My new used CZ97

[brutus51]

Came across an older model 97 on consignment, price was right so I bought it.
I really want to love this gun but I have 2 problems.
First the gun won't feed hollow or flat point ammo. Either it jams right on the feed ramp or goes 3/4's of the into battery and locks up the slide which takes a great deal of effort to free up. I have blued the feed ramp and stone it noticing a distinct multiple angle hump. Not wanting to screw it up I elected to just polish it until it was glass smooth. This improved it somewhat but not completely. Gun functions without a hitch if I stick to round nose ammo.
The second issue is the grip. Felt a little large in my hand when I bought it but wasn't uncomfortable, turns out it is an issue. I can get off two or three shots that will group beautifully but after that I have to re-grip it or my strings will begin to drift left or right. After researching I've discovered the new models ship with a longer feed ramp, thinner alum grips, and an improved barrel bushing. Don't want to invest so much that I could have bought a new one.
Any idea what the custom shop charges for an upgrade? Any other advise would be quite welcome.

[whitecap]

A new barrel with the longer feed ramp when I checked a month ago was $145.00 from CZ. Look back in theses threads and contact DavidB. He is making some grips for the 97B and may be able to make the thinner ones for replacement. You could also check with CZ in regard to putting the newer thin grips on your older model. Good luck and welcome to the site.

[Pilot1]

Contact CZ USA.  Their customer service is usually pretty good.  They may replace the barrel for you as it is a known problem.  You can buy thinner aluminum grips fro CZ or go aftermarket.  I bought a new one just for these reasons, although I have large hands and no issues with the grip.

[brutus51]

Didn't think of customer service, bought the gun used so I doubt they will do anything but it's worth a try.

[Pilot1]

Didn't think of customer service, bought the gun used so I doubt they will do anything but it's worth a try.

They may work with you, and give you the upgraded barrel.  I have a Kadet Kit .22LR coversion that I bought about 15 years ago new.  The originals had round firing pins that would cause occasional failures to ignite the primers.  They sent me the parts from the new, improved kit to upgrade the unit for free even though I offered to pay for them.

Recently, I bought a used, older dedicated Kadet .22 pistol which had the same issues.  Even though I was not the original owner, they again sent me the new parts for free.  They will want the serial number to verify the age of the gun.  Who knows?  It doesn't hurt to ask, plus even if they don't send you the new barrel for free, they may give you a deal on it. 

[brutus51]

So much for the customer service option, their response.
Brutus


Sounds like you may be better off with a trade or sale.  Most of the issues can be fix to a degree, but the grip will always be an issue.  You will easily spend more on upgrades than you probably paid for the pistol itself.


David

and from the Andy at the custom shop

I can install a new style barrel for 145.00 and the grips are 85.00. You likely do not need a new barrel bushing but if you want one they are 35.00.

  Could've bought a new one with all the bugs worked out, I'd like to say I've learned my lesson and in the future will thoroughly investigate before buying but you know how it is, have to strike while the fires hot or it might be gone. As an owner of three other CZ products the thought never occurred that there would be bugs that needed ironing out.
Think I'm going to sell or trade it. Shame, I really wanted to love this gun and I'm going to feel bad about the next guy having to make the same discoveries.

[terry mc]

Brutus,
Sorry to hear you are having issues.

I would like to make a couple suggestions.
Try removing the grips altogether (unloaded of course) then handle the gun and see if your trigger finger alignment continues to be an issue.
This will give you some idea if the flat panels would even be an option for you.
This is a free experiment and will give you a rough feel for whether or not you will like the gun with the flat grips.

From your comments, it sounds like your regrip issue is in SA, is that correct?
Maybe try some dry firing with and without the grip, so if your point of aim changes.

I only suggest some experimenting because it can be free and may point to an issue other than just the grip width. (i.e. grip width vs. grip length) I get a better purchase on mine with a larger grip actually but I have large hands, but my wife (XS glove) shoots it fine with Nills Masters grips and they are very large grips. So shape can have an impact as well.

Also if budget is a concern and removing the grips allows a better trigger reach, maybe consider sanding down the checkering on the grips.
There is actually a bit of meat there than can be removed, I know as I have been experimenting with a pair that I bought (trying to create a semi palm swell be thinning out some areas)

The other items i would not worry about until you decided if the grips are a no go item, they can be done later.
And if I was replacing the barrel bushing I would have Schmeky do the Enhanced bushing instead of the stock one, just because!


Hope I did not waste your time, but it sounds like you like to tinker anyways and it sucks to sell a gun and later figure out that the one you replace it with is not any nicer than what you had.

[brutus51]

Thanks for the feedback Terry,
When I handled the gun at the store it didn't feel like it would be an issue.
After measuring I found that the grip width is the same as a 1911 ( my favorite).
The difference is in the length .220 (7/32) longer than a 1911 grip frame. Reach to the trigger doesn't seem to be an issue as I have been decocking and firing the first shot DA. I have medium size hands but unfortunately not +P medium. Really feel the thinner grips and practice would eventually overcome the grip problem were it not for the other issues.

[terry mc]

I can understand that.

If you did stick with it, I would also think about some grip tape on the front and back edge of the grip frame.
Sounds like it might help stabilize the frame horizontally in your grip.
I know Joe L just did it on his 97 and I cannot argue with his shooting abilities.

 But probably a moot point anyways.

[Pilot1]

Well, I feel badly for you however, a couple of positives.  The gun will reliably shoot ball ammo.  Do you "need" to shoot hollow points?  The grips can be pretty easily modified or changed out rather inexpensively.  The barrel bushing is probably not an issue.  Get a factory one if it becomes an issue, or have CGW or CZ Custom do their mod.

See?  Not so bad huh? 

[tdogg]

Sorry your having troubles with the 97.  What model and type of grips are currently installed?  I swore there is a member here looking for the original rubber grips with the palm swell.  He would probably just trade you straight up for new aluminum thin grips.  I couldn't find the thread where he was searching for them.

Can you post up a picture of it?

Cheers,
Toby

[brutus51]

Grips are made of wood.
Not shooting hollow points isn't a problem but my favorite .45ACP round for target shooting is a 200gr, plated flat point as made by Rainier, Berry's or Extreme on top of 5.8gr. of 231, which works fine in my 1911's and Sig P220. I would now have to buy two flavors of bullets. Which brings up another question, is the barrel rifling cut or polygonal?

[Jake G]

The barrel has traditional land and groove rifling, not polygonal. I have a 97b that I bought used before the prices went crazy and before the new feed ramp design. While I would like the new ramp it's not necessary for what I do.  Before you give up and move on I would try stronger mag springs and maybe a feed ramp job if you have to stick with that bullet. I understand the nose dive issue and I think mag springs will help with that. What do you mean by getting stuck 3/4 of the way in?  The rounds are wedged at an angle or get stuck in the throat?  The 97 does have a short throat compared to most guns.  also, my 97b is crazy accurate with the factory bushing and love the coated bullets from SNS (which has the best selection).  My 97b will even feed the .452" 250 grain cast bullets meant for the .45 Colt so I have to believe it will feed hollow points which mimic that profile.  I would strongly suggest you try the coated bullets as they are cheaper, clean shooting, and accurate.  That's what I would do rather than sell the gun and potentially take a loss just to stick with your current bullet of choice. I don't think your Sigs or 1911's will care!  I'm loving the coated SNS 230 grain bullet with no lube groove. It's exceptionally accurate on top of 3.9 grains of Clays loaded to the same length as 230 grain round nose factory ammo.  I'm sure 231 will work as well, I've never known my CZ's to be overly picky with different powders. 

[whitecap]

I believe the rifling is button pulled but that has no affect on your problem. Your cartridges aren't getting into the chamber if I'm understanding your postings. I am a reloader also and had a similar problem with the 97B with your favorite, the 200 gr. SWC plated from Xtreme. To what length are you loading to? I am holding to 1.260 +/- .003 and taper crimp to .470 and the 97B is happy, happy, happy! Listen to Jake on the SNS bullets. I am using them as well and like the coated feature. You are going to learn a ton of stuff if you stick with it. Keep us posted.

[Pilot1]

I reload also, so will be trying both plated, and 200 grain LSWC in my new 97B.  I also use between 3.9 - 4.1 of Clays for the 200 LSWC.  I don't anticipate any issues with the longer feed ramp.