97 Magazine Extension

[puddleglum]

Hi all,

I bought some Cain Arms baseplates / magazine extensions for my CZ97 and put them on two Mec-Gar CZ97 magazines I have. At first, I couldn't load more than ten rounds, so I disassembled them and reassembled and then was able to load 12 rounds in to one, but not the other. I whacked the second one against my palm a few times, heard the spring inside move, and then was able to load 12 in it as well, so I figured the spring must have been caught on something inside.

I was using this gun for a move and shoot league at my local range, and while doing the drill, I just let the magazines fall, onto the concrete floor, as I wanted to see how they handle hard use. After the second or third time doing this, one of the magazines went back to only being able to load 10 rounds, and I couldn't get it to spring back whacking it on my palm like before. Ultimately I decided not to mess with them, put the original baseplates on, and used standard 10 round mags for the rest of the league. Not bad practice, really, as it meant one more reload, but I would like to be able to have 12 round mags, if possible.

Anyone have any experience with the 97 and mag extensions?
Any advice on something you did to get the mags working with them?

Thank you.
-pg

[Born2vette]

I have the same extensions for my 97 and the extension/sleeve for my PCR (makes it 20+1).  I drill a hole in the bottom so I can compress the spring when installing or removing.   Have never had any issues with either.  Use the PCR in an action shooting league.

[crc4]

I have Hennings 2-round metal extensions. Well-made and work well. However, to make them work it was necessary to take the CZ 97 mags and remove the lower dimples with a carbide bit and Foredom rotary drill.

The Witness .45 mags do not have dimples and work without any modifications.

[sevt_chevelle]

I've got over 2 dozen 97 mags, not a 1 of them required modification for the Henning extensions.

[puddleglum]

I did give the spring just a little stretch out, as shown on the Cain arms site. Each joint got a very minute tug, but maybe I should have tried without doing this to start.

[crc4]

I've got over 2 dozen 97 mags, not a 1 of them required modification for the Henning extensions.

Both my CZ factory and MecGar required dimple removal. That's a conundrum, isn't it?

https://i.imgur.com/4YYO3er.jpg

[puddleglum]

I will take a look at my mags for dimples. I have two factory CZMags, Two Mecgar, and Two Tangfolio.

[ffr1910]

I 3D printed some from a file I found online. Not combat strong but plinking strong. Bill

[hammer_fired]

Bill,

Where did you download your model? I looked around a bit, but only found bases for other CZs.

I modeled and printed bases for S&W CSX 10 and 12 rnd mags. My modeling skills are limited, but they do work. I found that I had to print them standing on end so the layers were perp to the rails to make them more durable. Also, I started using Polymaker CoPA nylon, which is much stonger and impact resistant than the petg I originally was using.

Chuck

[newageroman]

Another vote for the Hennings that are made of metal. I have 4 97 mags and none have dimples.

[puddleglum]

I tried reinstalling one of the Cain Arms baseplates last night. I was able to load 12 rounds and then, when I tried firmly putting the magazine in with the slide shut on my 97, the baseplate broke, all 12 rounds dumped into my lap, and the spring and follower flew across the room.

So! How about those metal baseplates from Henning?

Their website recommends filing/rounding the follower for reliable feeding. Has anyone found they needed to do this?

Thank you,
-pg

[crc4]

When I removed the dimples from my CZ and MecGar 97 mags I also knocked off the edges of the followers. It doesn't take much to smooth them.

I looked at the Cain extensions, but I didn't find them suitable. The Hennings work great and are substantial in construction.

[puddleglum]

It doesn't appear any of my mags have dimples, so that is good.

What edges did you smooth on the follower? The Henning site says the front top of the follower. Is this in reference to the front edge of the follower that would be right under the bullet of the first shell loaded into the mag? Is it just knocking the edge off?

Thanks,
-pg

[ffr1910]

Bill,

Where did you download your model? I looked around a bit, but only found bases for other CZs.

I modeled and printed bases for S&W CSX 10 and 12 rnd mags. My modeling skills are limited, but they do work. I found that I had to print them standing on end so the layers were perp to the rails to make them more durable. Also, I started using Polymaker CoPA nylon, which is much stonger and impact resistant than the petg I originally was using.

Chuck

Chuck,

I think it was Thingiverse but the file is at home on my personal computer. I will check tonight. Bill

[hammer_fired]

Bill,

Found it by searching Thingiverse directly. Not sure why it didn't show up on my google searches.

Here's the link: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3142536

I'll print one off to see how well it works. Since I cc my 97b, I probably would only use this at the range.

Did you tweak the spring at all?

Chuck