| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Vz 82, CZ 83 | |
| Origin: | Czechoslovak Socialist Republic |
| Type: | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Designer: | Augustin Nečas |
| Design Date: | 1982 |
| Production Date: | 1983–1992 (CZ 82) 1983–2012 (CZ 83) |
| Service: | 1983–1993 (Czechoslovakia), 1993–present (Czech Republic), (Slovak Republic) |
| Cartridge: | 9×18mm Makarov (82 & 83), .380 ACP (83 only), .32 ACP (83 only) |
| Action: | Blowback, double action |
| Velocity: | 305m/s |
| Weight: | 800g empty (9×18 mm Makarov/.380 ACP) 920g loaded (9×18 mm Makarov/.380 ACP) 750g empty (.32 ACP) |
| Length: | 172mm |
| Width: | 36mm |
| Height: | 127mm |
| Range: | 50 m (55 yards) |
| Part Length: | 97mm |
| Feed: | 12-rd, staggered-column, detachable box magazine (9×18mm Makarov/.380 ACP) 15-rd, staggered-column, detachable box magazine (.32 ACP) |
| Sights: | fixed front blade; rear drift-adjustable for windage |
The Pistole vz. 82 is a compact semi-automatic pistol made for the Czechoslovakian military. "vz." is an abbreviation for "vzor", which translates to "model." A civilian export version is called the CZ 83.
Manufactured by the Czechoslovak firm Česká zbrojovka the vz. 82 replaced the 7.62×25mm Tokarev vz. 52 pistol in Czechoslovak military service in 1983. It is a compact, single/double-action, semi-automatic pistol with a conventional blowback action. This type of action allows the barrel to remain solidly fixed to the frame, resulting in improved accuracy over pistols with pivoting barrels (like the U.S. M1911 series). The low bore axis of the vz. 82 provides for less muzzle rise and quicker follow-up shots. For added convenience, both the frame-mounted thumb safety and the magazine release are ambidextrous. The vz. 82 was the first service pistol to feature both these features. The bore is chrome plated, which gives it three advantages: longer barrel life, resistance to rust from the use of corrosive ammunition, and ease of cleaning. Another feature of this pistol is the use of polygonal rifling in the barrel bore. This replaces the traditional lands and grooves rifling design with a rounded, smooth polygonal pattern which has a more "hills and valleys" appearance.The CZ 83 was set to discontinued/limited production status by CZ USA in 2012.[1]
The Vz. 82 was made in 9×18mm only while the CZ 83 is available in a variety of finishes and chamberings:[2]
The vz. 82 was added to the US government's "Curio and Relic" list with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) in February 2007, after an individual wrote a letter to the ATF attaching a letter from a federal museum curator who stated that the vz. 82 had "museum interest" as a curio and relic.[3]
Law enforcement
Georgia - Imported during early 1990s, used by elite units of National Guard and Police[5]
Kazakhstan20 CZ-83 pistols were bought in 1998 for Ministry of Internal Affairs[6]
[9] The 9×18mm Makarov model of CZ 83 was imported in the 1980s, and now still in use with People's Army of Vietnam and Vietnam People's Public Security
[11] Gradualy replaced in service by CZ 75 P-01 Phantom since 2012 and by CZ P-10 C/F since 2020.[12]
Indonesia
Israel
Slovakia
Czech Republic