CZ discontinues dozens of guns for 2013, focuses on popular products

CZ will be removing 32 models from their 2013 catalog. They’re taking the ax to handguns and rifles, paring down the number of variants they are expected to carry and manufacture. Most of these are satin nickel and two-tone versions of their handguns in addition to a motley list of obscure variants you may not have known CZ made were they not announcing their elimination.

One gun on the chopping block—in all five of its variants—is sure to earn the ire of many CZ lovers. CZ will be discontinuing the 83, their classic and stylish high-capacity compact blowback pistol chambered in .380 and .32 ACP.

It’s possible that the manufacture of these guns just doesn’t justify the cost, as they are an older style of firearm. CZ offers the polymer P-07 Duty in .380 for foreign markets and that, without a doubt, has wider profit margins. Their alloy-framed RAMI is smaller, lighter, and chambered in 9mm; CZ has better everyday-carry options and doesn’t really need to make the 83 any more. That’s no comfort to people who like it just because.

The CZ 83 is a very nice gun, with a larger frame and less recoil than many similar blowback-operated handguns, decent aftermarket support and typical CZ quality. We’ll be sad to see this model go. If you were thinking about getting one of these, now’s the time.

All current models of 97 are getting cut as well. But don’t worry, CZ’s not going to stop making their gorgeous full-size, steel-framed .45 ACP handgun, they are just getting rid of the current versions and will be replacing them with updated 97s with flush-fitting checkered aluminum grips and fiber optic front sights.

The 97 B and BD are all the good things about shooting a CZ 75 and all the good things about shooting .45 ACP in one wonderful package. Like the 75, the 97 feeds from staggered stack magazines, and owing to the big bore cartridge, the grip is the one major foothold for criticisms. These are not small handguns and even if they wind up costing more with the aluminum grips, they may wind up selling more just because more people will be able to handle them comfortably.

They will also stop offering the Kadet, their .22 Long Rifle training pistol, although they will continue to sell the Kadet Kit for converting centerfire CZs.

Angus Hobdell of CZ USA has posted the full list of models that are not long for this world. They include the satin nickel and two-tone CZ 75s in 9mm Parabellum and .40 S&W and the satin nickel and two-tone 75 Compacts in 9mm. A few rifle models will be discontinued as well and include the model 453s with single set triggers, the 513 Basic, their budget .22 Long Rifle bolt gun, and the 550 Medium Battue Lux, their large game rifle chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum.

Guns.com has spoken to CZ in the past about their demand and the truth is that they’re operating on the ragged edge of their capacity. Their guns are popular world-wide, and not at all just with commercial products.

They’re still foremost a manufacturer of military small arms, and their recently-introduced CZ 805 Bren carbine and Scorpion submachine gun are in just as much demand as their service pistols and hunting rifles.

And while they’re removing some guns, they’re adding others. We still can’t wait to try the CZ P-09 Duty, now due for 2013, and CZ has plans to increase their manufacturing capacity, here and abroad with the intention of making the Bren and Scorpion available in the U.S., not to mention, keeping up with orders.

We’re more than a little sad to see the 83 go, still. Maybe down the road they’ll dust off the plans and put it back into production. We understand that right now, CZ has other things they need to work on.