New 97B...Big Kick

[ulflyer]

Been lurking on this forum for awhile and since I reload 45's for my 1911's decided I should try a 97B.  Found a LNIB at Raleigh gun show yesterday, made in '03.  Came home and checked it out, then put about 45 rounds of my mild reloads thru it.  Functioning and accuracy was good, with my flat point lead bullets,  but man how that thing KICKS,  compared to my 1911's.  Any suggestions as to how this can be temptered?

 Gonna  sand the rough checkered grips down smooth to alleviate a slight irritation, although I think what bothered me most is the rather prominent serrated groves on the grip frame.  Might try some tape over these next time just to see if it feels better.  

Question on the bushing:  should it be screwed in finger snug, then backed off one notch so as to have a little play?

Question on the front sight:  Can a slightly taller one be had?  I seemed to be shooting a tad high.

[Boricua]

Welcome to the other side!   Might try to replace the recoil spring with a stronger one.  I use an 18lbs. in mine, it kicks no more than my other pistols.

The bushing should be screwed in finger tight then backed off to the notch.  Do you have a single notch bushing or the star one?  After all my problems with a cracked slide I think the singles are better due to being timed correctly.

As far as sights check with Angus as he sells them.  Are you sure it is not the way you are gripping the pistol?

[KingPolymer-III]

Congradulations, its a great weapon.  I have smaller than average hands and had the same problem.
  This may seem like a simplistic solution, but it worked wonders for me.  I put a Hogue full size pistol slip on rubber grip and it worked wonders. These things are phenomenal, felt recoil was reduced at least 25%, but thats just me.  For $10, you can't go wrong.  Please try it.  I did the same thing for my Glock 21.

[ulflyer]

Boricua....mine has the star bushing. I read all about your previous problems.  Hope the new gun is working well for you.

Gotta order some stuff from Brownells soon for my 1911's so I'll get an 18 lb spring at same time.

Kingpolymer,  will also give the rubber grip a try.  I have one on my Smith 457 and it sure did help...I hadn't thot of trying it on the 97B because it already has such big handles.  I am gonna sand the checkers off which will make them a bit thinner.

[KingPolymer-III]

Let us know how it works out for you.

[Boricua]

I have a sanded pair of grips as well as the factory ones.  The sanded do give the grips a smaller feel but control problems.  The stock grips fill more of the area of my second knuckles better which is important for control.

I would like to get grips like my 85B for my 97B.  With that palm swell, the more of your hand that contacts the pistol the better the control will be.  I am going to talk to our site grip maker and see what he thinks.

[sanger00verdun]

Funny. I have larger hands and I find that the 97B kicks LESS than any of my 1911's. Or rather, I think it kicks more back than up as follow up shots are quicker. It is a phenominally easy gun to shoot, IMHO.

[KingPolymer-III]

No doubt !, felt recoil is highly subjective and subsequently as you shoot a particular model more and more, you get used to it and compensate , followed by improvements in accuracy.

[kngflp]

To me, my 97's recoil is less than my 75s in .40 and my kel tec p-11. I also think it has less recoil than the 1911s I have shot.

[KingPolymer-III]

The Kel Tec P11 sure gives the perception of strong felt recoil due to the long and heavy trigger pull.  I think its around 7-8 pounds if memory serves me right.
  All in all,  I have to be honest,  I can take any 1911 that I have in 45 and any Glock in 45, and the CZ97 edges them all out.  Its a perfect 45.  There is no doubt about it.  
  Glock and Smith & Wesson do a better job of marketing themselves and self promotion.  CZ is a better weapon, but the marketing needs vast improvement.

[BRASMAN]

I have to agree with what kngflp said. I was very pleased with the recoil and thought it was mild for a .45. Every one is different though so I hope you get your problem fixed. The only thing I can think of is recoil springs or see if someone makes a buffer for it.

[kamicosmos]

I'm another that thinks the 97 has very mild recoil compared to other .45s, including 1911s.  

Course, could be that I'm used to the 97 by now, but I remember being impressed with it's light recoil impulse when I first got it.

[KingPolymer-III]

CZ's in general are not heavy in recoil regardless of caliber. Its an integral characteristic of the make.

[Walt-Sherrill]

Some of the reason for the lower felt recoil is that the gun fits the hand well.

The other part -- and its certainly a key component in the 97B's performance -- is that the darned things are frequently steel and HEAVY!  

The 97B is Not a light gun.

[KingPolymer-III]

Its interesting that you mention that Walt,  because when I shoot my Glock 21 and my CZ97 side by side at the range and alternate,  the Glock 21, loaded with 13 rounds of 45ACP , "feels" just as heavy as the CZ97.  Its amazing what perception can do when you shoot two good guns that you like and shoot them often.