So What Is the Purpose of the CZ 82/83?

[HGM22]

I can't figure out why this gun exists. Its underpowered for a pistol of its size and weight, making it a poor choice for both concealed carry or duty use (yes it can be used for both, but I think everyone can agree there are better choices). Why not use the CZ 75 in 9x19 or 9x18 as the duty arm of the Czechoslovakian state (yes I am aware that this state no longer exists)?

Why is this gun still being made today and who is buying it given all the great options from not only CZ (P07/P09, P01/SP01, and PCR/CZ75), but Glock, S&W, Ruger, etc.?

 

[jdc1244]

Because they’re accurate, reliable, extremely well made, and fun to shoot.

‘Practical use’ is not the sole criterion for owning and enjoying a given firearm, rendering the notion of ‘better choices’ irrelevant.

 

[tarosean]

Why is this gun still being made today and who is buying it given all the great options from not only CZ (P07/P09, P01/SP01, and PCR/CZ75), but Glock, S&W, Ruger, etc.?

Many Countries disallow Military Calibers. So start whittling you list down to next to nothing from those manufactures. Something needs to fill that role for unfortunate citizens.

 

[AZAndy]

Why does the Ruger Mark Whatever .22 still exist? It's underpowered for a pistol of its size and weight.

Some people actually like the Mak cartridge. I even reload 'em. It's not what I carry, but I have a good time shooting CZ-82, Makarov, PA-63, P-64, and P-83. It's only a slightly hot .380, more or less, but plenty of people have .380's.

 

[MedWheeler]

It wouldn't matter if it was in 9x19mm. Someone would still be along to ask why it wasn't in .45..

 

[bannockburn]

HGM22

People probably say the same thing about the Beretta Model 81 and 84. I had a Model 84 and while it didn't really lend itself all that well for concealed carry I did find it very useful in the home defense role.

 

[chicharrones]

Why is this gun still being made today . . .

The best I can tell, neither the CZ 82 or 83 are made anymore.

 

[hAkron]

The CZ 82/83 gives you a full sized grip, double stack mag, ambidextrous safety and mag release, with a blowback design in a few caliber choices that are popular outside of 9x19.

It's popular for the same reason that the Beretta 84 is popular.

 

[danez71]

I can't figure out why this gun exists. Its underpowered for a pistol of its size and weight, making it a poor choice for both concealed carry or duty use (yes it can be used for both, but I think everyone can agree there are better choices). Why not use the CZ 75 in 9x19 or 9x18 as the duty arm of the Czechoslovakian state (yes I am aware that this state no longer exists)?

Why is this gun still being made today and who is buying it given all the great options from not only CZ (P07/P09, P01/SP01, and PCR/CZ75), but Glock, S&W, Ruger, etc.?

Why does every gun have to fall into your definition of "concealed" or "duty" in order to justify its existence?

Can't it just be fun or pretty or whatever the buyer decides they want?

 

[kozak6]

Czechoslovakia was an Eastern Bloc nation.

The Cz82 was their Makarov alternative.

It's easier to go down a caliber than up a caliber, so that makes the Cz83, which is more palatable to western nations.

I will admit that it's a harder sell outside of cheap surplus. The Cz83 was discontinued in 2012 if that makes you feel any better.

 

[jhb]

i like the mak better, own a few of each, but in a way the cz version gave more capacity and many improvements for the mak. the mak being at it's time the pistol soviet and blocs used. so that's why it existed.

 

[stchman]

Contrary to the mall ninja belief, a firearm does not need a reason to exist.

I have several "pointless" firearms, they are fun to shoot however. There are a great number of people that actually enjoy shooting.

Myself I have about 4-5 "practical" firearms, the rest are purely because I like the way they look, the way they shoot, or "just cause".

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Well sure, if you take them out of their context they're tough to understand.

First, note that they were early, increased capacity, small caliber sidearms.
-They were designed to be smaller than the standard issue sidearms at the time.
-They are essentially Czech hi-cap equivalents to Walther PPs and as such should be viewed in relation to CZ52s and CZ75s the way Walther PPs were viewed against P-08s, P-38s or High-Powers.

On their own merits:
Very accurate.
Outstandingly reliable.
At one time - very affordable.
Excellent controls.
Cheap to feed.
Great history.

Worrying about what they are or are not is like asking why does S&W make a Steel framed snub when they make Airweights and 500s.

Or, if one does not get it, it may not pay to explain. That's not a snub but rather an acknowledgement of varying levels of appreciation for an item. Me, I don't get BMW cruisers or leather interior Jeeps... So there's that.


Todd.

 

[JTQ]

chicharrones wrote,
The best I can tell, neither the CZ 82 or 83 are made anymore.

That's what I thought.

I think they were designed as LE guns.

 

[cougar1717]

I can't figure out why this gun exists.

Part of it is that you can't sit a 34 year old design next to today's state of the art and say, "Why would anybody buy this?"

At the time it was designed, the iron curtain was still up and most of eastern Europe had both cultural and economic ties to the USSR. The CZ-82, with it's +4 capacity over the Makarov, it's low bore axis, polygonal rifling, ambidextrous controls, supreme pointability, and using the defacto ammo standard for the location at the time was revolutionary.

People look back on it now and see it as a dated handgun with comments like: too heavy, anemic caliber, paint finish - without realizing that this (along with the Beretta 81/84) really was a great sidearm for the time.

Our state of the art is different now, but we still discuss some of the issues that the CZ-82 addressed: capacity, common caliber, comfort carrying, controls, and accuracy. 4/5 on the alliteration wasn't bad!

 

[BSA1]

Yes anybody mention that it is because they are accurate, reliable, extremely well made and fun to shoot?

(whisper he did in Post #2).

Oh well how about the option of carrying it cocked and locked (1911 style) or hammer down on loaded chamber.

I recently was at the range and put 48 rounds (4 magazines) inside the 10 ring on a Bullseye Target from 10 yards (10 large steps) using Silver Bear FMJ. What size of group is that? 1 1/2"? Just one ragged hole. All shot double action.

 

[huntsman]

CZ 82/83, Beretta 81 series, Browning BDA a hi-cap lighter gun option in the pre-plastic days. I still love my BDA but alas I've succumbed to plastic for CC guns.

 

[CZ9shooter]

When I set out to get my wife a pistol to start out with, something to call her own, a "full size" pistol in a relatively mellow cartridge was what I was after. Not some ultra slim, plastic, tiny grip, hard to shoot, pocket gun. We ended up with a Bersa Thunder, but tge CZ would have fit the bill just as well, probably better.

 

[Gun Master]

Purpose of CZ-82 ?

Two reasons :
1. 'cause I own one.
2. 'cause I like it.

 

[greyeyezz]

I would have no problem carrying a CZ 83 with 13 gold dots.

 

[ROCK6]

I picked up two surplus CZ83's, mostly because the price was right. I can understand the criticism given many of the modern smaller 9mm pistols for CCW or even subcompacts that can use a larger capacity magazines to serve as a pseudo service pistol; however the CZ82/83 still serves a nice little niche pistol. First, they are quite well made; solid and reliable. For a double stack, they are still pretty thin and actually conceal quite well for their size. Even more now than in the past, 380 ammo has improved...not necessarily the best choice, but not necessarily a bad choice. For both my CZ's, they are extremely accurate. The simple construction adds value and I love the ability to carry either DA or cocked and locked. Lastly, the niche CZ's grip is quite comfortable in the hand and is a natural shooter for many who pick it up...this is why they are still pretty popular and there are few double stack .380's still currently made or common in the market and the CZ is one of the better ones.

ROCK6

 

[Tallball]

It was a duty weapon similar in concept to a Walther PP or a Makarov. They made two versions, an 82 for Eastern Bloc ammo, and an 83 for sales to Western nations.

I am assuming their purpose was to make money.

 

[Onmilo]

I am guessing the OP wasn't around or at least old enough to understand anything happening between 1982 and 1996
Small steel frame handguns of moderate caliber were the norm for communist countries and their satellite nations.
Plastic frame technology didn't exist in the manner we know it today and 9mm NATO was considered the pistol caliber of the enemy plus handguns in general were not a primary source of concern for the military.

At the time the CZ82/83 was introduced I considered the design a pinnacle achievement in small concealable handgun design.
I still do

Yes there are much better carry options TODAY.
In the time these guns were standard issue they were, quite simply, at the top of the game.

"And now you know,,,,,, the rest of the story....."
RIP Paul Harvey
"Good Day."

 

[HGM22]

Being an amateur historian with an interest in the Cold War, I most certainly understand the fact that the Czechoslovakian's might simply not have had a choice on caliber. That would partly answer the first question about why it was designed. But, do we know for certain the Czech's were forced to use 9x18? They certainly weren't forced to standardize on the platform, so is it possible they also weren't forced to standardize on caliber? Also, why not simply adapt the CZ 75 to 9x18, especially since it was already in production?

As to the second question, why its still being produced (or has been until recently), I think some of the answers given are quite good and something I hadn't thought of i.e. not all countries allow civilian ownership of military cartridges and it makes a great gun for those wanting a higher capacity low-recoiling gun (such as some of the elderly). However, for those claiming the CZ 82/83 shouldn't be seen in a defensive purposes frame of mind, well ignoring the fact that's how it was designed, how many people really are/were buying new-production guns for something else? If it was purchased for target shooting (or something else), where are the modifications/after-market for such? And I doubt many wanting one for historical purposes were interested in buying a new-production gun when so many former military/police guns were available at low cost. Let's not forget either that polymer guns might not have been popular in 1982, but by the '90s and early 2000's they certainly were, and this gun was still around.

A bit of a disclaimer: I am a self-professed CZ fanboy so I don't doubt for a second that these pistols are great guns; I love CZ's quality, affordability, controls and style. I'm just curious why this gun has endured so long, even if I'm sure at some point I will own one, and with its fixed barrel and large steel frame I will enjoy shooting accurate groups with little recoil.

 

[Tallball]

As to why people continue to purchase them, here is my personal situation:

1) I have taught many people to shoot, and I like to work them up gradually from 22, to 32, to a low-recoiling 380, and so on and so forth.
2) I shoot at the range quite often and like to shoot a variety of calibers.
3) My FiL reloads 380acp for both of us.

Due to these factors, I find duty-sized 380acp pistols to be quite useful. They fill a good niche for me.

I already had an excellent 380 Makarov, Beretta 84, and Colt Government 380. My FiL bought a CZ83. After I shot it a few times I had to admit that as far as ergonomics, aaccuracy, fitting my hand, pointability, etc, it was a better 380 pistol for me to shoot at the range than any of my other 380's. So I bought one. CDI Sales had a bunch, ranging in price from $235 to $315. I paid $315 for one that looked practically unfired. For a pistol of its quality, that is a steal!

I am not at all denigrating my other large 380 pistols. They are all very good. In fact, due to its locked breech, I will continue to encourage any future beginners (and my recoil-shy daughter) to use my Colt Government Model, which is a sweet pistol indeed.

But when my FiL and I shoot at our regular 15-yard distance, the CZ83 is the best 380 pistol for me. All in all, that's why I bought it. I didn't purchase it with SD in mind, though I would certainly not feel unarmed with it. I view it as a very nice range toy at an excellent price. I would imagine that many others have them for similar reasons.