Compare CZ-82 OWB with the thinner Mak.?

[Ignition Override]

Having only carried in my car, the intention is to experiment with an OWB this spring using my Sig 232. I've never really tried an OWB holster of any type, but like what is described about the Alien Gear, because they appear to sit fairly high on the belt.

Am about to choose among a Rus. (9x18) or Bulg. Mak. and a Cz-82, and on another note, the smoothness of the DA pull Could be the most critical factor. The difference between the actual Mak and other guns Chambered in 9x18 is quite clear to me.

Is the double-stack Cz-82 just as comfortable and concealable as the slightly thinner types of similar overall dimensions?

 

[Taroman]

In a word: no.
My CZ VZ 82 was just too thick for CC.
Wonderful trigger superbly accurate, but too thick and heavy.
Now carry a Polish P64 IWB.

 

[il.bill]

...
Is the double-stack Cz-82 just as comfortable and concealable as the slightly thinner types of similar overall dimensions?

Thicker almost always means harder to conceal and less comfortable. The CZ82 is one of my absolute favorite pistols, but I would onlu want to conceal carry one in a shoulder holster. It is just a little too thick and too heavy otherwise. YMMV, as they say.

 

[Pilot]

The CZ-82/83 is a bit thick. I have carried a Bulgarian Makarov on, and off, but now carry a Polish P-83 which I fine a little more easy to carry, and conceal. They are almost the same size, but the grip is slightly smaller. Just enough to notice.

 

[lincen]

The Makarov will be thinner but if it is one of the commercial models it has an adjustable rear sight that is fairly sharp and prominent. Some folks have complaints about that and buy the Bulgarian with the standard military rear sight. There is also a fixed sight replacement aftermarket piece that solves the problem.

 

[leadcounsel]

The 82/83 is thick only in the grip area, which is above the waistline. The barrel area is thinner. Therefore it's relatively easy to CC.

It's a great gun, great trigger, and will serve you well for carry. My caveat is that it's nowhere near my top choice given the age of the gun, and the inferior caliber/capacity choices compared to modern offerings. In the same size/weight you can get a number of choices in better caliber/capacity or both. For example in roughly the same size/weight, a Glock 19 9mm fires a noticably more potent round (with better HP offerings), with more capacity.

 

[Stringfellow]

I agree with all of Leadcounsel's points. I have the '82 and a Bulgy. While both exceedingly cool pistols in their own way, there have GOT to be better choices for CC in 2015.

The problem with the '82 is more about its weight than its thickness to me. But it does have a relatively wide grip - in stock form. The catch is, is that it is not a popular pistol, so there are few aftermarket "thin grip" options. I managed to get thin wood grips for mine, which take it down to about 1.1", not including controls. Not too bad, even by modern standards.



If it were economically feasible, a good gunsmith could easily trim about 1/2" total off of the controls. The slide release is way overbuilt, as are the ambi safeties. But money spent to do this would easily buy a lighter, more compact 9 x 19mm.

The bigger problem is that it is heavy. Like 28 oz unloaded heavy. It is a load for carry. But that also makes it a bit more comfortable to shoot.

Both have excellent triggers overall. Both have heavy DA. '82 has one of the best SA triggers I have felt.

Good luck!

 

[Ignition Override]

Thanks very much.
Despite hours of reading about actual Maks and the CZ-82, the frst chance I've had to handle any of the types will be today after 1500. Will decide between them and bring one home.

The closest gun chambered in Mak I've tried is the nifty little P-64, but the DA pull is tighter than my PPK/S and I still can't accept the Polish DA pull, even after three short sessions with three different P-64s.
Whether to "carry" one of them as an alternate to my Sig 232 might be secondary.

Would many of you consider long-term durability of the CZ just as good as that of a Russian OR Bulgarian Mak., and as rugged?
The CZ also has many more parts than a Mak.

 

[Pilot]

The P-83 Wanad overcame the shortcomings of the P-64, and they are currently available at reasonable prices. Don't overlook that hidden gem.

 

[Ignition Override]

Pilot: thanks, but the seller did not have the P-83, and I like the reports about it. He had 3-4 Russian commercial Maks (9x18, .380 A.), a VZ-52, two Bulg. Maks and the single CZ-82: his late brother's estate.

I bought both the CZ-82 and the Bulg. Mak.
Why does the Mak have No import stamps, unless a GI was able to buy it in Europe (PCS/TDY) and declare it when he moved back?

 

[Stringfellow]

I bought both the CZ-82 and the Bulg. Mak.

Ahh, the classic High Road solution to the pistol selection problem. Well played, Sir.

Enjoy!

 

[Ignition Override]

Thanks for the colorful feedback, and photo. If so many .380 Auto PPK and PPK/S guns were not known to have so many issues, I easily would have bought more than one of those.

Quite frankly, I'm very glad that some previously serious mag/recoil spring FTFeed issues with my W. German PPK/S (although solved by Wolff Springs and E-Bay Walther mags) truly "inspired" me to be open-minded about dependable CZs and actual Maks!

My wife no longer believes me when she hears "This is the last handgun deal". Why not? She is a veteran of many pieces of Meissen art, and once toured the eastern German 'Fabrik' in Meissen. Probably not far from the E. German Makarov Fabrik.

 

[Capybara]

I've got a CZ82 on my CCW. I carry IWB at about 2:30 position without much trouble. I am 6' 1" and fairly thin at 172 lbs. It is a heavier gun, my main CCW is a Shield, which is much thinner and lighter. The CZ82 has the best DA trigger out of any of the fourteen pistols I own. That said, 9x18 Mak is not an optimum SD cartridge, when I am done shooting it and go back to 9mm, the 9mm seems so much more powerful. You should look at the ballistics and gel tests with 9x18 Mak, it is really not a very effective SD round. 9mm is. I also have a P64 on my CCW that I carry as an occasional BU gun. Size and weight are great and the DA trigger pull on mine, while substantial, works okay for me.

Honestly, out of the three, the Shield is my EDC. C&R pistols are okay for CCW but I go for thin, light and small every time in a more powerful cartridge.

 

[Ignition Override]

"Roger" all of that. Thank you.
As Stringfellow stated, there are thinner grips available for the CZ-82. Several options are on E-Bay, although the flatter/thinner types might reduce the 82's nice ergonomics.

Hard choice between using the CZ as an alternate carry gun, or the very attractive Bulgarian Makarov. Bought both at the same time. The Mak's DA trigger seems as good or maybe a tad better than my new Sig 232. But the Mak's condition is so pristine that I would hate to expose it to any sweat.