I have been lurking this part of the forum and all the LGS's almost all summer wanting one of these and now I have one. I am a happy little camper now
. It is a 2013 model with the thin grips.
I was able only to put 20 rounds through it before it got dark but I do have a few observations that may be useful to prospective buyers.
Felt recoil was much less that expected. I must admit that the 200gr LSWC's over 4.8gr HP-38 is a very mild load but I have shot a Beretta 84 in 380 auto that had more felt recoil than this.
The concern about size of grip is no longer an issue with the thin aluminum grips. It seems to me that the size of grip on the 97b is the same as on the 75 P-01 with rubber grips. A Beretta 92F grip feels bigger than the 97B.
Overall size is not that much different than a 5 inch 1911 or a Glock 21. I believe the 97B's full length dust cover creates an illusion that makes it look larger than it effectively is. I say "effectively" because I have been doing holstering and handling drills with it and the overall size has not been an issue as I though it would have.
It is a bit heavy if one has been used to alloy frame handguns. However, compared to an all steel 5 inch 1911, weight and balance is different but still close. I like the balance of this gun much better than the balance of the Glock 21. I have carried the 97B in an ordinary belt slide holster for a few hours and the weight has been a non-issue for me so far. While one may notice the weight at first, I think this will become a non-issue as time is spent with it.
I does live up to its reputation for being very accurate. With only 20 shots fired at 30 yards I feel very good about hitting whatever I want to and I suspect this will only improve with more trigger time.
I am glad I waited and just happened onto this instead of getting something else in .45. I think I am going to be a happy camper for quite a while with it.
