ČZ vz. 82

Infobox Weapon|is_ranged=yes
name=vz. 82, CZ 83


origin=flagcountry|Czechoslovakia
type=Semi-automatic pistol
designer=Augustin Nečas
design_date=1982
service=1982-1993 (Czechoslovakia, since 1993 Czech Republic, Slovak Republic)
cartridge= 9x18mm Makarov
action=Blowback, double action
velocity= convert| 400|m/s|0|lk=on|sp=us|abbr=on
weight= g to oz| 800|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes empty
g to oz| 920|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes loaded
length= mm to in| 172|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes
part_length= mm to in| 97|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes
feed=12-rd, staggered-column, detachable box magazine (data for basic military variant in 9x18mm Makarov)
sights=iron
variants=CZ-83
number=NA|

The vz. 82 [ [http://www.army.cz/scripts/detail.php?id=5079 cs iconCzech army page] ] is a compact, semi-automatic pistol made for the Czechoslovak military. The export version is called the CZ-83. "Vz." is an abbreviation for vzor, which translates to model. The vz. 82 is commonly (and erroneously) referred to as the "CZ-82". This is incorrect as the vz. 82 is a military production pistol.

Overview

Manufactured by the Czechoslovak firm of Ceska Zbrojovka a.s., the vz. 82 replaced the 7.62x25mm Tokarev vz. 52 pistol in Czechoslovak military service in 1982. It is a compact, double-action, semi-automatic pistol with a conventional blowback action. The blowback action allows the barrel to remain solidly fixed to the frame, resulting in improved accuracy over pistols without fixed barrels. The low bore axis 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 CZ-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 polygonal pattern that has a more "hills and valleys" appearance.

Commentary

The vz. 82 represents a unique approach to service pistols. American doctrine has traditionally focused on large, complex, and powerful weapons that were also expensive to manufacture. These weapons are typically chambered in calibers 9x19mm Parabellum and 45 ACP. Conversely, European and Russian pistols are usually inexpensive to produce, small, and generally have single-stack, low-capacity magazines. But Czechoslovakia has always strived to create weapons to meet their own needs, bucking trends and pressure from other nations. Their odd combination of a blowback pistol in a less-powerful caliber that was at the same time expensive to produce and had a staggered-column magazine defies convention.

Recently added to the Curio and Relic list of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE), the vz. 82 has become popular with US collectors.

Caliber

The vz. 82 was made in 9x18mm only while the CZ-83 is available in a variety of finishes and three different calibers:
* .32 ACP (aka 7.65mm Browning) - 15 round magazine capacity.
* .380 ACP (aka 9mm Browning Short) - 12 round magazine (13 rounds if 9x18mm magazine is used).
* 9x18mm Makarov - 12 round magazine capacity and polygonal rifling.

References

External links

* [http://www.freeexistence.org/vz82.html English translation from a Czech book about pistols]
* [http://www.army.cz/scripts/detail.php?id=5079 cs icon Basic data on Czech army page]