Hello All,

I wanted to ask a question of people I've come to respect, but on a forum that is not 'in one camp' or the other.

I've read a lot of great things about the CZ 97 pistol, and have been able to handle them once or twice.

Many seem to think they are very soft shooters, and very accurate- loving them, in fact.

I have some CZ experience, and find them very good handguns, but even with the full CGW pro package treatment, the trigger isn't as precise as a 1911 trigger can be. [don't get me wrong- I LIKE the CGW trigger setup!]

Also, even in SAO configurations, the CZ75/97 pistols seem to require more 'reach' to consistently actuate the trigger without shifting my grip [my fingers always have a bit of unused material in gloves also- just a hint short for my palm size].


I am trying to figure out objective differences that make them so popular.

Capacity is NOT an issue for me- I'm in CA, so more than 10 is not legal for me anyway.


In looking into them, I noticed that the weight was around 42oz, but my full railed 1911 has a weight of around 43oz.

So, is there something else other than weight that makes them such soft shooters?


What I am 'seeing' is a gun that is almost as heavy as my railed 1911, with a trigger that won't feel as precise as my 1911, with trigger and safeties that are awkward for me to actuate [unless I convert it to SAO and then the safety is still awkard], and which seems to have the same accuracy potential.

I am NOT fixated on the 1911. I WANT to like the CZ 97 pistol. Yet, I am just not seeing what makes it better than a well-tuned full-rail 1911.

Am I missing something?


And yes, if I ever got a CZ 97, it would HAVE to be modified to SAO, so having DA/SA options is not relevant to me on this pistol.

I just feel like I am missing something, and thought some of you may be able to shine some light on it.

Oh, and I also tend to do my own work- including having built/fitted 1911s from frame up, or replacing the ignition parts and stoning surfaces to get the right feel [while maintaining safety] on the sear/hammer engagement area. If someone were to say 'the 1911 is too complicated- it is easier to work on the CZ97', that would also not be relevant to me.

Thanks for any insight you can provide. I am going to also ask on the firing line, but no where else [for the present].

I'd just go with a 1911 personally.
The trigger will be better and for me, the grip will be better.
The CZ is just a hair big for me and the trigger is almost to far of a reach. I don't have that problem with any 1911.
That's me though and everyone is different.

From what you've described, I think you should stick to 1911s. I appreciate a good trigger, but it's also not the overriding feature for me. If it is for you, you can get a great, "well-tuned" trigger on a 1911 a lot more easily than you can on a CZ 97.

I'm not crazy about 45ACP, but I liked shooting the 97 better than 1911, b/c the 97's ergos work better for me, and I prefer DA/SA.

If you want to turn a 97 into a 1911, you should just stick to 1911s. Maybe get a Dan Wesson, since they're part of CZ.

If you're going to convert it to SAO anyway, and capacity is a non-concern, then I'd stick with the 1911, as you've basically just negated the unique benefits of the CZ. Even with a trigger job, you're not going to get that straight-back geometry of the 1911 trigger, and it also sounds like you're already very knowledgeable and well versed on the 1911 platform, so that's another vote in its favor.

I find the slimmer grip of the single-stack 1911 to be more comfortable to shoot and easier to carry, and the trigger reach is easily adjusted by swapping out triggers if you feel the need. The bulk of the CZ grip makes for a long trigger reach.

Honestly, given your criteria, if you're really wanting to try a .45 other than a 1911, I'd be looking at a P220 rather than the CZ. It's slimmer, lighter, available from the factory as an SAO, and has a great trigger out of the box.

With the recent announcement that CZ has discontinued the CZ97 B, I expect the pricing of remaining CZ97's to start going through the roof. Also, there are many manufacturers for the 1911 so pricing, options, and availability is much better. As mentioned, you need big paws to comfortably handle the CZ97.

Not long ago I bought an ‘as new’ CZ-97. Seems like a nice gun, haven’t shot it yet. For mostly range use a 1911 would do well.

Oh no, the CZ97 is discontinued? I was always hoping for one to be made in 10MM. It seems that CZ has discontinued several different guns recently.

I thought of something else to add. It sounds as if what you seek is gun w/ the best features of a CZ 75/97 and a 1911. That gun was/is supposed to be a DWX, which has been put on hold indefinitely.

If you weren't already aware of it, that's the gun you should get if it ever reaches the market.

The 97 is a fantastic platform but the victim of bad timing.

We'll make a high capacity .45.... during the AWB.

We'll introduce a model with a decocker.... when everyone is going to striker fired.

We'll make bigger magazines... when the .45 is trailing off in favor of 9mm.

We'll still offer it for ban states that only allow 10 rounds... except the new California DOJ Handgun Roster came out.

It just could not catch a break. I like them, would love to have one, just can't make sense of it compared to the other options on the market.

CZ 97 has ten round magazines

Thanks Everyone,

I think I'll skip the CZ97. I want to like it, but- it just takes too much adjusting to make it feel right.

One person mentioned the P220.

My first one just didn't 'click' with me: P220 Combat. Couldn't get reasonable group sizes [back when I COULD see the front sight clearly] compared to many of my other .45acp handguns.


About 4 years ago now, I think, I lucked into a P220 Carry Stainless Elite for a reasonable price [to me].

It feels better in my hand and I am reasonably accurate with it- better than I was with the P220 Combat.


I also have a P220 in .38Super [and 9mm barrel as well], for more P220 goodness.

But, with the P220 handguns, I had to go to the E2 grips to make them fit my hand properly, as well as the thin trigger.

In fact, I bought a spare 8mm trigger for the P220 and shaved it down to make it into a thin trigger, as I couldn't find a factory thin 8mm P220 trigger.

That is how much I like [feel the need for] the thin trigger to reduce trigger 'reach' in DA pull.

Thanks again for the insights.

I'll just try to find ammo or reloading components instead of buying yet another handgun, and one that doesn't work for me without major modification.