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Article Published
Date: 11/26/2007 |
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| Article by
Jamie Mangrum |
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Adobe PDF
Downloadable Version of Article |
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General Description |
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While I had Cancer I found I was not able to shoot rifles
easily because of the long walks back and forth to the
targets. I also found it was difficult to lift and carry
the weight of most rifles. Since pistols are light in
weight and practical shooting distances are shorter than
the rifle this is where I focused my Curio & Relic (C&R) collecting efforts
for the past year.
One of the little ditties I picked
was the Cz Model 82 pistol. Please note that I
inserted the word "Model" between "Cz" and
"82". The reason for this is the
correct name of the pistol is the 9mm pistole vz. 82
(short version - vz.82). The "vz." translates
as "Model" and "82" is the year the
vz. 82 was
introduced into Czech military service.
The Cz 83 pistol is a commercial version of the vz. 82
currently offered
in three different calibers (.32 ACP, .380 ACP, and 9x18
Makarov). The vz. 82 was produced only in
a single caliber. The Czechs had Sellier and Bellot
produce an enhanced version of the 9x18 Makarov
cartridge called the 9mm vzor 1982. The 9mm vzor 1982
round is interchangeable with the 9x18 Makarov round but
has a higher velocity bullet (approximately 20%). Since 9x18 Makarov
ammunition is commercially available in the U.S. and 9mm vzor 1982 is not (that I am aware of), American
shooters of the vz. 82 pistol will shoot 9x18 Makarov ammo as I
do. I have found the pistol will function flawlessly
with standard 9x18 Makarov ammo.
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9X18 Makarov (Left) and
.380 ACP (Right) |
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The vz. 82 is a little larger than a Walther PPKs
pistol. It does have a much higher (almost double)
capacity magazine than the PPK series of pistols, which
is a great feature. For
the U.S. States that are less enlightened than California in gun
laws (and yes this is meant as sarcasm) you will receive
a pair of 12 round magazines when you purchase your
vz. 82 pistol. If you live in the wonderful State of California
you will receive a pair of 10 round magazines. To be
honest for a pistol of this size even 10 rounds is
somewhat astonishing. |
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vz. 82 Specifications |
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Metric |
SAE |
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Overall Length |
172 mm |
6.77” |
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Height |
127 mm |
4.99” |
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Width |
36 |
1.42” |
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Weight W/Empty Mag |
800g |
1.76 lbs 28.2 oz |
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Barrel Length |
97 mm |
3.8” |
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Trigger Pull (SA) |
15 – 24.5 N |
5.5 lbs |
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Trigger Pull (DA) |
Max 58.9 N |
13.24 lbs |
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Caliber |
9x18 Makarov |
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Magazine Capacity |
12+1 |
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Full Size Image of Cz Model (vz.) 82 (Right
Side) |
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Full Size Image of Cz Model (vz.) 82 (Left
Side) |
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Taking a look at the two images above showing the
left and right profiles of the vz. 82 you will see that the magazine
release is of the American style located at the front side of grip
and not the European style located at the bottom rear of grip.
The safety on the vz. 82 is ambidextrous as it is found on both sides of the
pistol. Also ambidextrous is the frame mounted safety.
The vz. 82
safety allows the pistol to be carried in the
"cocked and locked" position if you so desire.
The carrying of a semi-automatic pistol as "cocked and
locked" refers to having the magazine full, a round
chambered, the hammer fully cocked, and the safety
engaged safely preventing the hammer from falling.
Note the "she 89" marking on the right side
of the frame denoting
that my pistol was made at Czech Arms Factory, Uhersky
Brod (she) in the year 1989 (89).
The grips are plastic and the pistol's finish is some
sort of medium gloss baked lacquer or enamel type finish
resembling paint. The
fit and finish of the pistol are of commercial grade in
my opinion (this is a good thing).
The rear sight is windage adjustable by drifting the
sight back and forth. The sight picture is excellent and
easily and quickly obtained.
The leather holster is of a unique design (pictured
below) in it allows you to carry the pistol in
ambidextrous fashion and
provides space for a loaded pistol, loaded additional
magazine, cleaning rod, and lanyard. One thing the Czech
military seemed to be way ahead of everyone else was the
attention to ambidextrous design. |
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Cz Model (vz.) 82 with Holster and California
10 Round Magazine |
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When you first receive your vz.
82 you may think you have received a pistol with a
"shot out" barrel (a barrel that no longer has
any rifling
left). This is not the case. What you see is actually a
barrel with polygonal rifling. This gives the appearance
of a smooth bore firearm. I have found that with polygonal rifling and a
chrome lined bore clean-up after shooting is a short
chore.
Some possible and claimed advantages of polygonal
rifling are:
- Higher bullet velocities.
- Less bullet deformation resulting in increased
range and accuracy.
- Increased barrel life.
- Reduced buildup of metals (copper and lead)
within the barrel.
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Polygonal Rifling |
| Polygonal
rifling is a type of rifling wherein the
traditional lands and grooves are replaced by
"hills and valleys" in a rounded polygonal
pattern, usually a hexagon. |
| Source and
additional information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygonal_rifling |
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Double action/Single action (DA/SA) |
| A double
action/single action firearm combines the
features of both mechanisms. Often called
traditional double action, these terms apply
almost exclusively to semi-automatic handguns.
The function of this trigger mechanism is
identical to a DA revolver, however the firing
mechanism automatically cocks the hammer or
striker after the gun is fired. This mechanism
will cock and release the hammer when the hammer
is in the down position but on each subsequent
shot, the trigger will function as a single
action. |
| Source and
additional information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DA/SA |
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I found (as pictured below) the trigger pull both in
double action and single action to be smooth and crisp,
weighing in at 13.25 Lbs. on the double action side and
5.75 Lbs. on the single action side. |
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Double Action Trigger
Pull at 13.25 Lbs. |
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Single Action Trigger
Pull at 5.75 Lbs. |
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Field Stripping Instructions |
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Figure 1 |
| Step 1. Depress the magazine release
and remove the magazine. |
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Figure 2 |
| Step 2. With the pistol pointed in a
safe direction pull back the slide and
inspect the chamber to make certain the
pistol is unloaded and safe to handle.
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Figure 3 |
| Step 3. Pull down on the front of the
trigger guard until it opens with an audible
click. |
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Figure 4 |
| Step 4. Pull the slide all of the way
back. |
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Figure 5 |
| Step 5. Lift the slide up at the
rear. |
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Figure 6 |
| Step 6. Slide the slide forward. |
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Figure 7 |
| Step 7. Remove the slide from the
barrel. |
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Figure 8 |
| Step 8. Remove the recoil spring. You
have completed the field disassembly of the
pistol. |
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Reassembly |
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Figure 9 |
| Step 9. Replace the recoil spring. |
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Figure 10 |
| Step 10. Place the end of the slide
over the barrel as shown in Figure 10. |
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Figure 11 |
| Step 11. Pull the slide all of the
way back and and then set it on the rails.
Let the slide move forward. |
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Figure 12 |
| Step 12. Push up on the front of the
trigger guard until it locks in place with
an audible click. |
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Figure 13 |
| Step 13. Insert magazine and lock in
place. |
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Range Report |
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The wind was low to moderate and for California it was a
chilly 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I took with me two
different types of commercial 9x18 Makarov ammunition. |
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Manufacturer |
Ammo |
| Hornady |
9x18 Makarov Jacketed Hollow point/XTP
Custom 95 grain |
| Winchester |
9x18 Makarov Full Metal Jacket 95 Grain |
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The Winchester ammo was $17 per 50 cartridges and the Hornady Custom
was $14 per 25 cartridges. That being said the
Hornady is what I would choose for either carry or home
defense because of the extra oomph of having a hollow
point bullet.
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Unloaded pistol on
shooting bench |
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Being a small pistol I did not expect a lot of long
range accuracy. I set my targets out at 12.5 yards which is a
reasonable distance (37.5 feet) to shoot since I live in
a small home of just under 1200 square feet. I loaded up with the
Winchester ammo first and shot off my first ten shots.
The target below is my target. I found the pistol to shoot consistently with
both types of ammo,
the grouping was pretty much the same every time.
I had no misfeeds and the recoil was very moderate.
Accuracy was excellent! For close distances of less than
25 yards the vz. 82 is a great little service pistol.
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10 shot group shot at
12.5 yards |
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The
only thing I would say that could be construed as
negative is that I don't understand why the pistol has a
double action mode of fire. It does not have a decocker
and I would not feel comfortable or safe carrying the
pistol with a loaded chamber with the hammer down. As a
result I would only carry the pistol cocked with the
safety on and would always leave the hammer back while
loaded. Eh, just me I guess.
I would recommend the vz. 82 highly. I believe
it is one of if not the best value for a
low cost, small frame, semi-automatic pistol available on the
C&R market today. I have seen models go for between $159
to $300 and all were in very good or better condition.
The vz. 82 pistol is:
- dependable,
- well made,
- feature packed,
- accurate,
- carries a high capacity magazine,
- has a great trigger pull,
- and is still
slim and small enough to be carried as a concealed carry
defensive pistol.
What more could you ask for? Not much! |
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Adobe PDF
Downloadable Version of Article |
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