got a 83 on layway but having 2nd thoughts

[jsigone]

I have a 83 made from 2004 on layway at a LGS.  Pretty rare bird here in Cali, none the less in nickel.  Cost is a bit over 500 with tax and fees OTD, looks pretty un shot, no box and only one mag.  ($40 to get another if I order online)

I just got a P01 and that thing shoots lights out & stock!!! and is about the same size as the 83, really has me second guessing the purchase of the 83.  All my others are full sizers. as CCW isn't really an option yet in my city within CA.

Others on the want list is a 75B SA in 40 (would be about the same as 380 ammo cost) or a Glock 21SF just to change things up.

Already have a  SP01, P01, and 97b, and outside born P226

What to do....what to do

[Psyop96]

What to do.....is to shoot it first [emoji4] Unless there are compelling reasons to have only one or the other, you might miss out on a great shooting experience (you wanted to change things up, right?) if you decide to unload it before that. It's not only rare in Cali but all over to find one in condition and finish like yours that you have on layaway status. It's one of the best of the .380 blowback shooting pistols IMHO. Good luck with your decision.

[Litomysl94]

My 83 (bought right before CZ quit making them) is a great shooter.  I wouldn't sell it or trade it.  I definitely would go for keeping the one you have on layaway unless financial considerations are an issue.  Like was said, you won't find another one like that anytime soon.

[jch2]

I'm have three CZ pistols. 85, P09 and an 83.
Love them all. The 83 is my favorite one to shoot and my favorite gun to own. Might be worth giving this one a try.

[il.bill]

If you can afford the CZ83, follow through with the purchase and do not look back.  That pistol is simply one of the best in its class.  It is a bit heavy for concealed carry, but that appears to be a non-issue from your post.  A nickel CZ83 in that condition would be one of the very last firearms that I would sell from my meager collection, IF I owned one! 

Get it, shoot it, and smile.  You can sell it later if you need to and not lose any money.

[jsigone]

Thanks everyone for the extra push I needed. I went down and inspected it some more looking for wear marks, looking for some stuff posted in the Facebook group and I couldn't really find them.  As thought, it's near like new minus the box. I did the paper work on it last night and can pick it up next Friday (10day cali wait)

Getting excited again now I got to handle it.  Time to load up on some ammo...


Is 380 worth reloading for? I'm already setup for 9 and some rifle stuff.

[ZardozCZ]

380 is much more worthwhile reloading for IMHO. Availability is mediocre at best and expensive at worst. I've paid for my dies quickly.

I find the 83 a pleasure to shoot, mine is nickel too. It'll be mine til death do us part. My 97b glossy is up for sale, and I traded a PCR for a P-01. The P-01 is much more accurate for me, and it too won't be sold. Stainless 75b likely won't be either.

If you like shooting your 83 as much as I do mine, you'll quickly appreciate the value in reloading for it.

It's also a great gun to introduce others to centerfire shooting. Just be careful they don't learn to like your 83 so much you won't get it back.

[Laufer]

jsigone:  you might be well aware of this perspective.

Although I'm a bit of a novice with handguns, my largest chambering is .380, and except for the Sig 232, the rest are Makarovs, two Polish P-83s and a single CZ-82: my only Czech gun.

The reason I also bought a Russian Mak. in .380 is to avoid the future risk of a 9x18 price jump if import tariffs or bans on certain imported ammo were to happen (yes, despite some 9x18 ammo produced in the US). All of my other eastern Euro guns use that same round. "All eggs in the same basket".

A CZ-83 using ammo common to so many more types of handguns is a major asset.

 A second angle which appeals to me concerns those 83s imported from Israel.
Quite frankly, Some of those 83s might have been used to stop Al Qaeda or other terrorists.

[il.bill]

380 is much more worthwhile reloading for IMHO. Availability is mediocre at best and expensive at worst. I've paid for my dies quickly.

...

^Good points here.

As to expensive .380 ACP ammo - remember that the CZ83, like the 82, was originally designed to run reliably on steel cased eastern European ammunition.  It will happily digest the 'cheap' steel case .380 ACP cartridges out there.  If you find a 'bargain' you can generally stock up with confidence.

[jsigone]

yah the shop I got it from had 380 ammo for the price of 45acp ammo     I won't get ammo from therm, but will shop around for it at walmarts and other shops to get my brass collection rolling

I saw powdervalley has 100g Berry RNFB for a few bucks cheaper than the 124g Berry's I'm loading now.  I'll start with a couple boxes of that and go from there.  I'm using Titegroup for the powder and stocked in winchester primers.  I'm going to need to hunt for more powder again, impossible to find local, well about the same online haha

   

[mountainrider]

I have a p238 to feed. It and a High Standard 22LR are the only non 9mm Luger pistols under this roof. Freedom Munitions pricing has kept me from plunging off the reloading cliff up to now. Their price on 380 is just a tad higher than their really great 9mm prices. Never been on back order when Ive needed to resupply and available up to pallet load quantities too. Their reloads are clean burning, squibless and 100% ignition so far.

[jsigone]

I just started reloading for the pistol, as it took forever to find powder I wanted. Been reloading for my AR and Rem700 for the past year.  I like reloading, I like the process, alone time in the garage from kids, I like being anally picky with what I make.  Saving $30+ a range visit helps too.

Reloading 9 is SOOOOOOOO much easier than rifles....can't wait to tool up for 45 and now 380.

[mountainrider]

I can relate. Once I leap into the reloading abyss, I'm sure Ill regret the hesitation. 83's are singing their CZ siren song too.

[eastman]

They aren't making any more of these.

If you don't buy this one, in three (or so) years of kicking yourself for not buying it, you'll likely spend more $$ on a pistol that isn't as nice. Think of it as a future cost savings. 

[MP2 Guy]

CZ83s are a great pistol that are no longer made. I recommend "pulling the trigger" (getting it) or, as others have said, you will probably regret it.