CZ-83 spare parts recommendation?

[Praha1994]

A question for the knowledgeable folks here.

I'm a new (and very happy) CZ-83 owner (surplus model).  It is reasonably likely that this pistol will remain just a fun range gun.

But with out of production models, I like to acquire a few key spare parts just to have in reserve.  Parts that are the most likely to break, or in due course require replacement due to wear and tear.  Have done this for my M-1 Garands, and a few current production handguns that see a lot of use.

So - anyone have a list of parts that would be wise to buy now, when CZ seems well stocked with CZ-83 parts?  Parts most likely to require replacement in normal use?

(for purposes of this thread, we won't consider the SECOND [!] CZ-83 I bought, just after the first one, as a "spare" - it's new, one of the 2015 run, I think - and I plan, for now, to just put it away, and use my surplus 83 for now .......)

[MP2 Guy]

I yield to others since my 27 year old CZ83 is still going strong.

[afultz075]

Sear spring is probably the most important one. Any spring really it is wise to have a few spares.

The slide stop spring is tricky on the old guns - the older surplus ones use a slide stop spring that is shaped kind of like a sickle. This spring was redesigned into an L-Shape in later years and the original sickle shaped spring is no longer available. In a pinch you should be able to fabricate a new one yourself out of spring wire, it's literally a straight wire with a hook on the end.

Otherwise I would recommend a complete mag catch assembly (button, release, lever, and spring). The ambi mag catch is a weak point of the design IMO and can develop slop over time.

These guns really don't eat parts for the most part, however, parts will not be cheap and easy to find forever on a discontinued gun such as this. Something like an extractor might be impossible to find 20 years down the road. I would say it all depends on how much you plan to shoot it. I own quite a few 82's and 83's, and I wanted to take no chances on keeping them running, so I ordered multiples of everything from extractors, to sears, disconnectors, a couple trigger bars, etc. That is way overkill though.

[Praha1994]

MP2 Guy, that's great to hear, and not surprising - and my question is not prompted by any concerns over the quality and durability of CZ components, just a desire to ensure that this little thing will always work and won't require any costly or annoying parts search.  (oh, and I envy your CZ collection, to put it mildly)

afultz075, thanks for those suggestions.  Yes the slide stop spring is odd - I disassembled my new-to-me surplus 83 down to that point (before stopping after being scared off by the sear spring re-assembly thing), had a bit of trouble getting that spring back in.  Seems like the new L-shaped spring would work equally well on the surplus 83, and I was actually thinking about that one as it is sort of bent out of its original shape.

Mag release assembly, check.  Extractor, check.  And probably a few other parts that are subject to wear - though only single examples of each.

Speaking of extractors, I could not dislodge the pin holding mine in, to clean it and the slide thoroughly.  Is there a "direction" to that pin?  I have read it is best to drive it up, from inside the slide (makes most sense in terms of avoiding marring the slide, obviously), as there can be a taper on end of the pin.  I had no luck driving it either direction.  Soaked it in Kroil overnight first.

Any suggestions on that one?

[afultz075]

Regarding your questions -

On the slide stop spring - if you want to use the L-shaped spring in an older 82/83, you will need to drill the frame, as the L-shaped spring is held in place by a hole in the frame underneath the chamber area of the barrel. I would rather make a new sickle spring if need be, personally. I'd just take a pair of calipers and get the OD of the wire, and order a corresponding spool of spring wire from Amazon for a few dollars. You should be able to use the trigger guard pin as a mandrel of sorts to form the sickle.

The trick to getting the sickle-shaped spring reinstalled, is to partially drive the trigger guard pin into the frame a couple millimeters on the side where the slide stop spring sits, install the straight leg of the spring into the slide stop, and then slide the sickle end behind the nub of pin sticking into the frame. Once you do that, you can drive the trigger guard pin the rest of he way into the frame and the slide stop spring will be where it needs to be. A pair of electronics tweezers if helpful for the placement and manipulation of the spring.

For the extractor, you actually want to do the opposite, always drive it out FROM the top of the slide, and reinstall from the bottom. Don't forget to re-stake the bottom of the slide to keep the pin from walking. I have always been able to get the extractor pin to budge using a 1/16" Starter Punch. You will likely not have a good time trying to remove the pin without getting it moving using the Starter Punch.

[dlk]

I've had an '83 for over 20 years and here is what I've had to replace: recoil spring, extractor and its spring, magazine release assembly, magazine followers and springs if you don't want to buy complete new magazine bodies and floorplates.