CZ 83 380 ACP Pistol Review 

I purchased my CZ83 new about 9 or 10 years ago. I have lots of hand guns and the CZ83 is the gun I carry. I have 45's, 9mm, and 357's, but this is the gun I trust to defend myself and my family. It is the most accurate gun I own, and after over 1,000 rounds it has never had a failure to feed or any other problem. I know when I pull the trigger, it will go bang.

I carried my CZ-82 for years. Cocked and locked for this guy! Great gun for sure.

Guns don't kill your bank account - the price of bullets do! Great video.

You are one of the best gun reviews on utube. !! Polite with no fowl language!! Thank you !!!

These are beautiful little pistols. Very shootable and more accurate than most .380s. Reliable right out of the box. They _are_ kind of big to carry, and you can easily get 9x19s now this size or smaller, but I have carried mine. On the strength of it, I bought a CZ-85B -- also a beautiful gun.

Just got my gun license approved today and after reviewing a few I am probably going to get this handgun! Thank you for this video mate!

love my CZ83 best handgun ever , just bought the makorav p83 and polish p64

This is my kind of gun! cheap, reliable, small pistol. Also love the music choice sootch!

I love the CZ-82 so much we have 2 of them, thinking about getting one of the 83's at somepoint. Love these guns. So comfortable and accurate, the handle fits your hand very well.

Thanks again for a quality review! I'm always loving your videos. God bless!

Loud and clear!!!, I own two hand guns, CZ 83 cal 7.65 and CZ 83 cal 9mm. Both are great, I love them. Thanks!!.

Outside gun wear gives the gun its character, and it's always made me wonder of its history. Nice gun.., once again, great video!

Years ago I went into the gun store with my hard-earned nickels to buy a Sig. My brain had thoroughly decided this after much research. My eyes agreed with it. But when I got to the store and checked things out my hand just refused to let go of the CZ-83. Just the best-feeling gun. And I loved to shoot it, and it has always shot flawlessly. This is my personal favorite and will be my zombie apocalypse carry gun.

Thank you! I have come to realize that and am very happy with my cz82.

awesome sootch. i bought a cz 82 several years ago, liked so well i bought a second one. liked it so much i bought a cz2075 rami all totally accurate weapons thumbs way up for CZ!!!!!!!!

I have a CZ 83 in .32 bought as a new pistol. It has a 15 shot magazine and is very accurate. Your review is excellent.

I love this little pistol. Bought mine in Prescott, AZ from J@G sales. I shoot it all the time and it's very accurate. One of the best under 225.00 pistols I've ever owned . If you can find one buy it. You will enjoy it.

great review. The acoustic guitar music bed intro is awesome. Classy.

:Good video. Camera work is excellent and I always enjoy the videos on the surplus firearms.Bring us more!

Bought mine new many years ago. Serial number is in the first 500. Love it as a carry and at the range. First finger on my steadying hand hooks nicely around the trigger guard just below the slide. Trigger finger works for me on right side mag release. Thanks for great review.

I bought one surplus as well. It is in the same approximate shape as yours appears to be on the video. The guy who carried the one I have never cleaned it. Took me 2 hours to scrub it out, drift the rear sight, remove grips and clean the magazine which was also full of crud, i.e. carbon. It shoots great, no trouble so far and I like the classic look.

Thanks sootch00. I got one of these new within a month of CZ setting up shop in the states and carried it daily. Had it Lauercoated at the factory just north of me here in WI. I also lucked into finding FACTORY made wood grips that are gorgeous but I cannot find them anymore. Mine remains HIGHLY accurate and is still one of my favorite pistols to carry especially in the summer months. I havent had any problems whatsoever and have managed to stockpile hi cap mags. With the Lauercoating the finish can sure take a lot more abuse. Also by the way if you still want a new CZ83 a very few can be found through MSR Distribution at $425 wholesale.....a lot more than I bought mine for years ago. I am an FFL holder and though I also have a stainless PPK/S I generally delegate it to a pocket holster and carry this in an IWB generally in the summer, dragging around an SAR K2 .45 in the frigid winter months up here. Several distributors are offering these used pistols in various condition grades and I saw that AIM is currently selling them at close to the $300 range. For the poor morons that still live in CA there are 10 round mags available for these pistols. I love the guns for having some of the best sights for a pistol of its type that even aging eyes can use. I have written a number of letters to Aliengear trying to get them to make an IWB holster for the THOUSANDS of Cz82 and 83 pistols that are now in circulation but so far they havent acted. I have managed to find holsters that work well enough but finding a really good Fobus type would really be great in paddle config for OWB carry. I have again had NO problems with my now getting older CZ83 and love it more today than I did when I got it. I did take some stones and emery cloth to the trigger assembly and managed to obtain a 3.3 avg SA trigger pull and that helps accuracy for me even more than I expected. Love these pistols I really do and now carry mine loaded with Interceptor ammo that lessens recoil even more but is also a devestating round for the .380 loading. Another GREAT video sootch00!! I appreciate it

Have been poking around for a good deal on a CZ83. The 82 and the 83 have awesome DA triggers and are a lot of fun to shoot. Very accurate and easy follow up shots..

If the 83 is anything like the 82, NEVER let the slide go home on its own when unloading the chamber... We had an 82 fire out of battery by the primer striking the rod inside the slide, after everyone regained their hearing the guy holding it had shrapnel all in his hand. Took some real hard looking to figure out what happened, but the slide basically shoved the round forward hitting the primer and causing the round to detonate outside the chamber. The shell absolutely onion peeled and the projectile simply fell to the ground... we spent 30 minutes looking for a hole.

Even before watching this it reminds of the Makarov. I know it is not. I love CZ guns. Nice review.

Thankyou, your. videos are best in class! I do not yet have a CZ but must get one now. I like these solid, heavier classic handguns, as you say they shoot comfortably and "feel right".

good music and excellent video as always

Excellent information as always. Look forward to shooting my recently acquired surplus CZ 83.

Super ending, sootch00!! Well played!

Based on yours and MAC's reviews I picked one up and love it and having a holster made for it.

I own one and love my CZ83. Never had failure and one of highly reliable pistol

Love the .380ACP. Great review. Ty.

This is wonderful, my Zastava m70 32acp will love his bigger brother caliber

que Bella CZ pistol I have a CZ 24 and a 52, I'll have to add one of these now🤣 Love your vintage pistol vids.

That outro was great man, God bless ya

Found one of these gems at a Gander Outdoors used gun display, bought it instantly!! Came with 2 mags and a speed loader for $250. Is in very good shape , cant wait to shoot it!!

Beautiful review !

Freakin' LOVE my CZ P-09. My shooting buddies own CZs, too, one has a RAMI that he uses as his CCW and another has a 75b. We switch around magazines when we're at the range, just because we can.

Merry Christmas to you & yours!!!!Long live the Republic!!!!

Cz handguns are addictive. Ive purchased 4 this year.

Great vid. Keep up the good work.

I’m glad I’m not the only one with cosmoline oozing out of my surplus guns

Awesome review as always Scootch! Unfortunately you are incorrect on one thing-the CZ83 is not available as C&R, only FFL01. Hopefully it will be added onto the FFL03 list soon! I love my CZ82 and would love to add an 83 to the collection.

I'm currently 3D modeling a CZ 83 for the game I am working on and your video provided invaluable reference materials, thank you!

I bought a cz 75d pcr because of your video. lifetime fan

a quality defensive 380 round can be super lethal and all you need in a EDC.

Another excellent review.

Seems very similar to the Makarov besides the ambi button safety and the fact that there's no decocker. I have an East German Mak my dad gave me and I love it, but this pistol is even nicer, thumbs up Sootch00!

First gun I ever bought, cheap, solid, and reliable....can't ask for more.

Nicely done review e/w very good video work, as well.

and I just picked one up today along with a colt mustang pocketlite and a cz97b. It was a good day.

I also own a CZ83Browning and Taurus PT92 but most of the time I operate with my CZ83Browning just trusting that gun with my life and nice and smooth shooter love it💯💪

Very similar to my Makarov, the best $100 gun I ever bought. Happy Holidays to you and thank you for all you do.

Super video. Thank you for your time.

Bought my Cz Mdl 83 yesterday. Test fired it today. ¡Beautiful!

Love CZ pistols but I prefer the 9x18 Makarov round... Always an excellent review. Thanks again

This is the best gun RU-vid channel

I have the CZ-82 in 9mm Makarov and I love it.

380 is a solid round some will say its not but shooting in my yard the 380 does a nice bit of damage and is a laser beam for accuracy.

I have been looking everywhere for this video!!!! Thank you sooooooo much! Any idea on how to get pitting off the pistol?

Another great review! The CZ-83 is a cool looking pistol similar to the Walther. So, may be you can do a review on the CZ P-07 with the 3.7inch barrel? Keep up the great work.

I just picked up a Satin Nickel finished version of the 83. This is a sweet gun. Really like the size and weight of it.

Fantastic video! Subscribed!

the intro music is great !

CZ name I LuV 2 hear ! Most excellent video need 2 git one someday soon I hope! TY 4 ur fine work

I bought my CZ83 9mm Browning new in West Germany in 89' as ATF wouldn't 'allow the importation of a CZ82 at the time. It has since served me, my sister and left handed son well since then. Still have it.

great gun, thanks for the video

I have the CZ82 and i love the hell out of that gun. Its pretty much what turned me onto CZ anyways.

Great review! Nice little pistol! If you can't find one of these, the Bersa Thunder380 Plus is very similar and has the advantage of a Decocker or Hammer Drop. Also a Lifetime Warranty

Now that is cool. I would love to pick one up.

You have all the cool guns!

Great video as always, Sootch! I have a CZ 83 in 9mm MAK and love it! The rear sight on it is drifted pretty far to one side like yours, too. Only complaint I have is I can only get 9 rounds in the mag....

Got one of the last new cz 83's (2012) in early 2013. My CCW.

I've always loved this video, especially the intro. It really grabs your attention. The CZ82/83 has been a longtime favorite pistol of mine and I might be acquiring another one tomorrow for $300. That being said, could someone please tell me the music piece being played at the intro? I can't imagine it being a stock piece of music and don't see it credited in the video. I've been trying to find it for several years to no avail. Thanks and best regards

I love this pistol. It shoots easily on target . The information invaluable to this who pass on these steel workhorses. Thanks again?

Good, full feature video Sootch. At 15:00 you state difficulty to get thumb to slide eject button. On this pistol, I always use my index finger and release on the opposite side using the ambidextrous feature. Feels natural. (Someone may have already noted this, but I cannot sift through 250 comments to be sure.

Love the CZ83

I do not think I have ever been disappointed by a Czechoslovakian weapon. They seem to really know how to make weapons in that area. I actually prefer a gun with some wear on it. I think it adds character. Also I do not have a heart attack if I accidentally scratch it, ha.

Hi Sootch, hi from South Africa. Now this is an old video but I have just bought a CZ 83 in 9mmk and it always gobsmacks me to see the prices you guys pay in the US for milsurp firearms. I have a number of milsurp pistols and long guns and have paid way less than anybody in the US, my cz83 two weeks ago, $174. cheers good info.

I like an exposed hammer and external slide stop. I am used to my 1911 platform. But then I like the FEG apk, and the astra constable, and beretta 84.

Thanks again!

Really like my CZ-82. The micro .380s are handy for hideout guns, but having enough gun to hold onto can't be undersold for its effect on shot placement. The longer barrel of the CZ-83 will deliver the most out of the .380 round. Ballistically it is very similar in performance to standard .38 special. It is really too bad that CZ didn't modernize this gun and put out an alloy framed version of it. Walther is still selling the PPK and Bersa is moving good numbers of their Thunder .380. There still should be some room in the market for it.

Well done, Great review. Mistakes: - 83 - 93 in use in Czechoslovakian Army not Czech Army as that one did not exist at the time, however CZ52 still in use at the same time in some units. - after 93 it's still in use in Slovak Army and Czech Army after the Czechoslovakia was disolved on 1st January 1993 and I believe it's still in use (correct me if wrong as it was still in use in 1998 as I remember).

Thank you...great review, as are all your reviews. Just FYI - AIMS Surplus has both the CZ82 and CZ83 today, 4-9-16, for $299.95. Guess where I'm headed next? ;-)

Nice video!

Great shooting little pistol. Much softer shooting than you'd think. Snappy, but not in a way which makes novice shooters feel like it's going to bounce out of the hand. On the downside, the grips are very slick and they've gone up in price considerably since this video was published. CDI Sales on Gunbroker still has a few in the $250-320 range at the moment, one of the only importers I've been able to find.

i had one of these, i liked it alot the only one downside that i never could get over was the fact after loading the mag beyond the 6th round the magazine will rattle. i heard the reason for that was the magazine in the 380 is exactly the same as the 9x18 so that slight difference is enough to allow the 380 to rattle in the mag, functionally though i had no issues but in the end i sold it.

I have over 30 different pistols. This is my favorite. Love the 380 Cal.

A beautiful gun, the CZ 83 reminds me of James Bond's Walther PPK.

I have a CZ 83 ca. 380 is a pistol of excellent quality and great precision

would love to see you do a review on a Beretta 70s .380

Greathings from Indonesia. Dear Sootch can you please suggest and review how is the better way to concealed carry cz 83. Thank you.

Sexy gun , remember me the "action" movies of the 80s .

I bought one today can't wait .you can just tell it's a quality firearm .I wonder what it would cost new today if they were making it still ? I paid $229.00 fantastic deal.

my friend has one of these, lol it has some serious recoil, I was surprised how snappy that little pistol recoils.

Bought one of those in Germany in 87 mine came with 2 mags and they I believe hold 15 rounds

The minor wear serves only to add character to the otherwise crude design. I love it!

I really like your videos! Thank you for taking the time to record your impressions! This is not an internal slide design like the CZ-75, is it? I really like th rounded forward profile of this pistol. What kind of .380 ammo do you load when you're carrying a .380?

Great looking quality pistol with the same sinister history as the PPK

Good stuff man👴🏻