CZ-83 Vs. Bersa .380

Had a Bersa, was super happy with it. Never jammed, no problems, ever.








If only it was 9mm... I eventually sold it.
Just couldn't mentally deal with .380.

Cz-83 = Mercedes-Benz AMG model. 'Nuff Said.

Bersa = Honda Accord. Very Good. Very Reliable.

That about sums it up....there's dozens of threads here at THR comparing the Bersa to other .380's and I think you'll find very few people who speak negatively of the gun. Same with the CZ....it's a great gun.

Do a search on "Bersa" and you'll see what I mean

You can compare the CZ with a Sig/BDA lineage..............
The Bersa is in the same realm for reliability, etc...............just not the same class......
Shoot well.

Both guns are good deals at their respective prices. Pick one, shoot it, be happy!



David

I owned the CZ briefly. It was very comfortable in the hand, nice trigger, and was accurate. I apparently owned the only one ever made that wouldn't reliably feed anything. I suspect it was the magazine and would have quickly been made right by the factory but I decided to sell it to a dealer friend of mine. In the interim, I also learned that if you use brake cleaner, or scrub free, or similar acetone preparations, and you let them touch the grips, the grips instantly turn to goo. My fault. Lesson learned. Also owned a Bersa briefly. It fed reliably. No gripes. I suspect that the CZ would be a gun that cost more to make. Felt more solid to the hand. But the Bersa did fine. If you're looking at .380's, I suggest looking at the Beretta Cheetah. I had the blue one with the black grips. Arguably the highest quality pistol I've owned. Sig 232 isn't any slouch in the .380 department either. I'm not sure I'd class the CZ as a Mercedes (mine wasn't) , but the Mercedes to Honda Accord analogy isn't a bad one.

According to "Consumer Reports" the Mecedes generaly has much worse than average reliability!

Try Lexus instead.

If you handle and examine both guns side by side, you'll see the difference.

CZ fit=excellent
Bersa fit=unfinished

CZ finish=Satin Nickel
Bersa finish=Black spray paint

CZ trigger=Smooth
Bersa trigger=rough

CZ=
Bersa=
Just my $0.02 worth. Please feel free to flame away.

Ky Larry: Bersa does come in nickel too. My Bersa is nickel and has what I consider a very good trigger in both double and single action.
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Larry, have you ever shot a Bersa .380? I have two and both have very smooth triggers in DA and SA. The trigger action is one of the things I like best about the Bersa. Dependability and accuracy are two more.

I will say I have not fired a CZ-83 but have handled them at gun stores. They feel kinda clunky to me, the proportions don't look right, the grip is too big and the slide too small. They make me think of those cartoon characters with the big bodies and little heads The Bersa just looks "right" in every way, like the PPK or a Makarov.

I have pumped about 500 rounds through my recently purchased Bersa 380. Never a glitch! The last 300 rounds were my first attempt at reloads with the various inaccuracies associated with early reloads. Again, never a glitch! It's perfect fit for my hand.

They feel kinda clunky to me, the proportions don't look right, the grip is too big and the slide too small.

Click to expand...

I will agree that they are larger and heavier than their .380 peers.

If you think that the grip is too big and the slide too small purely from a visual standpoint . . . . . . I'll give you that. I don't agree, but you opinion is shared by many.

As for the grip being too large all together - I'd disagree. Yeah, It ain't compact like a Kel-Tec, but it is exactly right. The thumb groove is perfect. The grip itself is not too fat nor too thin. The CZ-83 may not be as easy to conceal as its peers - but she's a wonderful companion nonetheless!

There are many who argue, due to the CZ-83's size, that if you're gonna carry something that big . . . . . Might as well step up to a "gun-frame-size" equivalent 9mm.

Either way - I'm keeping mine!

Though I like the Bersa, I'd take the CZ83 anytime...

Simply because of the CZ's better finish and resale value.

One other thing to consider...the CZ can be carried cocked n locked if you are of that persuasion. The Bersa cannot.

I like both guns...

But I agree with several that the CZ it more "refined".
It is a bit "thicker...perhaps a bit heavier.

But, the reason(s) I prefer the CZ-83 (yes, I own one...a nickel .380 cal)...

Number one and and the most imortant to me...the trigger. It's so good I would honestly refuse a free trigger job on this gun! I can't say that about to many other guns I've owned or fired.

Second big reason...it's so dang accurate. Of course I believe like any gun the accuracy is a direct function of the quality of the trigger.

You will like whichever you choose...both are fine guns. My .02

Good luck.

(oh, and yes, I've shot Bersa .380's)

Bob

Can you put nites sites on the Bersa? I shoot much better with my CZ83
nowdays. The big dots help alot.

CZ83s might be heavier and bulkier than the Bersa. This translates to
low recoil and superb accuracy.

The CZ83 is looked at as a Fit All CZ. That is.. the gun fits most everyone
very well. Excellent ergonomics for men, but especially for women.

A CZ83 with hi-caps is what i've used during the summer the past 4
years. As mentioned, something a bit bigger and in 9mm/40 might be
better.

That is where the 9mm RAMI comes in. The CZ83 has a superior trigger
in both DA and SA. I also think it has better sights, until I can get PTs.

I am getting a CZ-83 in a few days. I couldn't turn down a world class gun with two 12 round mags. I really like the Bersa but the CZ is in a class all by itself.

ZM

Yes, I've shot the Bersa. It was okay. The trigger was a lot "grittier" than the CZ. Accuracy was okay, just not as good as the CZ(probably because of the trigger?). Function was perfect. The Bersa felt like a toy in my hand while the CZ fit me perfectly. I'm glad you like your Bersa. Shoot well and often.

One 380 to consider when comparing is the Makarov in 380, I believe slightly
smaller then the cz, super accurate and very reliable plus they can be had for less then $200.

I have no performance-comparisons to offer, though I'm exceedingly satisfied with my Bersa. However, Stephen did weigh in on a similar question here, and you might agree he has sufficient experience to offer it:

.380 pistol?


The BERSA seemed to fit my hand better, but that is my hand's problem rather than the CZ's. I didn't get to actually shoot a CZ-83, but based on dry pulls I would agree its trigger is smoother than the Thunder 380.

I have a bersa would love a cz-83. I think the "83" comes in 9x18mm if you can find one maybe thats one reason they are a little larger.

"I think the "83" comes in 9x18mm if you can find one maybe thats one reason they are a little larger."

Copycat, the CZ83 comes in .32acp, .380acp, and 9x18 -- all the same frame and slide size. The .32 isn't smaller, nor is the Makarov larger.

Generalizing based on limited examples as some have done here really doesn't tell you anything. You might want to try both & see which you like best.

My BERSAs are satin nickel, steel, double column, absolutely reliable & accurate
w/ very good DA (excellent compared to PPK) & excellent smooth very light SA pulls.