Difference between a Makarov PM and a CZ-82

jsmaye · December 17, 2008, 10:35 AM

I'm interested in these handguns but really can't find what the differences are, besides the obvious, like country and company. In fact, I suspect the 82/83 is just a refined Czech clone of the PM, whereas the PM seems more scarce and maybe more collectible.

RamSlammer · December 17, 2008, 10:48 AM

The Mak is a single stack 8+1 with a left side safety and heel mag release whereas the CZ 82 is a double stack 12+1 with ambidextrous safety and traditional side located mag release. Also the CZ 82 has polygonal rifling.

The Mak is thinner and lighter.

carguychris · December 17, 2008, 05:24 PM

They're totally different designs. This is readily apparent if you handle both. The only things they share are the same cartridge, similar actions, and vaguely similar appearance. The CZ-82 isn't a "clone" of the Mak any more than a SIG P226 is a "clone" of a S&W Model 39.

As RamSlammer says, the CZ-82 (technically CZ vz-82, but I'll let it slide...) is a substantially heavier and bulkier gun with a double-stack magazine.

Makarovs are more expensive for a couple of reasons.

First, they're not being imported anymore. Genuine C&R-eligible military Makarovs are actually somewhat rare. The lion's share of Makarovs advertised on GB and elsewhere were made for the commercial market and are not C&R, despite lots of 'Net misinformation regarding this fact. (Real military Maks never had adjustable sights and never came in .380ACP.)

Second, although the Mak obviously wasn't designed for CCW by American civilians, it's a naturally great gun for CCW due to its thin profile, light weight, toughness, and lack of sharp edges and corners. It takes to CCW like a duck to water.

This has prompted many owners to hang onto theirs, cutting supply further and driving prices up. OTOH the CZ-82, with its greater thickness, heavier weight, and numerous sharp corners, isn't quite as good of a CCW piece.

Doyle · December 17, 2008, 06:56 PM

The Mak can be totally broken down into 27 parts (plus 4 more for the magazine). The CZ-82 has easily double that. The Makarov can be field stripped by a blind monkey. The CZ-82 takes a field manual plus some skill (and then you have to get it back together).

carguychris · December 17, 2008, 11:13 PM

I should have mentioned this before, but a lot of gun retailers market these guns in a very misleading way by labeling basically anything chambered in 9x18mm as a "Makarov". A CZ-82 is not the same thing as a Makarov, nor is a Hungarian PA-63 (the current über-cheapie pawn shop pistol of choice), nor is a Polish Radom P-64. These pistols aren't any more a "Makarov" than a S&W 4566 .45ACP semi-auto is a "Colt" or a Beretta 92FS 9mm semi-auto is a "Luger".

These retailers are fooling innocent suckers by playing up the wonderful reputation of the genuine Makarov. Don't be a sucker.

lagavulin62 · December 18, 2008, 09:28 PM

this is very good info. I have been researching makarovs and would like either a russian or east german one. what specific markings should I look for? is there some book available that details this. how do you tell a import stamp from one put on by the manufacturer?

Ricklin · December 20, 2008, 08:33 PM

I do agree that some sellers play up the Makarov 'mystique' when they call the CZ82 a Makarov, that's just not correct.
Kinda dumb actually the CZ82 'is what it is' and can stand on it's own merits, I challenge ya'll to put a better c+r SD pistol in your hands for the money.

The CZ82 is off the scale in the value for money department.

jdc1244 · December 20, 2008, 08:45 PM

Quote:

The CZ-82 takes a field manual plus some skill (and then you have to get it back together).

To field strip or completely break down? If the former you have a unique definition of ‘skill.’

RamSlammer · December 21, 2008, 01:42 AM

Quote:

I challenge ya'll to put a better c+r SD pistol in your hands for the money.

The CZ82 is off the scale in the value for money department.

+1

I'll go further and say it's probably the zenith of blowback pistol design. Very modern features: Polygonal rifling, ambi mag releases and safeties, cocked and locked carry option or DA/SA, easy field stripping, etc. Also the 9x18 is probably the most powerful cartridge a blowback design can tolerate. All in all, it's a very good gun. I carry mine sometimes instead of a .357 or 9mm and do not feel ill-armed at all. For $200 or so, nothing's even close.

All that said, a PM carries better and fires the same round, but with less of them on tap.

volkstrm · December 21, 2008, 02:55 AM

You can find some good info on www.makarov.com. I have 3 of them,a Russian,East German & a Bulgarian. If you are really thinking of getting one of these fine pistols get them as soon as you see a good one for a good price,they are drying up. The East German are know to be the best & the Bulgarian's are hard to find. Try the shot gun news,thats where I got my East German from.Paper's & all for like $325.00 hand pick. Came in looking like new,no kidding! Good luck.

jsmaye · December 21, 2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Also the 9x18 is probably the most powerful cartridge a blowback design can tolerate.

Generally true, with exception of the Hi Point pistols and carbines.

ken p. · January 25, 2009, 10:18 AM

I have a Makarov made in Russia by IMEZ. It takes the double stack 10 or 12
round mag. The markings on the pistol are IJ70-18AH and it also says Cal.9mm
Makarov. It has adjustable rear sights and it is a very accurate little pistol.
Can anyone tell me a little more about this pistol Thanks

m.p.driver · January 25, 2009, 05:14 PM

Plus the E.German maks you used to be able to get for $79,the reasoning i used for buying two those many years back ,was that they were made in the old walther factory,sweet trigger pull,and Stasi and E.Germany was no more.

carguychris · January 25, 2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

I have a Makarov made in Russia by IMEZ. It takes the double stack 10 or 12 round mag. The markings on the pistol are IJ70-18AH and it also says Cal.9mm Makarov. It has adjustable rear sights and it is a very accurate little pistol. Can anyone tell me a little more about this pistol Thanks

It's one of the previously mentioned non-C&R commercial-production Maks. Military Maks have single-stack mags and fixed sights. IIRC many IMEZ Maks were sold in the USA during the 90s, and the double-stack ones are less common than the single-stack models, but I don't know a whole lot else because they're not really my cup of tea.

You might want to repost this in the "Semiauto" section since it's not a C&R gun.

December 17, 2008, 10:35 AM	#1
jsmaye Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Location: Amarillo, Tx Posts: 616	Difference between a Makarov PM and a CZ-82 I'm interested in these handguns but really can't find what the differences are, besides the obvious, like country and company. In fact, I suspect the 82/83 is just a refined Czech clone of the PM, whereas the PM seems more scarce and maybe more collectible.

December 17, 2008, 05:24 PM	#3
carguychris Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2007 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 7,523	They're totally different designs. This is readily apparent if you handle both. The only things they share are the same cartridge, similar actions, and vaguely similar appearance. The CZ-82 isn't a "clone" of the Mak any more than a SIG P226 is a "clone" of a S&W Model 39. As RamSlammer says, the CZ-82 (technically CZ vz-82, but I'll let it slide...) is a substantially heavier and bulkier gun with a double-stack magazine. Makarovs are more expensive for a couple of reasons. First, they're not being imported anymore. Genuine C&R-eligible military Makarovs are actually somewhat rare. The lion's share of Makarovs advertised on GB and elsewhere were made for the commercial market and are not C&R, despite lots of 'Net misinformation regarding this fact. (Real military Maks never had adjustable sights and never came in .380ACP.) Second, although the Mak obviously wasn't designed for CCW by American civilians, it's a naturally great gun for CCW due to its thin profile, light weight, toughness, and lack of sharp edges and corners. It takes to CCW like a duck to water. This has prompted many owners to hang onto theirs, cutting supply further and driving prices up. OTOH the CZ-82, with its greater thickness, heavier weight, and numerous sharp corners, isn't quite as good of a CCW piece. __________________ "Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules... MARK IT ZERO!!" - Walter Sobchak

December 17, 2008, 11:13 PM	#5
carguychris Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2007 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 7,523	I should have mentioned this before, but a lot of gun retailers market these guns in a very misleading way by labeling basically anything chambered in 9x18mm as a "Makarov". A CZ-82 is not the same thing as a Makarov, nor is a Hungarian PA-63 (the current über-cheapie pawn shop pistol of choice), nor is a Polish Radom P-64. These pistols aren't any more a "Makarov" than a S&W 4566 .45ACP semi-auto is a "Colt" or a Beretta 92FS 9mm semi-auto is a "Luger". These retailers are fooling innocent suckers by playing up the wonderful reputation of the genuine Makarov. Don't be a sucker. __________________ "Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules... MARK IT ZERO!!" - Walter Sobchak

December 20, 2008, 08:33 PM	#7
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,011	I do agree that some sellers play up the Makarov 'mystique' when they call the CZ82 a Makarov, that's just not correct. Kinda dumb actually the CZ82 'is what it is' and can stand on it's own merits, I challenge ya'll to put a better c+r SD pistol in your hands for the money. The CZ82 is off the scale in the value for money department. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

December 21, 2008, 02:55 AM	#10
volkstrm Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2007 Posts: 222	Makarov info You can find some good info on www.makarov.com. I have 3 of them,a Russian,East German & a Bulgarian. If you are really thinking of getting one of these fine pistols get them as soon as you see a good one for a good price,they are drying up. The East German are know to be the best & the Bulgarian's are hard to find. Try the shot gun news,thats where I got my East German from.Paper's & all for like $325.00 hand pick. Came in looking like new,no kidding! Good luck.

December 17, 2008, 10:48 AM	#2
RamSlammer Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 722	The Mak is a single stack 8+1 with a left side safety and heel mag release whereas the CZ 82 is a double stack 12+1 with ambidextrous safety and traditional side located mag release. Also the CZ 82 has polygonal rifling. The Mak is thinner and lighter.

December 17, 2008, 06:56 PM	#4
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	The Mak can be totally broken down into 27 parts (plus 4 more for the magazine). The CZ-82 has easily double that. The Makarov can be field stripped by a blind monkey. The CZ-82 takes a field manual plus some skill (and then you have to get it back together).

December 18, 2008, 09:28 PM	#6
lagavulin62 Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2008 Location: Montgomery, Texas Posts: 222	this is very good info. I have been researching makarovs and would like either a russian or east german one. what specific markings should I look for? is there some book available that details this. how do you tell a import stamp from one put on by the manufacturer?

January 25, 2009, 10:18 AM	#12
ken p. Junior Member Join Date: March 2, 2007 Posts: 6	What do I have? I have a Makarov made in Russia by IMEZ. It takes the double stack 10 or 12 round mag. The markings on the pistol are IJ70-18AH and it also says Cal.9mm Makarov. It has adjustable rear sights and it is a very accurate little pistol. Can anyone tell me a little more about this pistol Thanks

January 25, 2009, 05:14 PM	#13
m.p.driver Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 552	Plus the E.German maks you used to be able to get for $79,the reasoning i used for buying two those many years back ,was that they were made in the old walther factory,sweet trigger pull,and Stasi and E.Germany was no more.