***Update: Range report added on post #13***
I was looking for a .45ACP pistol to fill a gap in my collection and saw this CZ97B on the EE a couple of weeks ago. I’ve owned three CZ75 9mm pistols in the past (an original ’75 in the mid 1980s, and an SP01 and Shadow more recently) and did like them a lot, so I thought I’d give their larger cousin a try. I originally thought it as just a larger version of the CZ75, but there are a few unexpected differences. I most likely won’t get any range time this weekend so I thought I’d give it a quick overview and let you my initial thoughts on if after my first couple of days.
The pistol has a full-length frame similar to the SP01 Shadow variants, although without a rail. The sides of the slide have a double taper towards the top and there are front grasping grooves as well. The slide and frame look to have have the same polycoat that the Shadows and SP01 have.
The sights are fixed three-dot sights. What’s neat is that the rear dots are quite small:
while the front dot is larger:
The dots look to be close to the same size when viewed together:
I don’t know if the greenish tint on the front sight is factory or from a previous owner—it does make it stand out. I may black out the rear sights—generally I don’t prefer three-dot sights that much.
The rails are on the inside of the frame, like all CZ75s.
One big difference between the 97B and the 75 versions is that while the barrel in the 9mm pistols have locking lugs machined into top of the barrel in front of the chamber, whereas the 97B has a large square-edged chamber area that locks into the slide's ejection port like most modern semi-autos. The 75s have an enclosed unlocking groove under the chamber while the 97B’s is open on the bottom
The feed ramp is nice and smooth:
One big difference, and one I was not previously aware of, is the presence of a screw-in barrel bushing in the slide.
After the slide and frame are separated during field stripping and the recoil spring and plug removed the bushing can be unscrewed by hand.
The pistol disassembles like other CZs…retract the slide back a bit to the witness marks, pop out the slide stop, then slide the slide off the front.
The bushing and spring plug are the only different parts from the usual CZ.
The first thing that you notice when you hold the pistol is its size. It’s big, but the grip size is still manageable. The extended frame gives the pistol excellent balance in the hand with no tendency towards muzzle-heaviness, and even though the grip frame is big front-to-back, the traditional CZ-style grip shape is very comfortable—I’ve always liked how CZs feel in the hand.
I’ve owned a number of pistols renowned for their size—a Glock 21, a Beretta 92 and even an H&K Mk23. The grip on the 97B feels similar to those…maybe a little longer front to back. I’ve got small hands and did not find any of those hard to shoot. Trigger reach with the 97B on the other hand, is nearly unmanageable for me with the factory wood grips. I cannot reach the trigger in DA mode without shifting the gun around awkwardly, and SA mode is even a tough reach. It’s too bad—because I like the look and feel of the smooth wood grips.
Mine came with aluminum grips with a “CZC” logo on them…not sure who makes them. They make a significant difference in feel.
The biggest difference is at the top rear of the grip—the aluminum ones have a gap to reduce trigger reach. With these grips I can reach the trigger in DA mode with just a little stretch, and SA mode is no problem at all. It’s still long for me, but reachable with a normal grip. I’ve heard that aluminum grips make the 97B feel like a 1911 but I don’t agree.
The DA pull is not bad—not too heavy with some stacking towards the end. The SA pull is a little long with a bit of creep. I’m guessing it’s 5 pounds or so. The reset is a little long, then there’s a short distance (I’m guessing where the firing pin safety is activated) before the final sear resistance is reached. I don’t have one to compare but it sort of reminds me of a P226 trigger pull (with the non SRT trigger)…maybe a bit better.
I was initially dubious that the pistol would work for me but I think the aluminum grips will make it feasible. I’ll update once I’ve had a chance to shoot it.
I was looking for a .45ACP pistol to fill a gap in my collection and saw this CZ97B on the EE a couple of weeks ago. I’ve owned three CZ75 9mm pistols in the past (an original ’75 in the mid 1980s, and an SP01 and Shadow more recently) and did like them a lot, so I thought I’d give their larger cousin a try. I originally thought it as just a larger version of the CZ75, but there are a few unexpected differences. I most likely won’t get any range time this weekend so I thought I’d give it a quick overview and let you my initial thoughts on if after my first couple of days.
The pistol has a full-length frame similar to the SP01 Shadow variants, although without a rail. The sides of the slide have a double taper towards the top and there are front grasping grooves as well. The slide and frame look to have have the same polycoat that the Shadows and SP01 have.
The sights are fixed three-dot sights. What’s neat is that the rear dots are quite small:
while the front dot is larger:
The dots look to be close to the same size when viewed together:
I don’t know if the greenish tint on the front sight is factory or from a previous owner—it does make it stand out. I may black out the rear sights—generally I don’t prefer three-dot sights that much.
The rails are on the inside of the frame, like all CZ75s.
One big difference between the 97B and the 75 versions is that while the barrel in the 9mm pistols have locking lugs machined into top of the barrel in front of the chamber, whereas the 97B has a large square-edged chamber area that locks into the slide's ejection port like most modern semi-autos. The 75s have an enclosed unlocking groove under the chamber while the 97B’s is open on the bottom
The feed ramp is nice and smooth:
One big difference, and one I was not previously aware of, is the presence of a screw-in barrel bushing in the slide.
After the slide and frame are separated during field stripping and the recoil spring and plug removed the bushing can be unscrewed by hand.
The pistol disassembles like other CZs…retract the slide back a bit to the witness marks, pop out the slide stop, then slide the slide off the front.
The bushing and spring plug are the only different parts from the usual CZ.
The first thing that you notice when you hold the pistol is its size. It’s big, but the grip size is still manageable. The extended frame gives the pistol excellent balance in the hand with no tendency towards muzzle-heaviness, and even though the grip frame is big front-to-back, the traditional CZ-style grip shape is very comfortable—I’ve always liked how CZs feel in the hand.
I’ve owned a number of pistols renowned for their size—a Glock 21, a Beretta 92 and even an H&K Mk23. The grip on the 97B feels similar to those…maybe a little longer front to back. I’ve got small hands and did not find any of those hard to shoot. Trigger reach with the 97B on the other hand, is nearly unmanageable for me with the factory wood grips. I cannot reach the trigger in DA mode without shifting the gun around awkwardly, and SA mode is even a tough reach. It’s too bad—because I like the look and feel of the smooth wood grips.
Mine came with aluminum grips with a “CZC” logo on them…not sure who makes them. They make a significant difference in feel.
The biggest difference is at the top rear of the grip—the aluminum ones have a gap to reduce trigger reach. With these grips I can reach the trigger in DA mode with just a little stretch, and SA mode is no problem at all. It’s still long for me, but reachable with a normal grip. I’ve heard that aluminum grips make the 97B feel like a 1911 but I don’t agree.
The DA pull is not bad—not too heavy with some stacking towards the end. The SA pull is a little long with a bit of creep. I’m guessing it’s 5 pounds or so. The reset is a little long, then there’s a short distance (I’m guessing where the firing pin safety is activated) before the final sear resistance is reached. I don’t have one to compare but it sort of reminds me of a P226 trigger pull (with the non SRT trigger)…maybe a bit better.
I was initially dubious that the pistol would work for me but I think the aluminum grips will make it feasible. I’ll update once I’ve had a chance to shoot it.
Last edited:
