Newbie looking to buy 97B..any advice?

[earl616]

Hi folks, i'm in the market for a CZ-97 (what a great looking piece!)...i have a couple of questions i hope you could all help me with: (1) is it true that they have problems with JHP's; does this clear up after lots of fired rounds, and (2) i have a S&W 3904 which fits my hand just right..how do you think they would compare? ....thanks for any help.

[deeczman]

Hi folks, i'm in the market for a CZ-97 (what a great looking piece!)...i have a couple of questions i hope you could all help me with: (1) is it true that they have problems with JHP's; does this clear up after lots of fired rounds, and (2) i have a S&W 3904 which fits my hand just right..how do you think they would compare? ....thanks for any help.

Sorry i cannot answer the Smith comparison. But the HP feeding problems i believe are gone. In the Chezk Republic CZ cannot tst for HP feeding problems since Hollow Points are illegal to have in their Country. I bought me the BD and my father the standard safety version B model. Mine was made in 08 that the year the BD came out, wonderful gun has Night Sites and nice Rubber Grips. His had HP feeding problems date made was 06. I called Mike at CZ he is the lead Gunsmith there. I sent the barrel to Mike and when we got it back i shot any ammo make, weight and every hollowpoint put to it so a simple fix. I assume CZ-USA had a jig are something to do the ramp. But have not any issues lately. The 97's are dead on accurate. The weight handles the .45+ with ease. Now i've bored you some i hope i gave you some insight. 

[CZ75BRocks]

The grip of the 97B or 97BD has a different geometry than the S&W. Imagine a really big S&W model 39.  The CZ97B is a big gun, extremely accurate.  The CZ97BD is by far the way to go.  The de-cocker is worth it alone, not to mention the Tritium sights, and the rubber grips.  IMO.  I had one that's now at a local GS. It was just too big for me.

[schmeky]

earl616,

Find a Glock 21 locally and see how it feels (not the 21SF).  Grip circumference of the G21 is nearly the same as the 97; ergonomically they are different, but still a good guideline.

[mwcoleburn]

The closest I have found is the smith and wesson 4506 but with a thicker circumference.

[blh]

I know my 97 will not feed Gold Dots with any reliability. 

[mwcoleburn]

after polishing the feedramp I have had zero problems with feeding