NIB nickel CZ-83

[The West Virginian]

Good evening, all.

About thirty minutes ago I received an e-mail from a dealer I had e-mailed about availability of a Beretta 84FS .380.  He replied he did not have that model but he does have a NIB nickel CZ-83.  I am a bit dumbfounded as I thought production of the CZ-83 was halted in 2012.  After shipping and transfer fee I'd  have $540 invested.  Is that price completely out of line, or is it a relatively solid deal.  I know there are many used out there but few in nickel. 

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Take care.
Aaron

[Psyop96]

IMHO, in the ballpark for NIB nickel plated. There are a few that still pop up as NIB even though discontinued in 2012 and you're now paying for diminished supply. They are pretty.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[NRA1945]

There are still some NIB CZ-83's languishing around since production ceased in 2012. I got my blued version NIB on Gunbroker.com last summer for around $460 including shipping and transfer fees, which was a bit more then I wanted to pay.

$540 for a Nickel version... I don't know. That is the model I really wanted in the first place but I wasn't holding out hope in finding one NIB anytime soon. There are probably scant few NIB Nickels left, and even used ones don't show up that often. I might pay that if I had the extra cash but at this point I would probably just keep it as an unfired CZ collectable.

[The West Virginian]

Good evening, Psyop96.

It rang to me of MSRP, nothing more or less.  I really couldn't find any references online, however, so I wanted to check with folks who are infinitely more familiar with CZ products than I.

Thank you much.

[The West Virginian]

Good evening, NRA1945.

It's a bit of decision right now.  I'm a fan of new.  Sad but true fact.  This is the first NIB that I have been able to find, blue or nickel.  Used models that I have seen seem to have been used to hammer nails and stir stew.  While I will grant you looks aren't everything they do count for something.  The nickel just looks sharp, but at that price I'd almost be afraid to shoot it.  Better, as you said, to put it in my safe and let it become a collectable.  Just not sure what to do with this situation.  Decisions, decisions.

Thank you much.

[NRA1945]

Good evening, NRA1945.

It's a bit of decision right now.  I'm a fan of new.  Sad but true fact.  This is the first NIB that I have been able to find, blue or nickel.  Used models that I have seen seem to have been used to hammer nails and stir stew.  While I will grant you looks aren't everything they do count for something.  The nickel just looks sharp, but at that price I'd almost be afraid to shoot it.  Better, as you said, to put it in my safe and let it become a collectable.  Just not sure what to do with this situation.  Decisions, decisions.

Thank you much.

I understand... that's why I got mine NIB! I'm very picky, and I don't like collecting other peoples carelessly handled junk, with missing cases, manuals, etc. I take care of my stuff, and I don't buy anything from anyone that didn't do the same.

The price minus the fees is probably MSRP or slightly higher for a nickel version. If anything, the prices are only going to go up. If you don't need a gun really bad to use and you have the cash I'd jump on it as a collectable. Even if you do need a gun to use, I might still go for it. My CZ-83 has never malfunctioned on me yet and I've put nearly every conceivable types of .380 ammo through it. It is my carry gun for now until something better comes along, even then I won't get rid of it.

Think of it this way... 10-15 years from now when most if not all pistols will be polymer, an all steel double stack civilian model .380 like this that never had a real huge audience to begin with might become worth something, especially in the much lower produced nickel or .32acp versions, and especially if CZ ever starts to take off big time in the firearms communtiy. Then you'll be kicking yourself in the ass for not jumping on this while you had the chance just like I occasionally do for selling my Colt Detective Special I bought in the mid 90's that is now worth nearly three times what I paid. That is the way these things usually go!

[Skookum]

The MSRP on 12/31/12 for the satin nickel CZ 83 was $488.  I don't think the post-Newtown gun grab has fully ebbed yet, so it is unreasonable, in my mind, to expect a discount, especially for a discontinued great gun.

I paid $15 shipping for my CZ 82 last year, $30 to my FFL to keep him and the federal socialists happy, and 9.5% sales tax to keep the state and local socialists happy.  Thus, if I could find a NIB satin nickel CZ 83 today for MSRP, I'd have to spend  about $579 to get it home.

If $540 makes you balk, recheck the prices on Beretta 84 FSs.

[The West Virginian]

NRA1945 and Skookum, you both make excellent points.  I have a preference for the Beretta simply because of its decocking ability, and I did manage to find a NIB 84FS.  The price difference between the two is about $150 with the Beretta being the most expensive.  Not sure the decocker is worth $150, and the CZ is nickel.  It is altogether possible that somewhere down the road the CZ will be a collector's piece.  So, with all that being said I'm pretty well no closer to making a decision than I was yesterday.  Decisions, decisions.  How frustrating they can be.

[Skookum]

As I recall, the MSRP for a Beretta 84 FS was about $300 more than that for the CZ 83.  I wanted a Browning BDA .380 (no longer made, except for small special batches), then a Beretta (which I couldn't find), then got a satin nickel CZ 83 because I could find one and it was far less than the Beretta or Browning.  I think the other two are better looking, but I have no regrets.

I carry cocked and locked so don't routinely decock.  The idea of manually decocking is somewhat intimidating until you do it and find a way that is comfortable and safe.  I point the muzzle in a safe direction, place my thumb over the hammer with my thumbnail firmly wedged against the rear of the slide, I pull the trigger at which point the hammer drops slightly and painlessly onto my thumb, I then release the trigger, then I ease my thumb upward thus allowing the hammer to ease down.  By releasing the trigger before moving my thumb, the pistol cannot fire because of the rebounding hammer safety.  In other words, once the trigger is released, one could raise one's thumb quickly, but the sudden fall of the hammer would not contact the firing pin.

[NRA1945]

NRA1945 and Skookum, you both make excellent points.  I have a preference for the Beretta simply because of its decocking ability, and I did manage to find a NIB 84FS.  The price difference between the two is about $150 with the Beretta being the most expensive.  Not sure the decocker is worth $150, and the CZ is nickel.  It is altogether possible that somewhere down the road the CZ will be a collector's piece.  So, with all that being said I'm pretty well no closer to making a decision than I was yesterday.  Decisions, decisions.  How frustrating they can be.

Decocker? Once you get into the practice and habit of manually lowering the hammer on a loaded chamber on a CZ-83, it's not that big of a deal. The hammer is not that ultra-sensitive. You would have to be really careless if you managed to have an accidental discharge while doing so. Do as Skookum suggested. After a while, you could even do it one handed with enough practice, although I would use two hands just to be safe.

Still... this is a gun I would not recommend to somebody who had absolutely no interest in learning it's battery of arms or that of any other semi-auto for that matter. For them, a DA/SA or DAO revolver would be the safest bet.

[The West Virginian]

As I recall, the MSRP for a Beretta 84 FS was about $300 more than that for the CZ 83.  I wanted a Browning BDA .380 (no longer made, except for small special batches), then a Beretta (which I couldn't find), then got a satin nickel CZ 83 because I could find one and it was far less than the Beretta or Browning.  I think the other two are better looking, but I have no regrets.

I carry cocked and locked so don't routinely decock.  The idea of manually decocking is somewhat intimidating until you do it and find a way that is comfortable and safe.  I point the muzzle in a safe direction, place my thumb over the hammer with my thumbnail firmly wedged against the rear of the slide, I pull the trigger at which point the hammer drops slightly and painlessly onto my thumb, I then release the trigger, then I ease my thumb upward thus allowing the hammer to ease down.  By releasing the trigger before moving my thumb, the pistol cannot fire because of the rebounding hammer safety.  In other words, once the trigger is released, one could raise one's thumb quickly, but the sudden fall of the hammer would not contact the firing pin.

NRA1945 and Skookum, you both make excellent points.  I have a preference for the Beretta simply because of its decocking ability, and I did manage to find a NIB 84FS.  The price difference between the two is about $150 with the Beretta being the most expensive.  Not sure the decocker is worth $150, and the CZ is nickel.  It is altogether possible that somewhere down the road the CZ will be a collector's piece.  So, with all that being said I'm pretty well no closer to making a decision than I was yesterday.  Decisions, decisions.  How frustrating they can be.

Decocker? Once you get into the practice and habit of manually lowering the hammer on a loaded chamber on a CZ-83, it's not that big of a deal. The hammer is not that ultra-sensitive. You would have to be really careless if you managed to have an accidental discharge while doing so. Do as Skookum suggested. After a while, you could even do it one handed with enough practice, although I would use two hands just to be safe.

Still... this is a gun I would not recommend to somebody who had absolutely no interest in learning it's battery of arms or that of any other semi-auto for that matter. For them, a DA/SA or DAO revolver would be the safest bet.

Good morning, gentlemen.

I contacted a local dealer Thursday in regards to the Beretta.  He has always had a knack for finding firearms that no one else seems to be able to locate.  I told him what I was looking for and he asked me to call him back in about 45 minutes.  I called him back and he had found a single, NIB 84FS.  After tax I'd pay just under $700.  I told him I needed to think about it, and I'd call him back.  I'm reconsidering, though, and may call him back tomorrow and tell him to order it, if it's still available.  Chances are it's already gone so it may all be a moot point.

I am not a cocked and locked man, but manually lowering the hammer doesn't bother me.  I pinch the hammer spur between thumb and forefinger of my left hand, squeeze trigger with forefinger of right hand then release the trigger as I slowly lower the hammer with my left hand.  Easy and simple.  The decocker is just a convenience which is why I say I'm not sure it's worth the extra money.

Please forgive me for saying this but I actually prefer the looks of the Beretta to the CZ, but the draw of the nickel finish on the CZ is undeniable.

[Skookum]

The nickel Beretta 84 FS comes with wood grips.

I think the Browning BDA .380 is even better looking than the Beretta:

.

Unfortunately, it has a slide-mounted safety.

Bear in mind that if you want to change sights on the Beretta, the front sight is an integral part of the slide, so major surgery by a gunsmith is required.

[JAKELEG]

The West Virginian.......did you get my PM?

[bozwell]

Please forgive me for saying this but I actually prefer the looks of the Beretta to the CZ, but the draw of the nickel finish on the CZ is undeniable.

The 84FS, particularly in stainless, is a fantastic looking gun.  In my opinion, it can hold its own to any other handgun in the aesthetics department.

[The West Virginian]

Skookum, the Browning is a sleek beauty, no doubt.  I prefer the looks of the Beretta, though, and I better like the frame mounted safety/decocker.  For the right price I wouldn't say no to the BDA, but with the possibility of a factory new 84FS being available it makes it tough to consider them.  I think I have decided to see if that dealer can still get the 84FS, and order it if so.  Might also see if he can get a CZ-83.  If so, I know for a fact he'll beat the price quoted by the dealer Friday.