Once more into the CZ-83 fold...

[imarangemaster]

Hello the camp from behind enemy lines in Commiefornia!

I have had half a dozen CZ-82/83s since the 90s. My last an 82 I got in 2019/2020.  I since let a friend talk me out of it, since I work at a gunshop and figured another would come through..but one didn't.  I wanted an 83 this time, as I have over 1,000 rounds of assorted .380 ammo, and no pistol for it. 

I still have all my high caps going back before the ban, and from when I was an LEO, so they are legal for me.  I also have my CZ-82 triangular leather pouch holster that I like for discrete carry hiking up in the mountains.

California has its Roster of Approved handguns, and fortunately the Gloss blue CZ-83 with 10 round is on it.  Also, 82s are a Curio and Relic, so exempt from the Roster.  With this in mind, I decided not to wait.  While 82s are cheap and plentiful on Gunbroker, I wanted a .380 this time. I found a really clean, 98%+ finish compliant CZ-83 on Gunbroker for $425.  I am a happy camper.

It came into the gunhop I work at yesterday and started 10 day wait jail.  It is gorgeous, and doesn't look like it had more than a box or two of ammo through it.

[Alcoy]

Congrats!  Enjoy it.

[imarangemaster]

Here's my thread from 3 1/2 years ago about my last, CZ-82. 

Glad this one is a 380 instead.  Ammo much cheaper and more obtainable here in Comiefornia.  I have Hornady Critical defense, Fiocchi Defense Dynamics HP and 90 grain FMJ and a box of Atomic 90 grain HP that is a bit hotter than most, but not rated +P. (240 Ft Lbs from Walther PP).  Ordered a 16 pound Wolff spring for it.

https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=108587.0

[imarangemaster]

Digging out all my CZ stuff. 

Three of my mags are crossed sword and three are the fake "mfg CZ" on the base plate, and rear seam ones.  I replaced the followers with surplus CZ82 followers, and all 6 have new Wolff mag springs.  Wolff did not have mag springs for the CZ-82/83, but had Model 84 Beretta Chetah mag springs which are identical.  All mags worked 100% in my last 83 and more recently 82. 

I  also have  NOS lanyard and an 82 pouch holster, and ordered Wolff 16 pound spring from Wolff and a recoil plug with lanyard ring from APEX.

Should be all set for a range day planned on December 3rd when I am working next as a (Range Safety Officer) at the local sportsman's club.  Plan on shooting it, my new FN Five-Seven pistol, Yugo SKS, and Romanian under-folder AK.

I am like Ralphie in "A Christmas Story" waiting for his Red Ryder BB Gun!

[imarangemaster]

For those who don't know how the Czech Army pouch holster works.  Holds pistol, extra mag, lanyard, and cleaning rod.  Makes a discreet package while hiking that doesnt alarm the snowflakes...

[jwc007]

Very Nice!  Congratulations on your new-to-you Cz83 and may it serve you well! 

[imarangemaster]

Tomorrow at 10:57 AM I can get my 83 out of Commiefornia 10 day jail.  I also got a set of KSD walnut grips for it.  IIRC, KSD made the ?factory" walnut for CZ, before CZ dropped them.  Pics tomorrow.  I also installed a CZ 82 lanyard ring (magazine plug) on my 83.

Can't wait

I decided against Buffalo Bore +Ps, but rather stick to Hornady Critical Defense, or Speer Gold dots.  In the Lucky Gunner FBI spec testing they did .52" and .49" respectively

[Wobbly]

The conical ogive of the Hornady bullets (Critical Defense, XTP, etc) is something never tested in Europe. By law, they simply don't have those bullets available to them. Thus, the JHP from Federal and Speer with the more rounded ogive (which more closely mimic the FMJ) tend to have fewer feed issues.

I'm not saying Critical Defense is a bad choice.
I'm simply saying run a box through the gun before depending upon them.
"Trust, but verify."

[imarangemaster]

I have fired Critical defense 380 and 9x18 Mak from my prior 83s and 82s before, and they functioned 100%.

[imarangemaster]

Here it is.  The 10 round mag is not shown, and the mag in the weapon is a crossed swords late model.  Love the KSD Rosewood grips.  They are exactly the same dimensions as the original polymer grips, and are a wonderful fit.

[Alcoy]

Gotta love the classic wood and steel look.

[imarangemaster]

I AM IN LOVE!!!! I took the CZ-83 to the range today,  used all 7 magazines, and fired over 200 rounds of FMJ and HPs. ZERO malfunctions! It is SOOOO MUCH fun to shoot.

Ammo Used:

PMC Bronze 95 grn FMJ (@950 fps)
Hornady Critical Defense 90 grain FTX HPs (@1,000 fps)
Atomic Ammo, 90 grn JHP (@1,100 fps /241 ft lbs ME)
Speer Gold Dot 90 grn JHP (@950 fps)

Magazines:

(3) surplus CZ-82 mags with crossed swords
(3) "mfg CZ" aftermarket with front and rear seam.  Have CZ followers and magazine springs installed
(1) CZ-83 factory 10 rounder.

I did both rapid fire drills at 7 yards, about as fast as I could pull the trigger.  Seven yards firing about 2 shots per second, the groups were the size of my fist. Very little felt recoil with rapid reacquisition of the target.

I bounced pop cans on the 25 yard berm off-hand, easily hitting or moving the can with almost every shot.

[imarangemaster]

Dang,
Cleaning the pistol this morning and found the right side KSD Rosewood grip panel is cracked.  Contacted them, and they sent a return label.  They offered refund, but not replacement. I could glue it, but $80 is a lot for a broken item.

[david s]

Thats a shame, it doesn't look like a manufacturing defect as much as the grip split along the natural wood grain right where the grips are thinnest above the safety. Looks like there's a second split beginning about a half inch in front of the other split. Just from your photo it looks like another pair of grips with a different grain structure might be an option, you might ask the maker KSD if they would consider a swap instead of a refund. I have a set of ebony 1911 grips that have begun to split through the grip screws again the splits just following the natural grain, one of the hazards of wood I'm afraid.

[imarangemaster]

I just heard, they are shipping me a new set.