CZ 83 vs. Competitors
- Thread starter Shmackey
- Start date
You're not likely to go wrong with either a Makarov or a CZ83 (and some FEGs can be quite good too, but they're not up to the same consistent across-the-board quality as the other two).
Makarovs are IMHO the best bang for the buck pistols out there. Reliable as a brick, more than accurate enough for ccw purposes, and ridiculously inexpensive. I've got close to 16,000rds through various Maks with only three failures in my Russian hi-cap (cured by switching to a factory mag). I carry a Makarov as a back-up.
On the other hand, the CZ83 is much more refined. It too is super reliable, and quite accurate for a pocket pistol. It has a much smoother out-of-the-box trigger than the Mak, higher capacity (10rd or 13rd mags) and superior three-dot sights. The only drawback is that it's larger than the Makarov.
I'll stack the CZ83 against any other .380 out there, regardless manufacturer or price. It'll keep up with, or exceed, my buddy's Browning BDA and his Beretta 84 --- both very fine .380 pistols by the way.
After a recent pin shoot, a group of us were shooting at the range's 75yd gong with our pocket pistols. With one in the pipe, and two 13rd magazines, my CZ hit the gong with 26 of 27 shots. Great little pistol.
Take care. Marko
Makarovs are IMHO the best bang for the buck pistols out there. Reliable as a brick, more than accurate enough for ccw purposes, and ridiculously inexpensive. I've got close to 16,000rds through various Maks with only three failures in my Russian hi-cap (cured by switching to a factory mag). I carry a Makarov as a back-up.
On the other hand, the CZ83 is much more refined. It too is super reliable, and quite accurate for a pocket pistol. It has a much smoother out-of-the-box trigger than the Mak, higher capacity (10rd or 13rd mags) and superior three-dot sights. The only drawback is that it's larger than the Makarov.
I'll stack the CZ83 against any other .380 out there, regardless manufacturer or price. It'll keep up with, or exceed, my buddy's Browning BDA and his Beretta 84 --- both very fine .380 pistols by the way.
After a recent pin shoot, a group of us were shooting at the range's 75yd gong with our pocket pistols. With one in the pipe, and two 13rd magazines, my CZ hit the gong with 26 of 27 shots. Great little pistol.
Take care. Marko
Stephen A. Camp
Staff In Memoriam
Hello. I agree with what HS2000 said. Best.
My "call sign" is UT83 because I live in UT and love the cz 83
The feg smc/pmk .380 are generally great quality pistols. The
are very concealable. Thin because of the single stack and very
compact. They are limited by mag. size (my opinion) and with
a .380 carry..its my belief you need all of the rnds you can get.
The mak is a diehard. Very dependable and the rnds are becoming more commom (at least in UT). I past up an FEG
smc918, which is the smallest mak caliber gun made because
I couldnt find ammo anywhere locally..that has changed. Im
still kicking myself. You cant go wrong with either mak or feg
Now, lets talk. The cz is an awesome gun, probably my favorite
out of my (small) collection. The trigger is referred to as "what
double action pistols should aspire to be" in a recent article in
a gun mag. They hold damn near twice the rnds as the feg's
and they are small enough to conceal easily yet big enough
to feel wonderful in your hand. I dont think they are bigger than
a makarov? The accuracy is better than any other gun I own.
A shooting instuctor was intriuged by my cz at a range a while back and asked if he could shoot it, sure. He ran 13 rnds in
the black...making one big hole at 25 yds...he wasnt shooting
slowly. "Shoots like my sig" were his comments. I stood there
thinking..."Do I suck that bad?". You can get a NIB cz on Auction arms or Guns America for in the low 200 $ range if you are patient. You can go to FAWCO.com, get there phone # and
call them for real cz military hi caps for the 83 for around 40 $.
Finally, check this out....shoot well and good luck with your hunt.
http://pub69.ezboard.com/fczechpistols82792frm22
The feg smc/pmk .380 are generally great quality pistols. The
are very concealable. Thin because of the single stack and very
compact. They are limited by mag. size (my opinion) and with
a .380 carry..its my belief you need all of the rnds you can get.
The mak is a diehard. Very dependable and the rnds are becoming more commom (at least in UT). I past up an FEG
smc918, which is the smallest mak caliber gun made because
I couldnt find ammo anywhere locally..that has changed. Im
still kicking myself. You cant go wrong with either mak or feg
Now, lets talk. The cz is an awesome gun, probably my favorite
out of my (small) collection. The trigger is referred to as "what
double action pistols should aspire to be" in a recent article in
a gun mag. They hold damn near twice the rnds as the feg's
and they are small enough to conceal easily yet big enough
to feel wonderful in your hand. I dont think they are bigger than
a makarov? The accuracy is better than any other gun I own.
A shooting instuctor was intriuged by my cz at a range a while back and asked if he could shoot it, sure. He ran 13 rnds in
the black...making one big hole at 25 yds...he wasnt shooting
slowly. "Shoots like my sig" were his comments. I stood there
thinking..."Do I suck that bad?". You can get a NIB cz on Auction arms or Guns America for in the low 200 $ range if you are patient. You can go to FAWCO.com, get there phone # and
call them for real cz military hi caps for the 83 for around 40 $.
Finally, check this out....shoot well and good luck with your hunt.
http://pub69.ezboard.com/fczechpistols82792frm22
contender4040
New member
The cz83 is a pleasure to shoot and offers the option of hammer down or cocked and locked with ambi controls---a big plus if you are a lefty. There are also many more options available in factory ammo for the .380 than the mak.
The mak is probably one of the best values for what it provides on the market with the only negative point that I have heard of being possibly prone to an AD if dropped.
The mak is probably one of the best values for what it provides on the market with the only negative point that I have heard of being possibly prone to an AD if dropped.
Contender4040:
Actually, the Mak has passed numerous drop tests (see Makarov.com for more info) with flying colors. I've heard the AD thing mentioned before, but not sure where it originated. It's a very safe pistol --- in fact, the preferred method of carry for most owners is with one in the chamber, hammer down, safety off.
Also, I'd agree with you about factory .380 ammo choices being more plentiful than 9x18. But fortunately, many shops are now carrying 9x18. And if you don't mind using the net, you can get 1000 rounds of JHP for $100 shipped from www.dansammo.com, amongst other places.
Take care. Marko
Actually, the Mak has passed numerous drop tests (see Makarov.com for more info) with flying colors. I've heard the AD thing mentioned before, but not sure where it originated. It's a very safe pistol --- in fact, the preferred method of carry for most owners is with one in the chamber, hammer down, safety off.
Also, I'd agree with you about factory .380 ammo choices being more plentiful than 9x18. But fortunately, many shops are now carrying 9x18. And if you don't mind using the net, you can get 1000 rounds of JHP for $100 shipped from www.dansammo.com, amongst other places.
Take care. Marko
ut83:
The CZ is definitely bigger than the Mak. It doesn't dwarf it, by any means, but it's got a slightly longer barrel, a slightly taller grip, and a noticeably wider grip (due to it's double-stack configuration). It's a tad heavier too. If I get a chance tonight, I'll grab both from the safe and lie them on my flatbed scanner for a comparison picture.
Take care. Marko
The CZ is definitely bigger than the Mak. It doesn't dwarf it, by any means, but it's got a slightly longer barrel, a slightly taller grip, and a noticeably wider grip (due to it's double-stack configuration). It's a tad heavier too. If I get a chance tonight, I'll grab both from the safe and lie them on my flatbed scanner for a comparison picture.
Take care. Marko
ut83:
Don't beat yourself up. Like I said, the CZ doesn't make the Mak look small --- it's just a shade bigger all around. And without the luxury of having the two of them to compare side by side, I might have agreed with you.
In any event, the CZ still conceals well. And its high capacity, low recoil, and smooth trigger allow you to put a lot of shots on target in a hurry. Getting hit with 10 to 13 rounds of "wimpy" .380 JHP would put a damper on any bad guy's day.
Take care. Marko
P.S.: ut83, did you see the tiger-striped Beechwood grips Hakan made for my PCR? He's currently working on grips for the 83 (I gave him a pair of my old plastic grips to use as a template). Then it's time for my SIG 225 to get a pair...
Don't beat yourself up. Like I said, the CZ doesn't make the Mak look small --- it's just a shade bigger all around. And without the luxury of having the two of them to compare side by side, I might have agreed with you.
In any event, the CZ still conceals well. And its high capacity, low recoil, and smooth trigger allow you to put a lot of shots on target in a hurry. Getting hit with 10 to 13 rounds of "wimpy" .380 JHP would put a damper on any bad guy's day.
Take care. Marko
P.S.: ut83, did you see the tiger-striped Beechwood grips Hakan made for my PCR? He's currently working on grips for the 83 (I gave him a pair of my old plastic grips to use as a template). Then it's time for my SIG 225 to get a pair...
HS,
You mean I should put the rope away? Sorry...sick twisted SOH
Hakan is the guru of grips. You sent him your plastics and I sent
him my woods for the 83. I have a pic of them on my gun on the other forum..in pics. They cracked a little from over tightening....
duh! I know he will do well for the 83..even though the back side
looks like a real bi&*h to cut. I did see your grips he has them
on his website....beautiful gun. I would love a pcr but finding one
is tough, let alone affording one....(lame single dad $ excuse)
Shoot well
You mean I should put the rope away? Sorry...sick twisted SOH
Hakan is the guru of grips. You sent him your plastics and I sent
him my woods for the 83. I have a pic of them on my gun on the other forum..in pics. They cracked a little from over tightening....
duh! I know he will do well for the 83..even though the back side
looks like a real bi&*h to cut. I did see your grips he has them
on his website....beautiful gun. I would love a pcr but finding one
is tough, let alone affording one....(lame single dad $ excuse)
Shoot well
