Author Topic: CZ 97B vs 1911  (Read 3101 times)

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Offline mojust

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CZ 97B vs 1911
« on: November 27, 2005, 05:52:56 AM »
How does the 97B stack up against the 1911 for the long run?  As durable?  I was impressed when I fired one a few weeks ago, and wonder how the gun holds up over time, and how it compares to other 1911 style pistols.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Walt-Sherrill

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CZ 97B vs 1911
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2005, 06:29:31 AM »
Its going to depend on which 1911 you buy and what kind of expectations you bring to the contest.

In my experience, a low-end 1911 will need lots of tweaking, and may have parts that aren't durable. A low end 1911, maybe a bottom line Colt or Springfield (or Rock Island Armory, which is even cheaper) comes to you cheaply because corners have been cut.  You may have to replace those corners to get the performance you want.  I know folks who buy RIA gun, swap a few parts, do a little tweaking, and love them.  You end up with a gun comparable in price to the CZ97B.  Colt and Springfield's low end guns often have some QC issues.

A low-middle/middle range 1911, like a Kimber, may be pretty good and durable.  But I've seen a lot of folks complain about SOME Kimbers.  (Others love'em.)  These typically cost more than a 97B.

A high-middle 1911, like a Wilson will be good and durable (but you're talking about 2-3 times the CZ-97Bs purchase price).

And then there are the custom 1911s, built by a local gunsmith, or one of the big names.  You can't generally touch these for less than $1500 -- and can spend as much as $3,000 - $5,000.

The CZ-97B shares the same internals as the 75B, which is a long-running well-tested design.  It appears to be very durable, and its very accurate, out of the box.

In performance, I'd say it compete very favorably with the Kimbers and higher-priced springfields.  And the low-end Wilsons.  The trigger won't be as good, but the accuracy will be.  Then too, its double action.

To get a trigger on a 97B that approaches a top-quality 1911 will take an action job ($150-$200).

The 97B is not as compact and won't conceal as well. It won't fit as many hands.  But it seems to be well made, of good materials, with a lot of potential.  And comes with more realized potential than many guns.

You're reallly comparing apples and oranges.

A fine 1911 is hard to beat.  A fine CZ-97B is hard to beat.  Which do you like best?  Apples or oranges?

Offline mojust

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CZ 97B vs 1911
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2005, 09:58:44 AM »
Thanks, Walt.

wanderlust005

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CZ 97B vs 1911
« Reply #3 on: November 29, 2005, 01:30:28 AM »
My Thank you's to sir Walt, i myself is wondering how a 97b will fair will 1911's as i do agree comparing the two is just like comparing apples to oranges.... still your comment/advice was quite an eye opener. :D

BRASMAN

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CZ 97B vs 1911
« Reply #4 on: November 29, 2005, 04:04:02 AM »
My 97B is actualy more accurate than my two SA 1911s. The last time I shot my CZ97 though I had issues with feeding HPs and have since replaced the recoil spring and polished the feed ramp and am going to try some hornandy XTPs in it next time. My Springfield loaded ate everything last time including TMJs, HPs, Winchester white trash and Independence fmj. I had to replace the recoil spring and get some decent mags to get it to do that but it is not that much work to do it and I am growing very fond of it. The Mecgar and Novak mags work like a dream. I am going to put some work into my 97B too though because it is worth it for sure. They are both very different pistol and a lot of it depends on what you like to shoot and which one feels more comfortable. I would recomend both. Hopefully some day I will get a SIG GSR.

wanderlust005

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CZ 97B vs 1911
« Reply #5 on: November 30, 2005, 02:30:29 AM »
wow :eek  is it really true, the 97B is more accurate that an SA 1911.

Dang, i did made the right choice didnt I :D

(i was eyeing the springfield before i decided to settle with the 97B).

Walt-Sherrill

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CZ 97B vs 1911
« Reply #6 on: November 30, 2005, 05:56:34 AM »
Its more accurate than SOME 1911s.    

But its a awkward comparison, trying to match up a 97B to an unspecified 1911.  

One of my 1911s, a SIG GSR, which cost about twice as much as the CZ-97B, is more accurate than the 97B I had, and it was no slouch.  But that may not be the case another pair being tested (97Bs vs 1911a1).

The 97B is a good, solid design, accurate design but its not intended to be a 1911 substitute or competitor: its a DA/SA double-stack pistol. A 1911 isn't.

BRASMAN

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CZ 97B vs 1911
« Reply #7 on: November 30, 2005, 06:30:57 AM »
The specific models that I have that my 97B will out shoot are an SA G.I. and a Loaded service Bitone with the alloy frame. They are very accurate as well but my 97B is more accurate. I am not saying it will out shoot an ED Brown or Les Baer or anything but I wonder how much more accurate they would be compared to the price difference.

Offline Mindsink

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CZ 97B vs 1911
« Reply #8 on: December 16, 2005, 09:22:07 PM »
I wonder though how the 97b jumps in performance when lets say its converted to a SA with an action job and a few more modifications like a miossi hardened sear, competition trigger and wolff springs are added. Does the 97b then start to compare in performance with lets say a good wilson or may I dare start to compare it to a gunsmith custom?

Walt-Sherrill

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CZ 97B vs 1911
« Reply #9 on: December 16, 2005, 10:15:54 PM »
Converting the gun to SA will not make it more accurate.

Doing a trigger or action job will not make it more accurate.  

Those changes can make it easier to shoot accurately, but (I'm slightly oversimplifying) a gun's innate accuracy is a function of things like (but not limited to) barrel/slide fit, barrel design, and to a lesser extent (much less) slide to frame fit.  

The work that Jim Miossi, Angus Hobdell, Matthew Mink, or Mike Eagleshield might do to a 97B will make it more shootable -- allow you to realize more of its accuracy potential -- but their work won't really make it more accurate.

An upgraded barrel might improve accuracy.   If the barrel is loose in the slide, they might be able to adjust that, and that will help accuracy.  

A lot of practice might improve PRACTICAL accuracy.

BRASMAN

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CZ 97B vs 1911
« Reply #10 on: December 17, 2005, 02:09:24 AM »

"A lot of practice might improve PRACTICAL accuracy."


Well said.