CZ83 painful recoil

[helopigs]

I have a cz83 in 380acp that has had unexpectedly painful recoil since I acquired it. Every shot hurts the webbing area of my dominant hand. It doesn't leave marks on my hand, it just stings. I've shot a fair number of light pistols in 9mm without ever experiencing any pain, and I've read that cz83 tend to shoot relatively softly, so I'm wondering if something is wrong with this gun.

I put some new extra power recoil springs from wolff in it, with no change.

I noticed the top of the barrel has some unusually prominent scratches along where the slide moves. I'm used to surface wear on a barrel, but these are significant enough to feel rough when scratching with a fingernail. Could the slide be dragging on the top of the barrel under recoil, and causing an unusual spike in recoil?

Thanks for the help; I'll try to get some pictures up later if anyone is interested.

[imarangemaster]

I guess "Painful Recoil" is a subjective thing.  I'm 63 with arthritis, and shoot +P Buffalo bore loads in mine, with 50% more ME.

Some suggestions:

Grip the pistol fairly tightly with the strong (shooting) hand. Wrap your off-hand around the strong hand, maybe even slightly cupping the bottom,  If you step back with the strong foot, and lock your shooting arm out straight, it acts like a rifle stock transferring some recoil to the shoulder.

Try this:
http://www.weapon-blog.com/2013/08/what-stance-do-you-use/

[bozwell]

That's one of the reasons I sold my CZ82.  Shooting the 82 gave me a sharp pain exactly where you're describing.  I also tend to get trigger sting from certain more modern CZs (I can't tell you why, but changing to the 85 trigger can help and this is a fairly well known solution to this problem).  No clue if the two are related, but I just look at it as certain CZs just don't fit me well and I don't think it's indicative of a problem with the firearm or a technique issue. 

[il.bill]

I have had a couple that featured sharp lower edges on the safety that would cut a distinct 'V' into the top of my thumb until I rounded those edges with a file or Dremel tool, but since you specifically mention leaving no marks on your hand it clearly is something else.  If the new heavier recoil spring did not tame it, I am at a loss.

I do not have an answer for you, but I have to say that I am always surprised at how 'snappy' my CZ82s and CZ83 feel when I first fire the pistol(s) after not shooting one for a couple of months.

Fairly soon I remember why I like them so much as the accuracy and reliability is pretty constant.

[Robert Louis]

I have a cz83 in 380acp that has had unexpectedly painful recoil since I acquired it. Every shot hurts the webbing area of my dominant hand. It doesn't leave marks on my hand, it just stings. I've shot a fair number of light pistols in 9mm without ever experiencing any pain, and I've read that cz83 tend to shoot relatively softly, so I'm wondering if something is wrong with this gun.

I put some new extra power recoil springs from wolff in it, with no change.

I noticed the top of the barrel has some unusually prominent scratches along where the slide moves. I'm used to surface wear on a barrel, but these are significant enough to feel rough when scratching with a fingernail. Could the slide be dragging on the top of the barrel under recoil, and causing an unusual spike in recoil?

Thanks for the help; I'll try to get some pictures up later if anyone is interested.

I shot my new CZ 83 7.65 mm today and I have arthritis in my hands.  One of the things I noticed is that the higher my hand was up on the gun which is usually the proper position the more recoil I felt when I lowered my hand so the weather my hand was not in the beaver tail it was much more pleasant to shoot.

[MP2 Guy]

The recoil of the CZ83 in .380 ACP is a bit strong.  I much prefer my 7.65 Browning version of the gun.

[imarangemaster]

I've been shooting a Kahr CW45 .45 ACP, Glock 19 (both with +P or +P+, and Bersa Firestorm (19 oz) with Buffalo Bore +P, so I find the steel framed CZs recoil mild compared to what I have been shooting for the last 50 years....  I guess it is relative to what you are used to.  The only time I even notice the recoil was with the 1200 FPS, 300 ft lbs Buffalo Bore Ammo, but even then, I would classify those as mild to moderate.

[Comte]

Really?  I have carpel tunnel, elbow and shoulder arthritis, and those little 9mm like the Glock 2 make me cringe when I shoot them.  I almost dropped a 26 the first time I fire it.  And those PPK's are snappy little bastards in .380, but the CZ83 is like the perfect little gun.  Not to snappy, not a lot of recoil, more accurate than I am.  I,really like it.  I have been feeding it this, but it seems the .380 hollow point is no longer made.  Too bad.  Works great. 

http://t.basspro.com/Winchester-SXZ-Personal-Protection-and-Training-System-Handgun-Ammo/product/100834/



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[ethangsmith]

Try this- go buy a cheap FEG PA-63 pistol in 9x18. Take it to the range and put a box of 50 through it. Then shoot the CZ 83 afterward. It won't feel bad at all then! (I actually did this and the 83 felt like a 22 after the slamming of the FEG).

Some things to try- make sure all parts are properly cleaned and lubricated and the barrel is clean of carbon and lead fouling. A properly maintained gun works more smoothly (Think of a car engine that hasn't had spark plug or an oil change often enough versus one that gets routine maintenance). Grip is also important. Too low or too high and you can get cuts or a good thrashing. Work with your grip and you may find something that works better. Check your cartridges too. +P or other hotly loaded stuff can add to recoil. Stay away from the surplus Russian stuff. They're usually quit hot. Keep in mind too that the 82 and 83 are fixed barrel, so recoil is more sudden and feels almost like a revolver. With the barrel not moving, the blast is conveyed differently than a locked breech type system (Like the 75 and it's counterparts). If it is really bothersome, you can probably fit one of Hogue's rubber grips around the grip area of the gun for better hand placement and a little cushion. Don't give up on your 83 just yet. They're reliable, durable, and have a great trigger. Getting past some of the reservations about the gun may be very rewarding.

[BEE]

I recently got a 83 and I too was surprised how snappy it was when I first shot it with Perfecta rounds from Walmart. The second time at the range I got used to it; I adjusted my grip and my stance then all was good.

[BubbaLa]

for what it's worth,,, my new 83 right out of the sealed box gave me a cut on the web of my dominant hand. i had to take a fine file to the right side, under the "beaver tail" and soften some edges. then i reblacked it.not exactly happy about it, but i'm sure i'm the only one that knows it's there.

[rdcinhou]

I don't consider either my CZ-82 (9mm Makarov) or my CZ-83 (.380 ACP) to hurt when I shoot, so I think you're on to something about the slide possibly getting interfered with on cycling.

My CZ Vzor 70 (.32 ACP), however, does sting a lot on recoil as there is a wide plastic piece up where a beavertail would otherwise be and it puts a lot of pressure on the crease of your hand.

Take your gun to a gunsmith and let them measure to see if maybe either the slide or rail is slightly deformed and causing the problem.

[Angrysnarf]

Agreed it's surprisingly snappy

But my wife has no problem with it but it cuts into my hand

[calan2]

I'll jump on board the "unexpected recoil" train. My new CZ 83 is larger and heavier than my Bersa Thunder 380, but the Thunder has MUCH less of a snappy recoil than the 83, shooting the exact same handloaded ammo side by side. A heavier Wolf recoil spring helped slightly, but not at the expense of barely being able to rack the slide.

More importantly (and more annoying), is my CZ 83 has a nasty trigger slap. I'm an experienced 50 year-old shooter with several guns... but no matter what I do with my grip, trigger technique, etc... the tip of my index finger feels like someone whacked the hell out of it almost every time I fire it. The recurve trigger doesn't help, but there is something else going on that I can't figure out.

Other than that (and the overly-polished slick grips and mediocre sights), I love the gun. Feels great in the hand, built like a tank, and incredibly accurate.

If anyone has a solution for that trigger sting, I'll buy you an internet drink.