Which mags are authentic, or just as reliable?

[il.bill]

So, if the clips magazines have what looks like the "X" but is really the crossed swords along the side near the bottom ... those are authentic Czech military issue, right? ...

Yup.

Nothing I have found will work as well as genuine CZ magazines, either the surplus with 'crossed swords' or new ones from CZ-USA.

[tcarn1]

Thanks!

I didn't know about this when I purchased my extra clip,  but I lucked out and it ha the fat X!

[Laufer]

That's too bad about Robertson's CZ-82/83 mags. Apparently the only reliable source is CZ-USA. Can you first ask a seller or different business to tell you the names on the mag's package?
If they can Spell the words "Uhersky Brod" or another authentic Czech name, you should be ok, unless they cheat and read it from the Internet.

As a side note this is Not about any Czech issues.
I drove to Robertson's and bought a second Polish P-83 last July. Superb handguns. They then had seventeen of them and let me try several triggers.

As a reminder, my CZ-82's mag from Uhersky Brod is a 10-rounder, not 12 (it doesn't matter to me). Maybe they must now be CA legal, or such?

[zbillster]

Thanks for this thread! I'm having regular FTF issues with two surplus cross-swords magazines that came with mine from AIM Surplus (put in new CZ-USA springs, will try followers next).

I tried the 8.5mm lip width trick (they were measuring around 9mm) but that just made it worse.

Was curious about the keepshooting mags but looks like they're getting mixed reviews as well.

So I'm going to order an authentic CZ-USA mag and try that. On another thread, someone else listed several links to authentic CZ-USA mag retailers other than CZ-USA directly, so it's possible to save a couple of bucks, depending on their day-to-day pricing:

http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=65365.msg514645#msg514645

[zbillster]

Thanks for this thread! I'm having regular FTF issues with two surplus cross-swords magazines that came with mine from AIM Surplus (put in new CZ-USA springs, will try followers next).

I tried the 8.5mm lip width trick (they were measuring around 9mm) but that just made it worse.

Was curious about the keepshooting mags but looks like they're getting mixed reviews as well.

So I'm going to order an authentic CZ-USA mag and try that. On another thread, someone else listed several links to authentic CZ-USA mag retailers other than CZ-USA directly, so it's possible to save a couple of bucks, depending on their day-to-day pricing:

http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=65365.msg514645#msg514645

Update: I ordered from Rogue Elite. Price with shipping to Texas was $39.99 + $5 shipping. Came in CZ-USA packaging and looks identical to my surplus factory mags EXCEPT no cross swords (maybe not on the new production mags?) and the follower looks less worn and subtly reshaped, hopefully for improved feeding. If this mag works well, I may try its new follower in my older mags to see if that fixes things, and use the lip width as a guide for adjusting the old ones.

[imarangemaster]

Looking at the mags without the grooves on the bottom, they remind me of some S&W Model 59 aftermarket mags I had.  Factory S&W mags have the grooves at the bottom, the aftermarket do not. Factory worked fine, the ones without the grooves allowed the springs to kink under compression when full, and cause FTFs.  The grooves in the bottom of the sides on factory double column magazines (from all manufacturers) are designed to keep the coils stacked one atop the other under compression.  No grooves to keep them centered, they squish sidewise and can kink.

[grainfed]

 I do rotate frequently with a CZ82 Makarov. I ordered 2 new mags from CZ-USA last month. They do have the indentations in the sides but no crossed swords like my  2 originals. They functioned very well with 100 rounds through each one when I finally hit the range. The overall impression was very favorable after taking them apart for inspection, cleaning and lubing before the first range trip. The followers looked 99% compared to my old '88 originals. They now also wear CZ Custom alum. base pads which add a touch of grip for the bottom finger. I'm good for now with 4 good working mags.

[imarangemaster]

One of my high caps from "back in the day" when I had my original CZ83 20 years ago, has no crossed swords, but is vitually identical, also.  IIRC, it is the mag that came in the weapon new. In retrospect, I assumed it was a commercial one, without the military crossed swords proofs.  My others have crossed swords.

[imarangemaster]

Interesting twist.  Since I pick up mu 2015 production CZ83 SKU 03101 (10 shot model for ban states) this next week, I was digging out my pre-2000 high caps, from a box of assorted mags I keep in the safe. All three go back to the 90s.

-One, as I said, has no crossed swords, but the indents on the base. Identical to military crossed swords, and has later model stamped base plate lock. It came with the original CZ83 I had 20 years ago.
-One Has crossed Swords, indents on both sides at the base, and late model stamped base plate.
-One has crossed swords, early style base plate lock with steel rivet, AND NO INDENTS IN THE BASE. Smooth side like the cheapos on the market. It is clearly CZ military, though, as the welds are invisible, and angles crisp like the other two.

I am guessing the third is an early military contract one.  As for base plate locks, I really thought the 83 I had back in the day had the rivet, but I could have mixed them up when doing the group mag cleaning/oiling when I put them up.

Anyone else have crossed swords with no indents?

[Comte]

Back when the CZ 82 was being surplused and imported here, I think it was Makarov.com who had real military surplus mags cheap. I bought 10 for under a hundred dollars and they worked perfectly.  I guess timing is everything in this business. 
 


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[dduggan69]

Here is my CZ 82 and it came with 4 mags, to bad only 1 is real deal CZ the other 3 are the mfg CZ knock offs,
3 range trips and im ready to toss them, they FTF 3-4 times on each mag when fully loaded.


here is a closer pic

[imarangemaster]

I am guessing it is the springs.  Since CZ is out of springs again, maybe some Wolff BDA or Beretta Cheetah springs.

[dduggan69]

I have the good mag apart to compare the number of spring bends.
The good mag has 14 and is longer, the knock offs have 12 and are shorter.
Stretching the springs a 1/2 " didn't help, Ill start comparing mags parts,
Maybe I can fix them and have (3) range mags.

[imarangemaster]

I had an issue with a Bersa .380 factory mag.  The early 7 shot mags had a really, short, cheesy spring, but the newer mags, designed for their more serious concealed carry line of the same pistol have substantial and longer springs.  I replaced the old one with a new spring and follower, and it is 100%, including Buffalo Bore +P flying ashtrays!  I grabbed four springs from CZ when they had them in stock (one day!).  My oldest CZ82 mag has a degraded spring, and doesn't feed. I am sure it was the spring.  In my experience, stretching a spring never works.

[USNRet]

There seems to be many magazines sold for the CZ 82/83 that state they will work in both pistols. Don't believe it - the 9mm Mak is 9.91 mm diameter at the neck while the .380 is 9.5 mm. Therefore while all CZ 82/83 magazines will fit into both guns they will only operate when the ammo matches the magazine.  To verify this go to www.shop-cz.com (not CZ-USA) and you will fined that CZ sells unique magazines for each round in Europe. The 82 PN is 0032-0040-01ND, the .380 is 0342-0041-03ND, and the .32 is 0342-0040-01ND. I have requested feed lip dimensions twice from CZ USA and they have not responded to either request. Reviewing my 6 magazines on hand the ones that work reliably in my 83 measure about 8.8mm at the front feed lip while the ones that work reliably in the 82 measure about 9.5mm. Only three of the six are marked - 2 marked mfg CZ don't work and one with an X or crossed swords works fine. NONE of the magazines I have ever seen are marked as to caliber thus we are faced with eternal confusion! I just ordered a .380, 12 round magazine from CZ-USA identified as item number 11302, it arrived with a CESKAZBROJOVKA A.S. part numer of 0342-0041-03ND MAGAZINE - CZ 83 FOR CAL 9BR/12. If we can get a solid specification of feed lip dementions I think many of the probles could be solved.  Bill