CZ 97B VERSUS SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 1911

[martas]

HI, I AM CONSIDERING A CZ 97B. I HAVE SHOT THE SA 1911 IN 45 ACP AND LOVED IT. HOW DO THE TWO COMPARE IN TERMS OF OVERALL SIZE, GRIP SIZE (SOUNDS LIKE THE CZ IS HUGE), FEEDING HOLLOW POINTS, AND TRIGGER? I WAS SET ON BYING THE SP 01 IN 40 SW, MAINLY FOR AMMO PRICE, BUT AFTER CHECKING INTO IT MORE IT SEEMS THE 45 ACP IS ONLY ABOUT $2 MORE FOR A BOX OF 50 AND IT SHOOTS MUCH NICER IMO. IT FEELS LIKE A GENTLE BACKWARDS PUSH WHILE THE 40 SW TENDS TO JUMP UP A LITTLE. IS THIS OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCE AS WELL? THANKS.

[CZ75BRocks]

Marta: Your Cap locks are on.  

  I may get flamed for this, but, comparing a  SA 1911 or any 1911 to a 97B is a bit odd.  The 1911s use a 6 (Officer's Model), 7 (GOv't, Commander or Officer's), 8 (Gov't & Commander or 9 rd (38 Super & 9mm) magazines and, for some shooters, easier to grasp.  Weight, based upon what configuration of 1911 you're comparing to, the 97B is lighter ( 97B =2.4lbs and a bushing fitted 1911 is 2.6lbs) or it's significantly lighter than a 1911 (97B = 2.4 lbs and a SA TRP Operator with Bull Barrel & Rail = 46oz, with Tungsten FLGR = 49oz!!)
97B 10rd magazines, 1911 7 or 8rd magazines.  Magazines for the 97B are limited by manufacturer.  The 1911 not so much.  The 97B limited grip panel choice, 1911 the sky's the limit. 1911s first shot Single action, 97B either SA or DA, unless it's a 97BD.  
  I think you are starting to see what I mean by the disparity in comparison.  A better comparison would be, perhaps a EAA Witness in 45acp, or a SIG 220 to a CZ 97B or BD.

  Best yet go shoot one!!   In my case I owned (1) CZ97B.  It was a fabulous shooter. Excellent accuracy, reliability, and finish. It was just too big for my hands.  I own (26) 1911s.  Obviously, they fit my hand just fine.  There are a huge variety of 1911s Gov't, Commanders, and Officer's model frame sizes, 9mm, 40, 45acp, 38 Super.  I recommend one of each.

[larryflew]

+1 for Brocks comments. apples and oranges. Shot a 97 for VERY short time. just too big. Still have a Compact Witness 45 which is close but slightly smaller than the 97 and a couple 1911's which just plain feel great. Do like the recoil of the big and heavy but not carry weight and width. 75 series CZ's in 9mm on the other hand also feel great to me and I have a few of them also. Just so darn much to consider when buying a handgun your kind of stuck with what you are doing and then trying some yourself. There is a reason there are so many nice handguns out there - it is FAR from a one fits all kind of thing.

Now just when you think you found the right gun you can start your drawer full of holsters search

[martas]

Clearly I am a novice. I guess my main question was the size. I keep hearing how huge the 97 is. Unfortunately, there isnt a range within 250 miles that carries one, so cant shoot one. I am 6'1", with average size hands imo. Thought about the sp 01 in a 40, really dont want 9mm, as this will be a home defense/range gun. I plan on getting one gun for multiple uses, which I see is turning out to be the problem, like buying one size screw driver for everything. Also, I read some posts about jamming and FTF with the 97. I presume any gun can jam on occasion given a particular ammo, but I have not read anything about the 75 or sp01 jamming. Is the 97 really more prone to this? Hope this makes more sense. Thanks for the feedback. Martin

[bang bang]

try looking for a 45 witness too.  also are there any 2x stack 1911s?   

what about other gun shops out of the area or gun shows?

i shoot mostly FMJ/BALL thru my autoloaders since ammo is less expensive then HPs.  Im not sure about the original design intents of the 97, but if its like anything else, it could have been "make it bigger and feed 45s" instead of designing the gun around the 45 and design to eat 45.

1 of my 97s has been flawless with Ball/FMJ.  The newest one i got used hasnt and is linked to the mags/mag release.  Have only shot FMJ/BALL thru it too.

[CZ75BRocks]

martas:  I have a SP-01 Tactical in 40 S&W. The fact that you are considering one adds another layer to this comparison.  The SP-01 in 40 S&W is SUPERB rugged, reliable, likes JHPs, great Tritium Sights, 12 rounds, more grip choices. I carry a SP-01 regularly and they are world class guns. 40 S&W is a very capable SD round.  Given a new choice of a 1911, CZ97B or a SP-0 and not wanting to "tinker about"  I would pick the SP-01 in 401 in 40 for an all around handgun, hands down.  Lastly, what you get for the price the SP-01 Tactical is a real bargain.  IMHO

[larryflew]

 If It's also a home defense gun there is over penetration to consider. Apartment/condo vs alone out in the country for instance. If the first one consider how many walls ammo will go through to kill or maim your neighbors. In those instances shotgun or 223 rifle would have considerably less than any of your handgun choices.

So many decisions........

[martas]

Thanks for all the insights. I  have considered overpenetration, which is why i started looking at the 45 caliber. sounds like its a slow, large slug, less likely to do damage outside one's property, if it has to be used there. since no range near me carries these, what guns resemble the cz 97 or sp 01 the closest (afa grip size, ergonomics, weight, shooting mechanics)? Martin

[CZ75BRocks]

SP-01 resembles a CZ75B or a very distant relative of a Browning HP.  The CZ97B resembles nothing else.

[chase78]

A shooting instructor gave me some great advice about getting a gun

"Dont get the cheapest gun
 Dont get the most expensive gun
 Dont get the gun that hold the most bullets
 Dont get the gun that is the lightest
 
 Get the gun you shoot best with and you will probably keep it for the rest of you life. Rounds on Target"

Some people love the way straight lines and simple nature of glock (me - it feel like Im shooting a brick)

Some love the balance from the weight and short trigger pull of 1911 (me - 5" 1911 feels like Im shooting a .50 desert eagle)

Some people love the grip angle and SA/DA of the cz 75 (me - first time I held it, it fit like a glove)


so if you shoot the best with ed brown 1911 then pony up the cash,

if you shoot best with a kel tec products then put your money into getting good ammo and comfy holster

[magarack]

It doesn't matter what caliber ammo you use in an apt. or condo....Use the correct kind of ammo and it wont penetrate the walls.Corbon makes a certain kind that breaks up after it hits the object.

[CZ_Shooter61]

My opinion of the 97BD has changed.

[OldShooter]

Martas, the "sad" truth is you can't buy just one gun.

[martas]

Thank you everybody for their input. Sounds like I truly will not end up with just one gun. That would be like having just one size of screw driver. I ended up with CZ 75B 9mm. Decided to go with the old and tested. Also, I mainly needed something that's easy and cheap to shoot a lot, since I am just getting into this. 9mm just made the most sense. i just got infatuated with the 97 for a while becasuse it's such a great looking gun. Maybe someday. Thanks again!

[Johnnie F.]

... I ended up with CZ 75B 9mm. Decided to go with the old and tested. Also, I mainly needed something that's easy and cheap to shoot a lot, since I am just getting into this. 9mm just made the most sense. ...

In my humble opinion, you made a great choice. The 75 is one of my all time favorites (I own a 75BD Police) and I'm a 1911 guy as my first choice of handgun.

With some training to get you familiar with your new gun and the right choice of ammo, you have a very potent and reliable home defense tool. Aside from .22 rounds, 9mm is the best way to go in affordability to shoot.