Thinking about a CZ-82

mrcharlie3531 · January 30, 2014, 04:46 PM

I just saw this in my shotgun news. 259.00 20.00 extra for hand select. I never purchased a firearm with out previewing it first. I am assuming it is going to be covered in cosmoline. I have wanted a cz for a while now. I want a shooter not a safe queen. Is it worth paying the extra 20 bucks? Have they all been through a basic inspection. Safety concerns? The ammo is readily available 9x18 markov. At 259.00 the add says very good condition. Thanks guys.

CWKahrFan · January 30, 2014, 05:31 PM

I'm a huge fan of CZ-82's. I'd opt for the $20 extra select. That price is on the high side but they are being advertised less these days so may be in line with what's current. They're pretty easy to clean up. Most I've seen only have some bad spots on the slide sides. I took the sides on mine down (with fine-grit paper) to the steel as far back as the serrations and left it that way for kind of a two-tone look plus I ordered official CZ-logo grips (the lighter-colored ones). The steel has stayed nice with no further treatment. I get compliments on it and overall consider it a great gun, well-worth the $ and effort I put into it... Seems like I remember I needed to do just a bit of wood-removal (with a Stanley knife) on one inner edge of one of those CZ grip panels to make it fit right. Mine has always run 100% and fits my hand perfectly. It's a great shooter. Like the round and reload them. I've put this pic in here before but here it is again anyhow:

PSP · January 30, 2014, 08:23 PM

Even a "hand picked" CZ82 will probably look quite used. The painted finish will have chips and blemishes, the plastic grips scarred. These are the same toss of the dice any trade-in sales are. The guns are generally robust and in functional condition. Some are used beyond their practical life. If you want the best available choose the hand-picked option and hope the guy picking actually looks for a nice one. I've owned three of these over the years but I've never seen a drop of cosmoline .

Good luck.

shaunpain · January 30, 2014, 09:25 PM

Depending on where you might be purchasing the gun, the hand select could mean nothing. If the crate is a bunch of used and beat up guns, even a hand select will be disappointing to you. They usually pick up about 5-10 and then pick the best one. If that seems worth twenty bucks to you, then go for it. It just doesn't seem worth it to me.

CWKahrFan · January 30, 2014, 09:31 PM

Just consider the flip side... If you don't pay the $20, you could get the WORST one in the box...

Mosin44az · January 31, 2014, 12:44 AM

I liked my CZ 82 and regret selling it. Very accurate and 100% reliable. I think it's the best of the Makarov caliber pistols, love the down-to-fire safety.

Not all have the polygonal-rifled barrel which I think is very accurate, at least it was on mine.

If you find the recoil bothersome--it is a blowback design--getting the next more powerful recoil spring from Wolff Gunsprings makes a big difference.

I would recommend buying from J & G Sales, they are located in Prescott, AZ but do alot of mail order. I think they are excellent and they have a good return policy.

Ah I rechecked you OP. If you saw it in Shotgun News that's J & G. Again, recommended. You can ask them what safety checks have been done but I assume all necessary.

Safestuffer · January 31, 2014, 01:26 AM

when you get one and look down the barrel, don't be surprised if it looks like a smoothbore. I almost sent mine back because I thought it was an illegal smoothbore handgun! They have the most subtle polygonal rifling I've ever seen.

JimmyR · January 31, 2014, 02:32 AM

At that price from a quality dealer, I say go for it, and pay the exta $20. I just bought one locally that had a decent amount of finish wear for $260, and most of the current prices I am seeing are $300+.

You won't be disappointed. I know I wasn't...

leadcounsel · January 31, 2014, 05:03 AM

At $150, they were a steal, and they were the best of the crop.

At $200, a great deal, and still excellent or good samples.

At $250+, with declining quality samples, I would be hesitant.

At $300, almost certainly not unless it was 90% or better. You can get new modern 9mm or better guns for a pinch more than $300...

If you buy, know that you might be getting a really abused sample. Expect to invest money and time into refinishing it. By the time you do, you'll easily be into it for $400, perhaps more. Finish, grips, springs...

At that point, you have a good $400-$500 9x18 caliber pistol.

Personally, before I spent $250+ on one, I'd want to know that I was getting a very good sample.

towboat-er · January 31, 2014, 07:31 AM

I have bought 4 of them from SOG. The first two were hand select, the second two not. I could not tell the difference. All were good shooters.

It looks like they are $279 now.

gyvel · January 31, 2014, 09:55 AM

What else can you buy nowadays for $279.00?

dean1818 · January 31, 2014, 10:08 AM

Its a nice pistol and fun to shoot
If you are a collector, grab it

But....... Something to consider

8 years ago the ammo was a little over half as regular 9mm

The 9mm mak is now on par with 9mm price wise

Whats the price look like in 8 year foward?

9mak IS dwindling. New gun sales are almost non existent.

The bullet vendors dont seem to be developing new rounds for it,
While new develoments in 9mm occur constantly

If its your only gun choice, i would chose a 9mm, there are many great choices for not too much more money

aarmel732 · January 31, 2014, 10:16 AM

I had one, it was a great gun. Very accurate, good trigger. I got mine for 229 on sale and it was certainly worth it at that price. Magazines were reasonable. But when I bought it was before the great ammo scare and crash. 9x18 could be found locally for a ton ($36+ for 50) or online from one of the retailers for $8-10 for a box of 50 either silver or brown bear. Prices started to really creep up on the Makarov ammo and I don't see any sign of it coming back down to reasonable levels again. It is a case of cheap, great gun, that will be more and more expensive to shoot. I sold it when shooting it with cheap round nose bullets became just as pricey as shooting .380 or 38 spcl. I won't say I regret it, it is a really good gun, but if I bought one again, I would figure in the costs of re-barreling to .380 just for ammo selection.

carguychris · January 31, 2014, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gyvel

What else can you buy nowadays for $279.00?

There have recently been a whole slew of overseas police-surplus Astra Constables and A-60's and Series 81 Berettas on GB in the $200-$300 price range.

If you're NOT a C&R licensee, this works out to around the same price as a CZ-82 once the shipping and transfer are taken into account.

leadcounsel · January 31, 2014, 06:49 PM

Quote:

What else can you buy nowadays for $279.00?

It's $280 + shipping for a gun of questionable condition. So, $300 for a gamble, that you may have to put $ into to replace grips or refinish, new springs, etc.

If you don't have a C&R, also FFL and tax.

Mags are now rare and expensive too.

And 9x18 has effectively dried up and is comparable to 9x19mm in cost, and the selection of 9x18 isn't as good for SD...

Great gun, but sadly as with all C&Rs, the ship has effectively sailed on these gems.

carguychris · January 31, 2014, 07:46 PM

Quote:

...9x18 has effectively dried up and is comparable to 9x19mm in cost, and the selection of 9x18 isn't as good for SD...

FWIW my local Academy Sports stores carry brass-case 9x18 Mak FMJ from both Fiocchi and Prvi Partizan (the latter under their "Monarch" brand name), along with steel-case FMJ (also "Monarch" brand, likely made by Izhmash or Tula) and Hornady Critical Defense JHP's. Prices are comparable to .380 ACP.

That said, I'll agree that the steel-case milsurp and the cheap new-production steel-case Russian stuff (Brown Bear, Silver Bear, Wolf Military Classic, etc.) seem to have disappeared from the market, although you can't shoot this ammo at an increasing number of public ranges. Also, the selection of SD loads still falls well short of .380ACP, to say nothing of 9mm or .40S&W.

However, you CAN get the ammo, and furthermore, this cartridge is straight-walled, so it doesn't suffer from inherently high production costs that are beginning to ensnare 7.62x25 shooters now that their milsurp supply is evaporating.

WVsig · January 31, 2014, 07:57 PM

I like the CZ82 but like others think it a a great gun if you can get it for $250 or under. Over that there are better options. Guns like the Bersa thunder can be had for under $300 NIB and shoot a similar round.

I do not shoot mine often but I am able to find 9mm Mak most of the time. It is still cheaper than standard 9mm. I do not see the 9mm Mak round disappearing anytime soon. The dirt cheap surplus stuff is gone but there is tons of current production stuff.

I would not mail order one at the current prices.

January 30, 2014, 04:46 PM	#1
mrcharlie3531 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2013 Posts: 112	Thinking about a CZ-82 I just saw this in my shotgun news. 259.00 20.00 extra for hand select. I never purchased a firearm with out previewing it first. I am assuming it is going to be covered in cosmoline. I have wanted a cz for a while now. I want a shooter not a safe queen. Is it worth paying the extra 20 bucks? Have they all been through a basic inspection. Safety concerns? The ammo is readily available 9x18 markov. At 259.00 the add says very good condition. Thanks guys.

January 30, 2014, 05:31 PM	#2
CWKahrFan Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 2,016	I'm a huge fan of CZ-82's. I'd opt for the $20 extra select. That price is on the high side but they are being advertised less these days so may be in line with what's current. They're pretty easy to clean up. Most I've seen only have some bad spots on the slide sides. I took the sides on mine down (with fine-grit paper) to the steel as far back as the serrations and left it that way for kind of a two-tone look plus I ordered official CZ-logo grips (the lighter-colored ones). The steel has stayed nice with no further treatment. I get compliments on it and overall consider it a great gun, well-worth the $ and effort I put into it... Seems like I remember I needed to do just a bit of wood-removal (with a Stanley knife) on one inner edge of one of those CZ grip panels to make it fit right. Mine has always run 100% and fits my hand perfectly. It's a great shooter. Like the round and reload them. I've put this pic in here before but here it is again anyhow: Last edited by CWKahrFan; January 31, 2014 at 01:33 AM.

January 31, 2014, 05:03 AM	#9
leadcounsel Junior member Join Date: September 8, 2005 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 2,119	At $150, they were a steal, and they were the best of the crop. At $200, a great deal, and still excellent or good samples. At $250+, with declining quality samples, I would be hesitant. At $300, almost certainly not unless it was 90% or better. You can get new modern 9mm or better guns for a pinch more than $300... If you buy, know that you might be getting a really abused sample. Expect to invest money and time into refinishing it. By the time you do, you'll easily be into it for $400, perhaps more. Finish, grips, springs... At that point, you have a good $400-$500 9x18 caliber pistol. Personally, before I spent $250+ on one, I'd want to know that I was getting a very good sample. Last edited by leadcounsel; January 31, 2014 at 06:45 PM.

January 31, 2014, 07:57 PM	#17
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	I like the CZ82 but like others think it a a great gun if you can get it for $250 or under. Over that there are better options. Guns like the Bersa thunder can be had for under $300 NIB and shoot a similar round. I do not shoot mine often but I am able to find 9mm Mak most of the time. It is still cheaper than standard 9mm. I do not see the 9mm Mak round disappearing anytime soon. The dirt cheap surplus stuff is gone but there is tons of current production stuff. I would not mail order one at the current prices. __________________ -The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis -Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin -It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle Last edited by WVsig; January 31, 2014 at 08:06 PM.

January 30, 2014, 08:23 PM	#3
PSP Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2006 Location: Bowling Green Virginia Posts: 4,496	Even a "hand picked" CZ82 will probably look quite used. The painted finish will have chips and blemishes, the plastic grips scarred. These are the same toss of the dice any trade-in sales are. The guns are generally robust and in functional condition. Some are used beyond their practical life. If you want the best available choose the hand-picked option and hope the guy picking actually looks for a nice one. I've owned three of these over the years but I've never seen a drop of cosmoline . Good luck.

January 30, 2014, 09:25 PM	#4
shaunpain Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 854	Depending on where you might be purchasing the gun, the hand select could mean nothing. If the crate is a bunch of used and beat up guns, even a hand select will be disappointing to you. They usually pick up about 5-10 and then pick the best one. If that seems worth twenty bucks to you, then go for it. It just doesn't seem worth it to me.

January 30, 2014, 09:31 PM	#5
CWKahrFan Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 2,016	Just consider the flip side... If you don't pay the $20, you could get the WORST one in the box...

January 31, 2014, 12:44 AM	#6
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,627	I liked my CZ 82 and regret selling it. Very accurate and 100% reliable. I think it's the best of the Makarov caliber pistols, love the down-to-fire safety. Not all have the polygonal-rifled barrel which I think is very accurate, at least it was on mine. If you find the recoil bothersome--it is a blowback design--getting the next more powerful recoil spring from Wolff Gunsprings makes a big difference. I would recommend buying from J & G Sales, they are located in Prescott, AZ but do alot of mail order. I think they are excellent and they have a good return policy. Ah I rechecked you OP. If you saw it in Shotgun News that's J & G. Again, recommended. You can ask them what safety checks have been done but I assume all necessary.

January 31, 2014, 01:26 AM	#7
Safestuffer Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2013 Posts: 101	when you get one and look down the barrel, don't be surprised if it looks like a smoothbore. I almost sent mine back because I thought it was an illegal smoothbore handgun! They have the most subtle polygonal rifling I've ever seen.

January 31, 2014, 02:32 AM	#8
JimmyR Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Posts: 1,273	At that price from a quality dealer, I say go for it, and pay the exta $20. I just bought one locally that had a decent amount of finish wear for $260, and most of the current prices I am seeing are $300+. You won't be disappointed. I know I wasn't...

January 31, 2014, 07:31 AM	#10
towboat-er Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2011 Posts: 146	I have bought 4 of them from SOG. The first two were hand select, the second two not. I could not tell the difference. All were good shooters. It looks like they are $279 now.

January 31, 2014, 09:55 AM	#11
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	What else can you buy nowadays for $279.00?

January 31, 2014, 10:08 AM	#12
dean1818 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Frisco Texas Posts: 844	Its a nice pistol and fun to shoot If you are a collector, grab it But....... Something to consider 8 years ago the ammo was a little over half as regular 9mm The 9mm mak is now on par with 9mm price wise Whats the price look like in 8 year foward? 9mak IS dwindling. New gun sales are almost non existent. The bullet vendors dont seem to be developing new rounds for it, While new develoments in 9mm occur constantly If its your only gun choice, i would chose a 9mm, there are many great choices for not too much more money

January 31, 2014, 10:16 AM	#13
aarmel732 Member Join Date: October 15, 2012 Location: Illinois Posts: 67	I had one, it was a great gun. Very accurate, good trigger. I got mine for 229 on sale and it was certainly worth it at that price. Magazines were reasonable. But when I bought it was before the great ammo scare and crash. 9x18 could be found locally for a ton ($36+ for 50) or online from one of the retailers for $8-10 for a box of 50 either silver or brown bear. Prices started to really creep up on the Makarov ammo and I don't see any sign of it coming back down to reasonable levels again. It is a case of cheap, great gun, that will be more and more expensive to shoot. I sold it when shooting it with cheap round nose bullets became just as pricey as shooting .380 or 38 spcl. I won't say I regret it, it is a really good gun, but if I bought one again, I would figure in the costs of re-barreling to .380 just for ammo selection.