IO,
The surplus 82s may be more popular than the surplus 83s, because the 82s are C&R-listed. Thus, if you have a C&R license you avoid a $30 transfer fee and, in my state, a 9% sales tax by having it mailed to your home.
Functionally, the 83s should be just as good as the 82s. Other than the chambering, the biggest difference is the 82 has polygonal rifling. Essentially all parts, except the barrels, are interchangeable. The triggers improve with use, so a well used 83 should have a nicely broken in trigger just like the surplus 82s do.