CCW doulbe stack .380: Beretta 84 vs. CZ-83

[FNMatt]

Hello folks,

Been looking for a CCW pistol in .380 and have come to the conclusion that a double stack .380 will work best for me. I have seen both the beretta 84 and CZ-83 as popular options and want to know if you all have any experiences or opinions of the two. Specifically, I am not very familiar with the CZ, but everything looks nice. Is the CZ as reliable as the beretta? Can't having a CCW that might jam or fail to feed in a defense situation, so any information is much appreciated!

-FNMatt

http://www.beretta.com/Defence-Pistols-Carbines/Defence/Compact/84FS-Cheetah/index.aspx?m=82&f=2&id=783 - Beretta 84

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-83/ - CZ-83

 

[Shawn Dodson]

The Beretta is a big fat (medium frame) pistol for a .380. If you're gonna go that big I suggest 9mm.

Good luck!

 

[usp9]

The Beretta is a superior pistol to the CZ because;

It holds more ammo in the mag.
It is lighter weight.
The CZ can hammer bite, the Beretta doesn't.
Take down is easier.
The Beretta has a chrome lined barrel.
The Beretta has a decocker.

If I were looking at this type of pistol, I'd also look at the Bersa Thunder Plus. Not the same quality as the Bereta, but it is a viable candidate.

 

[mljdeckard]

Have you looked at the Walther PK-380?

 

[labhound]

I have a Beretta 85 (single stack) and a CZ83. I originally rented and shot a Beretta 84 and the trigger guard would smack my trigger finger when I fired the gun, painful enough to be uncomfortable. I opted to buy a model 85 for the wife (which she loves) and bought myself a CZ83, no problem with the trigger guard and no hammer bite either. Both are excellent guns, have been flawless in operation, and both are very accurate. Try them both before you buy one. The Beretta is just too small for my hand but fits the wife. The CZ fits my hand perfectly. You won't go wrong with either gun. I do like the looks of the Beretta better and I like its decocker/safety versus just a thumb safety on the CZ. Takedown is simple but different on both guns. Both companies make excellent guns. Oh and the Beretta will cost you close to $300 more than the CZ! My CZ was $450, the wife's Beretta was $729!

 

[Dentite]

I think you would have to have really meaty hands to even get close to hammer bite on the CZ 82/83. The small beavertail makes it to where the hammer doesn't get close to my hand.

 

[golden]

Both are winners

I have a BERETTA 82 in .32ACP and BERETTA 84 in .380ACP. I also have a CZ83 in 9m.m. MAKAROV which is identical to the CZ model 83.

I like them all. They are very accurate for this class of gun with good sights, trigger action. My old 82 is like the CZ in that the hammer most be lowered manually. BERETTA updated the design and now you can lower the hammer by pushing on the safety. It drops the hammer without firing.

The BERETTA pistols use an aluminum frame which will probably outlive the pistols owner. They are overbuilt for .32 and .380. On the other hand, the CZ is all steel was designed for a more powerful round, the 9m.m. MAK.
I wish they would offer the CZ in 9x18 ULTRA with a REMINGTON GOLDEN SABRE load. This would be a terrific load for a gun this size.

The grips on the CZ are its worst feature. They make it hard to reach the magazine release button.
Between the two, for the same price, I would pick the BERETTA for the wider ammo choice, night sights and being the lighter gun.
ON the other hand, I bought my CZ for half the price of my BERETTA. That goes a long way.
For a car gun or gun left at work, the CZ would be hard to beat.

Jim

 

[jiminhobesound]

CZ 83vs Beretta 84

I have a CZ 82 in 9x18 MAK. 12 round clip plus one. I really like all of the CZ guns I have handled because of the ergonomics and quality and price. Mine is an ex police gun that is in good shape. The gun is heavy, you might check the weight of the Berreta vs the CZ. There are more types of ammo in .380 than 9x18 and energy is nearly the same. Berettas are not always of the best quality accoding to what i read in the forums.

 

[gbelleh]

I don't have much experience with the CZ-83, but I've carried a Beretta 84 quite a bit. It's pretty fat in the grip, and I wouldn't be very comfortable trying to conceal it under a light t-shirt. But, it's a solid, well built gun, and the quality is excellent. It's been 100% reliable with all ammo I've tried.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Theirs a Bersa Thunder Plus Its the 380 Thunder in a double stack 15 +1

Just saying that out their also. for less money

 

[FNMatt]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll probably end up going with the CZ, just because I like the look and history behind it and I would enjoy owning it. The beretta is probably the superior weapon, but I'm not sure if the price justifies the slight differences.

 

[bigfatdave]

The CZ82 in 9x18 mak is probably the best value in surplus useful handguns right now.
Get one cheap and see if you like it, for ~$200 you almost can't go wrong.

 

[toivo]

The Beretta is a superior pistol to the CZ because;

It holds more ammo in the mag.

They both hold 13+1. The CZ website says 12, but they're wrong. The .380 and 9x18 chamberings use the same magazine: It will hold only 12 rounds of 9x18, but it will hold 13 rounds of .380.

The Beretta has a decocker.

The CZ gives up the decocker in order to have the ability to carry cocked-and-locked. It's a preference thing.

I agree with all your other points, but I still like the CZ.

 

[harmon rabb]

SOG has surplus cz-83's for ~ $220 right now, and surplus cz-82's for ~ $180.