[SPO1SHADOW]

I took several of my Custom 1911's out of the safe today because it had been so long since i have shot them. I started thinking about all the money i spent and all the time spent waiting back in the late 80's and early 90's to get these guns done so they needed to be used. It took less than a magazine full of ammo for them to go right back in their pistol rugs. It is unbelievable how much difference there is between the shooting comfort of the 1911 style pistols and the CZ 97BE. There is just no comparison especially when firing full house .45 ACP ammo. I probably should sell all my .45 1911's because i know i am never going to shoot them again. The recoil of a .45 is not unpleasant or even existent to me but when trying to shoot at speed there is just no contest between the 2 guns.

 

[Goju]

I have no doubt that they are a great shooting pistol, but my "hands on" experience at the LGS showed me that the platform is not a good fit for my little girl hands...

 

[rich63]

I have a Springfield Armory 1911 A1 that has had some work done to it. I also have a 97 BD"e". Both have approx 1000 round through them. I shoot both well but I must give the 97 BD"e" the upper hand. Not that the SA 1911 is not a soft shooter because it is. The trigger on it is crisp 3.5# pull and breaks like glass. I just love the way it feels in the hand. There is nothing like shooting a 1911 that has been tuned. The 97 BD"e" is such a completely opposite gun. It is quite the beast in the hand. This gun melts into your hand. The ergonomics are perfect. I have a Hogue wrap around grip on it, and absolutely love the feel in my hand. The DA comes in 7lbs 14oz and the SA at 3lbs and 3oz. The trigger on this gun is butter smooth and breaks like glass. This gun is soft shooter and very easy to acquire the front sight for follow up shots. In my opinion, both guns are such opposites, each are great guns. I will not get rid of either. I must give the nod to the 97 BD"e" for better feel in the hand, recoil control and faster follow up shots. Absolutely love it. Just haven't shot either much this year. I know shame on me.

rich63

 

[Earl_Keese]

I keep buying 1911's thinking that I need at least one or two. Inevitably, they get sold and replaced with CZ's. At this point I'm giving in to the obsession. I'm a one trick pony, the only pistols that continually make me happy are CZ's. I really want a full custom 97B. One for BBQ carry, short dust cover, round trigger guard, blued, and of course a Cajun Bushing.

 

[SPO1SHADOW]

I have no doubt that they are a great shooting pistol, but my "hands on" experience at the LGS showed me that the platform is not a good fit for my little girl hands...

I don't have big hands either but i can control the 97B much easier than the 1911 with the much thinner grip. I use the LOK Bogies and skateboard tape on the front strap for some extra grip but i have the same thing on the 1911. With the thin Bogies on the 97B it feels much smaller than with the OEM grips but it recoils so much less it is very easy to shoot and control. Less recoil and muzzle flip on the CZ and not just a little, there is a huge difference. If you ever shot one you would not believe you were shooting the same round in both pistols. Big difference.

 

[Goju]

You sir, may be an enabler without peer. If I ever get the opportunity for live fire, I most certainly will not pass it up!

 

[R.A.N.G.E.R]

It's a little hard to find info about the CZ .45 semi-auto pistols -- I must not be looking in the right place. Am I correct in that they are not made any more, nor have been for a while? Still, I'm going to be on the look out

 

[SPO1SHADOW]

They are still making the 97B and it is one of the finest pistols in that caliber you can buy. I have 1911's custom built that i waited 3 years for that are not as accurate, reliable or nearly as comfortable to shoot. If you like the .45 ACP caliber and don't own one you are seriously missing the boat.

 

[Earl_Keese]

Last week I added Nills grips to my first 97, what a transformation! I'm picking up my second 97B this morning. This one will get frame modifications and more. Should make a nice BBQ gun.

 

[SPO1SHADOW]

Pictures?

 

[Goju]

RANGER - I believe the 1911 A1 model was a limited production model that has not been made for a couple of years now. I am not sure how many units were made, but I'm sure they pop up on GB

 

[R.A.N.G.E.R]

Were the 97 B / D models a CZ version of the 1911?
But done even more right?

 

[Earl_Keese]

Were the 97 B / D models a CZ version of the 1911?
But done even more right?

97B is a large framed version of the 75B in .45ACP only.
http://cz-usa.com/product-category/handguns/cz-full-size-45s/

 

[Earl_Keese]

Pictures?

How small do pics have to be? I'm down to 375x500 and they still won't upload.

 

[SPO1SHADOW]

I have been using Imgur on here with great success. I use the "large thumbnail" version at the bottom of the image and it fits perfectly in the space provided. Tried several others after Photo Bucket lost their minds and went stupid. Imgur, once you figure it out, works the easiest for me. Even when i used the full sized picture this website resized it for me correctly so i must believe there is an issue with the image provider.

 

[wildbill45]

There is no gun in my long life of shooting that feels better than a good 1911, the triggers are unlike any of the plastic guns no matter which one. My life has depended on them, and my current 1911 is a Sig, a strange brand for a 1911 for me, but she is as sweet as pie! It seems that I have owned every gun ever made by man, and as such have a large field of experience to judge what gun does what. If you only own and shoot one brand how can one say this Brand is better than another? They can't!

Yesterday I shot my brand new CZ P-10 C for the first time. It was the most impressed I have been by a new gun shot for the first time in a long time. This by no means will cause me to get rid of my 1911 or Glock, or Sigs, or Walthers or Berettas. I find a use for everyone!

 

[SPO1SHADOW]

Apparently you don't own a 97E. I own quite a few high end 1911's and there is not one feature on them superior to the CZ. Base models out of the box is laughable when you compare the two. To each his own but from a one time died in the wool 1911 fan there is something better. Much better.

 

[wildbill45]

Better ... a word used to cover all sorts of opinions and gun folks are never short of such opine. That is tantamount to telling Miyamoto Musashi; world accepted top samurai that your sword is better than his, a major mistake that could get one dead! You miss the point, as many do, it is the master of the weapon that matters, and the sword, or gun, that fits into the movements, style, and type of techniques used is the one that is chosen by the master. Looks, features, students of the art opinions are of no matter in such choices, my friend. This false master mentality includes the 1911 fans, who are brand loyal and will defend their choice of weapon to the death. All the features in the world, all the gadgets, red dots, new triggers, and all that stuff pushed by Madison Avenue talking suits will not help one going up against a master with more speed, technique, and using his favorite sword, be it old and heavily used, sans the trending add-ons. The 1911, the S&W model 19 classic wheel gun, or the CZ model that works within the above parameters is always best for the one who so chooses.

Be careful with all the wool, it can be itchy!

 

[SPO1SHADOW]

You can save yourself a lot of typing by simply purchasing a 97E. Shadow out.

 

[wildbill45]

That may be a bit expensive during the Christmas season. I have no doubt that it is a great gun, and if I get the chance I will shoot one to see what you are talking about.

I was out of the 1911 business after I retired and sold my Wilson CQB, which was my backup gun on duty due to the issue gun we had to carry was not my choice, but it did the job well nonetheless. So after ten years or so of no 1911 shooting I acquired my Sig, and I like it better than the Wilson. These newer 1911s are more reliable than our Old School models! I have a brand new Colt Commander, back in the mid-70s go full auto as soon as I released the slide for the first time, IN AN INDOOR RANGE! That was a fun day!

Here is the first video I did on the Sig, and it is a worthy 1911, if you shot it you may like it better than the old ones, maybe not as everyone has their personal tastes, especially us old School guys!