Cz83 .380

Jay1958 · 07-27-2006, 10:15 PM

I have been thinking about picking up a CZ82 (surplus, excellent condition from AIM for $230+ship+FFL fee = around $270) or a CZ83 new in .380 (around $315 with tax at the next local gun show).

At first I was leaning toward the CZ82 in order to save a little money and because the 9x18 round has slightly more punch. But now I have just about convinced myself that to have a brand new CZ83 for only about $40-$50 more makes a lot more sense, especially because I will have a lot wider selection of ammo than with the 9x18. Not just wider availability, that is not as much of an issue for me, I can get 9x18 ammo. But there are so many more choices available in .380.

Is this a logical choice? Which would YOU rather have, a CZ82 9x18 or a CZ83 .380, and why?

Thanks,

Jay1958

FutureMarine · 07-27-2006, 10:18 PM

id rather have x18. i like the knock down power. there are certain rounds for .38 0that are pwerful but there are also 9x18 that are even MORE powerful

Jay1958 · 07-28-2006, 04:17 PM

I went to the local indoor range this afternoon and rented a CZ83 .380 and put 50 rounds thru it since I'm thinking about buying a CZ82 or CZ83.

I liked the feel of the gun in my hand, it pointed well for me and the accuracy was fine.

Problem: I fired a series of five times, 10 rounds in the mag each time. On the first mag and the fourth mag, there was a jam and the cartridge failed to enter the chamber. In both cases, it was the 9th (next to last) round of 10 rounds in the mag. The action was open and I could see the round pointed up at about a 60 degree angle and it was wedged in there pretty good. I had to drop the magazine both times and let the round fall out the bottom. These were FMJ target rounds, not HP.

I mentioned it to the range officer and she said "Yeah, that happens with the CZ83, we've had quite a few customers tell us that. It seems to happen more with the Federal (American Eagle) rounds that you were using, but it happens sometimes with the Winchester, too. We've made it a point to clean it really well, so we know that's not the issue."

Has anyone else had this problem with a CZ82 or CZ83? or other problems? I would really like to know what to expect BEFORE I buy one!

Thanks,

Jay1958

FutureMarine · 07-28-2006, 05:44 PM

i couldnt answer your question but i can tell you with lots of expierience that the Makarov is a much more reliable firearm, given the circumstance you have told us about. the ergonomics of the makarov are really great.

Vintovki · 07-29-2006, 05:11 PM

Jay,
I have one of the CZ-82 Czech pistols chambered in 9X18, I have had no problems whatsoever with feeding or extracting. My guess is that the CZ-82 might have some magazine issues. The 9x17aka .380ACP and the 9X18 have quite different external dimensions, yet the magazines used for both the CZ-82 and CZ-83 are identical. I'd opt for the CZ-82, the 9X18 has more punch it is cheaper to buy in bulk and the CZ-82 has a polygonally rifled bore very similar to the GLOCK. Mine shoots outstandingly well and for the price you have a piece of history.....

Jay1958 · 08-01-2006, 06:46 PM

Thanks for your input, Vintovki! That makes sense about the magazine!

Jay1958

MosinDave · 08-08-2006, 10:06 AM

I own a nickel plated CZ83 in .380 and I had a similar problem with it when I bought it new. I found that the inside of the slide was machined a little bit too rough and was rubbing against the chamber, which is what was giving it the feeding problems when cycling rounds. I took some emory cloth and some polish to the rough spots and almost 600 rounds later it has yet to jam on me. You can't really go wrong with the 82 or 83.

07-27-2006, 10:15 PM	#1
Jay1958 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 161 Trader Rating: (0)	Cz83 .380 I have been thinking about picking up a CZ82 (surplus, excellent condition from AIM for $230+ship+FFL fee = around $270) or a CZ83 new in .380 (around $315 with tax at the next local gun show). At first I was leaning toward the CZ82 in order to save a little money and because the 9x18 round has slightly more punch. But now I have just about convinced myself that to have a brand new CZ83 for only about $40-$50 more makes a lot more sense, especially because I will have a lot wider selection of ammo than with the 9x18. Not just wider availability, that is not as much of an issue for me, I can get 9x18 ammo. But there are so many more choices available in .380. Is this a logical choice? Which would YOU rather have, a CZ82 9x18 or a CZ83 .380, and why? Thanks, Jay1958

07-27-2006, 10:18 PM	#2
FutureMarine Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PRK Posts: 1,946 Trader Rating: (0)	id rather have x18. i like the knock down power. there are certain rounds for .38 0that are pwerful but there are also 9x18 that are even MORE powerful __________________ Semper Fi

07-28-2006, 04:17 PM	#3
Jay1958 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 161 Trader Rating: (0)	feeding problems with CZ83 I went to the local indoor range this afternoon and rented a CZ83 .380 and put 50 rounds thru it since I'm thinking about buying a CZ82 or CZ83. I liked the feel of the gun in my hand, it pointed well for me and the accuracy was fine. Problem: I fired a series of five times, 10 rounds in the mag each time. On the first mag and the fourth mag, there was a jam and the cartridge failed to enter the chamber. In both cases, it was the 9th (next to last) round of 10 rounds in the mag. The action was open and I could see the round pointed up at about a 60 degree angle and it was wedged in there pretty good. I had to drop the magazine both times and let the round fall out the bottom. These were FMJ target rounds, not HP. I mentioned it to the range officer and she said "Yeah, that happens with the CZ83, we've had quite a few customers tell us that. It seems to happen more with the Federal (American Eagle) rounds that you were using, but it happens sometimes with the Winchester, too. We've made it a point to clean it really well, so we know that's not the issue." Has anyone else had this problem with a CZ82 or CZ83? or other problems? I would really like to know what to expect BEFORE I buy one! Thanks, Jay1958

07-28-2006, 05:44 PM	#4
FutureMarine Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: PRK Posts: 1,946 Trader Rating: (0)	i couldnt answer your question but i can tell you with lots of expierience that the Makarov is a much more reliable firearm, given the circumstance you have told us about. the ergonomics of the makarov are really great. __________________ Semper Fi

08-01-2006, 06:46 PM	#6
Jay1958 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 161 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks Thanks for your input, Vintovki! That makes sense about the magazine! Jay1958

07-29-2006, 05:11 PM	#5
Vintovki Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 139 Trader Rating: (0)	Jay, I have one of the CZ-82 Czech pistols chambered in 9X18, I have had no problems whatsoever with feeding or extracting. My guess is that the CZ-82 might have some magazine issues. The 9x17aka .380ACP and the 9X18 have quite different external dimensions, yet the magazines used for both the CZ-82 and CZ-83 are identical. I'd opt for the CZ-82, the 9X18 has more punch it is cheaper to buy in bulk and the CZ-82 has a polygonally rifled bore very similar to the GLOCK. Mine shoots outstandingly well and for the price you have a piece of history.....

08-08-2006, 10:06 AM	#7
MosinDave Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 571 Trader Rating: (0)	I own a nickel plated CZ83 in .380 and I had a similar problem with it when I bought it new. I found that the inside of the slide was machined a little bit too rough and was rubbing against the chamber, which is what was giving it the feeding problems when cycling rounds. I took some emory cloth and some polish to the rough spots and almost 600 rounds later it has yet to jam on me. You can't really go wrong with the 82 or 83.