Machodoc
Old Guy
No, this isn't a C&R firearm yet, but it certainly has some value as both a collectible and as a shooter. This is a lesser-known commercial cousin to the CZ-82 that we all know (and that's getting to be scarce). It was not much of a success in the U.S., probably because there were so many nice CZ-82s available. Ironically, just as the supply of CZ-82s seems to have dried up, CZ America has discontinued importing this variant.
The CZ-83 was apparently made in three calibers: 9mm Makarov, .380 ACP, and ... (maybe 9x19 or .32 ACP)?
The one that I just picked up is a .380. It has a 13 round magazine that looks like it might interchange with those on the CZ-82, but I haven't tried that yet. Those familiar with the CZ-82 would find the ergonomics of this handgun very familiar. It's a very positive fit, and points just where you want it to. It has the same, or very similar, 3-dot sights as the CZ-82 and the same sort of contoured plastic grips.
It's a steel-bodied firearm that feels solid and well-made ... heavier than some of the modern poly guns, but I personally like that. It should make a very good CCW, if I can find the right sort of ammo to make up for it being a fairly light round.
[Edit] I thought that this model was a bit smaller than the CZ-82, but I compared them and they are the same size. Mine also has the same round trigger guard as the CZ-82, rather than the squared-off one shown in the photo below. I'm wondering if it's an earlier model. The serial numbers match, and it's got the CZ-83 signage, so it's not cobbled together. Further looking makes it appear that mine is was made for Czech use, and recently imported, rather than one made for CZ USA and sold here. That might explain the difference in trigger guard shapes, but the signage on the slide is the same (but mine reads 9 Browning for caliber).
Another difference is that it has a conventional bore, with lands and grooves, rather than the polygonal bore of the CZ-82 (but the Mak version may have the poly bore ... not sure). As with other CZs, it's a very solid and well-made piece. So long as you keep the grips on snugly, they feel solid, in spite of the fact that they are contoured plastic. The fairly light recoil might make this a good CCW piece for the ladies. The grip is a bit wide, to accommodate a mag with a 12-round capacity, but it should still fit properly for all but the smallest hands. For those with fairly large hands, the grip feels great for the thumb and first three fingers, but the pinkie sort of has to ride the mag's edge or float above it ... not as bad as the description sounds, but it's the best I could do. Long fingers tend to go a little deep into the trigger, too, but that's easily corrected.
It has ambidextrous safety and mag release features that make it a good gun for lefties. Its DA trigger is surprisingly smooth and relatively light, with no slack and minimal travel. In SA mode, the hammer drops smooth as silk with a crisp, almost imperceptible, break. It's an interesting pistol that might be hard to find in the future. Mine was lightly used, with a couple of very minor scuffs on the plastic grips, but the metal and finish were like new (needing cleaning) for $250 in hand. That seems to have been a pretty decent price, from what I can see. It makes a good companion to the CZ-82s that await a future boating incident.
The CZ-83 was apparently made in three calibers: 9mm Makarov, .380 ACP, and ... (maybe 9x19 or .32 ACP)?
The one that I just picked up is a .380. It has a 13 round magazine that looks like it might interchange with those on the CZ-82, but I haven't tried that yet. Those familiar with the CZ-82 would find the ergonomics of this handgun very familiar. It's a very positive fit, and points just where you want it to. It has the same, or very similar, 3-dot sights as the CZ-82 and the same sort of contoured plastic grips.
It's a steel-bodied firearm that feels solid and well-made ... heavier than some of the modern poly guns, but I personally like that. It should make a very good CCW, if I can find the right sort of ammo to make up for it being a fairly light round.
[Edit] I thought that this model was a bit smaller than the CZ-82, but I compared them and they are the same size. Mine also has the same round trigger guard as the CZ-82, rather than the squared-off one shown in the photo below. I'm wondering if it's an earlier model. The serial numbers match, and it's got the CZ-83 signage, so it's not cobbled together. Further looking makes it appear that mine is was made for Czech use, and recently imported, rather than one made for CZ USA and sold here. That might explain the difference in trigger guard shapes, but the signage on the slide is the same (but mine reads 9 Browning for caliber).
Another difference is that it has a conventional bore, with lands and grooves, rather than the polygonal bore of the CZ-82 (but the Mak version may have the poly bore ... not sure). As with other CZs, it's a very solid and well-made piece. So long as you keep the grips on snugly, they feel solid, in spite of the fact that they are contoured plastic. The fairly light recoil might make this a good CCW piece for the ladies. The grip is a bit wide, to accommodate a mag with a 12-round capacity, but it should still fit properly for all but the smallest hands. For those with fairly large hands, the grip feels great for the thumb and first three fingers, but the pinkie sort of has to ride the mag's edge or float above it ... not as bad as the description sounds, but it's the best I could do. Long fingers tend to go a little deep into the trigger, too, but that's easily corrected.
It has ambidextrous safety and mag release features that make it a good gun for lefties. Its DA trigger is surprisingly smooth and relatively light, with no slack and minimal travel. In SA mode, the hammer drops smooth as silk with a crisp, almost imperceptible, break. It's an interesting pistol that might be hard to find in the future. Mine was lightly used, with a couple of very minor scuffs on the plastic grips, but the metal and finish were like new (needing cleaning) for $250 in hand. That seems to have been a pretty decent price, from what I can see. It makes a good companion to the CZ-82s that await a future boating incident.
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