Cz 82 or 83?

[HDCamel]

Functionally, aesthetically, and ballistically they're pretty much identical. Ammo is about the same price (depending on where you look).

The only real difference I can see is price. 82s are cheaper but they're all used (have to hunt for a good one) and 83s are more expensive but they can be bought new.

Am I missing anything or should I just buy whichever one I find first?


SIDE NOTE: This purchase will be a few months down the road, but I like to plan these kinds of things in advance.

 

[toivo]

Ammo is cheaper for the 82. You can get Silver Bear FMJ for $10 a box and JHP for $11. I don't know of any .380 that cheap. Silver Bear works fine, but it does turn your fingers black when you load your magazines. Carry some Handi-Wipes in your range bag.

 

[bigfatdave]

82 all the way unless you just have to have one in .380 or .32

I would love to have one in .32 as a toy, but they're expensive and over-sized in a world the KT P32 exists in.
I see no reason to buy a gun for more expensive .380 ammo when you can get a cheaper 9x18mak gun and shoot the cheap mak ammo ... which is NOT "about the same" as .380, it is loaded appreciably hotter and the Silver Bear is pretty good.

Full disclosure, I personally* have no use for .380acp, preferring .32acp for mouseguns and 9x19 for compact guns - with 9x18 being a nifty in between thing available in cheap surplus guns and cheap commercial russian ammo.

*(although the wife wanted a Sig P238 and I must admit that it is a nice little gun, although if it took another round of .32 it would be ideal)

 

[usp9]

The CZ83 was also made in 9mm Mak.

 

[harmon rabb]

Ammo is not the same price. Look on www.aimsurplus.com. 9x18 is the cheapest centerfire pistol round; 380 is on the more expensive side.

You should be paying no more than $10/box of 9x18.

So, given how much cheaper 9x18 is, go for the 82. Also, 82's are a bit cheaper.

 

[PabloJ]

I almost ended up with CZ82 until I came across Russian Makarov. While CZ is superior pistol the PM came with stainless slide, frame and barrel chambered for 9x17 cartridge. Wide selection of quality ammo available in every store that carries ammo was big driving force behind my switharoo.

 

[Walkalong]

I reload, so I went with the 83 in .32 ACP.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Ammo is cheaper for the 82

How do you figure

A 9x18 83 shoots the same ammo as a 9x18 82.



Personally, I have 3 CZ83 in .32, .380 and 9x18,
one CZ82 in 9x18 and
17 Makarovs in 22, 380 and 9x18.
The CZ is a decent gun, and taking nothing away from it, I like the Makarovs better.


Even though most CZ82 look like crap because of that cheap paint job they call a finish, they are a decent gun at, usually, a good price.

 

[PRM]

My CZ83 in .380 was a Police trade in, has the rounded trigger guard. Hand picked I got it for $230 in 99% condition.

Mine has been flawless. One of the best medium size semi-autos I've ever shot. From what I have read, caliber options are the only difference with that criteria going to the CZ83.

CZ83 - .380, 32 ACP, 9mm Mak
CZ 82 - 9mm Mak

 

[vellocet]

If you get the non-surplus 83 you won't be able to complain about the chipped finish on the others. Do the 83s have those crazy polygonal bores, too? And the same stupid, worthless cock and lock "safetys" as the 82?

 

[Walt Sherrill]

They've stopped importing NEW CZ-83s in 9x18 some years ago, and you can only get a new CZ-83 in .380 (unless it's old stock). They use the same mags.

Only the CZ-83 in 9x18 came with the polygonal barrel, if I remember correctly.

The newer CZ-83s have a better finish, much more resistant to chipping.

I have an ANIB CZ-82, and it's a fine gun. I much prefer it to a Makarov, but a good Bulgarian Mak or an East German Mak would be hard to turn down. The CZ has 4-5 rounds greater capacity than a Makarov, and that's not to be sneezed at.

For the cost of ammo, however, I generally just shoot my 9mm guns.

 

[balance 740]

This thread has got me interested.

I know someone who has a CZ-82, and I have shot it a few times. It is very accurate in my hands, though I would consider the recoil impulse as sharp. I'm curious about the .32 though.

Is the .32 a double stack as well, just like the 9x17 and 9x18 models? I thought it was pretty hard to make a reliable double stack mag for a round that has a rim. If not, how many rounds does the .32 mag hold?

I would think that a CZ-83 in .32 would be pleasant to shoot, but before reading this thread, I never knew they existed. Are they rare?

 

[towboat_er]

I have a Makarov in 380 that I wish was 9X18

 

[Shadow 7D]

They use the same mags.

Um, they (Vz.82 vs. CZ-83)
DO use the same mag in 9x18 mak, the .380 mag are the same body, BUT different lips

So, while you can use them interchangeably don't expect them to be 100%

edit
for towboat
http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-83/
If you want it, your local gun pusher will be able to get it
Walked into my favorite shop (good conversation, asking for coffee gets you a cussing and pointed to the kiosk in the parking lot)
asked for esoteric handgun, that is still being imported.
he said, "just a second, I gotta make a call"
he called his distributor, who he had just got off the phone with, and one was tossed on top of his order and I had it 2 days later.
Just gotta ask.

 

[Onmilo]

I'm a .32 acp kinda guy so I own a CZ83

As for reliability of a double stack magazine in this caliber, no worries.
CZ modified the magazines to correctly align each cartridge with the rim in front of the cartridge below it.

I have never had this gun rimlock nor has it yet jammed.
Recoil impulse on the other hand is pretty sharp.
Several people have shot this gun and my G26 9mm Glock during the same session and every one has commented that the CZ recoils more than the G26.
Weird but true.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

The CZ-83 in .32 is more common in Europe but relatively rare in the US. I've only heard of a couple, and never seen one in person.

They're arguably a good gun, but quite big for the caliber. The CZ-82/83 is almost as large as some of the sub-compact 9mm guns.

I'm sure it's more pleasant to shoot than some of the smallest .32s.

 

[usp9]

I had a .32 and really enjoyed it once I found ammo that wouldn't lock up tight as a drum. My gun was produced before the mag change seen above. I enjoyed it much more than the one chambered in 9mm Mak I had. Traded that .32 CZ83 for a AR15 That I never shot. Kind of wish I had it back.

 

[vellocet]

OP, get a surplus 82.

 

[Furncliff]

By the 82 first and try it out.

 

[HDCamel]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I think I'll go for the 82.
Probably get one around tax time (hope they're still cheap by then).

 

[Onmilo]

Thing is, a CZ83 in .32 will be quite a bit more money than a good used CZ82.
In that light I think you are making a wise choice to stick with the 9 Mak