CZ 83 Mags and Failure to Feed

[glen851]

Hi. I have a 2002 CZ83 that had been driving me nuts with a failure to feed problem. I posted here, months ago and got some recommendations for a fix. Nothing worked. All 3 of my 10 round mags would have a FTFeed on the 2nd to last (2nd round loaded into mag) round, necessitating mag removal then shaking out the round.

UNTIL a few days ago!!
I e-mailed gunsmith@cz-usa.com and Mike replied. He said the feedlips on the mags might be spread too much.
So I got my hammer, some duct tape to protect the finish on the mags, and gently hammered each mag till the feedlips measured ~8.5mm at the open end.

I fired off 40 rounds from each mag (120rnds total) without a single jam. This HAS NEVER HAPPENED before!!!
Previously, I couldn't shoot 3 mags without 2 FTFs as described. The feedlip dimension was/is really critical, and an easy fix!!
Hope this helps with some of the feed problems I've seen posted here.
Of course CZ's Mike, offered to replace the mags if I returned them, but hey, now they work fine!!

Glen

[ailog]

Are here any markings on the mags you have? I just bought two CZ83s (both manufacturered at the end of '05) and none of the mags have any markings. I havn't shot them yet so don't know if they have any feed problems.

[Otto N Sure]

I  had several FTF and FTE the last time I went to the range with my CZ 83 in 9x18 Makarov.

I chalked it up to really crappy steel cased ammo, now I'm not so sure.  I'll have to get some S&B or Winchester and see if it was an ammo problem or a mag problem.

Otto N. Sure

[glen851]

The only markings on the mags are on the inside of the plastic base. Two have the number 1, and the third has number 2. All 3 mags are 10 round mags. They have 3 witness holes on the back and a rather tall plastic base plate.

I shot ball, jhp, cheapo, and quality ammo. They all had the same FTF. The 2nd to last (2nd loaded in mag) would get jammed with the bullet snagged on the top of the feedramp. It was impossible to rack it back into the chamber. So I felt this gun was definitely NOT going anywhere except to the range and even then it was a pain in the butt.

Needless to say this fix has me very happy!

[glen851]

Just an update, as I have shot 150 ball and JHP rounds of 4 different mfgrs thru these fixed mags and have not had 1 jam!

I believe the problem has been identified and remedied!

[ailog]

"feedlips measured ~8.5mm at the open end"

The clips that came with my new cz83 in .380 have no markings whatsoever, metal base, plastic follower. I measured the same dimension and mine comes out to about 8.6 mm from the inside edges. I havn't shot this gun yet, but I also have a new cz83 in .32 and no mag problems. The clips for the .32 also appear to be from the latest batch (no markings, etc). Both guns were manufactured in late '05 and I presume the mags also. Maybe CZ regognized a problem and fixed it? I don't know.

[Crow Beads]

I just got a couple of 10s from Mike.  The mag lips were 9.5mm.  I got them down to about 8.5.  Yesterday at the range they performed flawlessly with several types of .380 ammo.  Now I have three good mags including the hi-cap from CDNN.  That seems to be the solution.  Happy shooting!

[jimmy2]

I realize this is an old thread, but my brand-new 2006 .380 CZ-83 has the same feeding failure, although in a 13-round magazine.  I shot it for the first time yesterday.  The next-to-last round fails to feed, coming to rest at an upward angle.  The slide has to be opened and the round shaken out the ejection port.  This is with the original factory mags and happens often but not always.  Sounds like there are some bad mags out there.  Very regrettable, given the overall quality of the pistol and the cost of the mags.

[renothecat]

OK - so I know this post is several years old at this point. Just wanted to write in and say how happy I am that I found this thread. I've been dealing with the exact same problem with my 83. The last 2 rounds to be fired always got hung up. I put in new mag spring, new mag follower, new recoil spring and still had the same issue. After reading this thread, my mag lips were a full 10mm wide. I squeezed them down to 8.5 and now everything is fixed! Thanks to the original poster!

[ZardozCZ]

Thanks for bringing this one up Reno. I've ordered 5 mags and had concerns from other threads about sub standard mags. If they don't perform well, I'll start with this information.

Oh, I ordered the mags so I can shoot the centerfire league and not have to scurry to reload mags. I'm trying a different pistol each week just for fun. Can't wait to try the 83! Shot my best ever with my GP100 the other night, gotta beat it with a CZ now!

[il.bill]

OK - so I know this post is several years old at this point. Just wanted to write in and say how happy I am that I found this thread. ... my mag lips were a full 10mm wide. I squeezed them down to 8.5 and now everything is fixed! Thanks to the original poster!

renothecat -

Thanks for resurrecting this old thread.  The archives here are full of useful information and it was your timely post that has just saved me some aggravation and search time.  Now I need to get the CZ82/83 magazines out and check them over before the winter weather lets up.