The CZ83 is really cool since .380 is FAR easier to find than 9x18mm.

And ballistically, the .380 is about 90% as powerful. You will often here some claim the 9x18 is midway between the .380 and 9mm Luger. More internet regurgitated, unsubstantiated drivel.

In reality, from the same lenght barrel, one can expect about 200 ft lbs from the .380 and only about 220 with the 9mm Makarov. The 9mm Luger can be anywhere from the 300-450 ft-lbs range.

The .380 and 9mm Mak also shoot essentially an identical bullet, same weight range (91-98 grains in most cases) and the diameter is nearly identical, with 9mm Mak being a fraction of a millimeter larger, not enough to see let alone make a difference.

Couple that with the greater attention to creating effective defensive loads in .380 due to its much greater popularity (in this country) and the ability to find ammo at every gun shop in America, and it’s a great choice.

As much as I love my Makarov PM military models, I’ll be the first to admit finding cartridges for it locally is a pain. Hornady Critical Defense 9mm Mak is actually pretty available but only one gun shop I’ve found in my corner of Vegas stocks ball.

I sometimes wish they were .380s! There ARE .380 Makarovs around but they are commercial models and don’t hold as much interest for me.

The CZ83 is an absolute winner. Solid, extremely reliable, accurate, widely available ammo, and with 12+1 they offer pretty convincing firepower. Nice guns!