The other compact 9MM

[Terry G]

I was always carrying a full size pistol, either at work a 9MM Ruger P89. or off duty a Colt Series 70 MKIV .45 ACP and as I got closer to retirement I thought about carrying something smaller. I also had just received my Curio & Relic license and with The Shotguns News in hand started to build my arsenal and deplete my savings. First were the Makarov's.. A solid steel East German copy with a nice finish and cheap! Shooting it firing a fairly hot 9X18 MM 94 grain FMJ was a lot of fun. The gun was also accurate and completely reliable. Next was a CZ 82 for $180.00 that came with a strange ambidextrous light tan leather holster and two magazines.. .This had a shiny black finish slightly marred by pistol rack marks but otherwise new. I put a magazine through it and thought this is my new carry gun. The all steel pistols, Makarov and CZ 82, are weighty to be sure, but soak up recoil. I bought an OWB holster, a few more magazines, Some Silver Bear HP's and I was in business. I also bought six more 82's which have dwindled down to three from gifting to Family and Friends. Currently the 9X18 MM round is readily available in sports stores and on line. These "Commie" guns have been surpassed by the polymer 9X19 pistols of course, but they still have a large "Cool" factor and I not feel badly armed with either gun. The CZ 82 has a capacity of 12 + 1 making it a compact high capacity carry pistol. A Friend of mine, a DCI Officer, gave up his S&W Shield to carry a CZ 82 because he liked it so much better!

 

[Edcnh]

I have a CZ 82 and it is a good reliable accurate gun. I also have a Polish P 64 in 9 x 18 makarov and it is quite accurate at 15 yds. Both are fun guns to shoot.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

I love the Maks!

i read on another forum about the P-83 Wanad, another Polish offering in 9x18. After a very in-depth study was published on how it was constructed I was stunned to see how much quality and attention went into them. They look rough, but they are outstanding little pistols that I wouldn’t hesitate to own.

https://forums.gunboards.com/showth...h-P83-More-Than-Meets-The-Eye&highlight=Wanad

 

[Ed Ames]

I had a cz82. Very nice pistol, but one of the times I took it to the range a roll pin went flying and the extractor with it. I think it was the extractor... this was years ago. I did manage to find all the parts and put it back together but it’s something to watch if you plan to carry one.

 

[Ignition Override]

Let's distinguish between guns Chambered in 9x18, and guns which Are 'true' Makarovs, for the benefit of people who are unfamiliar.
Maks were produced only in Bulgaria, E. Germany, Russia and "Corona Virus China"; nowhere else.

Keep in mind that a huge number of commercial Makarovs (Russian) are chambered in .380 Auto.

CZ-82s are excellent, and a large number of the worn CZ-83s (.32 and .380) were Israeli turn-ins.
These can have approx. twice as many internal frame parts as a Makarov.