I am contemplating a purchase of either: a Cz Model 72 in 9mm, a Cz 82 in 9mm Markarov, or a Cz Model 83 in .380 auto, which I understand is a more recent change of the Model 82. Any users of these pistols and what are the pros and cons?

__________________
Kevin in Oregon

Never heard of a CZ72. Do you perhaps mean the CZ75, which is an outstanding firearm which many others will corroborate? The CZ75b I bought 15 years ago is smooth, reliable, accurate, and heavy. It is a bulletproof old time all steel service pistol that you can bet your life on and will give the same service to your kids, their kids, and their kids.

When manufactured with ambidextrous thumb safeties the CZ75 is renamed CZ85. I fired 15,000 to 20,000 rounds through my CZ85 Combat in matches and practice. It's still going strong.

It's been a good gun. At the time I bought it bright polish bluing was within $10 of the price of the much more common flat black paint finish so mine is blued. The 85 Combat should have been named 85 Target or some name that implied it is for shooting modern timed matches. The upgrades are well worth the small increase in cost. The draw back is that you probably won't find one on store shelves. I had to order mine.

While you're at it, also order the Kadet .22 LR conversion. It is one of the best conversion units.

I have no experience with the smaller blow back operated CZs chambered for .380 or 9 mm Makarov. Either you want a pocket pistol or a service size pistol. Make that decision before looking at pistols in which ever size you need. Unless you have a concealed pistol license then I do not see any point in buying the smaller size.

I bought a 75 B matte stainless and I can't hardly leave it alone. It is well made, fits my hand like a glove and it is a tack driver!!! The plate is a 7 inch.

Attached Images

IMG_20191208_164646118.jpg (55.7 KB, 49 views)

The CZ75 is as good as everyone says it is. Mine came from the Grafenwöhr Rod & Gun Club forty some years ago and has gone through a boatload of ammo since then. A very comfortable in the hand, feels a lot like a Browning Hi-Power but with an SA/DA option and an easier to use safety.

The CZ83 is on the large side for a .380 these days, but that makes it comfortable to shoot. It is reliable and accurate. The Czechs know how to build guns that work and doing just that for a long time.

I had an instructor in a close combat course a couple of years ago who swore by the CZ 75. It gets glowing reviews everywhere.

You didn't say what you are planning to do with the gun but if it is not planned for concealment, the 75 being rather large for that purpose, then I'd go with the model 75.

__________________
Come and take it!!

I have 7 CZ's and you simply cannot go wrong with anything made by them.

The ergonomics are fantastic, doesn't matter how small or large your hands are, male or female, tall or short, skinny or generously proportioned, young or not so young, etc.

For the money they are the best bang for the dollar....with that in mind just get a CZ 75B and a CZ 82 9x18 Makarov and smile everyday at the range!!

Your shooting friends will envy you big time....

Randy

PS. EAA Witness magazines are the same and are usually about $15.00 less money.

I have both the CZ75B and CZ82. Both are great guns and you can’t go wrong with either. 9mm Luger Ammo is more prevalent than 9mm Mak and that could affect your decision.

Thanks for the answers. I did mean Cz75. I have the opportunity to buy these pistols and didn't know which to get. I have ruled out the Markarov, only because of the availability of the ammo. Still thinking on the other two, perhaps both.

__________________
Kevin in Oregon

I'll add in my praise for the CZ-75's too... I have a 75BD and a 75D Compact PCR for carry.

While great pistols, they do benefit from certain upgrades. I disliked the curved trigger shape they came with and changed them over to the CZ-85 Combat triggers, which gives more room for your finger inside the trigger guard. With the triggers I also installed the Cajun Gunworks reduced power trigger springs and floating trigger pin.

I also replaced the firing pin retaining pin with the more robust pins sold by Cajun Gunworks and CZ-Custom.

They've been reliable, and the PCR has sent my 39-2 into semi-retirement.

__________________
Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

CZ75 +100!

I had an old one, in the box. Hands down one of the best handling full size 9MM pistols ever.

Excellent firearms. If I needed a compact to carry my CZ75D Compact goes to the top of the class.

__________________
I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

If you look at the CZ 83, see if you can tell if it's a surplus police pistol or a commercial model. The surplus might have more wear and tear. They are excellent smaller pistols.
The 75 is a well established pistol used by police and military and has earned a great reputation. There's a good support network out there for parts and upgrades too.
The CZ line of pistols are a safe and reliable gun to have in any collection.

Most of my experience with CZ's is in rifles. High quality indeed.

Col. Jeff Cooper, a well known hater of the 9mm, grudgingly admitted if he had to carry one, it would hands down be the CZ-75.

Larry

I have the 75D PCR. Love it.

What they said about the 75....it's all true. Great gun. (I had two, a transitional from 75 to 75B and one in Single Action. I wasn't shooting the SA so it got traded for something in .40 cal).

I've also got a CZ70 (32acp) and CZ83 (in 380). Both are fine examples of their caliber. My only other 380 is a Beretta 75F and it too is an outstanding gun. If you are thinking of a 380 for someone who needs an easy slide to rack, consider the EZ. If it's for anyone without that need, the CZs will be just fine. You won't be sorry.

I have a CZ75, CZ85 and a CZ83 (and used to have a CZ82). THey have the best ergonomics/grip angle of any gun I own. I shoot them better than any gun I own.

I retired TODAY. And now that I can carry anything I want, I am carrying my CZ-83.

I have a SS CZ 75B, a CZ75B .22lr Kadet and an older CZ 85 (Pre B)

Avoid the older (Pre B) CZ85 as it has an inherant weakness where the right side slide stop lever is a poor design and will eventually brake.

The factory knows about their design flaw but discontinued the older replacement part and charges abt $200 (plus shipping) to upgrade it to the new design .

Just gonna throw out some love for the CZ 82! Excellent little guns with a little more punch than the 380 when using Russian ammo. Unless you live in a rural area, ammo is not that hard to find, usually any gun show can turn up several boxes. And 12+1 of 9mak is a potent recipe.

I also own a CZ 82 in 9mak. Hornaday makes Critical Defense in this caliber. I have a 75 in 9mm. Both are great shooters. You won't go wrong with either or both.

I’d like to see a CZ75D Compact single stack.

__________________
I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

The 82 was for military use and the 83 was for export hence the different cartridges. The mags are interchangeable as using one cartridge gives you an extra in the mag. Can't remember which but aomeone will chime in.

I have an 82,83,75,70,50, and 52. I also have the vz2008 which is a US reciever and barrel plus some other US parts to make it complaint built with a vz58 parts kit from century arms.

A CZ75 is about as good as a pistol gets. That said, it's truly a SA pistol IMO. While the SA ergos are pretty much perfect, the DA trigger pull is too long for almost anyone to pull comfortably.

I carry mine Condition 1.

The only downside with the CZ 82 is 9mak is pretty powerful for a blowback operation has plenty of recoil. Your kids and spouse may not like it.

I have a .380, CZ83 that I bought many years ago. I've used it 3 times for the shooting portion of the conceal carry class. It is very easy to shoot and is scary accurate. It makes me look good. I carry it occasionally and appreciate the 12rd mags. Mine was made in 1992.

Have a CZ75B and a Kadet .22lr......... but got to say where CZ really shines IMO are their rifles......... especially the older 452 and 452 rimfires.

Nothing better than a 452 FS/mannlicher in .22magnum for a walk in Penn's Woods.

I used my CZ-83 to qualify for my concealed permit. The instructor thought I was missing the target with subsequent shots, but realized I was putting them thru earlier holes. Like you said "it makes me look good".

Ive got the 83 in .32acp and the 82 mak, both have never malfunctioned.

I have a CZ82. Other than being rather complicated and a ***** to take apart completely it is a heck of a pistol. Accuracy and dependability are it's strong points. Field stripping is quite easy. Mine was the best $219 I ever spent. Don't know why anyone would want a CZ83, the 9mm.MAK will get it done.

Have I said it's accurate? Man is it ever.

Attached Images

CZ82.jpg (41.5 KB, 19 views)

__________________
LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

I have a CZ75 SA, a P-01 Omega and a P-10C. All are wonderful pistols. As I understand it, the 75 SA is no longer produced, why I do not know. The 9mm P-01 Omega is a single/double action with a hammer drop. It is the size of a Glock 19 with fantastic ergos. I do not own any of the smaller caliber CZ's but I understand that they are also great shooters. Can't say enough good things about CZ's.

I had a CZ75B Single Action that was really a nice gun. Gave it to my
Grandson who became a cop. He carries a Glock and a 442 for a BUG.
Gave the CZ to his wife to protect the homestead. Even Jeff Cooper had
praise for the CZ.

__________________
In Omnia Paratus

What Old Tanker said, I got mine thru the same Grafenwohr R&GC that he did back in "84. It looks a bit rough because of the black paint finish, but it is 100%. When I was at Rock Island Arsenal I got a call from a private security company deploying to Iraq (along time ago). They wanted a recommendation for a 9mm handgun for duty in the "sand box". You bet, the CZ75 was, IMHO, the best combat pistol, sans the 1911, you can find.

My intro to CZ's was a CZ-83 I inherited from my Brother. He had bought it thinking it's metal frame and lighter 380 would result in lighter felt recoil. Unfortunately for him he didn't realize that particular model's blow-back action gave as much kick as a 9mm.
But.... fortunately for me he introduced me to this wonderful line of pistols. Traded the 83 toward their locked-breach '75' CZ-75 SP-01 and since have added CZ-75 P-01 compact, CZ 2075 RAMI BD sub-compact and P-07 compact with Omega trigger that is changeable SA with safety or Decocker DA/SA. Great pistols! CZ's unique rail over slide design produces a lower bore axis and higher grip. The steel frame models especially have very mild recoil. Popular with competition shooters.

I'm still waiting for mine - my FFL has had a CZ75 D PCR on order for me from his distributor for four months; they're "on allocation", and he can't get me a firm date.

I called my dealer yesterday and ordered something. A CZ75 something. I told him to order the best condition of the choices he had. Sounds like they are all good and this will be for shooting mostly, not really carry, as I really like my Star BM.

__________________
Kevin in Oregon

I don't own a CZ but 2 of my regular shooting buddies have a few. I find their guns to be accurate with nice triggers and easy to shoot. For me personally I find them a little to thick. Now their CZ Custom models which I believe are the Orange and the Shadow I will give a full 5 Stars, exceptional triggers.

__________________
Is that a gun No a lifesaver

My CZ was very reliable, but the trigger guard was cramped, the trigger itself had a very tight curve, and the tiny little sights were tough to see. It was also disconcerting the way it would dent the primer of the round being chambered... I kept expecting to get slamfires, but never did.

Grandfather of the pocket DAO, 1947 vz45 6.35.

I picked up a surplus 83 today in .380. I shot it as soon as I got home. Pro, it is really accurate, holds 12+1, no malfunctions what so ever with the Win hardball I used. Con, its big for a .380, recoil is stiff for a .380. mag release is awkward for me, the sights are fairly small. On this particular pistol, there is a lanyard stud in the bottom behind the mag well that pokes my palm. Overall a reliable functional weapon. My only reason for the purchase was to have the three calibers. .32acp, 9mm mak, and .380

You noticed it recoils like a 9mm. The CZ 83 is a blow-back design and the fixed barrel contributes to it's accuracy; but the blow-back action doesn't help dissipate energy like a locked-breach and therefore contributes to greater felt recoil. Overall a very accurate and reliable gun.
I traded the CZ-83 I inherited from my Brother up toward a fantastic CZ-75 SP-01 Tactical. The 75's (locked-breach) in both full size and compact IMHO are among the best hammer-fired all metal pistols ever!

I carried a CZ 75 compact for a couple years, and my primary summer carry is a CZ 2075 RAMI.

Be advised the CZ come in two flavors, the original "B" models that are single or double action with a safety, and the "D" models that are DA/SA pistols with a decocking lever. There are also a couple that are bisexual and can be switched.

Below are my CZ 75 Compact (top) and my CZ 2075 D RAMI (bottom). This variant of the CZ 75 Compact is SA/DA with the safety and it can be carried cocked and locked like a 1911. However, the safety lever is a bit too far forward to be easy to reach during the draw. The RAMI is the D model with the decocker and it's in the de-cocked ready to fire position.




Here are the same two pistols, and the Compact is now in the quarter cocked position. Note the very similar hammer positions, and each now have the same trigger reach. Given the long DA trigger reach, and the poorly positioned safety, I ended up carrying my CZ 75 Compact this way, so when I went to the smaller, lighter CZ 2075, I just opted for the D model:



---

If your hand fits a 1911 well, the CZ series like the Browning Hi Power should fit you pretty well. They are good choices for shooters wanting a double stack 9mm with a grip that isn't overly bulky.

I was stripping it to clean and found the left grip panel is broken.

I've got a CZ 75C Massada Compact that is Israel marked. The sights are almost non exsistant. Cool gun though

I have a CZ75 pre B I bought new in the early 80’s when not many folks knew anything about them. I was shooting IPSC and had the slide milled for Bomar sights and had the trigger assembly replaced with single action parts including a flat match trigger.

As stated it’s very accurate and built like a tank. I’m more of a 1911 fan but do enjoy the CZ. I’ve shot 1911’s for decades and I’m just used to the trigger and feel of them. I guess my biggest complaint is the safety. It could by my pistol and should get it looked at but the safety is spongy and less positive feeling and placed in a strange spot (compared to the 1911) and not shaped the way I’d like. Still they are great and I’ve done well in matches with it and there’s something about them that makes you want another. I think if I’d started shooting with a CZ vs 1911 I’d be totally in on CZ. It’s just a matter of what you’re used to as both are very fine pistols.

For a 380 I carry a Beretta 84. If you’re not familiar with it it looks like a smaller 92. A lot of people complain it too large but it’s no bigger than my Kimber Ultra 3”. It just looks chunky because it’s a double stack 13+1. Some also say it has heavy recoil for a 380 but I’m not terribly recoil sensitive. It recoils less than my Kimber Micro 9 and certainly less than my Ruger LCP I. I got a very good deal on a very clean surplus one but the prices have gotten a touch high on them. I recently saw a couple at a gun show for $600.