CZ97BD Grip Size

[tdogg]

So I have been slowly converting my 97BD to be a limited 10 USPSA gun.  I polished the internals, replaced the sights, and added a mix of CGW and CZCustom parts.  I was out today doing some Bill Drill testing (with a mag change in the middle) and I can't reach the mag release on the 97 as well as I can on the SP01.  I currently have the stock grips on the gun and while I don't have small hands I still have to shift my hand to hit the mag release.  This hand shift really slows down the mag change.

Here is my question.  Are the new aluminum checkered grips as thin as the thin aluminum grips (with grip tape)?  I have the thin with grip tape style on my SP01 and I like them a lot but I always wonder if more grip would be better.  Does anyone have both they can post up a side by side picture of the grip thickness?  How does the checkered grip thickness compare to the stock rubber grips?

My other option would be to find an extended mag release but I don't know if that would help as my thumb isn't quite on the button.

Any other grip options out there to reduce the grip thickness on the CZ97 to make reaching the mag release easier?

Cheers,
Toby

[Tok36]

I am thinking it might not be the grip thickness. It may be the depth of the grip. I have log fingers and i still cant hit the mag release on my 97 with my thumb. I can reach it but due to the deep grip on the 97 i cannot create enough force to work the mag release.

I metered mine with the aluminum checkered grips installed at (1.132 thick). I run the rubber 97 grips (1.270 thick), shooting with the aluminum checkered grips feels like shooting a fence post for me, i target shoot so i am not concerned about mag changes.

I think that if the mag release was extended a bit i could actuate it without shifting my grip. An extended mag release may do more than a grip change but our hand may be different.

[tdogg]

Thanks Tok,

If the grip was thinner the "circumference" of the grip will be reduced and I may be able to actuate the mag release (get my thumb over it more).  I might be in the same boat as you I can't get enough force on the mag release unless I shift my grip.  I don't know if there is an extended mag release offered for the 97B?

So do you have the checkered grips still?  How aggressive was the checkering?  Anything uncomfortable about them aside from the fence post feel? 

Does anyone have the total grip thickness for the thin aluminum grip tape grips?

Cheers,
Toby

[Tok36]

I cant hit the mag release with the rubber or the thin checked grips, hopefully the thinness will do more for you. I do not have any issue with the thin checked grips if they were thicker overall i would likely run them. The checked texturing offers a bit of grip but nothing like grip tape, they are still milled out of slick aluminum. I find them to be overly flat like allot of CZ grips. I prefer the stock plastic/rubber or Nill grip like profile.

It sounds like the the Shadow extended mag release fits the 97B with some filing.
Info Found here (Post# 12): http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=192600

It looks like CGW may be able to help out with an extended mag release. It seams David also lighted up the mag release spring for someone. (Post#5): http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=53651.0

My guess is that if the CZC aluminum grips w/ grip tape are thinner, they are not thinner by much. I am interested to see the measurements on them as well. CZC may be able to give you the specs on them.

 

[Riptide439]

Just shot my 1st limited 10 yesterday with my 97BD. It came with the thin ale grips. If it hade the rubber grips like the SP01 I would not be able to reach the release comfortably. I would like to have a slightly longer mag release but I think I just need to break it in. Below is a link to yesterdays last run. Put a barney mag back in my belt the prior run so only had 7 shots from one mag. 

http://vid1353.photobucket.com/albums/q668/riptide439/20141018_135407_zpsfjeghz9s.mp4

[tdogg]

Riptide, nice shootin!

So I was comparing my SP01 grip/mag release to my 97BD and it is really apparent that the two grips are different.  The mag release on the SP01 extends out of the frame considerably more (~0.125 inches more).  Is the stock SP01 tactical mag release the same as the Shadow extended release?  Does anyone have a picture of an extended mag release on a 97B/BD?

I have a set of carbon fiber grips modeled after the thin aluminum grips on my SP01 and it's total thickness at the mag release is 1.115 inches.  My stock 97BD grip is 1.270 thick at the mag release.  If the 97B thin aluminum grips are the same profile as the SP01, then the total thickness for the 97BD should be about 1.125 inches at the mag release (frame measures ~0.010 thicker).

I think I'm going to go for the thin grips and get an extended mag release too.  May have to wait a bit for the grips since they are $$$$.

Cheers,
Toby

[robertk7]

 

So I have been slowly converting my 97BD to be a limited 10 USPSA gun.  I polished the internals, replaced the sights, and added a mix of CGW and CZCustom parts.  I was out today doing some Bill Drill testing (with a mag change in the middle) and I can't reach the mag release on the 97 as well as I can on the SP01.  I currently have the stock grips on the gun and while I don't have small hands I still have to shift my hand to hit the mag release.  This hand shift really slows down the mag change.

Here is my question.  Are the new aluminum checkered grips as thin as the thin aluminum grips (with grip tape)?  I have the thin with grip tape style on my SP01 and I like them a lot but I always wonder if more grip would be better.  Does anyone have both they can post up a side by side picture of the grip thickness?  How does the checkered grip thickness compare to the stock rubber grips?

My other option would be to find an extended mag release but I don't know if that would help as my thumb isn't quite on the button.

Any other grip options out there to reduce the grip thickness on the CZ97 to make reaching the mag release easier?

Cheers,
Toby

My thin aluminum grips are slightly thinner than the Aluminum with grip tape
.130 on the 97 grip and .143 with the grip tape. When measuring where the grip tape isn't it is .125 the grip tape adds a slight rise to the grip

[tdogg]

My thin aluminum grips are slightly thinner than the Aluminum with grip tape
.130 on the 97 grip and .143 with the grip tape. When measuring where the grip tape isn't it is .125 the grip tape adds a slight rise to the grip

Thanks Robert,

So do you have both the aluminum checkered grips and the thin aluminum with grip tape?  If so, which do you prefer?  How aggressive is the checkered?  How is the grip with either?

Cheers,
Toby

[robertk7]

I have them both; obviously on different guns the aluminum checkered work out fine no major issues they do seem slightly less grippy than the ones with grip tape. The grip tape is on my Accu Shadow and the checkered grips are on a 97 BD. the rubber grips were too big for my hands on the 97 and the trigger reach in DA was difficult, but it dosen't seem that way on the 75 series the rubber grips are comfortable on my SP01. If i have sweaty hands the grip tape or rubber grip provide better purchase then the Aluminum checkered grips.

[tdogg]

So as luck would have it work gave a surprise bonus this week and I was able to order the grips and extended mag release  .  I ordered the grips and an old style 85C trigger for my 40P yesterday from CZ Custom and they arrived today!  It helps that I live about 2.5 hours from them so generally stuff in stock gets here next day.

So I installed them today (unfortunately they arrived after I went out shooting).  They measured at the mag release 1.124 inches thick total.  My guess was pretty close!  I still can't actuate the mag release as easily as I can with SP01.

I'm hoping the extended mag release will fix that.  The 97BD mag release does not protrude as far as any other CZ I own.  It's about 0.080 shorter in total width.  I really wish that it was moved back about .25 inch.  That would solve the issue for me as I would be able to actuate it the same as my SP01 (side of thumb instead of having to move thumb and use the tip).

Patiently waiting for CGW to rework a Shadow extended mag release and ship it!

Cheers,
Toby

[tdogg]

I received the extended mag release from CGW today.  The finish looked OEM and I couldn't tell that it was a modified part.  David really does us a great service with his custom work and drop in parts for CZ's.

Installation was simple.  You don't have to pull the sear cage or trigger bar as there is enough clearance to get the screw out with the hammer down.  I would recommend that you don't pull the mag release spring all the way out, just pull it up enough to get the mag release to slide out of the frame.  Make sure to tighten the spring retention screw tight.  I didn't use locktite as the screw had detents on the head that grabbed the frame when you tightened it.  We'll see how it holds up.  I have the position noted so I can keep an eye on it.

Some Spec's:

Stock mag release protrusion from frame: 0.055 inches

Ext mag release protrusion from frame:  0.195 inches

Some pictures:

Stock doesn't protrude past the grips:


Extended protrudes quite a bit:




So far I haven't played with it much, I just installed it.  With the limited dry fire practice I think I am going to like this setup.  It feels like my SP01 now just a little larger.  I don't have to shift my grip at all and I easily get enough force on the button to drop mag's.  It looked like it protruded out too much at first but it doesn't seem to get in the way of the grip at all.

Cheers,
Toby

[Tok36]

Thank you for the pics tdogg. It is nice to get a look at the upgrade. Looks good.

[Riptide439]

Thanks for the input tdogg
Saving sent me one this week so I am looking forward to getting iota installed today. Your pictures confirm the need for the extended mag release. I honestly think this will drop a second or so off my USPSA runs in Limited 10.