I had an 83n (N was for nickel) for my first and by far worst gun. Looked great, the nickel was well done, but it came out of time and spit badly. Along with the timing issue the barrel was messed up and would lead up to the point of having to have it pounded out of the barrel after only a few shots. Off to Taurus it went, twice. First time they fixed the timing problem, but they denied anything was wrong with the barrel, both times. Off it went to some guy who didn't care about it's problems. Replaced by the first of the many Dan Wesson 15-2's I've owned.
As far as the difference between an 82 and an 83, I thought it was just the sights or maybe the grip or trigger. I've seen 82's with the same grip mine had, and others with a thinner grip like an S&W Magna. Other than some minor thing, I don't think there is any real difference between the 82 and 83. I saw an 82 in a gun store in Columbus, Oh years ago and it looked exactly like my 83, and that one shot fine. You won't find much on the 83, as I don't think it was around for long and I don't think too many were made compared to the 82.