Wanting my first 97, I have questions :)

[murman1983]

Hey everybody,

Im new to the forum, Ive been over at walther forums for a while, I dont know why I never thought to join this one, better late than never I suppose. I have a 75B and love it, so I thought Id check the 97 out.

Anyways, Im pretty well ready to go ahead and get a CZ97B or BD, and I have a few questions, if yall would be kind enough to help me out.

-I hear alot of people get the 'E' upgrade, I cant afford to spend $600 on top of my purchase of the firearm, How good is this gun without the upgrade? Is the upgrade a must?

-What is the availability now-a-days of these guns, are the chances of picking one up at my LGS good, or should I look to the internet (I dont have my FFL, tho
)

-How much should I be willing to spend on this firearm? What is a good deal and what should I expect, LGS & Online?

-Regarding some feeding issues with hollow points, some say CZ will fix this issue free of charge? Can anyone feel me in on the whole?

-CZ warranty?

-Can someone please explain how buying through an FFL works? Can I just go to my LGS and have them buy me one online? If so, where do they choose their gun from, do I have any control of the choice in purchase to try and find a good deal?

Thanks everybody, I know this was alot of questions, any feedback would be much appreciated.

[8strings8rounds]

Hey everybody,

Im new to the forum, Ive been over at walther forums for a while, I dont know why I never thought to join this one, better late than never I suppose. I have a 75B and love it, so I thought Id check the 97 out.

Anyways, Im pretty well ready to go ahead and get a CZ97B or BD, and I have a few questions, if yall would be kind enough to help me out.

-I hear alot of people get the 'E' upgrade, I cant afford to spend $600 on top of my purchase of the firearm, How good is this gun without the upgrade? Is the upgrade a must?

-What is the availability now-a-days of these guns, are the chances of picking one up at my LGS good, or should I look to the internet (I dont have my FFL, tho
)

-How much should I be willing to spend on this firearm? What is a good deal and what should I expect, LGS & Online?

-Regarding some feeding issues with hollow points, some say CZ will fix this issue free of charge? Can anyone feel me in on the whole?

-CZ warranty?

-Can someone please explain how buying through an FFL works? Can I just go to my LGS and have them buy me one online? If so, where do they choose their gun from, do I have any control of the choice in purchase to try and find a good deal?

Thanks everybody, I know this was alot of questions, any feedback would be much appreciated.

Let's see.

First- the E upgrade from CGW sounds to me like the best overall upgrade one can do to a 97B/BD, however, the pistol is great out-of-box.
The only 'issue' I had was the long trigger creep. Otherwise, amazing .45 Pistol in just about every way.

Availability- ehhhh, it's hardly available even when it's available.. I tried getting a few local shops to order it and they all basically laughed at me. I ended up hunting mine down through the net looking for a dealer who ships.

If you find the firearm you want on a trusted website, they'll ask for ffl information, check with your local shop if they do transfers, and ask if they'll help you do business with the other company. They can at least tell you how to do it.

Finally, I feel the $700 range is correct for the 97B and closer to $800 for the 97BD.. (New prices)

As far as warranties and whatnot, I am not the person to ask. I'm sure there are plenty of people on here who are more than willing to fill you (and me) in.

[KME]

I just bought my CZ 97B (California version) for $685 (https://www.riflegear.com/p-1606-cz-97b-45acp.aspx), they still have 5+ in stock. The California version does not have a FO front sight and the thin aluminum grips. The 97BD is not available in California.

Out of the box my 97B is more accurate than I am. The stock barrel bushing does not have much, if any play and it does not come loose while shooting. Even still I have sent my 97B to Cajun Gun Works for the "E" conversion. I need the reach reduction kit, even with thin Lok grips I have to really stretch to shoot this pistol in double action.

I just shot a box of PMC 185 grain JHP without any problems. I will pick up some other JHPs at some point but this is a range toy for me so I am in no hurry to get this sorted out. I am pretty sure it will be able to shoot JHPs when it comes back from CGW.

[Camaro400]

I also own a CZ97B from California. I think it shoots quite well out of the box and is my favorite 45. I haven't shot an "E" 97B so I couldn't tell you about the differences. I reload for my pistol. I initially had issues with my HP reloads but I realized that I needed to load them at the recommended length instead of longer like I normally do. They feed just fine (230gr JHP Montana Gold).


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[Earl Keese]

I believe the problem feeding hollow points was addressed in 2012 with a redesigned barrel. Mine has the Cajun barrel bushing and will shoot consistent 25yd rested groups well under 1". An OEM 97b may be almost as accurate with the right load and bullet, just depends on the gun. Some are tighter than others. More than likely the right ammo will get you 2" or less.

[murman1983]

Thank yall, yall have answered everything.
Now, that I know its a good gun, and I really want one. What are the chances of me finding one, without an FFL of my own?
Ive looked at 5 popular sites and they are either out of stock, or dont show up at all. Will gun shows have them, or LGS? I live in Texas, if that helps my chances?
Any help would be awesome!

[longgonedaddy]

Smalltownsongs has this blued 97B listed in BST.   

http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=90663.0

Any gun/pawn shop that is local to you will have a FFL.  You don't have to have one personally.  You and the seller will do the purchase.  The seller will ask to have the gun shop email a copy of their FFL to them before they ship it there.  You will pay the seller of the pistol directly.  The FFL does not need to be involved in the actual purchase.  Once the pistol arrives at your local gun shop they will call you to come pick it up.  Once you are there the local gun shop will ask you to fill out a background check and pay some amount of fee to them for handling the transaction.  Then you walk out with your new pistol.

[murman1983]

Oh wow that is a heck of a deal on a beautiful gun! Thanks so much, now I understand the proccess much better, which gives me much more confidence in buying.
Thanks to all of you guys! Hopefully soon I will have one of these babys, and Ill report back!

[Meechy7648]

This site, as recommended, would be your best bet right now: https://www.riflegear.com/p-1606-cz-97b-45acp.aspx
As far as getting a local FFL, that's relatively easy. Try these guys and talk to a few near you. http://fflgundealers.net/  Find out their rates and their hours of availability. You'll get a feel of whether you want to do business with them or not.

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[Morbid1X]

Those are the cali legal versions at that rifle gear link. Old model I like the newer aluminum grips, the wood ones make the grip huge

[Joost]

The LOK grips will solve that problem

[Camaro400]

I bought the Cali version and swapped out the grips and sight. I even added a rail from CZ Customs so I could add a light to it to use it as a home defense gun.


https://czcustom.com/czc-97b-picatinny-accessory-rail.html


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[n8vmdpath]

I would say out-of-the box CZ97 B is good, but the trigger and fit/finish is not  as great as my 1st 9mm CZ pistol (75B)  from the mid 90's.  I think the weakest link in the 97B is the barrel bushing that is is why people get CGW upgrade.

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[murman1983]

Can anyone else comment o  the fit and finish of their gun NIB? I HAVE TO WAIT TILL THIS WEEKEND TO SPEAK TO AN FFL, SO I STILL HAVE TIME TO REASEARCH. (Sorry for caps)

[8strings8rounds]

As n8vmdpath stated above, the trigger on mine was ehh.. But I'm also a picky, 1911/revolver guy. Polishing all the parts made the trigger a lot better. The fit on my pistol is great, no issues whatsoever. Finish-wise; nice, even coating all around- some over spray in the rails (which I think can be expected given the type of coating) all cleaned up well with a few boxes of ammo.
And yea, I love the looks of the factory bushing, but the one that came with my pistol was quite sloppy.. I had good luck buying one from CZ that actually fits better and tightened my groups a considerable amount- the factory bushing design is the biggest shortcoming of the 97