75B or 97B

[Gtown Hunter]

I have looking into buying a semiauto pistol for a little while and have arrived at CZ... And and having to choose between the 75B and 97B. I am leaning heavily towards the 75B, the only thing holding me back from the 97B is the polymer on the base of the magazines that come with it.. I prefer a metal baseplate for a more flush fit and look to the mag well. Are there any after market magazines for the 97B with just a flat metal baseplate? And if there are... How flush and tight is the fit?

[derweibhai]

Dont know of any baseplates other than the plastic ones. Seems like a strange reason to pick one over the other, but each to their own. Most people base the decision on caliber (45 vs 40 or 9) and hand/grip size. They are both great guns, the 97 is of course more expensive, heavier and bigger.

[kevinusa]

Get them both. I did and love them both, You might be able to put compact metal bases on 75 i am not sure. I have never considered it. If so there will be many available as many compact/ PCR owners have switched to plastic bases. This is the best type of dilemma to have. Any decision you make will be a good one.     

[Chris B]

Start with a 75b.  The 97 is a great gun but needs a few modifications to get it up to speed. 

[nahpungnome]

While I don't have a regular 75 B, I have a SP-01 and 97 B.  Both have been converted to SAO.  David did my SP-01 and I did my 97 B.  While both are excellent shooters, I prefer my 97 B far over my SP-01.  That's not to say that you'd have a different opinion.  I think I just like shooting .45s more because my SP-01 isn't even my second favorite of my pistols to shoot.  My Sig Railed 1911 is behind my 97 B as far as my favorite, then the SP-01 (and last is my G19 )

[bang bang]

i have not see any mags with a metal base plate.  Even the EAAs have plastic on the bottom.

[terry mc]

If the magazine base is the only issue check with 75plus and see if he can or does make a base plate for the 97's.
Someday I will have a 97, but for now stocking more ammo sizes is not on the list of to do's.

[CZNomad]

Get one 75 and one 97, you will not regret it.

[Radom]

I started with the 75B Mil, and my second CZ was the 97B.  I've gone through several 9mm CZs over the years, but I still have that first 97B.  I've had three 1911s as well, but my stock 97B is the most accurate handgun I have ever owned, with the possible exception of a S&W PC/Heritage Series Model 15. 

Oddly enough, I once had an FEG GKK .45 that was fairly comparable before the metal fatigue set in.  It was a piece of pot metal, so the mystique of .45 ACP must have some basis in fact...

The plastic baseplate actually makes the magazines easier to manipulate and index with your off-hand, in my experience. 

Ammunition expense is a much bigger factor than it was when I started out roughly 13-14 years ago.  (9mm factory ammo was roughly 10 cents per cartridge back then, and it was even cheaper when purchased in bulk.)  If money is an issue (when isn't it?), I would suggest buying a 75B first for that reason alone.  Otherwise, I prefer the 97B, all things considered. 

[Red October]

Chris B.  What am I missing? My 97BD seems to shoot just fine.
This thing is rock solid, old school, accurate.
Downside?  NO HOLSTERS!!

[Riptide439]

Chris B.  What am I missing? My 97BD seems to shoot just fine.
This thing is rock solid, old school, accurate.
Downside?  NO HOLSTERS!!

I had a Fobus holster for my Rami, and it fit the 97B. I could absolutely use it for IDPA!

[Radom]

If you are committed to a particular handgun (regardless of make/model/chambering), I would recommend getting a custom, form-fitting horsehide holster.  I have no idea what it might cost now (@$150 ten years ago), but it is well worth it. 

[Southern_Partisan]

I'm with CZNomad - definitely get one of each!!  My SP-01 and 97BD were both purchased through and tuned by Matt Mink (master gunsmith and member of Team CZ-USA).  Both have triggers set at 7.5#DA / 3.5#SA with zero grit, zero creep, and break like a glass rod.  The SP-01 is super-accurate with everything I run through it.  I just got the 97BD and haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but I expect the results will be pretty much the same.

Both 9mm and 45acp ammunition are readily available.  The Federal 100-round bulk packs at my local Walmart here in Texas are $25.77 and $28.97, respectively, so the difference in price is not really much of a factor.

I bought extra Mec-Gar mags for my 97BD from Greg Cote.  They have more of a flush fit like what you are looking for.  Here's a link if you're interested:

http://www.gregcotellc.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97_130&products_id=1093&zenid=bf46f5495a34f73e483cba1a6e3dec0f

Whichever pistol you end up deciding to go with, you can't go wrong with a CZ.

[wizardfitz]

I just got a 97bd and its on its way to CGW. i just like the 45 better. Although i wish my wally world had it at texas prices. Here in indy its 46 when they have it

[Radom]

In Evansville and Boonville IN, they are $38.97 for .45 ACP.  I believe Southern Partisan made a typo above, but I can't be sure.