CZ 82 Review

[plouffedaddy]

I've had the CZ 82 for a few months now and must say I'm impressed. I've got 3 guns chambered in 9x18 Makarov (CZ 82, Bulgarian Mak, P64) and of the bunch the 82 is my absolute favorite. Quick summary:

Pros:
-Cost ($220 is tough to beat)
-Accuracy
-Great single action trigger
-Usable sights
-Easy to maintain
-All steel construction
-12+1 capacity
-Ability to carry 'cocked and locked'
-Chrome bore; polygonal rifling
-Parts are readily available as the CZ 83 shares most parts and is still in production

Cons:
-27oz weight is a little heavy by modern carry gun standards
-I would like the option of replaceable sights without knocking pins out
-No decocker


Here's a video of some shooting, a table top review, and some chronograph tests:

Review Video

Chronograph results:

Hornady XTP 95gr JHP: 1045fps, 226ft/lbs of energy
Silver Bear 94gr HP: 1108fps, 256ft/lbs of energy
Brown Bear 94gr FMJ: 1119fps, 261ft/lbs of energy

As to whether or not to use FMJ or JHP rounds for defense––-I'll leave that up to the experts but I'll be carrying hollow points myself.

 

[Shadow 7D]

DON'T take it apart (fast field stripping)
as for the decock, the trick is you release the trigger, and hence raise the hammer safety (not that you should rely on that) as you lower the hammer with web of you thumb.

OR, you leave it in condition one, with the safety on.
only the front sight is pinned, but you can use CZ75 sights on it, so it's nice to have a 'surplus' gun that you can get aftermarket and production parts for.

 

[chicharrones]

Nice video, plouffedaddy.

I just got a CZ82 gifted to me last month. I hope to finally shoot it this week. I had to add new white paint to the sights and its a bit scratched up externally, but the gun looks like it was hardly fired.

 

[WardenWolf]

Grab yourself some Hornady Critical Defense hollowpoints for it. Hornady is the latest manufacturer to jump on the 9x18 Makarov bandwagon.

 

[chicharrones]

I just have some Brown Bear for my CZ82, since it will be just a fun gun. I have other self defense guns that I put more expensive ammo into.

 

[Buck Nekkid]

I just had my most recent CZ 82 refinished, pics soon. These are just awesome pistols for the money...maybe it's better to say that they are just awesome pistols period!

 

[Girodin]

THe CZ 82 is one of the great values in firearms IMHO. It has not only a very good single action trigger pull but the double action trigger pull is very manageable as well. It is very accurate and reliable.

I see the cons of the gun as follows. It is fairly larger for a gun of its caliber/capacity. It is about the size of a G19 and larger than a G26 with a pinky extension. It also has more felt recoil than the those 9mm guns. I find that the grips preclude me from reaching the mag release unless I shift the gun in my hand. Many have finishes that are pretty rough. I really wish there were some aluminium or G10 thin grips available. The wood grips it seems are prone to cracking.

Weighing its positives against its draw backs and considering the price than can be had at (not long ago it was sub $200 but I haven't checked prices lately) they are a really good buy.

 

[Dentite]

I think they are the best of the 9x18 guns.

The pros:

Good value
The shape of the frame and grips fits my hand really well
Controls are in the modern position and are ambi
Decent sights for a military/police pistol

The cons:

Ugly (IMO) The proportions are strange and the oversized trigger guard looks goofy.
Big for caliber
Blowback design results in more felt recoil than other designs
Like Girodin I can't reach the mag release without shifting my grip. I can reach it fine with my trigger finger on the right side but it doesn't feel natural.

I'm actually going to sell mine to go towards another BHP but I don't regret buying it.

 

[gfanikf]

I have one on order from SOG can't wait to get it!

 

[Godsgunman]

The CZ 82 is absolutely one of my favorite guns to carry and to shoot. The recoil is no worse than any 9x19 gun I've fired, not to mention any of the small .380s I've shot. My S&W BG is less comfortable to shoot than this. The accuracy of these things is top notch in my opinion. Mine is super reliable, never had any issues in that department. Looks wise, it won't win a beauty contest but it's definitely not ugly either. I carry the Silver Bear HPs for my SD needs, cheap and gets the job done. They don't expand as well as hornady but it does enough for the tests I've done and guarantees I get enough penetration also. Absolutely the best $200+ gun you can buy IMHO.

 

[Girodin]

The recoil is no worse than any 9x19 gun I've fired, not to mention any of the small .380s I've shot.

Perceived recoil is obviously not a scientific measurement and there are a lot of variables to it. That said I find the CZ 82 to have more felt recoil than most of my 9x19 guns. I would say that it has less felt recoil than my very small light 380s like the LCP (which given the huge weight difference it had better) but I'm not sure how I would compare it to the mustang. I'm inclined to say the mustang has less felt recoil but I would need to shoot them closer in time to each other than I have before I firmly commit to that position.

Silver bear 90 grain hollow points have displayed dismal expansion in every gel test I have seen of them. The no longer available, at least I haven't seen them anywhere, heavier Silver Bear HPs did better. They do however get adequate penetration, which would be my primary concern. I don't carry my CZ but I do have a bunch of SB hollow points for it.

 

[el Godfather]

I also have one on order, but if it had a decocker, it would have changed the game.