CZ 83 discontinued

.38Catt · July 4, 2013, 07:02 PM

I was in my local gun shop the other day admiring a CZ 83. The guy behind the counter said that the CZ83 was no longer to be produced.

I guess the smaller, lighter guns in larger caliper have taken any market share it may have enjoyed.

I've always kind of wanted one. Does anyone have any experience with this classic? Mainly, is it reliable with modern hollow points?

Thanks in advance,

.38Catt

Walt Sherrill · July 4, 2013, 09:21 PM

It's reliable, and a fine weapon, but if you're intent upon buying a NEW GUN, you can find 9mm guns that are about the same size and weight, and maybe even available for less. CZ discontinued all calibers but .380 several years ago for (CZ-83) guns imported to the US, and that's a pretty good sized gun for that caliber.

You have a good option: you can find almost new CZ-82s, which are essentially the same gun (minor differences), and they come in 9x18. Most can be had for under $250s (and sometimes for under $200), and there should be no problem getting parts, etc. The 9x18 round is a bit hotter, still easy to find, and no more expensive than .380.

Warning: if you look at a CZ-82 and examine the barrel, understand that it's a polygonal barrel; it doesn't having traditional rifling; that conspicuous lack of rifling (somewhat like a Glock barrel, but less obvious) will cause you to think the barrel is worn.

The CZ-82 I owned and the ones I've shot are all very accurate, despite barrels that looked worn out; they weren't. (A CZ-83 in that caliber would have the same type of barrel; the other models are, I think, have the standard land and groove rifling.)

carguychris · July 4, 2013, 09:48 PM

In addition to what Walt Sherrill said, there are a few Israeli police surplus CZ 83's that have popped up on GB recently, for prices comparable to milsurp CZ 82's. One potential issue, however, is that the CZ 83 isn't C&R like the CZ 82, so you can't have one shipped directly to your door if you're a C&R licensee.

IIRC the CZ 82 and 83 actually take the same magazines, but one more round of 380 fits.

I have no personal experience with CZ 82/83 disassembly, but FWIW it's been mentioned in several past threads that the internal design is supposedly quite intricate compared to most other modern DA/SA autoloaders, so fixing one can be a daunting prospect. However, they don't seem to break often.

Quote:

...if you're intent upon buying a NEW GUN, you can find 9mm guns that are about the same size and weight...

It's not just new guns either; an older S&W 69-series pistol is only slightly larger. As for new guns, the CZ 82/83 is almost exactly the same size in all dimensions as an M&P compact. That said, I'm a big fan of one of the CZ 83's closest competitors- the Beretta 84- and I definitely think that these "Little Bitty Service Pistol" double-stack all-metal 380's have their place.

Sheikyourbootie · July 6, 2013, 10:14 AM

I have one, and did a review of it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNJz_E3bR_g

Got it so my wife and kids (recoil sensitive) can enjoy pistol shooting. I have it on my permit, though there are 9mm's out there that are lighter.

Here are some ammo options that I compared with my .357 snubby:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l6vrb4Z-Lk

This gun has well in excess of 3k rounds through it, and there has not been even one ftf, fte, nor any other malfunction. I cannot say that about my snub nosed revolver.

.38Catt · July 6, 2013, 09:31 PM

Sheik,

Would you say the CZ 83 is reliable w/ modern hollow points?

Thanks.

Sheikyourbootie · July 7, 2013, 10:43 AM

Very reliable with modern hollow points.

Chris9472 · July 7, 2013, 02:34 PM

I have a special G&A edition magazine only a year old featuring CZ products exclusively that had a nice review of the CZ 83 pistol. I was considering one of these and was surprised and disappointed to see it discontinued so soon. There are not a lot of the larger, better quality all steel .380's out there so it's not as if the market is over-saturated or anything, and this one in particular had one of the more unique designs.

As always... buy whilst thou still can. There were probably not many of these produced during it's short run, and they could become a future collectable if for no other reason.

candr44 · July 8, 2013, 09:02 PM

Quote:

There were probably not many of these produced during it's short run

They have been produced since 1983 and the CZ82 since 1982. They started production in the communist era.

One potential problem I found on mine is the pivot pin for the trigger guard tends to work its way out if you have the trigger guard pulled down and the grips off. The pin coming out will allow a spring to come loose and it is very difficult to get that spring back in. The pivot pin isn't a problem though if you put the trigger guard back up or leave the grips on.

The 83 came in .32, .380, and a few came in 9x18. Here are two of mine in .380 and .32 and a 82 in 9x18.http://

EAJ702 · July 10, 2013, 03:02 PM

Sorry to hear that they've been discontinued. I was so happy with my first purchase that I purchased a second one.

July 4, 2013, 07:02 PM	#1
.38Catt Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2006 Posts: 255	CZ 83 discontinued I was in my local gun shop the other day admiring a CZ 83. The guy behind the counter said that the CZ83 was no longer to be produced. I guess the smaller, lighter guns in larger caliper have taken any market share it may have enjoyed. I've always kind of wanted one. Does anyone have any experience with this classic? Mainly, is it reliable with modern hollow points? Thanks in advance, .38Catt

July 4, 2013, 09:21 PM	#2
Walt Sherrill Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 1999 Location: Winston-Salem, NC USA Posts: 6,348	It's reliable, and a fine weapon, but if you're intent upon buying a NEW GUN, you can find 9mm guns that are about the same size and weight, and maybe even available for less. CZ discontinued all calibers but .380 several years ago for (CZ-83) guns imported to the US, and that's a pretty good sized gun for that caliber. You have a good option: you can find almost new CZ-82s, which are essentially the same gun (minor differences), and they come in 9x18. Most can be had for under $250s (and sometimes for under $200), and there should be no problem getting parts, etc. The 9x18 round is a bit hotter, still easy to find, and no more expensive than .380. Warning: if you look at a CZ-82 and examine the barrel, understand that it's a polygonal barrel; it doesn't having traditional rifling; that conspicuous lack of rifling (somewhat like a Glock barrel, but less obvious) will cause you to think the barrel is worn. The CZ-82 I owned and the ones I've shot are all very accurate, despite barrels that looked worn out; they weren't. (A CZ-83 in that caliber would have the same type of barrel; the other models are, I think, have the standard land and groove rifling.) Last edited by Walt Sherrill; July 6, 2013 at 06:51 PM.

July 7, 2013, 02:34 PM	#7
Chris9472 Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 99	I have a special G&A edition magazine only a year old featuring CZ products exclusively that had a nice review of the CZ 83 pistol. I was considering one of these and was surprised and disappointed to see it discontinued so soon. There are not a lot of the larger, better quality all steel .380's out there so it's not as if the market is over-saturated or anything, and this one in particular had one of the more unique designs. As always... buy whilst thou still can. There were probably not many of these produced during it's short run, and they could become a future collectable if for no other reason. Last edited by Chris9472; July 7, 2013 at 02:40 PM.

July 6, 2013, 10:14 AM	#4
Sheikyourbootie Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2010 Posts: 379	I have one, and did a review of it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNJz_E3bR_g Got it so my wife and kids (recoil sensitive) can enjoy pistol shooting. I have it on my permit, though there are 9mm's out there that are lighter. Here are some ammo options that I compared with my .357 snubby: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l6vrb4Z-Lk This gun has well in excess of 3k rounds through it, and there has not been even one ftf, fte, nor any other malfunction. I cannot say that about my snub nosed revolver.

July 6, 2013, 09:31 PM	#5
.38Catt Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2006 Posts: 255	Sheik, Would you say the CZ 83 is reliable w/ modern hollow points? Thanks.

July 7, 2013, 10:43 AM	#6
Sheikyourbootie Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2010 Posts: 379	Very reliable with modern hollow points.

July 10, 2013, 03:02 PM	#9
EAJ702 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Posts: 448	Sorry to hear that they've been discontinued. I was so happy with my first purchase that I purchased a second one.