Newb here - CZ 97 magazine question

[theovenmits]

Greetings, Just picked up a CZ97bd at the gun show yesterday - haven't had a chance to shoot it, but  I'm sure it'll do just fine. One thing I noticed, however was that my fully loaded magazines will NOT lock into the mag well with the slide closed - it's just too tight. Now, with the slide open, it does goes home just like normal, but if I load a round then try to top it off (for 10+1 capacity) it won't go. I suppose the mag spring needs some breaking in, but I've never experienced this before (with the 20-30 other semi-auto pistols I've owned, including several other CZs) and I was wondering if anybody else get's this with their 97.

Thoughts?

[villdetwink]

Sorry, I do not have an answer for you...

But I just bought a 97BD (awaiting arrival) and am curious as to a resolution if this is common.

[SPO1SHADOW]

You just have to firmly bump the bottom of the magazine with the heel of your hand and it will lock into place when the magazine is fully loaded. There is a lot of pressure on the top of the magazine when fully loaded but if you give it a firm bump it will lock.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

^^^^ yep that's all that's needed. Mine is the same and it's perfectly normal.

[theovenmits]

It occurred to me that the Wolf steel-cased ammo I was using yesterday was stickier than most ammo, so I tried again with Federal HST and it worked, though I have to say this is about the tightest pistol I've ever loaded. None of my other pistols have complained about steel-cased cartridges.
No matter, when it counts, it'll be nickel-plated brass. Steel will be only for range use, obviously, so I don't have to give up any capacity.

[tdogg]

I like shooting SWC bullets because they don't compress the magazine spring as much when the top bullet contacts the slide during seating.  Plus they are very accurate in my 97BD.

Round nose profile bullets are the hardest to seat when the mag is full.  It's a common issue with this platform.  It is more of a nuisance than issue.  You can still seat the mag it just takes a forceful seat operation.

Cheers,
Toby

[theovenmits]

Just a quick update on my 97BD. The steel cased ammo continues to be a problem - my pistol has a problem going into battery with them for some reason, like every other round. I only fired about 5 of them.. Brass-case is no problem, which is good. and after loosening up a bit, it might accept cheap stuff a little better. The good news is that steel or brass, this gun is ridiculously easy to get nice groups out of. I'm very happy even if the gun is a bit picky.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

Just a quick update on my 97BD. The steel cased ammo continues to be a problem - my pistol has a problem going into battery with them for some reason, like every other round. I only fired about 5 of them.. Brass-case is no problem, which is good. and after loosening up a bit, it might accept cheap stuff a little better. The good news is that steel or brass, this gun is ridiculously easy to get nice groups out of. I'm very happy even if the gun is a bit picky.

Run 500 rnds through the gun and give it a good cleaning. After that it will probably run the steel cased stuff just fine.
The accuracy of the 97's is just outstanding!

[olfarhors]

The steel cased ammo may have a fatter profile projectile or slightly longer as well?
that could be the full battery situation.
I like shooting SWC in my 97 but mostly because they leave such nice round holes in the target, my 97 handles all variety of projectile shapes so far.
 and I always seat a magazine pretty firmly, you ain't gonna break it so don't be to gentle with a semi auto.

[schmeky]

I agree, those 200gn SWC's in a 97 can be incredible. 

[MissionaryMike]

I agree, those 200gn SWC's in a 97 can be incredible. 

Nice shooting, David.  What's up with that single flyer though?  Too much time in the shop and not enough on the range I guess. 

[schmeky]

MissionaryMike,

Actually, 6 rounds went into that "flyer" hole, the cluster near the scale was where the last round "key-holed" 

Hardy, har, har  . . . . . .

[handgun2]

hahahahahahh,,, hahahaha... chuckle chuckle, hahhaahaha..   that is GREAT! thanks for the smile David!  wish I was quick of wit! like that.

cheers
K in MI

[.45 acp nut]

I agree, those 200gn SWC's in a 97 can be incredible. 

What OAL are you using? I can't get my 97B to reliably feed 200gr SWC's.

[tdogg]

I agree, those 200gn SWC's in a 97 can be incredible. 

What OAL are you using? I can't get my 97B to reliably feed 200gr SWC's.

It's not really about the OAL with the SWC profile.  It is how much of the shoulder is above the case mouth.  You need about 0.025-0.035 inch of shoulder protruding above the case mouth to get optimal feeding.  Make sure you find the maximum OAL with the SWC as you will be close.

Here is my thread discussing my quest to figure out the SWC in my 97BD:
http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=68170.0

Hope this helps, the SWC is a fine CZoice for the 97 series.

Cheers,
Toby