Finally got my hands on a BD

[TheLocNar]

No. I didn't buy it. The LGS had one in the case... $799 cash. $835 credit. I left it there. That's just ridiculous.

One thing I noticed though, the mag release was very hard to engage, and the mag had to be pulled out? Is this typical for the 97?

[Red October]

 
picked up a 97bd $720. LGS.

[Southern_Partisan]

I paid $639 for mine, but that was back when I ordered it in November 2012 (it arrived May 1, 2014).

Both of my factory mags shoot right out the bottom without a hitch.

I haven't tried the Mec-Gar Witness mags I purchased from Greg Cote yet.  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=85c2569225f5e53219be0fd6c12793c7

[Radom]

No. I didn't buy it. The LGS had one in the case... $799 cash. $835 credit. I left it there. That's just ridiculous.

One thing I noticed though, the mag release was very hard to engage, and the mag had to be pulled out? Is this typical for the 97?

The release should NOT be hard to engage, under any circumstances. 

My pistol is much older ('98 production oval code).  It definitely has a magazine brake.  Models with the magazine brake do not allow the magazines to drop free.  The brake is designed to prevent this.  When the pistol was new (over 12 years ago), it would even stop a fully loaded magazine from dropping free.  Over time, not so much.

I got my 97B out from the safe, and the brake still works on empty magazines.

http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=14694.0

I have no idea which style of brake is installed on current 97 pistols, precisely because CZ-USA doesn't provide this information anymore.  I prefer the "old days" when they advertised this as a desirable feature, one way or the other.  I seem to be a minority of one who prefers the "positive" brake.

[TheLocNar]

I went back earlier this week at the 97B was still $799 cash. I just smiled and walked away. lol

Yeah, the mag just wouldn't release easily. I have 3 other CZs and none of them acted that way. Something wasn't right with that particular one they had on display... well, aside for the cost.

[nicky]

     My CZ is also a 98 model. I got it used about 9 months ago. Remember it's a military pistol.The mag brake is meant to keep the mag from dropping free into the mud & snow.
     The brake can be bent to allow the the mag to drop free.

[TheLocNar]

Yes. Aware of that. The thing is, the mag release button had to be forced down for the mag to even budge. Oh well. Maybe that's why it's still sitting there in the case. Along with the $800 sticker. lol

[Towns]

On the CZ-USA site, the press release for a BD model released in 2009, listed a MSRP of $874.

http://cz-usa.com/press-release/cz-97-bd-45-acp/

 The current MSRP is $816.  The standard 97B model has an MSRP of $707.

The BD model has tritium sights.  I wonder if the one in the shop has tritium sights.  It would explain the higher price.

[nolab]

I bought a Glossy Blue 97B NIB for $640 about a month ago - just have to keep looking. Mag release works great - I really like the gun and plan on sending to CGW for upgrades.

[nyc71]

I scored a new one on Gunbroker for $635. I can't wait!