Opinions on surplus CZ-82

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Guvnor

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I've been checking these out these on gunsamerica, they are Czech police surplus from the late 80's. seller has a bunch of them.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/94795298...ech_Police_CZ_82_CZ_82_C_R_Eligible_CA_OK.htm

I'm only a little hesitant because they look like they have been put through the wringer finish-wise. But bore and inner workings are supposedly excellent. I think it would make an excellent cheap camp/trail gun. Was considering a Nagant revovler for this purpose until i saw the ballistics with modern ammo offerings available, looks rather anemic. But I get the impression that the 9x18 mak round is pretty respectable...i assume somewhere between .380 and 9x19??

Opinions, thoughts??
 
Yes that is correct, the 9x18 is hotter than the .380 ACP but falls short of the 9x19 Luger/NATO. CZ-82s are great, reliable guns with decent capacity and polygonal rifling. I highly recommend one and later get a Makarov as a companion.:)
 
Should I be concerned about the finish wear, or is that commonplace with these?? Is it just from bouncing around in a holster for years??
 
No need for concern about finish. Often times these surplus guns were carried more than they were shot and as such they may show lots of cosmetic wear but the internals will most likely be in great shape. Obviously I can't speak for whatever pistol you may buy as it is a case by case basis but my experience with surplus military/police pistols has been a good one and I base what I said about the finish on the dozens of Makarovs, CZ-82s, and others I've handled. The CZ-82 isn't a collector piece so you can always refinish a heavily-worn piece if it makes it more appealing to you or more functional/durable (cerakote cones to mind). Or leave the wear if it adds character.
 
Buy one and don't worry about the finish, the paint-like finish on those just isn't pretty, they're not particularly prone to rust underneath anyway.

You don't have to buy from that particular seller, though, the listed price isn't exactly a screaming deal - I got mine for $200 out the door with two magazines, maybe 18 months ago.
 
It's normal to see finish wear on the 82s. To begin with, they have a painted rather than a blued finish. Also, the duty holsters they come with have hardware that comes in contact with the gun. That all adds up to finish wear. Most of them were "carried a lot, shot a little" and are fine mechanically.
 
As a camp/trail gun a CZ82 would be fine. The 9x18 does fit between a 380auto and 9mm in terms of power, but the cartidge options are somewhat limited compared to either of the other two. A Makarov is also an option if you're OK with a single-stack magazine. Of the two, I'd actually prefer the Mak, as it's a little smaller(thinner) and lighter to carry. Both are fine choices though.

Don't worry too much about external appearance; the expoxy-like finish on the the CZ is pretty tough. Pay more attention to the parts fit and barrel condition.
 
i've bought two CZ82's in the past and still have one. I sold the other to a women I used to work with. Both look like they had the snot beat out of them, but they functioned 100%. Accuracy, even for a new shooter, is outstanding.

I had the one I kept refinished with Duracoat. It was purely a cosmetic thing.

Ammo choices are somewhat limited and becoming more expensive. It's heavy for it's size and a little clunky for carry. However, those faults are really offset by it's great ergonomics, accuracy and upfront cost IMO.
 
Thanks everyone. I guess the painted finish would explain the wear. I don't plan on CCing the gun so i would probably just open carry when backpacking or day hiking in wilderness areas. I'm in the northeast so I'm not so much worried about wildlife. Concerned more with 2-legged critter defense. Sounds like its a good choice.
 
Guvnor said:
I've been checking these out these on gunsamerica, they are Czech police surplus from the late 80's. seller has a bunch of them.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/94795298...ech_Police_CZ_82_CZ_82_C_R_Eligible_CA_OK.htm

I'm only a little hesitant because they look like they have been put through the wringer finish-wise. But bore and inner workings are supposedly excellent. I think it would make an excellent cheap camp/trail gun. Was considering a Nagant revovler for this purpose until i saw the ballistics with modern ammo offerings available, looks rather anemic. But I get the impression that the 9x18 mak round is pretty respectable...i assume somewhere between .380 and 9x19??

Opinions, thoughts??
Click to expand...
If you do not have lot of money to spend and are willing to accept 9x18 cartridge ballistics this is the gun to buy. With possible exception of some obscure Ukrainian designs this is the best 9x18 pistol out there.
 
The 9x18 is between the .380 and 9mm Luger about like Tennesse is "between" the East and West coast. It's far closer to .380 in power than 9mm.

That said, I do have one of those surplus CZ-82's and its a very good gun. All the features of any modern DA/SA gun. Most of the time when looking at a surplus gun something is going to be off. It'll be single stack, or single action, or will have a weird mag release, or something. The CZ-82 has no quirks - just a solid design that still holds its own.
 
The CZ82 and Nagant revolver are in two entirely different leagues. Though I bought my (2) CZ82s as inexpensive trail/plinker guns, I now think of them them as among my most accurate and reliable firearms. Yes, the finish leaves something to be desired; but if you can get past that, I think you'll find them hands down one of the best values out there. The ergonomics are second to none---at least for my clumsy hands---and I found the CZ82 to be a "natural pointer." The hexagonal barrel is accurate and cleans up in a jiffy.

Do it! :)
 
The CZ82 and Nagant revolver are in two entirely different leagues. Though I bought my (2) CZ82s as inexpensive trail/plinker guns, I now think of them them as among my most accurate and reliable firearms. Yes, the finish leaves something to be desired; but if you can get past that, I think you'll find them hands down one of the best values out there. The ergonomics are second to none---at least for my clumsy hands---and I found the CZ82 to be a "natural pointer." The hexagonal barrel is accurate and cleans up in a jiffy.

Do it! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Could not agree more.
 
I normally don't consider polygonal rifling due to the fact that I cast for ALL my pistols, even 9x18. But, I don't shoot reloads much in this caliber since the Monarch FMJ is 9.95 a box at Academy. Mine is a Radom and I lose the brass, anyway, shoots it into the next county.

I have a CZ82 to buy, a Hungarian PA63, and a Mak sooner or later. :D
 
I have both. Get the CZ. The ammo is only slightly more expensive than 9mm luger and cheaper than .380 It will become your favorite. It's accurate and fun.

The nagant revolver is fun to shoot and I reload for it, but it's crude by comparison. They're cheap enough to get both :) But definitely get the CZ.
 
Are the Cz82's packed in cosmoline like the older com bloc pistols?? Not really looking forward to cleaning it if that's the case
 
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The CZ-82 is a very good buy if prices are anything close to what they were. Not long ago one could be had for right around $200. They are a lot of gun for the money. They have a very good trigger pull in both single and double action. They have ambi controls. I was impressed with how easy the gun was to shoot relatively well. IN my experience they are reliable guns.

It is a gun that is eclipsed by more modern pistols in certain respects. It would not be my first pick for a carry gun. However, if it was all I had I wouldn't feel too bad.

The CZ-82 is a bit big and heavy for 9x18 gun with a 12+1 capacity. It is about the size of a G19. Given the choice I'd rather carry a G19 (or an even smaller G26), for a variety of reasons. Its really too bad there aren't better options for think grips to help make it a bit slimmer in grip..

The blow back action makes for a fairly pronounced felt recoil given the size and weight of the gun. I have shot much smaller 380s like the mustang/sig P238 that had to me less felt recoil. I also think a number of 9mm guns have less felt recoil. Some say that changing the recoil spring helps. I do not know what weight springs have been in the ones I've used.

The painted finish on many of them is in pretty bad shape. However, one can find some of the ones with really worn finishes for a good price and even with a full refinish one would be getting a good gun for not too much money.

It may not be an issue for others, but I have a hard time reaching the mag release on them. I think it is largely an issue of the shape of the grips. I have to shift the gun in my hand which I don't like.

In sum, there are guns I'd rather own. There are definitely guns that I personally would rather own for CCW or general defensive use. However, the CZ 82, IMHO, is a very good value and a lot of gun for the money. I also think it is the cream of the crop of 9x18 pistols.
 
CZ82s are the best 9x18 chambered handgun in my experience. They are accurate, soft shooting (due to their weight) though recoil is subjective, inexpensive, and there are aftermarket grips available to customize the feel of the gun.

The 9x18 is a good choice for CC, and the CZ82 will handle the stout loads that Buffalo Bore makes for defense in that chambering.

It is an easily conceilable gun, not too bulky, comfy, and due to the pinned barrel and polygonal rifling it is quite accurate for such a small design.
 
Girodin said:
Some say that changing the recoil spring helps. I do not know what weight springs have been in the ones I've used.
Click to expand...

OEM is 14lb....A fresh 16lb Wolff spring certainly helps tame the snap some complain about and doesn't hurt reliability whatsoever.

The CZ82 by design is a confidence inspiring pistol....aim, shoot, hit, repeat.

I can't think of a better quality pistol for the price. It's a quality pistol regardless!....Here's what mine came with for $200

CZ82.jpg
 
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