First handgun purchase - CZ83

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NewbieShooter

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Hi All,

I am planning to buy CZ83 in .32ACP as my first handgun and was wondering what are everybody's views on it. Would appreciate the tips on pros and cons of the gun.

I will be using the handgun mainly for target shooting and recreational shooting.

Also pls feel free to suggest any other make model in .32ACP.

Thanks in advance.
 
Are you attached to the 32 acp? If not, may I suggest the CZ 82? It is a fine weapon, nearly identical to the 83, but chambered in the stouter 9x18 Makarov. It is a cheaper pistol, C&R eligible, and a pleasure to shoot. Ammo is not impossible to acquire, at least no harder than .32 acp.

If it is the round you have chosen to stick with, you may also look into the Beretta Tomcat. But, the CZ line of "compacts" are fine shooters. I have owned and shot the 82 quite a lot, and you will be well served by it's stablemate.
 
meanmrmustar, I am kinda attached to .32ACP :) I like that caliber. I have shot this caliber before and feel comfortable about it so want to start with this caliber as my first handgun. Then there will be many calibers and hanguns to come :)

Another question I had was, are aftermarket accessories easily available for the CZ83 in .32acp ?

Thanks.
 
I think you'll find very few aftermarket accessories for the CZ83 and limited selections in defensive ammo in .32 cal. I also think you'll find very few holsters to fit that particular gun without resorting to the universal-fit garbage like Uncle Mikes.

Is there a reason you're interested in this particular gun, or does it just happen to fall into a price range that you feel comfortable with?
 
get the 82, it cost half? as much
the ammo cost 1/2 to 1/3rd as much, compare 50 .32acp at $29
to 9mm Mak at ~$10 (or less) a box of 50

that means you can buy 3 times the ammo with the $200 you save
so you can shoot it more, and that in the end is the point.

I like the 82/83 (actually the same gun) and I like .32 to the point I reload for it, and that is the point, I couldn't afford to shoot it otherwise. So for me, for that reason a 83 in .32 is a 'want gun'.

Oh and ignore stasher, you will find that there are parts (it's still made) you don't really need internals, other than a new spring (and there are aftermarkets) it takes CZ 75 sights, and fits a Berreta 8000 series holster, and there are after market grips. So please ignore the hater.
 
ohh, the ammo is expensive ?

One of the reason I am considering this gun is because I am of Indian origin and after some time in the US when I return back to India, I want to take this pistol with me. In India, the calibers like 9mm, 45acp etc come under the category of PB(Prohibited bore) and civilians are not allowed to have those. .32acp is the widely used caliber by civilians and the ammo is readily available. So I am thinking of buying this pistol which will be with me all my life :)

I am wondering why the ammo for .32ACP is expensive as compared to the 9mm? shouldn't it be the other way round ?
 
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9x18 MAKAROV (well technically 9x18mm Vz. 82, which is a SINTERED IRON round of about 63 grains, pushed about 1200FPS, or about 20% hotter than 9mm Makarov)

it is not 9 Nato, 9mm Parabellum, 9x19 etc.

as for price, cause less is made, it will sell for a higher price as it is generally sold to people with higher end guns or those who don't know better.
 
Newbie, Shadow is correct. However, since you prefer .32, the reloading route is something you might be interested in. The reloading tools would pay for themselves soon as the .32 is indeed a costlier round. I pickup 9x18 (brown bear) for $12 per 50. But, that's neither here nor there.

The midsize CZs are hot in my area as a good middle ground for ccw. Not many want a pocket pistol, and find full-size to be cumbersome. But, you're a plinker, so I think that if your heart is set on .32, reloading is the way to go...and the 83 will fill your roll well. They are inherently accurate due to a pinned barrel, and replacement parts CAN be found.
 
Shadow, you are right, but the 9mm makarov is also a PB. The only Non prohibited bores are the .32ACP, .22, .380 and .25ACP. I know its sad.

meanmrmustard, I agree. reloading will be cheaper but again i am pretty new to the sport and don't know much about reloading :)
 
Sam, Yes it is possible under "Transfer of residence" rules. But I have to have a license in India. Indian customs at the airport holds the weapon till you apply for the license and then once you get the license you can get it released from them.

From here in the US, I have to get an export permit from the department of defense. This can be done through a licensed exporter.
 
Ok, then if you're willing to buy factory ammo, then the CZ83 is a good choice. It will serve you well. I suggest the .380, but ima bit confused by your laws as the .380 is a 9mm bore as well. In any event, CZ is awesome. Good luck friend.
 
meanmrmustard, I am not planning to buy it right away. Will continue my research and see how it goes. Thanks for the info though. The .380 is allowed, will check that out as well Thanks.
 
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I have this exact gun, a CZ83 in .32acp and it's one of my favorite guns. Accurate, soft shooting and easy to maintain. It also has a remarkably nice single action trigger. If ammo availability in India is good, I say go for it!

Kent in MI
 
If you are set on the 32, I would get a ppks. I think they come in 32. I just got one it is 380. I love it. It feels so good. I lik high cal so I won't be carrying it much except for a backup but it is still fun to shoot. If you are wanting it for fun and just playing the 32 will be fun.
 
If that's the case, wait till you get to India
if you want to have fun, look into the Chinese and russian weapons that we don't have in the states, you should be able to get them cheaper I would think than here in the states.
 
Shadow, it's the other way round. Since there is a ban on commercial import of firearms in India, the chinese and Russian made are very expensive. This is the stock which was imported prior to the law was passed in 1986.
 
Oh, funny, heard stories about the northern states, seem the Tokarev is pretty popular, didn't realize it was that strict, have you considered something like a 1911 in super 38, don't forget the berreta 80 series, but yeah, the CZ is great, BUT, don't take the trigger apart OR the slide latch, those, well you'll regret it.
 
I would love to have a 1911 someday but all those are on the exPensive side. I want to start with some thing inexpensive. I wish they had a 1911 in .32acp :)
 
Not really, you can buy a Rock Island or metropolitan etc. for 350 to 400 in super 38, 9x21 or similar "non military rounds"

If not, you can look for a star in .380, those tend to be about 200-250
 
The star sis in .32acp look very beautiful. The question is, are they available new? I have added that in the list now.
 
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