CZ-83 VS. Makarov: gun show coming

H

HerrJaegermeister

New member
There is a gunshow coming to Sioux City soon. I'm planning to pick up a commie pistol -- either the Makarov (Bulgarian) or CZ-83.

I'm looking at 9X18mm in both. With the caliber being the same, I am leaning toward the CZ because of capacity and polygonal rifling. It also cocks and locks. It is heavy, however.

People seem to gush over their Maks as well.

Which is a better CCW option? Is the CZ worth the extra cost? What about accuracy?

I have a Ruger P-95 that was sent back to the factory after an incompetent gunsmith bent the decocker trying to remove the rear sight. The factory replaced the slide, barrel and rod assembly, and it is very, very accurate. No Glocks in 9mm or .40 in my or other's hands will come close at the range.

Which commie pistol to purchase?
 
I was looking at the 83 a couple of weeks ago.

I was interested in getting one in .32, but they're hard to find. Apparently the 9x18s are also hard to find, as they were having trouble competing with the Maks.

I saw several of the .380s. Nice grips, kind of odd having a spur hammer on a small gun like that, but all in all, not bad.

Except for one thing...

The trigger guard. It looks HORRIBLE. More like the log teeth on a chainsaw than a trigger guard. Completely out of proportion to the rest of the gun, and in fact takes what would otherwise be a rather elegant looking handgun and makes it look very klunky.

I ended up ordering a CZ-70 instead.
 
Both are good guns, the CZ-83 being a "modernized" pistol based on the Makarov concept. The CZ will run you a little more, but you will get a higher capacity pistol with a better safety and much better sights, which will also weigh a bit less than an all-steel Mak. Still, the Mak is a great and solid design with 50 years of successful battlefield history.
 
It's hard to go wrong with the Mak. You also have a decent amount of accessories available as well as kits to change to .380 if you ever feel the need.

Plus you can get a nice used one for about $125.00 these days.

Good Shooting
RED
 
Resistance is futile!!!
You will be assimilated!!!
Prepare to be absorbed into the Makarov Collective!!!
Now, go do the right thing and buy that Makarov!!!
That is all. :)
 
You knew someone was going to eventually say it: Get both. With Makarovs going for $110 from SOG and J&G Sales, and CZ83s (w/hi-cap mag) going for $180 from AIM, now is the perfect time to get two fine firearms for a song.

In all seriousness, if you must choose just one, you're not likely to go wrong with either pistol. I've got several of both and it's hard to choose which is "best". The Makarov is a marvel of simplicity, reliability, and durability. It's ruggedly built and consists of just 26 or so individual parts. I trust my Arsenal Bulgarian well enough to carry it every day in a back-up or light carry role. In thousands of rounds, it has never failed and its accuracy has been superb at ccw distances.

On the other hand, the CZ83 is much more refined (though still robustly built). It also has greater capacity than a single-stack Mak. Its out-of-the-box action and trigger is much smoother and its three-dot sights are world's better too. But its overall dimensions are larger, especially in the grip area (due to its double-dstack design), making it less concealable than a Mak wearing stock grips. And it costs about twice as much. Those are trade-offs.

It's a given that both pistols are exceptionally reliable. But if concealability is your primary concern, get the Makarov. If capacity, refinement and/or better sights are paramount, get the CZ.

Again, it comes down to what you want most out your pistol. Either one will serve you well, but each has its particular strengths.

Take care. Marko

P.S.: A group of us were showing off our pocket pistols a few weeks back after a pin shoot, trying to hit the range's 75yd gong. With one in the pipe and two 13rd mags in my CZ, I was able to hit the gong 26 out of 27 times (first shot was low). Others were able to get similar results with my CZ. Great little pistol. Unfortunately, I didn't have my Mak with me to see how it would do.
 
For the money spent you are going to be hard pressed to find a higher quality, more accurate and reliable pistol than an East German Makarov. They have the best fit and finish of all the Maks plus their trigger pull is better.

7th
 
7th Fleet: I couldn't agree with you more concerning the fit, finish, and trigger pull of the East German Makarovs. In general, they are the most refined of the bunch. Sometimes you'll find a Bulgarian that'll come close, but the EGs across the board have the highest degree of fit and finish.

Unfortunately, the days of inexpensive EGs ($99 less than a year ago) seem to be over. These days it's tough to find a nice EG for sale, and even then you're likely to pay $200 or more. I greatly regret selling the two EGs that I've owned.

But on the other hand, you can get a brand new CZ83 for not much more, and a used one with a 13rd mag (and old-style round trigger guard) for that amount or less.

Again though, either pistol is likely to be a good choice.

Take care. Marko
 
Marko,

Never! I'm going to get a Vanad someday, if I can stop buying Maks and P-7's. Oh yeah, and I have to get that CZ-83 too! So many guns, so little time (and money).
 
Cz 83 vs Mak....I have both. Both have great qualities. The mak
is lighter than the cz. The cz is a better quality firearm. If you
can find a mak cz jump on it. They are not importing them anymore according to CZUSA. I looked for one for a long time and
finally just got a .380. Ballistically they are pretty close and I can
buy .380 ammo anywhere except 7-11. Both are great guns and
you cant go wrong either way. You can find deals on maks through any big gun dist. CZ prices are going up and AIM hasnt
had used cz's for a while. If you find an 83, you can get real
cz mil issue hi cap mags from www.fawco.com....call them as they
dont list them on their website. Shoot well
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top