New CZ 97B owner

[Hugo]

I have owned a CZ 75B SA for several years and it is a stunningly accurate pistol that fits my hand better than any other gun I've handled. After installing a CGW trigger kit, I couldn't be more happy with the way that gun shoots.

So naturally, I've been eyeing a 97B, and today I finally found a brand new one.

I have not shot the gun yet, hoping to get a chance to do that tomorrow. I will report back after the range trip.

My initial impression is somewhat unenthusiastic. The finish looks very cheap, I could do a better job with a rattle can. I knew what to expect from my 75B, but this looks even cheaper and more uneven. The grip seems unnecessary large front to back, and I have big hands (XXL glove size). Overall, the 75B feels much better.

The trigger in this 97 is actually a bit better that the one in the 75 was (it was atrocious). So while this is a nice surprise, it is by no mean what I would call a "great" trigger. Again, I knew and expected this.

The inside of the barrel looks perfect. I mean, mirror smooth perfect. So this gives me hope that the gun just might shoot as well as you guys claim on here. We'll see.

So if it is indeed a shooter, I will change everything about it I don't like. I went into this with that in mind, so I'm not having buyer's remorse (yet). I'll give it the CGW treatment and get it refinished in a proper gun finish. I'll get used to the grip.

Why oh why couldn't they just copy the ergonomics of the 75B, which is perfection? And make it look better built than a Hi-Point while they're at it. Charge me a few hundred bucks more, I don't care.

So there you have it. Mixture of Happy New Gun Day and slight disgust. More tomorrow.

[actvlsnr]

Dear Hugo, glad to hear you have taken the step.  Surprised that your pistol feals like it has a cheap finish because I have heard it is durable.  If you want a supurb finish, try the 97B in Glossy Blue.  Not easy to get but they can be had. I would agree that the 75B felt better in the hand.  After a few hundred rounds the 97B felt fantastic.   See my beauty below.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[Tok36]

I have owned a CZ 75B SA for several years and it is a stunningly accurate pistol that fits my hand better than any other gun I've handled. After installing a CGW trigger kit, I couldn't be more happy with the way that gun shoots.

So naturally, I've been eyeing a 97B, and today I finally found a brand new one.

I have not shot the gun yet, hoping to get a chance to do that tomorrow. I will report back after the range trip.

My initial impression is somewhat unenthusiastic. The finish looks very cheap, I could do a better job with a rattle can. I knew what to expect from my 75B, but this looks even cheaper and more uneven. The grip seems unnecessary large front to back, and I have big hands (XXL glove size). Overall, the 75B feels much better.

The trigger in this 97 is actually a bit better that the one in the 75 was (it was atrocious). So while this is a nice surprise, it is by no mean what I would call a "great" trigger. Again, I knew and expected this.

The inside of the barrel looks perfect. I mean, mirror smooth perfect. So this gives me hope that the gun just might shoot as well as you guys claim on here. We'll see.

So if it is indeed a shooter, I will change everything about it I don't like. I went into this with that in mind, so I'm not having buyer's remorse (yet). I'll give it the CGW treatment and get it refinished in a proper gun finish. I'll get used to the grip.

Why oh why couldn't they just copy the ergonomics of the 75B, which is perfection? And make it look better built than a Hi-Point while they're at it. Charge me a few hundred bucks more, I don't care.

So there you have it. Mixture of Happy New Gun Day and slight disgust. More tomorrow.

CZ black polycoat  finishes do vary, i have good ones and rough ones myself.

The CZ97 grip is quite deep, i have large hands as well and i found that fattening up the grips with with the available rubber/DaveB grips alleviated the 2x4 feel i was getting with the aluminum thin grips. I still prefer a 75s grip frame but i find the difference manageable.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

The 97 is a big gun and does feel completely different than the 75 series. That said even in my medium sized hands I think it feels great. The poly coat can vary some in texture but it is as tough a finish as you will find on anything in the 97's price range. Glossy blue is nice and while I do like blued guns they wear fast and provide almost no corrosion resistance.
Not sure how you draw a parallel between the appearance of the 97 and a high point but everyone sees things differently. Kind of wondering why you even purchased the gun if you find it so repulsive right out of the gate.
Go shoot it and give it a fair chance.

[Joe L]

My hope is that you will like it a bunch after you shoot it.  I had never seen one or shot a 97 before it arrived from CGW.  At first, I too was surprised at the diference in shape from the 75.  But there is no way to make a double stack .45 ACP gun that is shaped like a 75.  After changing the grips out to some DaveB or rubber grips, it felt much better.  After a year of bullseye matches, it has become one of my favorites.  But it wasn't a favorite out of the box for me either.  The shooting results swayed me over and now I'm a real fan of the 97, for a .45. 

Joe

[Hugo]

Range report as promissed:

The gun shoots well. It actually feels good in the hand during shooting. The heft absorbs recoil well, it's an easy gun to shoot.

It's accurate, but not quite as accurate as a stock Springfield Range Officer I had to compare it to. I have no doubt that it is held back by that trigger, which is just no good at all.

Gun shoots high at 25 yards, sights are not adjustable. I'll probably go with a red dot eventually, for now I just have to adjust my hold.

As soon as I got back from the range, I was on the phone with Cajun Gun Works and ordered everything I need to make it the best SAO trigger it can be. Should have the parts next week, I'll follow up with another range report once I get everything installed.

All in all, I like the gun. Feels better than I expected. I think I can make it work. I mostly shoot revolvers, but wanted at least one target grade .45acp gun. This could be it.

[Tok36]

I look forward to your thoughts on your 97 once you get your upgrade parts in. I have taken a few CZs from stock to upgraded and tuned and the difference is quite satisfying.

Installing the parts and tuning are some of the best parts of owning a CZ.