Just purchased New CZ 97b as my first fire arm.

[Mindsink]

Well I just purchased a new CZ 97b from G.A.T. Guns over here in IL for about $540. This will be my first very own fire arm. I am pretty excited. My buddy has been taking me along to the range and allowing me to shoot his variety of guns for some time now. During my first time out at the range I got hooked instantly and from then on I have researched many types of hand guns until about a month ago when I decided to purchase a CZ 97. I would like to let you all know that you guys have been a major supporting influence in me choosing the CZ 97 as my first hand gun. I am now at the point of waiting the dreaded 72 hour period before I can bring her home. It will be tough but some how I will get through it. I will update with some pics when time allows.

[Omega8omega]

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to CZnuts brotherhood.
Are you aware about membership fees?
At least one CZ a year. or else...

[wanderlust005]

Congrats!!!

I myself have recently purchased a 97b, about 4 days ago to be exact, and like you i have yet to bring my baby home, have yet to receive my gun permit and in my country acquiring one, though easy is a very slow process and the red tape doesnt help either.

still, the excitement mounts day after day

[BRASMAN]

Congrats!!!! It will not be your last CZ. No one can have just one. You even picked probably the best CZ too in my opinion.

[Walt-Sherrill]

Getting a .45 for a first handgun is a hard way to start -- like trying to start riding on a unicycle instead of a two-wheeler.

If its truly a first handgun, be prepared to be overwhelmed for a while, but you'll eventually get past it.   Its a "different" experience than a .22 or 9mm gun; recoil will be daunting, at first.

Shoot a lot, and if possible, get some instruction from a local NRA class (available at many local ranges.)

You've bought a good gun, so be patient.  Good results will come -- but it may take a while.

[mshumate99]

Heh..  yeah the first handgun I had other than a .22 was a Smith & Wesson 44 Special Target revolver.  I was 16 and wanted to be dirty Hary.  At the time I thought it was a .44 Magnum (showes my youthful inexperience) but once I got the right shells for it I could not believe what I had been missing.  It was very nice..  Stainless steel, 6.5 inch barrel, Walnut grips ribbed trigger which a strong wind would set off lol...

But as far as semi autos go I have yet to find one I like better than my 97b.

<cry> wish Id not sold that Smith...

Mitch

[Mindsink]

Quote: Getting a .45 for a first handgun is a hard way to start

Yes I have chosen a .45 as my first hand gun but I am not a first time shooter. I am a spoiled newb since my friend is a gun fanatic. His collection ranges from hand guns to AK's. As far as hand guns go my good friend that introduced me to guns has been educating me with proper shooting instruction for some time now. I started off shooting a 9mm Beretta and worked my way up. After the Beretta I shot a CZ 75. At that time my inexperience blinded me from realizing how awesome the CZ 75 really is. I moved on to shooting his praised Colt 1911 and then I became fascinated with the Sig and specifically with the Sig P220. For a long time I planned to purchase the P220 and rented the gun at local ranges. After researching certain information I decided not to purchase the gun and began my search again for my first hand gun. My friend threw out a hint that maybe I should consider a CZ97 and a couple of weeks later I decided to do some research. Soon after I came across this site and began to do allot of reading. As I read more and more I began to fall in love with the idea of owning a CZ97. Since none of my local ranges have a CZ97 to shoot I began shooting my friends CZ75 to begin to understand the fine gun craftsmanship of CZ. After doing a little more reading on this forum I decided a couple of days ago to purchase the CZ97 and went out yesterday and got one.

[Otto N Sure]

What a great decision you've made!  My CZ 97 is, perhaps, the finest pistol I've ever owned.  I bought it used, but not abused, from a memeber of this forum and it is the most accurate .45 acp I have ever fired.

But as others have warned, this probably won't be your last CZ!  I have:

3--CZ 52's
1--CZ 82
1--CZ 83
1--CZ 97
1--CZ 100

As you can see, there is a BIG gap between the 52's and the 82..it MUST be filled by a CZ 75!!  Settling on which one is my only concern!!

Otto N. Sure

[Mindsink]

I just put in an order for a SS FLGR and a #16 wolff recoil spring from the JackAsh Custom Shop. I did some reading and alot of you guys recommend going with #16. Also someone quoted that Mike from CZ-USA advises on the #16. I havent picked up my CZ yet but cant help but to have some upgrades waiting for her when she comes home.  

[Walt-Sherrill]

The flgr and heavier spring will likely be good additions to your gun, but do yourself a favor:

1) Use it for a while without any changes.  Be sure its functioning correctly before upgrading.

2) Change out the guide rod, but keep the factory spring.  Fire it for a while to be sure its working right.

3) Finally, upgrade the spring.

There's nothing worse than having problems with a new gun, and also installing new parts -- and not being able to tell what's causing the problem.

[Mindsink]

Waltgreat advice. I will definitely follow it. Could you please elaborate on the time frame? What does exactly a while mean? One shooting session of 150 rounds? I am thinking of shooting 150 rounds stock and when all goes well I will just change the flgr and keep the stock spring. Then take it out for another session of another 150 rounds and when all goes well install the #16 Wolff spring. Does this sound like appropriate measures to make sure everything is working properly?

[WorkingStiff]

I feel your pain waiting. My CZ97b is sitting at my gun dealer's shop. Can't get it until the CoBIS test is done by the NYS police. Then I gotta run to the county court house to add it it to my pistol permit first before I can pick it up. It's like a cruel initiation hazing test I gotta get through before I can get my gun.

Like you, I went ahead and ordered  the metal recoil rod and 16lb spring, as well as 2 more mec-gar mags. I've got the CZ97b fever bad, real bad.

[Walt-Sherrill]

If you can shoot a couple of boxes of ammo without problems, you're ready to move to the next improvement.  If that works for a couple of boxes, you then move to the next.  If things go awry, back off one improvement.  <grin>

You may find that you like the stock spring better than the replacement.   Some of the heavier springs are aggravating (harder to rack), and unless the spent brass is going into the next county, it might not matter.

[Mindsink]

Thanks for all the congrats from everyone. He he it's tough waiting but we will all soon enough have em home. I guess I shouldnt complain about 72 hours, workingstiff's procedure sounds like a tedious task. But anything is worth it for a sweet CZ. I wonder what is the worst state to deal with?

Walt thanks for the clarification and I will definitely be sure to follow your formula.

I also want to get some Omega custom grips real bad. They look real sweet! Do most people here that own 97's get customs and do they make a big difference?

[crysour]

More congrats...The CZ97B was my first firearm as well. I was going to buy a Sig P220 but when I saw that beauty sitting all by her lonesome I couldn't resist. I have purchased a number of .45's since (kimbers, Springers, Sigs) but I love my CZ and would stack it up against any gun. Good choice. I would recommend the grips they really enhance the look and feel of the gun. See below. cad