CZ Makes a 45 for the Americans: the CZ-97B

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Introduced in 1997, the CZ-97B is a .45ACP caliber addition to CZ’s line of globally popular handguns. However, the 97 has some substantial mechanical differences from the CZ-75 line. Most significantly, it locks on the front of the chamber and the ejection port instead of having locking lugs cut into the top of the barrel and underside of the slide. It also has a threaded and removable barrel bushing, unlike the 75s. This is an early 1998 production example, with wooden grips, no front slide serrations, and a solid front sight (newer examples have thinner aluminum grips, front serrations, and a fiber optic front sight).
The CZ97 has never been particular hot or popular, in large part I suspect because of its overall size coupled with a 10-round magazine. During the AWB when it was introduced in the US (and I’m sure the US is a primary market for a .45ACP CZ) this was not so much of a liability, but today there are many other options for a full-size .45ACP handgun with significantly more capacity.
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[@Qsaws_]

Steel and wood will always look good

[@mortodonovan3287]

Qsaws d

[@jonboy9734]

Qsaws reason why I got a wood stock ak instead of a “tacticool” railed out magpul version . I like the look better.

[@Maxtowers71]

true

[@Lex5576]

Indeed it does. Which is why guns like the CZ-75, the 1911, the High Power.....will always been head and shoulders above the multitude of polymer wonders people sink $1200+ into. In all honesty, the steel framed guns shoot better if I had to make a choice.

[@brucecraigie4759]

Cz 75 , one of my favourite pistols I owned before the Government!, banned all semi auto pistols, I'm envious of my friends across the pond who enjoy the sport of shooting unrestricted! Greetings from Scotland

[@danieljcall3811]

Mostly unrestricted and we're doing our best to hold on to them for dear life.

[@7hart2]

Bruce Craigie Can you own a flat, or locker space in Ireland to circumvent that inane BS? Cheers from (Western) Canada!

[@brucecraigie4759]

Matthew Caughey has

[@skzion2]

John Quinn Greetings--and get the hell out of SA. The writing has been on the wall since the end of Apartheid.

[@abcertweld]

Bruce Craigie you all need to take back your country. Vote out anyone who opposes guns.

[@moelll]

Went to a local gun shop looking for a CZ-75 chambered in .40S&W. Gun shop didn't have one, but they had this gem and bought it instead. I'm happy with my decision

[@supertruckertom]

Boom Boom.

[@weirdscience8341]

Cz 75 in 9mm shooting speer gold dot is the shit whatever u hits dying simple as that

[@nokomisflorida2486]

My CZ-75B is a .40 and my only regret is not picking up a P-06 when they were readily available.

[@stefanmolnapor910]

Nice buy! Enjoy for me please!

[@StevenHanover]

I'm in the market let's get Britney Griner back asap let the gun salesman go and satellite track them.

[@Miloun]

Best regards from Prague, Czech Rep.! Happy to see a Czech gun on this great channel.

[@floyddog2283]

Hello from America. I’d love to visit my heritage one day. Just had some kielbasy and sauerkraut today (Ik it’s Polish)

[@evanasche8882]

I always say the Czechs know how to make a fine weapon

[@SuperWellhung1]

I don't understand why taller sights for Suppressors aren't readily available on CZ-75s or CZ-97s. CZ sells threaded barrels but not slides for their use.

[@jak6258]

@Ryan snap caps and number 83 o ring problem solved.

[@Pyrochemik007]

@@floyddog2283 Saeurkraut is in german and kielbasy is polish name, however that food is available from germany to balkan. If you wish a czech food, try something with sauce, like "Svíčková na smetaně", which is a tender beef steak with sauce made of root vegetables and cream, served with bread dumplings and of course, beer. Just remember the eating method: cut a piece of dumpling, stab it with fork, wipe the sauce off table plate and then stuff your face with it. This is the ancient method of eating sauce with fork, passed down in czech families, and foreigners struggle to eat like us :D.

[@kaeskawood9020]

Americanized Czechnology.

[@dappercactus580]

That Czechs out

[@potatojerry2511]

Lol. Colt Z 40 is laughing at this comment.

[@kaeskawood9020]

Well, you're not wrong, but this is still Czechnology, as opposed to Colt slapping its name on something and calling it a day.

[@TSPhotoAtlanta]

The BD is on my Czech-list

[@tyler238]

Lmao clever

[@BTemple]

First pistol I ever owned and it is an absolute beauty. Shoots straight and no malfunctions. I'll never get rid of it! And I got it when they were fairly inexpensive.

[@jessebotelho9967]

Sold mine and regret it to this day.

[@BTemple]

Jesse Botelho I can certainly understand that. Got mine for $700 Canadian maybe 10 years ago and the only change I'd like to make is to switch out the thicker wood grips for the thin aluminum ones, just to get a slightly better trigger pull.

[@8strings8rounds]

Is it blued? I love the blue ones

[@BTemple]

animusity Looks just like the one in this video except it has added front slide serrations.

[@hitopsful]

They're still fairly cheap for the gun you get. About 700 new and on the 400s used

[@riflemanm16a2]

This is one of the most accurate handguns I've ever fired. It's nearly impossible to miss.

[@ShootAUT]

The "B" doesn't mean that it's the 2nd version, it only indicates the firing pin block, just as the "D" says that it features a decocker. That's why ther're no "A" or "C" marked CZ pistols.

[@TSPhotoAtlanta]

I thought there was an early, ‘pre B’ 97 also that was made without a FPB...not so? Maybe it’s a unicorn: exists, but impossible to find

[@ShootAUT]

@@TSPhotoAtlanta CZ USA builds a 1911, typically w/o FPB. But a 97? Not to my knowledge. I can't certainly say that there wasn't some non-B prototype, although I find it highly unlikely, for the FPB has already been a standard safety feature long before the 97 came out. It just wouldn't make any sense.

[@SofaKingQuick]

The ‘B’ stands for ‘ Bushing’ ...the B variant has the Bushing at the end of the barrel, the BD has a bushing and is a decocker.

[@ShootAUT]

@@SofaKingQuick Then why does one of their bestsellers, the CZ 75B, _not_ have a barrel bushing? And why would the bushing be such an important feature to add it to the name of the gun?

[@SofaKingQuick]

@@ShootAUT you are correct I was wrong. Point is B designation does not stand for second iteration however.

[@Maxtowers71]

Fun Fact: here in Italy despite having Berettas and Glocks there's a HUGE fanbase for 1911 and now even more with models in 9mm working reliably... 45ACP it's also well loved, but it's pretty expensive even for those like me who reloads, but still, i think it's the most beautiful caliber for a semi auto, and in conjunction with the 1911... what a joy... i own two 1911 in 45 ACP and one in 9x21 (9x19 it's forbidden 'cause it's "a military caliber") and i can't stop thinking about gettin' another one, but not an A1... too bad that the only ones that rarely appears on the market are original from early 20th century ones at prices way out of my range

[@pricklydingus8604]

*No replacement for displacement!* This message was brought to you by: The American Association of Large Engines & Calibers.

[@jic1]

Alberto Amoruso As far as I can tell, nothing. He just made a joke.

[@sailingmaster]

With the exception of 10mm Auto. ;) ;)

[@joshevans5127]

*see "shot placement"

[@oso1165]

the American association of compensating for something

[@moelll]

Oso 11 you and your obsession with penile size

[@CaptainCiph3r]

For future reference Ian, i believe the manual for CZs says to put the gun on half cock (decocker position) to remove the slide, on mine there is very little friction holding the slide on if it is done this way.

[@MarvinCZ]

The half-cocked hammer also gives you a reference point for the correct slide position, as the slide starts to push against the hammer right at the disassembly point. At least that's the case with the CZ 75B, I haven't tried the 97B.

[@kentnordland5034]

On quarter cock, the witness marks line up perfectly.

[@happyliver462]

That's a aesthetically pleasing gun.

[@leadcounsel4869]

My barrel bushing came out of battery during recoil and seized up the gun, making it completely unusable until the problem was identified and fixed. Bushing was bent, and needed replacement. A design defect, somewhat possibly remedied by the newer bushing. Still cause for alarm. To CZ's credit they sent me a new one free of charge.

[@klondike69none85]

yikes... glad youre ok

[@YTChernovx]

This is awesome! I just bought my first CZ, the 97B, this weekend! Good timing, Ian!

[@p99guy]

I had one around 1997-1998, it was match pistol accurate, and light recoiling... but was an all steel absolute Brick to carry.

[@krinkov39]

There is also the Tactical Sport series of pistols that are 9mm pistols built on the CZ97 frame. They hold 20 rounds in a flush fit magazine and have very little recoil due to the heavy weight of the frame.

[@supertruckertom]

Just got one for Father's Day. Holding off on shooting it though. Ordering a fiber front sight and mag well and thinner grips from LOK. Two extra magazines as well and a holster.

[@krinkov39]

You are going to love it. If you do your part, the gun can hit 8" gongs at 200 yards.

[@stilleto1956]

And the low bore axis!

[@xzqzq]

I'll take one in .45acp, and one in 7.62 X 25 Tok.

[@godisgood9720]

That gun is worth every penny in my opinion, I own one. Tack driver, good weight balance to mitigate recoil. Good looking too

[@lylesperry5132]

I am a cz fan boy. Love my cz p07 and it shoots so well. Recommend anybody a cz built like a tank and not priced like one.

[@scoireamerica1609]

This is one of a few euro's that feel perfect in the hand, and the EAA witness in .45, just fits and shoots very well.

[@neilbodwell9172]

I have a cz97, I love it. Arguably one of the best pistols ever made.

[@retrieversqbd]

I am quite smitten when it comes to my 97B. It makes me giggle when I take it out to the range. I have several CZ pistols in my collection but none of them get that kind of reaction from me. Well, maybe my Kadet 2 kit is a very close second (especially on the frame of my SP-01) because it is so fun to hand that combo to someone and see their reaction. CZ: Come for the pistols, stay for the long guns.

[@sauerquint]

The magazines for my 97 are significantly narrower, side to side, than my Para-Ord or HK-USP. The front to back length is the same. I can slide the Para or HK mags in up to the taper where it's stopped by the width. Sliding the CZ mags in either of the other two guns fit with alot of room on the sides. You couldn't get more rounds into a flush fitting mag.

[@Michtario]

My most recent gun purchase was the CZ 97B. It is definitely a heavy, well built gun. I do like the aluminum grips on mine, but will hunt down the wooden ones to try them out.

[@jwc00789]

Note also that the Cz97B has faced a lot of competition from the Tanfoglio Witness .45 which preceded the Cz97B by about 8 years and they will use the same Magazines. Also the Grip on the Tanfoglio Witness is trimmer. I currently own and run two .45 Witnesses. One made in 1992 and the other in 2005.

[@packtray6569]

I have the BD model and have found it to be superb. 700+ rounds out of the box, hasn’t been cleaned, flawless operation.

[@brianonthego]

Very nice run through of this 97b. Well done.

[@highvelocity6529]

Very beautiful and it's one of the best 45s ever made .

[@rockd8946]

Very well done. Covered all the facts. I like it a lot. Many thanks.

[@PDZ1122]

I was going to get one of these after shooting the CZ75. However after the outstanding ergonomics of the 9mm this thing felt like a brick. I passed and I'm still happy with my choice 20 years later.

[@someasianguy3793]

CZ97, discontinued in 2022.. I bought mine a week ago, can't wait

[@johndeere1951a]

Love love love my CZ 97 B .45çal. added LOK palm swell grips because the thin aluminum grips left a empty pocket in my X-Lg hands . Now comfortable like my 75preB and 2075 RAMI with orig rubber palm swells. Shooting fat rounds is satisfying,this pistol will out live me. Quality quality quality 🇨🇿👍🇺🇲✌️☮️

[@gretasstolendreams2154]

Just bought one, cant wait to pick it up

[@ssjohnny6311]

shout out to CZ for the 45 model picking up my 97 B this weekend

[@EyesadriftVA]

Next firearm I'm getting will be a CZ. Either P-10c or Shadow 2.

[@Hiromuz]

why not both? :)

[@EyesadriftVA]

Hiromuz Eventually both, yes haha. Just not sure which on as of yet. Would be my first CZ. Kind of want to sell my G19 gen 4 and get the p10c.

[@EyesadriftVA]

Hiromuz Eventually both, yes haha. Just not sure which one first. Would be my first CZ. Kind of want to sell my G19 gen 4 and get the p10c.

[@Balvanix]

I hate P-10C it is just another glockish peace of plastick, Shadow is one of the best 9mm on the market

[@Logovanni]

The P10C is just like a glock 19 with better ergonomics, better trigger, and a violently grippy grip. I like mine a lot.

[@SEAKPhotog]

I succumbed to my CZ infatuation and picked one of these up last week. What a sweet shooter. Not too big at all for my medium/large man hands. Gonna polish the internals and install some bits and pieces from Cajun Gun Works, install some Lok Palm swell grips and maybe a red dot and call it good for local steel plate matches and other range fun. It is a shame the mag only has 10 rounds tho. Too bad some enterprising company doesn't make some large capacity mags or at least replacement internals.

[@andyoreo333]

Every one I Let shoot my cz75 falls in love with it. a 97 has been on my Xmas wish for years

[@ArmasDeFuegoA360enMexico]

Soy Fan de Cezca Zbrojovka desde México. La considero de lo mejor del mundo. Yo tengo una CZ P07 380 para Protección. Pero si estuviera legal el 9 mm tendría una Shadow sin duda.

[@simonferrer]

Doesn't Mexico ban civilian ownership of military calibers? As I recall, that's partly the reason why 1911s chambered in .38 Super used to be so popular there.

[@ArmasDeFuegoA360enMexico]

simonferrer Exactly Colt 1911 38 Super are very famous here. I Like more 40 or 9 mm parabellum. But we have to use only 380 or 38 especial and only for home not for carry. Thats why Mexico is an Insafe place to live.

[@blank557]

I owned one of those once. Excellent pistol. Shot better than I did. Only complaints was the grip was a bit too big to fit comfortably in my hand, and on the heavy bulky side. But other than that, it was accurate, reliable,and easy to break down for cleaning.

[@franklucas6441]

But if you shoot it and you will love it, insanely accurate and easy to shoot accurately with (lazy) minimal effort. High mounted purposeful combat sights give great view. Grip feels bigger but it's bigger front to back than a Para/STI double stack side to side. A great range/target tool but hard to carry. Love 1911's but the CZ 97 is a great shooter in 45

[@erict3728]

I had a CZ-75 at one time. Awesome pistol

[@siegfriedhorner4436]

Now that they're discontinued, they will become higher in price. And demand for them will not diminish. They are that good.

[@barebarekun161]

Last week I found one of these as a range rental in a military shooting range in Thailand and it felt amazing in my hands probably spoiled for life of all the first semi auto pistols, I chose to get a feel for it was CZ 97B .45 ACP. Very rare sight in Thailand indeed probably even more so as a rental gun. Hope to hit the range the first time ever next month and I hope this gem is still there for rent. Makes Glock 44 felt like a toy in comparison.

[@2345tomson]

I want to say that this gun is huge I own one personally and it is massive when you compare it to a 1911. I wish it had a larger mag but hey 10 rounds of .45 is a lot of lead and it is a great shooter. Also it is Legal in California which was kinda a big deal when I bought it since that was where I was. If anyone was interested in buying one I would definitely find somewhere with a display or show model or make a friend with one to test it out. I think a good number of women would have a problem holding it for prolonged shooting because of how wide it is. Even my dad who is not that much smaller than me has problems with it. But it does have some nice features over a traditional 1911 like Double Action, that loaded mag indicator and a few more rounds that makes double tapping targets pretty fun. Have I mentioned I really like this gun. I know there are better but really it is nice. Thanks Gun Jesus for making a video on it.

[@TheScaleTech]

It’s strange. A local shop can’t keep 75s in stock but they’ve had one 97 on shelf for almost two years.

[@gretasstolendreams2154]

Its an underrated gem

[@aaronshirk746]

I just bought one 2 weeks ago and I love it. It is large and heavy but so am I so it fits me perfectly. I did change out the grips though. Great trigger and an accurate firearm.

[@greg_austin]

CZ 82--9x18 Makarov--my favorite small-caliber service pistol, retired from the Eastern Block. Fixed polygonal chrome barrel, blowback, single/double action, rugged and accurate. Very small recoil, so even kids can shoot it all day.

[@MellowFellowOfYellow]

Gonna have to disagree. CZ-82s are notoriously snappy, especially with NATO spec ammo

[@greg_austin]

@@MellowFellowOfYellow Nah. A simple nazi-designed blowback pistol that is perfectly balanced for ~85 grain rounds. Still about the best service pistol ever made, in lead-per-accuracy over time.

[@greg_austin]

@@MellowFellowOfYellow ... and NATO does not use Eastern Block ammo. Clearly you have no clue what you are talking about.

[@Mis73rRand0m]

Looks a bit like the Jericho 941. Makes sense considering those were beefed up for the .41AE, etc.

[@willkenny5687]

A friend of mine has one. Very pleasant shooting handgun.

[@somuchnope2]

This has potential to become a fairly forgotten weapon considering it was discontinued last year (2022)

[@xCRACKER46x]

just shot mine this last weekend , its an awesome handgun. also seems that mine which was made in 2016 has a longer guide rod and different barrel bushing

[@haraldzurnieden1920]

I love mine, it's an incredibly soft, accurate shooter for what it is and that helps a lot when showing novices how to shoot. Living in CA means that we have a strange hybrid where the 97B is only legal with the wooden grips, but we got some of the other upgrades they've made over the years. The only reasons not to like it are having tiny hands or not being able to justify the $$ vs. a RIA 1911 if all you're looking for is "a .45".

[@kentnordland5034]

I bought a RIA MAPP-1. It's marked "Tanfoglio" and "Philippines" on the frame, and "ACP Philippines" and ,"APINTL, Pahrump, NV" on the slide. I seems the gun has an identity crisis. It also has the worst safety of any gun I own. I takes two hands to manipulate the safety.

[@charitybull]

I love my 97BD, and when shooting 45 ACP it is my go to firearm. Anyone interested in a fantastic shooting experience would be well served to try one out. Aftermarket support is as you would expect from every CZ product, fantastic.

[@jamesluke7377]

Imported by CZ USA headquartered right here in the Kansas City Metro, specifically in Kansas City, KS. Yes... The Kansas City Metro IS of a dual state setting.

[@stevegant7856]

I love the CZ97B and BD, and have been looking for one!

[@2tommyrad]

SA/DA? The forward leaning trigger kind of suggests that.

[@MarvinCZ]

Yes

[@Pablo308223]

Interesting thing here... The Magnum Research Baby Eagle (like many others, Springfield P9, IMI Jerico, EAA Witness, etc...) is based on the CZ design. All of the calibers including the .45 do use standard locking lugs between barrel and slide. If you ever look at the .45 version, the last locking lug, closest to the ejection port is interrupted as in only a half lug...The other thing that I noticed on CZ designs is the height of the rear site. I believe the geometry of the barrel to slide necessitates this and why you never see low profile sights on a CZ design. One of my EDCs is the MR BE Compact in .40 s&w. All steel (very hard steel as told by a gun smith friend) and 10 rnd. standard capacity mag. Uber reliable...

[@dyoung4850]

I would jump on the 97B if it could match FN's FNX-45 15 round magazine. That being said the only firearm CZ is going to sell me in the future is another 75B (I'm really liking the looks of the urban grey tatical it's hard to justify the $200+ for a threaded barrel and cosmetics)

[@teller121]

the threaded barrel and suppressor sights worked perfectly for me without adjustment. I needed that since I use it for nightstand gun.

[@63DW89A]

CZ makes outstanding pistols. This is from an American fan of 1911, Colt Single Action Army, and S&W J,K & N frame pistols!

[@vulpsturm]

You got the stripping wrong. As you stated, it was made for the American market, so naturally the Europeans would make it take down like a 1911. First you remove the barrel bushing and recoil spring, then take the slide off. I absolutely love mine. It is one of the smoothest shooting 45acp's I've ever shot.

[@nigelmchugh5541]

CZ make probably the most accurate rifles. Almost every kid in Europe who buys a first .22 rifle, buys a CZ.

[@supertruckertom]

Find an older CZ 452. I prefer them over the 455. Very simple rifle with a cold hammer forged barrel and easily tweaked trigger. 452 the barrel is threaded into the action. 455 barrel is held in the action with screws similar to a Ruger 10/22. If you are willing to spend $1k on a 22LR rifle consider a Sako, Anschutz, or a Lithgow. That is the next step up from a CZ bolt 22LR. Older Mauser and Walther 22LR are awesome too if you can find one. A USA Kimber is good to go as well or a Cooper or a single shot Remington 40X or Winchester 52.

[@mooseclappin11]

Every scout camp I ever went to as a kid used CZ 452s in their .22 ranges. Great rifles, even if the camp staff forced us to load only one round at a time (they used dummy magazines). I, however, grew up with my dad's old Marlin model 60, love that thing.

[@TheCrystalJules]

As a california kid I covet this and the CZ 2075 Rami as 10-round default pistols designed to be that capacity, no more or less.

[@JohnCBobcat]

Rewatching this for fun. Also I live in a limited-capacity US State so I've been thinking about this pistol more lately.

[@afrosheenix]

2020 and the 97 is about to get a 10mm conversion.

[@MrCoyoteculler]

loved mine....sad that i let it go. only problem was slide stop wore out and it wouldnt stay open after last shot. but the replacement was only 12 bucks and had within 1 week.

[@G41wal]

I have one of these Cz 97b’s and I love it

[@kamilhernandez2543]

one of the coolest pistols ever

[@chasingspace7160]

These are still pretty popular

[@gilgarza76able]

It’s very heavy, but is great soft shooter and very accurate. The EAA .45 10rds magazines also work on this model. Draw back I can’t find any larger capacity magazines for it. As it is it, ways more then any of my 1911’s. I still use it for the range and carry it in the winter...

[@993isgawd]

CZ doesn't make nearly enough of these to make a dent on demand. Rarely does CZ-USA have any in stock for dealers to order from. We've certainly had this problem with CZ in the recent past, where timing is apparently everything if a dealer has any hope of obtaining any amount for their customers.

[@TylerLL2112]

Oh the disdain in Ian's voice when he says " that's an issue I have with a lot of 1911 type pistols" All I can say is ouch, in American.

[@thevet7420]

It puts my SR1911 TO SHAME.

[@syruplus]

CZ makes the nicest production pistols

[@dude126]

If 10 rounds of .45 isn't enough....you're seriously in the sh1t.

[@leerathburn5626]

If you decock the hammer after removing the takedown pin, the slide comes off more easily.

[@Arthurwhofixesstuff]

went to buy one years ago, the moment i held it in my hand, I realized just how incredibly large and heavy it is.

[@jobo1647]

I find this gun fits my hand well, but I also use a curved mainspring housing 1911 GI in .45 for Wild Bunch. In Canada we are limited to 10 rounds in any handgun magazine (because that makes it safer obviously), so both the CZ97 and 1911 fit nicely into our current laws. Glad that the Wild Bunch rules have caught up a bit with 8 round mags and tactical reloads.

[@zellerized]

I shot an hk 45 a lot and its so easy to shoot. I want the 97b just for the looks and quality, and theres that interesting barrel bushing. I dream of trying the 97. I love cz's p01 for carry and pretty much everything cz does. Not so sure that 10 rounds only is a reason to knock this pistol in any way. There are 15 rd 45's that I would never own.

[@dhippstarr]

I am admittedly a CZ Fanboy , that being disclosed I will go on to say this is a great pistol. I am 6'6" and have big ol paws on me And this pistol fits like it was custom made just for me. Thank you for the video Ian and every one should check, or Czech out CZ firearms, they manufacture lots of great guns.

[@stream7329]

CZ still makes the 97B almost specifically for the 2A prisoners of California. I bought mine last year, but those wood grips, as nice as they look, gotta switch them out for the aluminum grips.

[@sydecarnutz972]

Agreed that they are underappreciated in the USA! The three I have owned have been perfect. Very natural to hold and use and flawless mechanically! Very accurate too.

[@jediraptor07]

"I don't think they're selling a whole bunch of these." Au contraire. I've talked to no less than 3 separate CZ dealers in the last few years about ordering a 97B, and they all told me the same thing: they can't get them because they're constantly backordered, and when they do get them they only get a handful each that all go right away because somebody already had it on order.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

That probably means very few are being manufactured, because demand is low.

[@jediraptor07]

Forgotten Weapons yeah... can you tell I didn't think my counterpoint all the way through?

[@kameronjones7139]

Rekt scrub (JK)

[@BavarianMotorist]

wondering now if youre going to "let the secret out" on the EAA/Tanfoglio Witness line of pistols

[@cs-rj8ru]

Yeah those guns...My brother had one for a short while. Very smooth, and accurate. Not reliable at all. He was never able to get a full magazine to cycle, regardless of the type of ammo. Sent it to CZ, they worked it over, polished feed ramp, and gave 2 new mags. Still no go...sent it back again and CZ's head armorer went over it, returned it. Still no go, sent it back a 3rd time and this time received a call from the Armorer...."I fired 50 rds through it and only 3 malfunctions....What's the problem?" My brother said send it back and later he dumped it at a show. I liked the accuracy and smooth feel, but the gun was excessively heavy and unreliable to an extreme..... I love all versions of the CZ75, but the 97 is nothing of the same.

[@scottjernigan9676]

Love my 97 B. Going to Cajun for thier majic

[@MrMillardoug]

To be fair, the CZ 97 does see quite some use in Thailand around gun ranges, usually military ones, due to their relatively low price compared to a 1911 style pistol. I've seen and shot ones so badly beaten that the slide stop was ejecting itself out the side every few rounds.

[@ShadowFalcon]

Yeah, CZ is one of those names where the American Zee grinds my gears, because when spoken you can't hear if it's supposed to to be CC, ZZ, CZ, or ZC.

[@TSPhotoAtlanta]

These hardly turn up used at all, but new or used the prices seem a bit high. 2018.11, ive seen a few on the main auction site, usually just too much. There is one now asking, US$800.00 +56.00tax(7%) +24.00cc.fee(3%) +35.00shpg +25.00(ffl receiver) ---- $940.00!! They look like nice guns, but if you come that close to $1000.00, maybe it’s time to consider a Shadow II, or dressing up an SP01. Hk, Sig, Beretta, Kimber, Kriss - a lot of companies make nice gats when you start to throw enough dough at them.... For a goid bit less, you could consider a Turkish manufatury, or one of those IWI’s that I’ve heard compare pretty favorably. I can see dropping $450.00 or so for an excellent condition low mileage used copy, eithet an early or a late model. But here’s hoping CZ will squeeze out a few new runs of a 97 “improved” model in the US, and while we’re ishing, make it an Omega trigger model or better available with threaded barrel in OD green or Urban grey, 12 shot magazine (we’re wishing, right?) and hits that MSRP price point of anout US$750.00 !

[@jic1]

Phillips (or possibly Pozidriv) screws on the grips. Somewhat unusual. The CZ-75 you showed had the more common slot-heads.

[@leisergeist]

Wow, that's a detail I would have never noticed! Makes me wonder if there was any nontrivial reason for the change.. Pozidriv would be pretty bizarre there, but I don't see the radial lines that indicate it

[@vaclav_fejt]

It's Phillips, no lines. The difference is in the manufacture: Phillips grooves (on the screwdriverdriver) are simple cuts, but that means the resulting surfaces taper, which makes the driver slip out. Pozidriv is cut with two cuts to ensure straight surfaces, thus producing the rib between them. There is also Supadriv, which is a further development of Pozidriv that allows for a slight angle between the screw head and the driver. It is largely compatible with Pozidriv. Supadriv screw head is marked with only one (instead of two) radial lines and the "ribs" on the driver are larger.

[@leisergeist]

I probably could have worded my reply better - I meant the tiny detail he pointed out made me wonder if there was any nontrivial reason for CZ's switch from slot to Phillips

[@jic1]

LeiserGeist I thought they were Phillips, but I wasn't sure if the Pozidriv lines weren't there or I just couldn't see them. The reason I noticed this small detail was that I had recently watched Ian's video on the Rogak P18, where he pointed out how unusual (and, in that case, cheap-looking) it was to have Phillips-head screws on the grips. For that reason, it was fresh in my mind.

[@danielwatters1203]

CZ went through a phase when it used Phillips head screws instead of plain slots.

[@stilllife8]

I own a CZ 97B, and while I like it there are very few people I would recommend one to. I live in California, so I'm limited to 10 rounds, so the 10 round magazine doesn't bother me. I also use this gun for home defense, and the weight is actually a good thing for that since it makes the .45 cartridge extremely controllable. With the weight of this gun the .45 almost feels like a 9mm (and I should know, I also own a CZ 75B in 9mm and a CZ PCR). If I didn't live in California and didn't intend to use the CZ 97B for home defense it wouldn't be worth having. It's a brick of a gun so really not something you want to carry, and there's no reason to have a 10 round steel frame CZ 97B when you can get an FNX 45 for roughly the same price.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

Watched this again. Now I want one. Oh well, I will just add it to the list.

[@MuddahFukkah]

Holy moly... .45 ACP in a body of CZ? Were can I buy this?

[@mas5949]

Just found out about this fantastic firearm and you cannot find them anywhere.

[@MichalSoukup1995]

It was originaly failed as military pistol, because we had to use standartised Warshaw pact round (hence why CZ82 was delevoped), but it was adopted by police instead.

[@blakesmith2594]

I shot a cz75 in 40 cal the compact model and honestly if they held like 15 rounds I would probably buy one bc I loves the feel

[@luisantolafrancis519]

Love my 85B for lefties . Strong. reliable and it eats any amunition y put in it . A war horse !!

[@bobwampler3387]

CZ fanboy here. I remember the articles than Col. Jeff Cooper had regarding this handgun in Guns & Ammo regarding how excellent this pistol was, even though it was available at that time in 9mm only. I can only wonder what he would say now about the 97?

[@abcertweld]

I like the CZ 97b, but like you said it only holds 10rds. If CZ would redesign the magazine to hold hold more, than they would fly off the shelf. Until that happens well it is what it is.

[@bolawdean]

I had one of these, very smooth pistol

[@nokomisflorida2486]

Did the 1911A1 revival have a significant effect on the sales of non-1911 style .45s? CZ did dabble with their own variant at one point, but I opted for a CZ-97B. Edit: Ah, Clinton magazine ban affected designed capacity. Makes sense.

[@ramseysthebull]

I have the Iserialy made, "Baby Eagle". Same gun but with the much cooler IWI logo on the grips.