Author Topic: CZ97BD Retrofit with Earlier-style Rubber Grips  (Read 2019 times)

Offline PappaWheelie

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CZ97BD Retrofit with Earlier-style Rubber Grips
« on: October 26, 2018, 02:27:17 PM »
Overcoming long reluctance to abandon the sassy/sexy/flashy/techy thin aluminum "cheese grater" grips that currently come stock on CZ 97 pistols, I've chosen to revert to the original design rubber grips.
https://cajungunworks.com/product/19119-full-size-oem-rubber-grips-97bbd/
A key motivator was the insight, described in Ontological Certitude,
https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=99762.msg769614#msg769614
that the grip cross section of the global standard Colt 1911 pistol was optimized without respect to the "packaging constraints" imposed by double stack magazine width: it uses near-elliptical camber (side bulge) of the grips to help fill the metacarpal joint trough inherent to the gripping of a pistol.
The realization also came slowly, through the process of handling numerous pistols in gun shops, that the CZ 2075 RAMI with extended 14 round magazine and Colt 1911 heritage (via the CZ.40B whose "exterior similarity" was agreed to comport with the 1911) had many "close but no cigar" competitors in terms of the nebulous but all-important attribute I'll call "feel" in the hand. Going back to the extended-mag RAMI was always like "Ahhh..." -just right, Goldilocks-style, and the side camber of these near-perfect grips is a key part.
I love the feel of the 97BD in the hand, but the flatness of the stock "thin aluminum" grips gives it a kind of single-stack "feel," a step down from the global benchmark CZ 75 family as typified by my new SP-01 Tactical suppressor-ready.
I recognize that the showy "cheese grater" texture of the "thin aluminum" grips represents a credible effort in terms of grip texture, but again, "close but no cigar" in comparison with the similarly diamond patterned but optimally tacky (yet wear resistant) rubber material of the 75 series and subsequently the original 97.
It is, however the combination of material, texture, and contour that makes CZ 75 pistols the ergonomic global standard. Plastic pistols, roller skate tape, what-have-you, just don't get there. And the dazzling "thin aluminum" grips, however pretty, also don't, I now realize, measure up. I want the best for Homeboy, and for myself in the deal. I'm willing to sacrifice pretty for best function, with ergonomic feel" and lateral grippability key elements of said best function. I've taken the plunge.
« Last Edit: February 06, 2020, 08:29:37 AM by PappaWheelie »
Member, Gun Owners of America
CC: CZ 2075 RAMI BD in PappaWheelie Invisible 15 Round RAMI Holster
Homeboy: CZ 97 BD, Underwood 45 Super 120 Grain Xtreme Defender ammo
UBG: CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical Urban Grey Suppressor-ready
-all w/ CGW Short Reset Kit/1485-T2 Disco, 5 "Thick" Trigger, polished SA tooth

Offline PappaWheelie

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Re: CZ97BD Retrofit with Earlier-style Rubber Grips
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2018, 02:30:52 PM »
The 19119 rubber grips arrived timely from CGW, but unfortunately I couldn't mount them until waiting for a second order for a pair of the rubber grip-specific 28 Grip Screw,
https://cajungunworks.com/product/28-grip-screw-oem-phillips-head/
-which perhaps I should have known but it would have been nice if they'd have made mention, either in Additional Information or Related products, on the grips webpage
https://cajungunworks.com/product/19119-full-size-oem-rubber-grips-97bbd/
-where (as of this writing, 10 days after an email suggesting such a webpage upgrade might be of value both for customer service and website credibility remains unanswered) no such mention can be found.  (  :o[ )

No big whoop, only an extra $8.00 postage and I do remain grateful that CGW carries the grips at competitive price, and the screws at market-sustainable price. Also remain CGW fanboy for the excellence they offer us.

The upgrade from the "cheese grater" (CGW terminology, love it!) flat aluminum grips is tremendous.
The curvature (or "palm swell" -thanks Earl https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=100438.msg775902#msg775902) was less than I'd hoped based on my 2075 RAMI and 75 SP-01 Tactical, but still a significant improvement. This, in combination with the improved tractive characteristics of the rubber material, makes a world of difference.

I note with interest that the "grid" is noticeably finer on the 97 grips in comparison with those of my 2075, with the 75 grid about halfway in between. I made a PowerPoint slide to illustrate the difference but it appears more significant to the eye than in a photo for some reason.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1s60h0h69kZEXeuQkpIN-PyBe2IVOvV1_

If anyone knows of a source for factory-like rubber 97 grips with palm swell like the 2075 (ala. Colt 1911) and 75 please advise! My size XL/XXL glove hands are now hooked on palm swell to fill the metacarpal trough, especially for the relatively more "single stack" feeling 97.
« Last Edit: November 10, 2018, 12:48:49 PM by PappaWheelie »
Member, Gun Owners of America
CC: CZ 2075 RAMI BD in PappaWheelie Invisible 15 Round RAMI Holster
Homeboy: CZ 97 BD, Underwood 45 Super 120 Grain Xtreme Defender ammo
UBG: CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical Urban Grey Suppressor-ready
-all w/ CGW Short Reset Kit/1485-T2 Disco, 5 "Thick" Trigger, polished SA tooth

Offline PappaWheelie

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Re: CZ97BD Retrofit with Earlier-style Rubber Grips
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2018, 10:14:58 AM »
Evidently an even earlier (original?) issue featured increased palm swell but was flattened to what is now the 19119.
https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=91858.msg699781#msg699781
-which works well for some
https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=100438.msg777261#msg777261


If anyone has the (earliest issue?) greater palm swell rubber CZ 97 grips going unused for having been replaced with something sexier, please PM me, I'd like to buy them from you. Please note that I'm NOT looking for the 19119 style which can currently be readily purchased at CZ-USA and CGW.
« Last Edit: November 07, 2018, 11:45:23 AM by PappaWheelie »
Member, Gun Owners of America
CC: CZ 2075 RAMI BD in PappaWheelie Invisible 15 Round RAMI Holster
Homeboy: CZ 97 BD, Underwood 45 Super 120 Grain Xtreme Defender ammo
UBG: CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical Urban Grey Suppressor-ready
-all w/ CGW Short Reset Kit/1485-T2 Disco, 5 "Thick" Trigger, polished SA tooth