The Original CZ Forum
CZ PISTOL CLUBS => CZ82 & CZ83 CLUB => Topic started by: tpelle on December 03, 2015, 09:06:46 PM
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Been looking for a new concealed-carry pistol - been carrying mostly a 5" 1911, but sometimes switch it out with a Bersa Firestorm .380 - and actually I've come to really like the .380 cartridge. However, with the way things are getting to be in the world, I'm just not sure that 8 in the gun and 7 more in a spare magazine is going to be enough. Originally I was looking hard at a CZ75B (my son has one so I have been able to try one out) but I decided it might be a little heavy, and in the end I decided on a hi-cap .380. With good ammo, such as Hornady Critical Defense, I'm confident that a .380 will get the job done!
I looked at three pistols in the end - a Bersa Thunder Plus, a Beretta 84, and the CZ83.
I would likely have been content with the Bersa (the single-stack .380 I have is well made, accurate, and reliable) but for some reason Bersa just doesn't support the Plus like they should. They're very hard to find but much in demand, and as soon as they hit the on line retailers they're sold out, and they only come with one magazine, and extra mags are almost impossible to find.
A new Beretta is very expensive, so I would have been forced into a used one such as the Israeli police surplus ones that Coles Distributing has. (Had I not found the CZ83 I would probably have gone that route, though.)
I finally found that both Grab-A-Gun and Bud's had brand-new CZ83s in stock, and since my end of the year profit-sharing bonus was paid today I decided to get one on order before they were all gone. I went to Grab-A-Gun and put one on order this afternoon, as well as one spare magazine (In my opinion 3 mags are the minimum you should have for a carry pistol.), for just a little over $500 including shipping to my FFL.
Now just have to wait for it to come in!
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Welcome from Texas.
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Congratulations! Welcome from Nebraska.
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Welcome from Virginia. - Bodene
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I'm looking for some break-in ammo now for my incoming CZ83.
I recall reading somewhere that Remington ammo is to be avoided. I was thinking about a 500 round case of Winchester FMJ. What bullet weight for FMJ works best?
Hou about FMJ? Anyone have any advise on what works best? For my 1911s I always used the 185 grain stuff with good results, but should I go with a lighter bullet weight for .380 ammo as well?
Any advise on ammo to avoid?
Thanks in advance.
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Welcome from Illinois!
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Congrats and welcome from Arizona
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Welcome and good choice! Have a look at Underwood Extreme Penetrator ammo for carry. YouTube vids of it in ballistic gel are compelling.
I bought a Bersa but found it inferior in about every way to the 83, most significantly in how less accurate it was in my hands compared to the 83.
I rented a PPK and it doesn't have any advantage over the 83 beyond slightly better holster availability.
I've found that I shoot the 83 quite well and have no qualms with it as a carry piece with good ammo.
Hope you find the same for yourself!
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Welcome aboard.
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Enjoy!
I am waiting to bust some caps through my new to me 82!
Another NICE option, if you can find it, is the Browning BDA. Wonderful hi-cap .380!
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Welcome to the Club. You have chosen wisely. The Berettas are very nice but the 83 is great value in a handy package. Looking forward to a range report.
Also, I'm curious about this current batch of new 83s that have apparently shown up at various vendors. I wouldn't think that CZ-UB would have capacity to spare to re-start a production run. When you have your CZ 83, can you let us know what 2-digit year is marked on the right hand side of the slide as well as the date on the test target? Thanks.
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Welcome! Had a browning bda in nickel. Loved it. But... I sold it. I still have my cz 83 and don't think it's going anywhere.