Has CZ Lost Their Mind?

[CZ_FANATIC]

I don't understand this one at all.

https://youtu.be/YaHhgg2ZI8I

[Earl Keese]

They know what sells and what is profitable for them. It's just hard for us dinosaurs to come to terms with. I already have several of the discontinued models, it isn't like I was buying several more of them every year. Really no different than Porsche making SUV's and 4 door cars. I don't have to like it, I just have to accept it.

[Tinker Black]

I guess this answers the question so many have been asking, "When will CZ release the 97 in 10mm?"

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

Sad that they dropped the 97 but this reality. There will be new things coming down the line once the Colt takeover is in full swing and they simply are dropping production of what doesn't bring home the bacon. Guns get dropped all the time and at least with CZ parts will still be available since the discontinued guns share many parts with guns still in production.
S&W dropped the 3rd gen guns in the early 2000's and shortly there after announced they would no longer support parts for them. If you own any of them there's little to no aftermarket parts out there and you are at the mercy of what's available used.
Sig does the same crap as well. They drop guns and drop support all the time. The had a recent run of legacy style P229's and once they sold out there are no more and there is no factory support either.

[BBF97]

We’ve on a 9mm craze for a couple decades. In marketing there is a blindness - “They aren’t buying any 10mm” - because you don’t sell one. The blindness is the indirect sales impact. We who buy everything CZ in all calibers are worth more in sales as brand champions than any ad rag. We’ve all come to disbelieve news and the gun press is just as bad as CNN when it comes to product reviews.

As soon as companies start cutting everything “not selling” you’re on the way to commodity, by definition. It’s just not challenging in the day of CNC machining, mom, contract manufacturing, etc, to make runs of specialty items. Look at the SW revolver catalog.

I keep hoping for a solid double stack 10mm decocker so I can get rid of my G40. I’m not holding my breath. I mean their read on the market is so bad they cancelled they RAMI.

CZ is far more focused on Shawdow-type guns than the 97 or 75. The company is being driven by marketing and sales.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

I keep hoping for a solid double stack 10mm decocker so I can get rid of my G40. I’m not holding my breath. I mean their read on the market is so bad they cancelled they RAMI.

CZ is far more focused on Shawdow-type guns than the 97 or 75. The company is being driven by marketing and sales.

Like it or not the 10mm is a niche market and even if CZ decided to make one if they ever do does not mean "everyone' who likes CZ's will run out and buy one. Of more than 30 people I know who are avid firearms enthusiasts there might be one who's ever expressed interest in the round. Hey maybe once the Colt thing is in place you'll get a CZ made 10mm but I'd bet it'll be something along the lines of the 1911.
The Rami saw it's day and was moved out of production for other things. Absolutely they are focused on marketing and sales how do you think they make money? By producing what sells not by tooling up for something that has limited popularity. I think CZ is heading full bore into the striker fired plastic pistol market as that's where it's at today. They are never going to get a shot at any law enforcement or military contracts in the US otherwise.

[M1A4ME]

I've seen 97's at several gun shows over the years.  Just never was interested in a .45 with just 10 rounds.  I've got a couple 1911s with 8+1 so I'm nearly there already.

I've reached the point (age and guns) where I don't really need another CZ.  Seems funny to say but I have CZs I haven't shot in 3 or 4 years (or more).  Used to think I'd never get to this point, there were so many good/interesting CZs.

The last few years I'd have been way more likely to buy one of those gorgeous Urban Gray CZ75s than a CZ97.

I'm not averse to .45's.  Got the Colt 1911s, a big old XD Tactical 5" .45 and an M&P 2.0 Compact (that, by the way, holds 10 rounds with the standard mags and 14 round mags that I got a heck of a deal on a couple years back.)

I'm sure they're as nice as any other metal framed CZ, just not one I'd me carrying/shooting.

I knew where things were going when they quit making/selling .40's.  Glad I ran across that CZ75B in .40 a couple years back.

[CZ_FANATIC]

They know what sells and what is profitable for them. It's just hard for us dinosaurs to come to terms with. I already have several of the discontinued models, it isn't like I was buying several more of them every year. Really no different than Porsche making SUV's and 4 door cars. I don't have to like it, I just have to accept it.

You are right, but it's sad. I currently have 21 .45 ACP pistols in my collection (too many polymers) and my 97 BD is one of the finest.

[WVSurveyor]

I don't understand this one at all.

In hind sight, you probably should have bought more or them.

[crosstimbers]

Well, firearms companies are like other businesses. Despite attempting to portray themselves as customer-driven, most decisions are made based on other factors than customer wishes. It can be argued that sales are an indication of customer wants and desires, but firearms production history argues against it as there have been some monumental disappointments (such as discontinuing the pre-64 model 70, dropping the model 94- and thats just by Winchester).
CZ has also made what I think will be a huge mistake with it's centerfire rifle production.

People don't usually buy a new gun every time they turn around, unless they have lots of money. So slack sales isn't really a gauge of popularity nor an indication of what people want. But tell that to those who sitting around in some board room, think they can boost sales by discontinuing things people like. And/or save money by lowering production cost through cutting corners, all the while saying something is "new and improved".

No, I'm not bitter.

[GRU7_Mike]

Well if they are dropping the 97b I guess there is not a snowballs chance I will ever see them produce my bucket list gun.....a P01 in 45 cal!

[Claymore504]

Really not suprised by the 97 and Rami. They are both excellent guns! I have a 97B blued model just as a collectors piece. I had a Rami BD years ago and wish I kept it. Really though I'm sure these just did not sell. US as CZ fans, appreciate them much more than the average gun owners.

[double-d]

Methinks some people do not care for decockers or polymer/plastic pistols.......
including me.  Perhaps I'll shed a tear tomorrow, perhaps.

In fairness, I only made it through about three minutes of the video

[hodge]

It's disappointing, but no surprise. I love my job, but I don't do it for free. The goal is to put beans on the table. I understand why a manufacturer, whatever the context, makes changes when something doesn't sell. They have limits in how much they can manufacture, so they have to choose which is going to be the most profitable. I don't blame them. Disappointed, yes. Blame, no.
Glad that I scarfed a 97B up before they got more expensive or disappeared. In a way, it's even more special to me, now.

[NeedCZ]

I love my Phantom!  Never has any interest in the Rami, but now that it's gone, I'm really regretting never having purchased one