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Old September 21, 2012, 08:29 PM   #1
bspillman
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CZ 82 or bersa thunder and why?

If you could only have one. Which one? and why?
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Old September 21, 2012, 08:34 PM   #2
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CZ82 fires a more effective defensive round and it has a superior trigger. The Bersa was a solid value when it was a $125 to $150 gun. These days not so much. IMHO
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Old September 21, 2012, 08:59 PM   #3
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Bersa is 23 oz. unloaded... CZ82 is 28 oz. unloaded. So, if it's for all-day carry that's a consideration. As much as I love my CZ82, I know the extra 5 oz. would get to me after a few days. So for EDC, I'd probably go with the Bersa.

If not for EDC, the CZ82 is a great value... Here's mine:

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Old September 21, 2012, 09:06 PM   #4
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OP, did you mean to compare a 9x18 against a .380, or did you want to compare the Bersa to a CZ 83 (.380)?
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Old September 21, 2012, 09:11 PM   #5
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Quote:
Bersa is 23 oz. unloaded... CZ82 is 28 oz. unloaded. So, if it's for all-day carry that's a consideration. As much as I love my CZ82, I know the extra 5 oz. would get to me after a few days. So for EDC, I'd probably go with the Bersa.
In the right holster that 5 oz will not make a difference IMHO. Both are heavier than they need to be.

Kahr CW9 15.8 oz....
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Old September 22, 2012, 06:24 AM   #6
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Of the two, CZ or a Bersa, I'd choose the Bersa Thunder Plus. It's the same size and weight, (except for ammo), as the regular Bersa, but carries 15 rounds. I'd pick the Bersa over the CZ because I like the Bersa sights better, it holds more ammo, it's lighter and a bit smaller and it has a decocker.

Another plus for the "Plus" is that they are currently produced. The CZ82 isn't. In the current CZ83, the price is higher than the Bersa and I see no real tangible gain for the money.

I'm not a huge fan of either brand, but if I had to choose...
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Old September 22, 2012, 09:02 AM   #7
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Which Bersa Thunder? There are a couple different .380 models

Personally, I have the 380 CC and would swear by it any day of the week and twice on Sundays. 500 rounds - hasn't hiccuped yet

Lifetime warranty is tough to beat as well
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Old September 22, 2012, 09:05 PM   #8
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Of the two, I'd take the CZ 82. Mine has been 100% reliable and handles recoil better than any other blowback gun I've ever shot. The thing is a tank. Another plus it's got going for it is that the 83 is still in production so spare parts (not that anything's broke so far) and mags are available should you ever need them.


My CZ82 Review Video
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Old September 22, 2012, 09:17 PM   #9
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I like the Bersa Thunder 9 UC Pro. It's 13+1.

I've fired hundreds of rounds through mine and I never had a failure of any kind with it.

I use it for my EDC gun. Its really a sweet shooter and has very little recoil at all. It's very accurate. You could drive nails with it. It's an all metal gun. I tried and don't like plastic guns.
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Old September 23, 2012, 12:54 AM   #10
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As I've never owned a handgun, and seldom used one, would the CZ-82 be much more difficult to conceal in a front pocket?
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Old September 23, 2012, 07:12 AM   #11
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Both would be difficult to conceal in the front pocket. For pocket (non cargo) carry, you really need single stack guns. In 9x18, the P64 is probably your best bet for front pocket carry.
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Old September 23, 2012, 07:41 AM   #12
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Lets see I have two of each. For ccw, I would go with the Bersa. The Bersa is a pleasant shooting pistol, but of you don't reload, the ammo is more expensive. The CZ82 is also a nice range or fun gun. With less expensive factory ammo, that is its advantage. As mentioned above, the Bersa has a lifetime warrentee while the CZ82 does not. Bpth my wife and I tend to use the Bersas more than the CZ but both are great pistols.

As far as effectiveness, no handgun is a rifle. Placement is what counts.
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Old September 24, 2012, 12:03 AM   #13
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In the right holster that 5 oz will not make a difference IMHO. Both are heavier than they need to be.
Not when you're talking about 2 blowbacks vs. a tilting barrel design.
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Old September 24, 2012, 01:56 AM   #14
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I have a CZ-82

I think it is the BEST hand gun for it's price at this time.
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Old September 24, 2012, 02:20 AM   #15
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Quote:
CZ82 fires a more effective defensive round
Wrong.

The 9X18 Mak has more THEORETICAL power than the .380, but NO ammo company makes a 9X18 load that is hotter than the hottest .380 loads. Just look at BuffaloBore.

.380

100 grn hardcast 1150 fps producing 294 ft-lbs of energy

9X18 Makarov

115 grn hardcast 1100 fps producing 255 ft-lbs of energy.

Ammo companies just don't seem to trust those Eastern-Bloq pistols and don't produce loads that take full advantage of the 9X18 Mak.
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Old September 24, 2012, 03:12 AM   #16
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One of the kinectic energy calcs is wrong. 115 gr at 1100 fps is 308 ft/lbs

100 grain at 1150 fps is 293 ft/lbs or so, that calc is correct.
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Old September 24, 2012, 09:01 AM   #17
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Actually, compared to what is available commercially. They are about the same. The Czech and Russian police/military issed the SP-7 9mm Mak ammo. 92 gr, 1378 fps, 390 ft lbs. It was not good for long term use in the Makarov Pistols, but the CZ-82's have never had any problems with it.

Sadly, good luck finding any.

Interesting side note the Russians also made 9mm Mak ammo with a steel core for defeating body armor.

Anyway. Back to the Ops original question.

Either one would be fine for carry (for me). I like the feel of the CZ82 in my hand and am more comfortable shooting it. I don't mind having a heavier gun on my hip.

If you want another option to Buffalo Bore, check Underwood Ammo.
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Old September 24, 2012, 10:39 AM   #18
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Bersa...just as good a gun, and the 9X18 just isn't available as many places as the 380.
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Old September 24, 2012, 11:56 AM   #19
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It's certainly harder to find in local shops but it's about 1/3 cheaper online than 380. Again, either choice is fine but the overall cost edge goes to the CZ IMO.
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Old September 27, 2012, 12:15 PM   #20
group17
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I'll go with the Bersa:

1. life time warranty
2. easily available parts
3. Can buy your ammo at wally world
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Old September 27, 2012, 01:52 PM   #21
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I say we look for a forum volunteer to be shot, and then let that person judge which one hits the hardest. So we have a valid point of comparison.

So, who wants to get shot first?

Of course I vote Bersa but I am partial

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Old September 27, 2012, 06:36 PM   #22
WVsig
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Actually, compared to what is available commercially. They are about the same. The Czech and Russian police/military issed the SP-7 9mm Mak ammo. 92 gr, 1378 fps, 390 ft lbs. It was not good for long term use in the Makarov Pistols, but the CZ-82's have never had any problems with it.
That is my point when I say it is a better defensive round. If you people are going to post the extreme end of what 380 auto can do you should compare it to what the 9mm mak can do at the extremes as well.

I personally believe if you fire enough of that buffalo bore +p, which is +p in name only because there is no 380 auto +p SAAMI spec, out of a Bersa you are going to need that lifetime warranty. LOL

I think the Bersa was a great deal when it was a a sub $150 pistol NIB but these days not so much. When you can get a Kahr CW9 for about $75 more the Bersa makes no sense to me.

Parts are not an issue for the CZ82. CZ83 parts interchange in a lot of respects. Plus they are tough as nails and can still be had cheap.
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