hm,mmm.....I am tempted, but love my bulgies already. No real need for it.

 

AND j&g is selling them. I don't like doing business with pawn shops, so I'll pass.

 

Are the P-83 magazines compatible with the makarov

One of the things I really like about the FEG pistols is you can stick a 7 shot PMK mag (PA-63) into a 6 shot SMC.

 

From photographs, they might work, but I do not think they will be 100% compatible.

 

They are not compatible.

 

I have wanted a P-83 for years. May have to snag one now.

 

While I've no experience at all concerning this, gunboards sponsor Dennis Kroh has written in the past that the Vanad P-83 mags, while not a clone of the Makarov mags, can be modified to work in the Makarov. Never read anything about the reverse.

SlimTim

 

While I've no experience at all concerning this, gunboards sponsor Dennis Kroh has written in the past that the Vanad P-83 mags, while not a clone of the Makarov mags, can be modified to work in the Makarov. Never read anything about the reverse.

SlimTim

Tim, I've seen that but I can't get the P-83 mags to fit into a Mak, they're just a shade larger (lengthwise) and will not fit, at least they won't on any maks I have. You can modify a bulgie or any mak mag that doesn't have the hump on the bottom so they can be used in the P-83. You need to trim a small amount off the follower tab and they'll work. There's a little difference in the overall length and I found that some wouldn't feed reliably and none will lock the slide back after the last round. If you don't trim too much (you just need to trim enough to get them to go in) then they'll still work ok in a Mak. That was my experience before I found some P-83 mags a while back.

 

Hmmm, but it does seem they were trying to make it makarov-ish, what with the safety is makarov (down is fire, up is safe) which is the reverse of nearly every other decocking-DA pistol I know of. They are virtually the same size LxHxW, Barrel only vary by quarter of an inch or less, weight wise they are within half an ounce of a Makarov. Grip might be a bit more comfortable and sights slightly larger, otherwise same gun it seems.

For about the same money, one could probably find a Bulgarian Makarov (with character). I'm sure these are great pistols, but I KNOW a Makarov is a GREAT pistol. now if these sold for, say, $150 like the P64s I'd be all over em!

 

Tim they may be modified as they look almost the same. My statement was based on a
"wonder if they will work?'' moment not a scientific analysis. LOL

I did order a couple of this batch. When was the last time you saw P-83s around?
I snooped a bit with the salesman.
"Do you have quite a few?"

We have several.
There is a finite amount.

"How are they marked?"

He read the description that was on the website for me then. What an enlightening moment.

I do think that they are priced right and are worth it from a collector's standpoint. Now the floodgates will open. I remember when the Swiss K 31s came out. I jumped on two from AIM. Within a couple of months they came down $50 on their price.

 

I must resist.. even though I want one for my collection.

$249.95 fior the gun and one magazine
$14.95 for the additional mag
$22.00 shipping to my 01 FFL
$25 tansfer fee
$5 background check

Delivered price is $316.90. It offers no advantage over my other 28 MAK guns, other than being a Polish 83, which I don't have at this time.

I agree, if I could get the deilvered price down to $250 I'd get one. Group buy? Anyone???

D

 

Yea, sounds like you're all suffering the same pains I am. They need to (and will very likely as Hoosier noted) come down a bit if they don't move quick enough. P64's did that as well, but then again, the country is in the tail-end of a gun buying frenzy...

 

P-83

These are neat pistols, but 8 round and made of welded sheet metal. Military sights. I like mine and it fits well in my hand. Radom pistols are good quality, even if the construction is not quite as solid as a P-64. They are a lighter carry weight. I read that these went with the Polish to the middle east in the past few years, though I did not see substantiating pictures. The Poles are going to 9mm Luger caliber now.

The holsters for these are pretty much identical to the P-64 holsters.

I think these are worth the price for an 8 round pistol though I have not seen the J&G condition being offered.

 

P-83 vs PM mag comparison

I pulled out my P-83 and a couple of PM magazines. They are not compatible. The tab on the magazine follower is in a different location. When you insert a PM magazine in the P-83 the tab catches on the mag well and compresses the spring as you insert it. The P-83 magazine will not insert into a PM. The magazine is too large. I could get a large hammer and beat it in place but it would take a rather large hammer.

 

...YEAH...BEAT IT!!!...
No, really I need to get one of these
for my 9x18 collection.
Gotsta sell an SKS (I guess)

 

i love mine

 

I picked one up yesterday and took it out briefly today - shot 80 rds of Brown Bear 94 gr. FMJ and 115 gr. Silver Bear JHP with no issues. Very well made gun and a lot of fun to shoot. I'll need to take it somewhere with a bench to check just how accurate it is, but I think it's a better shooter than I am.

 

ever since i first heard of them, and them being hard to find. i haven't seen them on gunbroker until a few days ago. so i broke down and bought one, JG wanted 249. the one on GB was, i think 350. i am happy with my purchase. i have yet to shoot it though. when i bought it, the website said they had two in stock. and also gave you the option, for 10, to hand pick. if there is only two, WTF. after i made the purchase, i checked the site a couple of days later. they had two in stock still, but the price went down to 239. i checked back earlier today and the price went back up to 249. and they still had two in stock. the one on GB is gone. i don't know if it sold or the auction expired. nonetheless i got one for my collection

 

Pelo, you're mis-reading the website: that "2+" you're seeing is the price if you buy two or more . . . $239.

 

Guys, get your P-83 Vanads when you can, PW Arms imported only 200 this time!

I think there might be less than 500 Vanads in the US currently as the last time they imported them, they imported only 250 in the fancy red cases.

 

Guys, get your P-83 Vanads when you can, PW Arms imported only 200 this time!

I think there might be less than 500 Vanads in the US currently as the last time they imported them, they imported only 250 in the fancy red cases.

Who imported 250?

 

The very first ones were imported by Dalvar(in Texas) in the mid 90's. Mine came from them and is dated 1994.

 

Hey mpi, I have #SF06016, one # higher than yours but mine did not come in the red packaging. It came in oiled paper, cardboard box with clear lid. Lid is marked pistolet p-83 plus other markings.

 

cool, is it the same model as mine or the one with the military hammer and sights?

 

Same as yours!

 

I'd like to buy one of the new ones and get a set of grips made to shorten the trigger reach.

 

mpi, are both of your mags numbered? Only one of my mags is. I found and bought two extra used mags but I need an original cleaning rod. It did not come with the gun. I don't think I can post the sellers info here. I contacted him about the cleaning rod and he says he has some. Just waiting to here back from him.

 

i think only one, I'll have to check to be sure.