Mak or CZ 82??

[azhunter12]

Which one would you pick? I asked this question once before on another fourm and the reply was almost everyone for the 82. Here are some reasons for either choice and prices.

CZ82-$229. Plus- Has a hicap mag, wider grip, supposedly a better sights,
Minuses-only one I can think of is there is no one except for not having a decocker

Mak-$225. Plus-fun caliber
Minuses-8rd mag (not to bad I can live with it), small sights

Take you pick. The mak is unissued condition. If I were to buy it I'd probaly offer $190-$200. Thanks. AZhunter.

 

[ARTiger]

The CZ is a better gun - not that the Mak is bad, just the CZ is better. Both good. There are some CZ's in that platform in 9x18 as well if you look hard enough.

 

[usp9]

There's not a lot of difference. Not sure I understand the Ammo comparison...they are both 9mm Makarov.

The CZ82 has a notoriously weak slide release spring that cannot be replaced. Other than that...both are fairly robust. The CZ has a very good trigger for a commie gun. Buy both and give us a full report.

 

[joneb]

The original "PM" has the 8rnd mag. so the gun is thinner. The mag release is on the bottom of the grip which makes reloading slower for me, and the safety is on the slide which could be accidentally engaged while firing, and then there's the micro sights. I sure do like my Mak though

 

[North Bender]

My CZ-83 is a work of art. It fits my hand like a glove, points naturally, and shoots straight.

But I'd take a Makarov if it was either/or. The reason is the ease of working on the Makarov. No difficult internal springs and I can take it completely apart in less than 2 minutes. You just don't want to take a CZ completely apart unless you set aside some real time. And I think that for the caliber the CZ is really pushing the size limit.

 

[CZF]

Maks are just crude when they are up against a CZ. As mentioned, the CZ
has better controls and sights, and with it's superior trigger//probably more accurate to boot.

I'd never own a MAK, but have owned a CZ83 in 9mm MAK> sweet gun..hard to find ammo.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I've got two CZ 83 that I bought new. One in 9x18 and the second is a 32ACP.
And I've got a bunch of Makarovs in .380 and 9x18.

Other than the 9x18 CZ costing twice as much and having a larger magazine capacity than the Makarov I haven't warmed up to it all that much.

I don't know exactly why but I like the Makarov better than the CZ.

 

[BADUNAME13]

As a Mak owner: Get the CZ.

Edited to add: that's too much for the Mak unless it's a Russian one, and if it is get a $160 one if you're gonna carry it.

 

[only1asterisk]

Another CZ vote. Bigger, but better made.

David

 

[ezypikns]

Have you ever owned or shot a Makarov?

I'd never own a MAK

I happen to agree with you. The CZ is a better pistol as far as appearance, sights, finish. But as far as durability, simplicity of design, and reliability, you can't beat a MAK. Doesn't matter whether it's a Russian, Bulgarian, or East German.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I think the Makarov price sounds high, at least for Bulgarians. I think I'd go with the vz.82, of those options, and those prices. If the seller will go below $200 on the Mak that would be a different story, though.

 

[tinygnat219]

Both are great.

However, my vote is the CZ-82. Better ergonomics, better overall trigger, higher magazine capacity.

Depends on what kind of Makarov it is though. If it's Russian, or East German at that price grab it and run.

 

[wnycollector]

I'm leaning twords the CZ82 since maks have dried up in my area for anything less than $300! A gun shop ~ 1.5 hours away from me has a CZ82 for $205 but the black painted finish is peeling in 2 places.

 

[usp9]

A gun shop ~ 1.5 hours away from me has a CZ82 for $205 but the black painted finish is peeling in 2 places.

This is the normal condition of the guns you see offered from the '80s. The finish on the CZ82s is poor and chips. The blued CZs look much better. Be sure you funtion test the gun. Some of these older 82s are in great shape and some are shot out crap. Don't let the smooth barrel fool you, the 82s polygonal barrel looks similar to HKs but smoother.

The weakest link on the CZ 82 is the slide release spring. Be sure the slide release lever engages when you rack the slide. If the lever feels loose or doesn't engage that means the spring is gone. Replacements are not to be found. A CZ83 spring can be used but only with some effort. Trigger sears wear too. Function test the trigger and hammer fall.

Good luck.

function test link...may help.
http://www.coolgunsite.com/funcheck/function.htm

 

[wnycollector]

usp9 thanks for the info! Knowing the weak links prior to purchase in any used firearm is indespensible!

 

[Dave Baird]

I own both but they are fairly new to me yet. From what I have seen so far, (more testing to follow! ), the 82 is more modern....better sights, larger mag capacity, and thumb release. But, with those improvements come more parts. More parts, no matter how you look at it, increases the chance of failure. Compare the T34 to the Tiger. The Tiger was better in so many ways, but the reliability (and production numbers of course), the T34 was still operating on May 13th, 1945.

The Mak would be my choice for CCW due to reliability and ease of disassembly and part aquisition. If I were in law enforcement or the military and given the choice, I would pick the 82 due to firepower.

I guess that's why I got one of each!!

 

[KINGMAX]

cz 83 of course

Get the CZ 83 for sure

 

[M2 Carbine]

HorseSoldier
I think the Makarov price sounds high, at least for Bulgarians. I think I'd go with the vz.82, of those options, and those prices. If the seller will go below $200 on the Mak that would be a different story, though.

At the last gun show the lowest price on any Makarov was $230.

I bought a nice .380 Mak at a pawn shop last year for $179 but the under $200 Maks are harder and harder to find.

 

[sgphoto]

I have both the CZ82 and Maks. I prefer the Maks for several reasons.

1. Easier to carry and conceal. The CZ82 is almost 9mm size, so why carry the CZ82 when I have 9mms that offer greater capacity and power.

2. Better fit and finish on my Maks. Not a deal breaker--but it's apparent to me.

3. Trigger pull in both DA/SA is smoother on my Maks. The CZ 82 is not far behind, but not as good.

4. Less parts on the Mak, easier takedown.

I have both, have carried both, and prefer the Maks. The CZ82 is a fine pistol as are the CZ line of guns of which I have several. If a Mak wasn't available the CZ82 would work well.

I have two CZ82s in 9x18 in 90-95% condition and several Maks. I'll happily trade one of my CZ82s for a equal condition EG Mak. But I'm keeping my Maks.

Steve

 

[Angus Podgorney]

I've got a new CZ83 in 9x18. It's a good gun, but it is definitely big for caliber. I still shoot my E.G. Mak much better though.

 

[joneb]

CZ vs Mak is like S&W vs Ruger, I'd say the Mak is a sturdier more robust 9x18 but this is merely speculation I have not owned a CZ82, and the CZ83 ? are they alloy frames ?
I plan to reload 9x18 for my E.G. Makarov and I have no worries about pushing the loads to limit.

 

[Pilot]

I have both and they are great guns. Reliable, accurate, built like tanks. I prefer the Makarov for its simplicity and slimness.

 

[kserg]

Like many said, depends what kind of Makarov...

If it's Russian or German, Makarov for sure... Great guns.

If it's some crappy Chinese made Mak, then,

 

[Geronimo45]

I'd go with the CZ 82. Maks seem to be getting overpriced nowadays. Russkie or German models seem to go around the same price as a brand new CZ 83.

 

[Texfire]

CZ-82. 12+1 rounds, easily concealable, ambidextrous, smooth shooting with the option for double action first shot or cocked and locked. Only con, harder to find an IWB holster for than a Makarov.

Tex