu.be/6GuDWKlTitc

I haven't shot the 97 recently, I think I will take it out on Sunday!

Joe

[Earl Keese]

I can't add much to what Joe said, but it greatly improved the accuracy of my 97B. I'm not as accomplished as Joe in long distance pistol shooting, but my rested groups with 200swc handloads are on a level with very high dollar custom bullseye 1911's. Before the Cajun bushing, I wasn't impressed with my 9u's accuracy at all(very average).
 If you plan to shoot cheap 230gr ball ammo, the improvement won't be as obvious. However,  if you truly want an accurate gun to shoot with appropriate ammo, the conversion is $200 very well spent.

[sothoth]

 If you plan to shoot cheap 230gr ball ammo, the improvement won't be as obvious. However,  if you truly want an accurate gun to shoot with appropriate ammo, the conversion is $200 very well spent.

I was going to have that upgrade and the pro package done at the same time.

I was prepared to make the argument that the bushing might impact the accuracy of the gun more than the other “pro package” upgrades, which are primarily ergonomic, although I realize that’s not entirely true.  I guess what I’m trying to say is that even with crappy ammo my SP-01 shoots like a dream after the work they did and I suspect the 97b will be similar. 

I didn’t like shooting my SP-01 as much as the 75b or P-01 but after the upgrades it’s so satisfying to nail targets as far out as I can with it, or to rapid fire and stay on target, it’d hard to go back.

I think I may have misunderstood the barrel bushing upgrade a bit, it sounds far less intrusive than I pictured.  I think I need to just go for it.  And get the extended mag release because apparently I have short thumbs

Thanks for the feedback.

[Earl Keese]

The bushing will drastically improve barrel lockup, and therefore mechanical accuracy will be improved. The pro package will make it easier for you to shoot it well. Worth every penny.

[pcar157]

From my perspective if you get the Pro Package might as well get the "E"/bushing done as well.  If it makes the gun better to shoot, why not?

[SEAKPhotog]

The bushing sounds worthwhile. I'm going to polish my new 97 and install the CGW defensive package myself but think once that's done I'll send the slide to CGW for the bushing. Man, this forum is chock full of CZ spending enablers!🤣

[Boris_LA]

I have two CZ 97B guns. I did install myself ProPackage on both because I didn't want to wait long time for CGW availability and sending entire gun in. One of the guns have good bushing from factory and shoots mostly 10s, the other one was shooting 10s and 9s. I have sent in to CGW slide only for bushing conversion and its much faster turn around and slide only shipping is simpler. This slide came back shooting Xs and 10s now. Its my primary 45 bullseye gun now.

[SEAKPhotog]

I have two CZ 97B guns. I did install myself ProPackage on both because I didn't want to wait long time for CGW availability and sending entire gun in. One of the guns have good bushing from factory and shoots mostly 10s, the other one was shooting 10s and 9s. I have sent in to CGW slide only for bushing conversion and its much faster turn around and slide only shipping is simpler. This slide came back shooting Xs and 10s now. Its my primary 45 bullseye gun now.

Good to know, thanks. I also chose to do my own CGW package install to avoid the long wait. They did my SP01 and currently have my PCR. I figured I can do the polishing and parts install then send them the slide for the bushing and/or milling when I get around to it.