My Cajunized E Series 97

[razir66]

Here we have 2 fine pieces of work done by Schmeky, aka the CZ whisperer.  Thanks David!

Unfortunately I am having issues with coated swc 200 gr acme bullets in the 97.  I was using 4.6gr bullseye powder.  I used a Lyman case gauge for my 'ok' check but it appears the chamber is tighter than the case gauge.  Three bullets I had issues feeding I measured.  Base- 0.471-0.472, Crimp- 0.469-0.470, OAL- 1.251-1.255, Base to shoulder- 0.933-0.936. 

When I had the barrel out of the gun, I dropped the bullets in, 2 fit snugly and one I couldn't even push in.  It seems the base of the case is too fat. 

Anyone else have issues with swc's in the 97?  Will a factory crimp die help with this?  I tried to shoot 100 rounds, 75% had feeding issues... 

[Joe L]

I measured my 97B"E" chamber at 0.478".  The Atlanta Arms 185 JHP ammo measure 0.470" at the crimp, 0.468" near the base.  No problems for me and gun is very accurate.  Checked with an inexpensive vernier calipers.

Joe

[nicky]

You could try shortening your OAL. Depending on the bullet I have use everything from 1.225-1.250. Each bullet seats differently. The rule of thumb is to seat the shoulder of the bullet a thumb nail above the mouth of the case. If it plunks & spins you should be good to go.

[cdhbrad]

Razir:  Great looking 97B-E.  I have one too that David built on a used 2013 model 97B that I sent to him after only firing a few rounds of factory hardball through it.  When I got it back from him, it would not feed my 200gr SWC loads that are dimensionally the same as yours and which run in all my 1911s.  I am also a 1911 fan and have a local smith, Bunker Arms (he does most of the Cerakote for CGW too) and we determined that the chamber was too short and, also, not concentric.  A few turns of his Reamer conformed the chamber to the dimensions he uses in his custom 1911s in .45 ACP and it works perfectly now. 

In discussing this with David afterwards, he told me that he had seen other 2013 guns with the same issues and attributed it to "older" tooling at the CZ factory that may have resulted in some "tight" chambers.  If you have a qualified gunsmith nearby, you may want to have them do the same thing rather than finding a "work around".  I have 5 guns that shoot .45ACP and everyone of them will shoot my SWC handloads without any issues now that I have the 97B-E chamber issue corrected.       

[razir66]

Thanks for the recommendations guys.  I got the factory crimp die and will make a few and test fit.  Mine is a 2014 model, but I do have a local 1911 smith that I am sure can ream it if need be.  Follow up to come.